[Timuh60]

So I am ordering my ZL1 and the dealer says they have a non-negotiable add on of $1395 for window tint and Ally appearance protection for paint and fabric. Anyone have any knowledge about this "protection?"

[Mac7504]

Originally Posted by Timuh60

So I am ordering my ZL1 and the dealer says they have a non-negotiable add on of $1395 for window tint and Ally appearance protection for paint and fabric. Anyone have any knowledge about this "protection?"

Yeah, find a other dealer. When I ordered my first one they wanted 699 dollars for a 3m front protection package, which I told them to leave off and they did.

The 2nd ZL1 they tried to charge 399 for nitrogen filled tires, 399 for door etching which then tuned into protection for the door hands and door sill. You most certainly can ask that they not install those items if they refuse I'd look for another dealer.

Just my take.

[zxspeedspec]

Ask them about the specifics. Can you choose what window tint level? What's the type of window tint? What's the brand of the paint protection? How much coverage?

At that price point if they provide 3M quality ceramic tint on the side and rear windows at a darkness level of your choice AND a 3M quality PPF for the entire front area that's custom wrapped and not precut, that's actually a really good deal. Chances are you're going to get garbage, but it doesn't hurt to enquire and make sure you get the answer in writing. Also ask to put at least $5k on a credit card. If they deliver the car and it's not 3M/Avery/Xcel etc, just charge back the fee as defective/false advertised goods. If they really want the film back you can peel it off yourself and just stuff it in a USPS envelope and mail it back for like $5.

[Vigilante375]

That's one of those dealer charges that they make a ton of money off of and you can deny having it installed.

It is negotiable and if they won't then ask them if they want to lose a car sale over $1400. Then make sure they don't sneak in charges because they can and will do it.

Even if they put it on the car, you can tell them to take it off because you didn't want it and it is NOT a factory option. If they won't work with on it, then leave and find another dealer. There are plenty of other ZL1's across the USA that you can find for sale.

They probably paid $300 for this and are making a $1100 profit off of the customer.

Funny thing is, is that people want to talk smack and Tesla but does Tesla "dealerships" do this kind of stuff. No. They never have and never will. I don't even think I've heard of a Tesla "dealerships" charging over MSRP for vehicles either. But yet all the other dealers in the world charge over MSRP and add in these little BS packages that they say are negotiable.

[zxspeedspec]

Originally Posted by Vigilante375

Funny thing is, is that people want to talk smack and Tesla but does Tesla "dealerships" do this kind of stuff. No. They never have and never will. I don't even think I've heard of a Tesla "dealerships" charging over MSRP for vehicles either. But yet all the other dealers in the world charge over MSRP and add in these little BS packages that they say are negotiable.

That's a false equivalency. Tesla is literally following Marketing 101. That's how they currently stand out from the ICE manufacturer crowd. If they truly had a product that could compete on its own, they wouldn't need their "sales experience" to convert customers. As shitty as the dealer system is, it is likely to be MUCH worse without dealers. Instead manufacturers need to start setting legal MAP prices and then enforce them.

Tesla would LOVE to be able to nickel and dime you over everything, but they know their product isn't good enough to compete straight up against what's available so they offer things no other manufacturers can legally get around. If Tesla were forced to use a dealer franchise model, they wouldn't be able to control the individual dealers anymore than GM could.

[SoCal Smith]

Originally Posted by Timuh60

So I am ordering my ZL1 and the dealer says they have a non-negotiable add on of $1395 for window tint and Ally appearance protection for paint and fabric. Anyone have any knowledge about this "protection?"

It's the dealer's way of adding more profit to the deal.

The add-ons are always super juicy for the dealership.

[Spaceme1117]

Originally Posted by Timuh60

So I am ordering my ZL1 and the dealer says they have a non-negotiable add on of $1395 for window tint and Ally appearance protection for paint and fabric. Anyone have any knowledge about this "protection?"

100% bullshit. Its just an dealership addon charge and they actually do nothing at all to the car.

Tell the stealership to remove that fee because you know it's bullshit or forget about getting your business.

Better yet, just find another stealership. And tell the current one why you aren't placing an order with them.

[TXCSSU]

Originally Posted by Timuh60

So I am ordering my ZL1 and the dealer says they have a non-negotiable add on of $1395 for window tint and Ally appearance protection for paint and fabric. Anyone have any knowledge about this "protection?"

Looks like everyone's getting triggered before doing some simple research, although I can see why as I hate the dealer "Add-Ons", but understand that the dealership is trying to make some money without trying to do "market adjustments".

https://www.ally.com/auto/vehicle-pr...ice-contracts/ gives you some information. I'm not a big fan of Ally as I had a bad experience with their financing, so I personally would look for another dealership. They essentially "insure" the interior and maybe help with paint chips. It's completely up to you if you are ok with giving the dealer some concessions in hopes that they'll get you your vehicle. Sadly, I had to "make a deal with the devil" as I had to go with the biggest local dealership that I've had previous incidents with in order to make sure that I got my allocation. I say go to at least 2-3 other big dealerships first and then decide.

[Gunkk]

"non-negotiable"

[Timuh60]

I have contacted at least a dozen dealerships in Georgia so far. Nearly all are adding something. Even Rick Hendrick in Duluth said they have mandatory Lojack and other things. I didn't even know Lojack was still a thing! The only Dealers I have found so far that said they will sell at straight MSRP and no add-ons are small dealers that will only get 1 or no allocations for the year for a ZL1.
I am sure I am not the first (or the last) to get frustrated with the search in this market.

[Vigilante375]

Originally Posted by zxspeedspec

That's a false equivalency. Tesla is literally following Marketing 101. That's how they currently stand out from the ICE manufacturer crowd. If they truly had a product that could compete on its own, they wouldn't need their "sales experience" to convert customers. As shitty as the dealer system is, it is likely to be MUCH worse without dealers. Instead manufacturers need to start setting legal MAP prices and then enforce them.

Tesla would LOVE to be able to nickel and dime you over everything, but they know their product isn't good enough to compete straight up against what's available so they offer things no other manufacturers can legally get around. If Tesla were forced to use a dealer franchise model, they wouldn't be able to control the individual dealers anymore than GM could.

What, current, other Electric vehicle manufacturer has a better product than Tesla. I'm talking about price, range, performance, charging station availability, etc.

Tesla doesn't want to nickel and dime their consumer base because they have a product that's fair beyond anything BMW, Merc, Ford, GM, Cadillac, etc has to offer.

Tesla was forced to do business like it does because of them. They tried to bully Tesla or of the market but prevailed because they do have a good product that out performs any other, fully electric vehicle currently offered.

[Timuh60]

I have now found the right dealer. Jim Ellis in Atlanta hooked me up for MSRP and no add-ons. There are some honest dealers left.