Your car is the ad impression auto dealers most prefer

"DCCARGEEK" (dccargeek)
04/04/2014 at 10:15 • Filed to: None

Between Internet research and my personal experience I've concluded that many, if not all humans have a negative view towards automotive dealers. Given that solid data point I'm perplexed by a very interesting question: If we have such a negative view of the retail buying process, why do our cars reflect just the opposite?

The next time you're stopped at a red light or walking through a parking lot count the number of cars affixed with some form of dealer name or logo. Whether it is a vinyl applique or a license plate frame many cars on the road are littered with free dealer advertising.

Yet you never see a car with a plate that says, " Joe's Chevrolet is the WORST! "(DING! Million dollar business idea – negative dealer-impression license plate frames.)

The "Study"

To try and understand the phenomenon I conducted a small, very unscientific, research project. Armed with a clipboard, a pair of comfortable walking shoes and a pack of chewing gum I set off to roam the parking lot at my local grocery store to confront people loading groceries into their car on the question of what is basically free dealer advertising.

At the end of my "study" I managed to get input from 30 people. The people were targeted randomly and were only approached if their vehicle had a dealer-affixed logo (license plate frame, vinyl or other logo).

The two questions asked were:

1. Do you like or would you recommend the dealer listed on your car? Yes, No, No opinion.

2. Do you like having a dealer logo on your car? If not, why haven't you removed it?

Observation 0: The only thing people dislike more than car dealers, is a guy approaching them in the parking lot with a clipboard and a greeting of "Excuse me sir, do you have a minute?"

Observation 1: In response to question one the results were as follows: 12 responded NO, 5 responded YES, 1 responded SOMETIMES (thanks jerk, that wasn't an option) and 12 responded NO OPINION.

Observation 2: In response to question two a large majority of owners, 24 of 30, did not like having a dealer logo affixed to their car. Yet when we got into the "why is it there" it came down to two general reasons: lack of knowledge or laziness. A few people weren't aware that they could remove the "stickers." They believed it would peel off the paint or cause some other irrevocable harm. But a large portion of the respondents just didn't care. They didn't want to take the time to unscrew the plate or peel off the vinyl.

People are prepared to drive around advertising for a retailer they just minutes earlier told me they did not like. That's like someone asking you for a good Mexican eatery and you saying, "Oh, I hate Joe's Tacos - you should check it out!"

The triviality of the situation, combined with the lethargy of owners, highlighted what I have long held to be true: buyers have dealer hate fatigue.

Buyers no longer just accept a low level of quality in the automotive space, but have come to expect it. They've embraced it to the point where they will freely advertise an experience they know to be terrible. And that my friends is sad.

Laws on the matter

Recently I purchased a new vehicle in Maryland. In Maryland it is illegal for a dealer to affix a logo to a vehicle without the consent of the buyer. This is laid out in Title 15, Vehicle Laws—Licensing of Businesses and Occupations, Subtitle 3, "False, deceptive, or misleading advertising practices prohibited." It reads as follows:

Placement on vehicle of insignia, or other plate advertising name of dealer

(d)(1) A dealer or an agent or employee of a dealer may not place on a vehicle an insignia, logo, or other plate that advertises the name of the dealer, unless:

(i) The contract of sale for the vehicle contains a notice of the rights of the buyer described in this subsection; and

(ii) The buyer of the vehicle consents to the placement of the insignia, Logo, or other plate on the vehicle.

(2) A dealer or an agent or employee of a dealer may enter into an agreement with a buyer of a vehicle to compensate the buyer in exchange for the buyer's consent to the placement on the vehicle of an insignia, Logo, or other plate that advertises the name of the dealer.

(3) If a dealer or an agent or employee of a dealer places an insignia, Logo, or other plate that advertises the name of the dealer without obtaining a buyer's consent, the dealer shall, at the request of the buyer, remove the advertising and make all repairs necessary to restore the vehicle to its original appearance at no charge to the buyer. as it relates to dealer-affixed logos on purchased vehicles.

During my buying process I was never asked about logos yet I had not only a logo but a dealer license plate attached to my vehicle. You'll notice under subsection (i) the phrase "and" which means that the dealer needs to meet both requirements to be permitted to affix their logo to a vehicle.

In my case, this did not happen and I'll bet that in many cases it's the same.

Could I bring a law suit against the dealer asking for compensation for the number of months I've been advertising for the dealer without my consent? I'm sure if I put enough money on the table a lawyer would be more than happy to file my case in the State of Maryland. (Note: I replaced my dealer plate with an Enthusiasts ™ plate that says "Be a better driver" on Day 1.)

Local ads are critical today

When you add up the number of cars on the road that are affixed with dealer logos and try to quantify the advertising cost per impression for each dealer I'll wager it would be a very, very big number.

Because more people are researching vehicles online, and deciding their brand there as well, it has driven more competition between dealers and not brands. This means the local market has grown even more competitive making dealer-affixed logos on cars even more important. As more websites spring up everyday and eyeballs get harder and harder to find online, the cars on your street, in your neighbor's driveway and at your local grocery store are not multiplying.

It comes down to the chance of you seeing an ad for a local dealer online or in a newspaper (that cost money) vs. you seeing a local ad in the form of a dealer-affixed logo on car on your way to work (which is basically free).

While laws such as the one in Maryland are designed to protect vehicle buyers from becoming free billboards for dealers, as my "research" indicates, people don't care; because of this dealerships will continue to neglect to inform people, at least in Maryland, of their rights as it relates to logos on their new cars.

I'm certain that other states have similar rules, but because human behavior is universal I can only assume the same 'whatever' attitude is spread across the U.S. when it comes to dealer-affixed logos and dealers will continue doing what they do, even if it is illegal.

Discussion: Do you leave dealer-affixed logos on your car? Have you ever offered to take them off other cars?

Note: Try and keep comments regarding my very limited, unscientific study to a minimum.

DISCUSSION (100)

willkinton247 > DCCARGEEK
04/04/2014 at 10:19

When I bought my car, they were going to affix a dealer frame around my plate.

I told them to stop, and put the plate on there without one. They looked kind of hurt. I didn't care.

Tom McParland > DCCARGEEK
04/04/2014 at 10:24

I recently had a client (Fiesta ST) that was adamant that wherever he purchased the car from the dealer MUST remove their logo. That was a first for me.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > DCCARGEEK
04/04/2014 at 10:25

Observation 0: they must have been approached by Doug before and they don't want to hear about Carmax ever again.

But all dealership stuff has been removed from my parents cars, and mine wasn't bought from a dealer.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > DCCARGEEK
04/04/2014 at 10:26

This was pretty good to read. And your research is about as straight on as it can get.

I remember when my dad bought his Silverado it came with a dealer plate on the front. Day one he took it off for the reason you noted here, he didn't want t use his truck for free advertising.

DCCARGEEK > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
04/04/2014 at 10:27

Thankfully Travis fired Doug. Now he is probably in a grocery store parking lot, but it isn't talking to people about Carmax but rather gathering up carts.

Judge__Mills > DCCARGEEK
04/04/2014 at 10:27

I wanted my wife and I to turn around and walk out of a dealer for switching the nice chrome frames for dealer frames while we were signing the paper work on our Audi. I was livid. She told me not to make a scene. I instead unscrewed them before we left the lot and threw them in the trunk. (I'm passive aggressive)

My grandfather would put on frames from dealers that hadn't existed in 30 years. I thought that was cool.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > DCCARGEEK
04/04/2014 at 10:29

Kinja'd!!!

Nibbles > DCCARGEEK
04/04/2014 at 10:32

I loathe providing free advertising on my car. I've walked out on deals because they wouldn't remove the decals. Seems trivial, yes, but I don't want that shit on my car!

Thank god they don't use rivets to attach dealer logos any more (at least not round these parts)

Nibbles > Tom McParland
04/04/2014 at 10:34

I'm the same way. I don't like dealer logos on my car and have walked out on deals because they refused to remove them.

spanfucker retire bitch > DCCARGEEK
04/04/2014 at 10:34

My car has the license plate frames from the dealer but: 1) I just don't care and 2) I actually did have a good experience with them, so it goes back to 1 as to why I haven't swapped them out.

As far as the decals go - I haven't been to a dealership that uses them, but if I had, I would have had them remove those stupid decals before I ever would have purchased the car. If they wouldn't have, I'd have gone somewhere else. I absolutely despise those things.

Tom McParland > Nibbles
04/04/2014 at 10:35

If a dealer is so shallow that they are willing to lose a sale over a goddamn sticker that is just sad.

Nibbles > Tom McParland
04/04/2014 at 10:37

Yup. My favorite one was when I was working a deal for my (ex) girlfriend on a 2006 xTerra. The dealer had their website emblazoned on both the front and rear glass. I told 'em to take that shit off. They said "nope.avi". I got up and started to walk out, they didn't even attempt to stop me

jariten1781 > DCCARGEEK
04/04/2014 at 10:38

Interestingly, I saw a car today on temp tags that had two in competing dealers logos on it. I suppose the used car lot was also lazy.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > DCCARGEEK
04/04/2014 at 10:48

I refuse to allow them on my car...for free.

I'm in advertising and smart enough to know that's exactly what it is, a free advertisement. Whether a license plate/frame, sticker, or spare tire cover. It's all an ad.

I've offered to let them leave on a logo for 100 bucks a month. To be paid up front. They quickly removed the logo. Apparently a mobile outdoor placement with unlimited impressions and incredibly low wear out risk wasn't worth 100 a month.

Their loss.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > DCCARGEEK
04/04/2014 at 10:48

My Benz had a dealer sticker/metal applique' on it, but it was worn off to illegibility before I ever got it. It's close to the natural color of the car as worn off, though, so I just have an arbitrary blank circle that does nothing, but I can't be bothered to remove.

Neither 60's car has anything dealer on it, for obvious reasons. Maybe they should for perversity's sake.

Ike > DCCARGEEK
04/04/2014 at 11:07

When I bought my last 2 cars, as I saw the guys with the logo and the plate walking toward my car(I also live in Maryland and am well aware they need my consent to put those shits on my car) I asked the guy I was doing the paper work with how much month I was gonna get in add revenue? Both times they looked confused. I pointed out there workers were about to vandle my car, and if they did I would expect to be paid for the advertising or I would call the cops and press charges for vandilisum,

They both though for a split second then ran out to stop the guys, Idiots

TurbulentFlow > DCCARGEEK
04/07/2014 at 00:42

Very interesting discussion!

When we bought our Edge, it had a plastic dealer plate frame, a vinyl dealer sticker on the tailgate, and a 4" x 5" American flag + dealer name sticker on the back window. It was beyond garish. The flag and frame disappeared the second we got home, I haven't taken the time to remove the vinyl. Now that you bring it up, I should remove that vinyl as we didn't have a great experience at the dealer - they were pushy with the add-ons and tried to sell us undercoating when it already had undercoating. Then they messed up the amount we negotiated to and tried to charge us an extra $1000 so all of the paperwork had to be redone.

My Focus had a plastic dealer emblem next to the "SE" and "Flex Fuel" emblems. Using a heat gun and a plastic Bondo spreader, I took the Flex Fuel and dealer emblems off. The leftover adhesive came off with some Goo Gone and elbow grease, then I used Simple Green to remove any remaining contaminants, did a thorough wash, and applied a couple coats of wax. There is zero trace of the emblems left, and the hatch is no longer cluttered like it used to be.

I had a friend buy a new WRX a few years back and because they were shipping it from a different dealer, as part of the negotiations he specified that the dealer he was buying from not put their emblem on the car. When he took delivery he was too excited to check because, hey, new WRX. But when he got home and realized they went ahead and added their emblem anyway, he was pretty pissed.

DCCARGEEK > TurbulentFlow
04/07/2014 at 08:09

It's a small trivial thing, but, it is a law...at least in Maryland.

Bandit > DCCARGEEK
04/10/2014 at 21:06

Whenever I go car shopping with my dad he removes the dealer logo in front of the dealer seconds after the deal is closed. Some dealers find great offense to this practice.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > DCCARGEEK
04/10/2014 at 21:19

I bought from carmax, and it had a carmax diecut on the trunk. I promptly removed the C, A, and the X. much better.

Slow4o > DCCARGEEK
04/10/2014 at 22:03

We had it removed from my wife's truck before we signed the papers. They asked why and I told them I don't need to advertise for them after I just have them 30k+ dollars.

RiddldedTomcat > DCCARGEEK
04/10/2014 at 22:17

Our local ford dealer does this here in Elk Grove, CA. I see a crap load of cars with the Elk Grove Ford logo on the back. I wouldn't let them put that ugly crap on my car like that. But none the less, that dealer specifically is pretty legit. Cept for the salesmen don't know crap about the cars.

Goofnik > DCCARGEEK
04/10/2014 at 22:19

Gets removed the moment I get it home.

New toy shows up in the next 3 to 4 months. Thankfully it's not the type of car they'd ever dare stick vinyl on, but if there's a license plate surround that'll be in the trash within minutes.

webmonkees > DCCARGEEK
04/10/2014 at 22:20

Mopar fans will be thrilled to know that those two holes drilled in the trunk used to hold a metal dealer badge. Still have a box of them somewhere.

I de-advertise any car I get, unless the dealership is currently defunct. Then it can stay.

shootemupy2k > DCCARGEEK
04/10/2014 at 22:22

There was a dealer years ago in my home town that actually Brigitte's their logo to the trunk lids of its cars. Removing them meant a trip to the body shop. The application of these things actually created rust points on the vehicles since the drill holes weren't painted before the logo was riveted on.

UpIrons > DCCARGEEK
04/10/2014 at 22:33

Had a fairly bad experience at a dealer mostly because the buying process took 6 hours AFTER I got the price negotiated. I told them to remove any stickers, license frames or any other advertisements but he still had the nerve to ask if they could leave the license plate frame on for my drive home, even if I take it off as soon as I get home. I don't know why I didn't get up and walk away right then but I was tired. Of course I DID take it off when I got home but the nerve! I am honestly not surprised by the results of this non scientific survey though. I know a lot of people who complain about their new car buying process and just never ever get around to taking the time to remove the stuff or flat out asking the dealer to remove it upon delivery.

Chc36 > DCCARGEEK
04/10/2014 at 22:33

hated my dealer in Maryland *cough* darcars *cough* and then they topped it off with illegally slapping their logo on my new FR-S, took it off when I took off the Scion logos for gt86 (cuz I'm a terrible person). Immediately removed the 355 frame though

Cadi-Lackadaisical > DCCARGEEK
04/10/2014 at 22:36

I don't usually buy new cars, and always take off the dealer emblems first thing with every new-to-me car I buy, followed by judicious buffing..

The cars I have bought new though I've always specified I wanted no dealer stickers. Most complied. But one didn't.. I had it written in the sales contract when I ordered my 2000 Trans Am WS6 that delivery acceptance was conditional on two things - no dealer stickers or emblems, and no cleaning or dealer prep. Don't wash it, don't take the protective plastic off the seats, nothing. Basicallu take it off the truck and park it. After waiting close to 6 months for delivery (4th gen WS6, formulas, etc had crazy waiting periods), I get the call and go down to pick it up. I reminded them of my wishes.. By the tine i got there the next day, not only did they put a dealer sticker on it, they took the protective elements off. The wash job they did left swirl marks in the paint to boot.

I took one look at it and refused acceptance. Dealer tried to play the intimidation card, but I guess as soon as their lawyers saw the sales contract they refunded the deposit. Bottom line, I would have done the same thing if everything else was done properly but there was a dealer emblem stuck on. I HATE that shit.. And I'm not afraid to walk away if its there..

Took another 8 months, but I ended up with a 2001 WS6 from another dealer that was phenomenal.. Never should have sold that car.. :(

Cadi-Lackadaisical > DCCARGEEK
04/10/2014 at 22:36

I don't usually buy new cars, and always take off the dealer emblems first thing with every new-to-me car I buy, followed by judicious buffing..

Took another 8 months, but I ended up with a 2001 WS6 from another dealer that was phenomenal.. Never should have sold that car.. :(

thedevilinside > DCCARGEEK
04/10/2014 at 22:36

If the logo is already on the car, I don't say anything, I just take it off. If it isn't I specify no logo. And I tell them, I have a plate frame on because I like it, it better be on there still. When I bought my Focus they didn't put a logo on it, they gave me a plate frame for their dealer but just left it in the car. Then the salesman took my old plate frame and plate to the sink and washed them spotless before they went on the car. That is the best it can get.

Stradale > DCCARGEEK
04/10/2014 at 22:42

If the dealer and sale has been a pleasant experience I will leave them on. I've had times where a dealer had a certain car I wanted but were assholes so I removed all their stuff as soon as I got home. Also, it depends on the vehicle the family CUV I don't really care about but when I had my MB I took them off just so it looks nice.

Lotus289 > DCCARGEEK
04/10/2014 at 23:03

The first two cars I purchased came with vinyl stickers on the back of the car for that dealership. Within 30 minutes of being home those were promptly removed for the exact reasons listed. I'm not giving you free advertising while uglying up the back of my pretty new car with your stickers. That changed when I bought my Cruze from McNeill Chevrolet in Swanton,OH. As awesomely as they treated me, they deserve some free advertising. So, for now, their sticker stays. I never felt pressured. They never treated me like I didn't know wtf I was talking about. I got exactly what I wanted, in the price range I was looking for. It is extremely rare to happen, but sometimes the dealership experience can be a good one. In those few rare moments, I think they deserve a bit of free advertising.

CrymeLord > DCCARGEEK
04/10/2014 at 23:14

When I bought my car I told them to remove the stickers. If they wanted advertisement from me it would have to be through word of mouth.

jefeloco > DCCARGEEK
04/10/2014 at 23:19

I don't know if there are laws pertaining to this subject in Idaho, but I always ask the salesperson to get all logos/plate surrounds off before the paperwork is signed and have never been declined. One time, the sales guy asked why so I told him that I would rather not drive a rolling billboard unless they were going to discount the car. That guy even cleaned up all the adhesive residue that most leave behind.

pwschuh > DCCARGEEK
04/10/2014 at 23:22

I can't believe any enthusiast drives around with dealer advertisement on their cars, even a beater daily, without being compensated (exception: you work at/own the dealership). When I special-ordered my new Volvo (Oregon dealer), they asked if they could put a decal or frame on the car. This was before delivery and I didn't want to sour the relationship before I was off the lot, so to ensure their devotion to the other, more important, parts of the dealer prep (like several costly dealer-installed options), I said "sure, you can put a frame on there," knowing full well it would be off as soon as I was around the corner on my way home.

raitchison > DCCARGEEK
04/10/2014 at 23:57

I don't know what the law is in CA but in practice nearly all dealers will just do the license plate frame, which I don't so much mind because they are easy to remove (and I do remove mine on day 1).

There's a Lexus dealer in the area that adds a little "of Glendale" below the Lexus badge which I think is ridiculously tacky especially for a near luxury brand.

I cannot even conceive of how people ever allowed dealers to drill holes in their (rust prone) cars to affix ugly dealer placards. I would refuse to take delivery of a vehicle that even had stickers (or the residue from them) on the back.

I bought an A3 TDI in 2012 and had a reasonably good experience with them so I might have kept the dealer plate frame (until my custom plate frame arrived at least) except it had the city of "Los Angeles" which while technically true is very insulting to anyone from the San Fernando Valley.

jackalsilva > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 00:09

"In Maryland it is illegal for a dealer to affix a logo to a vehicle without the consent of the buyer."

Are you serious?? I openly BRAGGED about getting the dealer to not put one on when we bought my wife's new car last month! In Massachusetts we couldn't get them to take it off (already signed the paperwork before it came up), but I was all pumped I got them to back down right away in Maryland! Arg!

jackalsilva > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 00:09

"In Maryland it is illegal for a dealer to affix a logo to a vehicle without the consent of the buyer."

GLiddy > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 00:11

It doesn't matter how great the experience, that stuff comes off. The biggest issue to me is that the stickers curl and peel and the paint beneath weathers differently making it unsightly. The advertising part annoys me slightly less. Where do these dealers get off? They didn't make the car, they just sold it. Anyone can do that.

Our last car (used) had no logos on it when it was sitting on the lot. We went back for it the next morning and it was sporting the dealer's vinyl logo. It was worse because it was a large Ford dealer logo on a non-Ford.

I didn't make a fuss though, I just went home and got a hair dryer (softens up adhesive and vinyl) and peeled it all off.

kentor4 > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 00:14

I do not allow car dealer advertisements on my vehicles any more than I would allow a sign on my house advertising the construction company or realtor, or a tag on the back of my clothes advertising the store I bought them from. I don't buy vehicles from dealers much anymore, but when I did (and occasionally still do) I tell them up front that when I pick the vehicle up, if their name is stuck to it, I will not sign for it. New or used, when I pick it up I always walk around the vehicle and check it over before we go do the paperwork. If anything is not to my liking, including having a dealer ad stuck or bolted to it, I will not take delivery until it is corrected and it's acceptable to me. It's MY vehicle, not theirs.

If they want to rent ad space on it, fine, we'll talk, but it's going to cost them.

sadfasdf > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 00:15

Most people I know do not even own a screwdriver.

mazdaspeed2 > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 00:23

I just bought a '14 Mazda 2, and it came with dealer plate frames. I did take them off, but my plate is kind of bent so it looked really bad without the frame, so the frames are on for now. My experience with them was okay, but I will be getting stainless steel frames soon to replace them from an aftermarket parts company that I have had nothing but fantastic experiences with.

wolfye30 > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 00:29

Our Isuzu had it for years- It didn't bother my mom at all. When they got faded I replaced it with two from my stepdads shop

My infiniti when I got it used didn't have any- put on shop frames

our altima had the original, my stepdad swapped it with shop frames

My stepdads mighty max has a nissan dealer same as the altima- I know it was shipped from ca to ny, I guess thats where he bought it.

SRTPT > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/11/2014 at 00:34

Plate frames go in the trash as soon as I get the plates in the mail. Any stickers of emblems are to be removed before I leave the lot.. Hate those ugly things.

TavshedFjols > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 00:37

Last week my dad got a Ford Fiesta 3cyl 5 speed (Great car) from a Ford place and the first thing he did was take the dealer plates off in the dealership lot and leave them there.

expectaburnout > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 00:57

Why do i have no knowledge of this?

Neutral President > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 01:32

When we bought our first car, we had it written into the sales contract that there was to be NO dealer badging attached to the vehicle's paint. That was one of the things we checked during the pre-delivery inspection, and were pleased that they honoured the agreement. We had a really good buying experience, so didn't mind leaving the license plate frame on there.

On other cars, we've sometimes found that the dealer will put on one of their plate frames when it's in for service, even REMOVING another dealer's or shop's frame in doing so.

InvalidnostCCCP > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 01:56

When I went to pick up my Golf TDI (everything had been handled online, so this was the first time I had seen it in person), it had a dealer sticker on the hatch. I had already specifically said I didn't want their logo on my car (because the logo is enormous and I said "I don't want to drive around advertising you guys for free" — something my salesperson agreed with, actually).

I pointed it out to my salesperson when we were inspecting the car and she flipped out. It was off the car in a matter of minutes. I'd recommend my salesperson rather than the dealership.

justridingalong > Neutral President
04/11/2014 at 02:18

lol, I used to take my car to a dealership that did this to my car on two different occasions. they didn't do it again, I probably would have just removed it before leaving the service area if they had and asked them to stop wasting my time.

AWD_OWNZ_U > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 02:30

I bought my motorcycle at a dealer pretty far from my house and have it serviced at my local dealer. I didn't have plates on it for my first service so it had the paper plate and plastic frame of the dealer I bought it from on it. My local dealer replaced it with their frame and plate without asking me. I thought it was pretty ballsy but I didn't care for the dealer I bought it from and really like my local dealer so I let it slide. I even still rock the frame from my local dealer now that I have a plate.

Cliff8928 > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 03:07

Anything affixed to the paint comes of posthaste. I still have the dealer frame on my Saab, mainly because it was a fairly good looking (as far as dealer propaganda) chrome frame. Not to mention the dealer which no longer uses the same name (Lund Cadillac/Saab/Hummer) is in Phoenix and I live north of Chicago.

supersonicblue > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 03:20

It was the first thing removed from the new 'Vette' as soon as I pulled into my driveway.

punksmurph > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 03:50

Damn strait, I would remind a dealer of it too just so they don't try any shady business.

MisterDew, a Quinn Martin Production > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 06:12

Yet you never see a car with a plate that says, " Joe's Chevrolet is the WORST! "(DING! Million dollar business idea – negative dealer-impression license plate frames.)

Kinja'd!!!

Okay, so it's not a plate frame, but this picture I took two years ago came to mind immediately when I read that.

NinjaViper > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 06:30

i just recently bought a new car and asked for them to NOT put a dealer sticker on my new baby, when the sales person asked why, i said they can pay me 5 grand a year for advertising for the dealership, he immidiately said "we'll make sure there's no sticker on your car for you sir"

yeah, that guy > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 07:03

I am a Maryland attorney. I am a car person. Let's make this happen.

ataraxia > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/11/2014 at 07:18

The condition of delivery for all new cars purchased in our house is that there is absolutely no dealership advertising on the car. I insisted on inspecting the vehicle before signing the paperwork. They were not amused. I told them that they could call the shots if they were paying for the advertising.

Second dealer acted like I kidnapped their dog and held it for a large ransom but they were quick to remove the decals and license plate frames.

Old-Busted-Hotness > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 07:19

Man, you guys are hilarious. A vinyl sticker or license frame ain't nothin. Back in my day, dealers would affix a chrome-plated pot-metal logo to the trunk lid. And just like the OEM, they drilled holes to do it.

Kinja'd!!!

Daddio > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 07:23

Always removed the frames. Wrt badges, used to think I had no choice because of perceived permanence or paint damage. Random fiddling at a gas pump one day and it practically fell off the back of my new mustang. Much rejoicing. Now badges or stickers are the first thing to go.

Also got rid of the stupid "pinstripe" sticker along the side of my new accord last summer. I'll handle any "customizing" myself, thankyouverymuch.

wingsfan5 > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 07:33

So what I gather from this, my next lease car I should negotiate my rate down by refusing the allow their logo?

Jim > Tom McParland
04/11/2014 at 07:43

I make it clear before we even start talking prices that I will not accept a vehicle with a dealer logo anywhere on the vehicle.

Tom McParland > Jim
04/11/2014 at 07:45

That is perfectly fair. Some folks feel strongly about it, some don't.

ncasolowork2 > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 08:09

I recently purchased a brand new car. The "Fox" dealership network in the Grand Rapids area actually has a relatively classy logo. However, I told them if they were going to put it on my car they had to pay me to advertise. Needless to say I don't have a dealer logo on my car.

Rob > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 08:23

I once asked a dealer if they'd remove the sticker on a car I wanted to purchase and they refused. I didn't buy a car that day.

vorspiel > Tom McParland
04/11/2014 at 08:26

I'm like that. I'm usually adamant about the stickers, less so about the frames. Frames can be removed in no-time. Stickers can be another story.

drdude > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 08:27

I hate those dealer tags and stickers.

I dont shop at dealerships, but I do help friends and family buy cars. The last time I was at the local Ford dealership, I helped a friend get a better deal on a F150. It had a huge badge on the back. When we decided "this was the one" and had a good deal set, I used my plastic wedge stick (what? we all dont carry those in our cars for removing interior trim? IM the weird one?) and carefully removed it.

My thought process was this:

They were going to detail and buff the truck before giving it to us.

They would buff over where the badge was, making it clean.

Instead they installed two new badges, and I had to remove them when he came over my house the next day.

Rob > GLiddy
04/11/2014 at 08:27

It doesn't actually, I bought a used car once that had an ugly white dealers sticker on a black car. I tried to remove the sticker but it just tore up and wouldn't come off. I'll never buy another car from a dealership with a sticker on it because of that experience.

Getmea68Camaro > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 08:31

In my past, twice while buying new vehicles I asked the dealer to not put/leave any logos on them. I removed the license plate frames myself. On all my various used vehicle purchases I simply grab the hair dryer and proceed to remove them myself. This all being said, there's at least 2 dealers I would recommend to buyers. I had good experiences with them and the individual salesmen were good at their job, not pushy, not over-bearing, pleasant professionals.

Derpwagon > vorspiel
04/11/2014 at 08:34

Agreed. I bought my Subaru from a BMW/Audi dealership, and they only put plate frames on the car, no stickers/badges, etc. Popped them off the car when I got home, never thought a second more about it. I probably still have them somewhere. I had a good experience with that particular dealership so it was never a big deal for me.

I probably would have still bought the car from them if they had badges on it (they only made 70 of these cars with this color/trim), but would have likely had a different opinion of the dealer. As it stands now, I would purchase from them again if they had a vehicle I wanted.

BKosher84 > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 08:36

We have the dealer plate covers on the car and the only reason I kept them on is because we get free valet at the local outdoor mall.. I'm thinking about taking them off and buying magnets to affix to the back of the cover for when we go there so I when we aren't driving around we have a clean looking license plates.

One time I took an my old beater truck to a dealership for repair (Parents were paying so I didn't care) and when I got the truck back I had a dealer sticker affixed to the tailgate. Needless to say my dad and I were PISSED when we realized it.. We even took the truck back and made them take it off. We didn't buy the truck from them why the hell would they go and stick the sticker on the back?

TheFoeYouKnow > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 08:51

I work in a dealer service department, and I bought both of my vehicles from the same with my employee discount so, yes, I left the vinyl and the plate frame on both. If it really IS an ad, it benefits me for it to exist.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Old-Busted-Hotness
04/11/2014 at 08:56

As terrible as that practice was (is), that's a pretty fine-looking dealer emblem...

thebigbossyboss > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 08:57

Mine has a vinyl and it had a license plate holder. I chucked the license plate holder years ago...but I don't know how to remove the vinyl. I hate to admit I am one of the plebes in your study. How does one remove that without taking off your paint?

amnigo > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 09:00

Last week as I was driving, I realized that the dealer didn't put any dealer decal or license plate frame on my new car last month, despite forgetting to specifically ask them not to. Then it got me looking around at other vehicles around. Very few had dealer decals. Some, about half maybe, had a dealer frame. So it seemed to me that dealers are backing off the decals, and could possibly be staying away from the plate frames as we

Old-Busted-Hotness > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/11/2014 at 09:02

Until the cheap chrome flakes off and they go all scurfy with corrosion. It usually took about 2 years in the salt up here.

Dest > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 09:07

The answer is simple: most people don't give a damn. It's the same reason they keep buying Corollas and Civics.

venable_STEVEN > thebigbossyboss
04/11/2014 at 09:23

Heating gun. It will melt the adhesive behind the sticker and peel right off. Or, perhaps some spray that'll knock gunk off.

Dugg-117 > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 09:28

Mine had a Vinyl Logo that came off day 1. I offered to Take them off my mom's car, She couldn't have cared less that it was there.

jstump > Old-Busted-Hotness
04/11/2014 at 09:30

Looks like you are from North East Ohio, that emblem is forever ingrained in my memory lol

Go Hawkeyes > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 09:31

Every time I buy a car I tell the dealer they need to remove any advertising they have placed on the vehicle or the deal is off. Never had an issue. Well one time the dealer tried to tell me it was painted on. So I went across town and bought something else.

jstump > Bandit
04/11/2014 at 09:35

I do that too. On my last car I bought I asked the salesman if they had some dental floss. He looked at me puzzled and said he didn't so I just went out and ripped off the logo leaving the foam sticker backing, put the emblem on his desk and drove off. I wanted them to know I would rather drive around with left over foam crap on the trunk than with their emblem after the shit storm they put me through.

chucchinchilla > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 09:36

I love my Boardwalk Volkswagen plate frame because that dealership was bought by Auto Nation and no longer exists. This means I'm advertising something people can't have or simply nothing at all. It's the anti-ad.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > SRTPT
04/11/2014 at 09:37

If I'm being nice I'll let them leave a plate frame on, but to the trash it goes as soon as I get home.

Braniff747SP > raitchison
04/11/2014 at 09:38

Honestly, the Lexus of Glendale badging is probably among the best of the worst.

Better than some ugly vinyl in the upper right hand corner of the boot.

And... how the hell is 'of Los Angeles' insulting? The San Fernando Valley is in Los Angeles, for one... not that anyone knows the San Fernando Valley outside of SoCal, anyway.

Jim is one of KFCs secret ingredients > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 09:39

I never saw the affixed badging or decals until I left California. I'm surprised anyone agrees to drive a car off the lot with them on there.

apwoz > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/11/2014 at 09:45

I took part of the vinyl sticker logo off my car. so now it just says honda.com not the full dealer's name. i thought it was cleaver. I like Honda and I drive it around with a Honda badge all the time so in a matter of speaking the badges on a car are free advertizing for the automakers but not for the dealer.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > apwoz
04/11/2014 at 09:48

as long as it's for the main car company and not the dealer I have no problem with that.

Jake Thiewes > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/11/2014 at 10:09

That's how my dad and I are, too. I will happily keep the dealer sh!t on the car if they want to pay me for it. If not, I make it explicitly clear that I won't take delivery until the logos are all removed.

The Porsche dealer where I bought my 128i tried to pull a fast one with some license plate frames, and got all huffy when I complained.

Casey388 > TurbulentFlow
04/11/2014 at 10:14

This wouldn't happen to be in Iowa would it?

raitchison > Braniff747SP
04/11/2014 at 10:17

Because that's not what we're known as and not how we identify. The dealer was in Woodland Hills, which yes is technically is in the confines of Los Angeles (unfortunately) but that's not the mailing address and not how people think about where they live.

Plecostomus is a starred commenter > TurbulentFlow
04/11/2014 at 10:18

I would be livid anyone had applied their garish vinyl to MY finish. Glass is one thing, but on the PAINT is unforgiveable (read: I am billing you for this, Mr Dealer)

archieball > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 10:21

That is one of my requirements for buying a car. No dealership stickers or ads and a full tank of gas before leaving with the car. If, during negotiations, they won't agree to both, I'll walk. I've actually had the salesman one up me by meeting my requirements plus took an additional $1000 off after I walked away from the table and he chased me into the parking lot.

Shadow_Monkey > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 10:22

I do not allow dealer tramp stamps on my car. Every car I've purchased from a dealer has had it removed by the dealership. It is just part of the negotiations. If they are unwilling or unable to comply, I walk. I refuse to allow it.

jedimario > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 10:32

You may have consented in the deal's paperwork.

I have only bought one car from a dealer of the 5 or 6 or so I've bought over my life. None of the others had any dealer information on them. The one had the decal on the back and a plate on the front (my state, North Carolina, doesn't require a front plate). The dealer experience was just fine, but I had them remove the decal and they complied without hesitation. The plate is still on the front because it looks better than nothing, I haven't figured out what to replace it with yet, and as far as I could tell they weren't scumbags so I don't mind it on there.

I didn't particularly like the dealer I bought the car from, but I didn't dislike them either. As that's well above par, I would recommend them.

KillerBee > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 10:36

Observation 0: Next time, have someone next to you holding a video camera. People will be much more willing to answer your question. Somehow, two people with a camera and clipboard asking questions of random people is seen as far less creepy than one person with only a clipboard asking questions of random people.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Jake Thiewes
04/11/2014 at 10:38

Those aren't that big a deal to me because I kill them as soon as I get home. But if they've already agreed to not put any advertising on the car, and then they add em, I'm not cool with that because now you're just lying.

PSKnapp > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 10:43

For our two cars, the older one had a dealer frame that came off when we got home because of the unpleasant buying experience. Our newer car had one as well, but we left it on (intentionally) because we felt we were treated with respect and got a good deal on our car. Same goes when people have asked, we tell people not to go to the first dealer and recommend the second.

just me > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 10:50

When we bought my wife's car, I made them remove their sticker and dealer installed pinstripes (really! who wants those, they were crooked as hell too) when they brought the car around, they had removed the sticker and stripes but added a license plate frame. I was tired of being at the dealership so I just shrugged it off and removed it when I got home.

_ellipsis > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/11/2014 at 10:54

When I got my GTI, I told the dealer that they had two options: take $1000 off the purchase price, and I agree to leave their plate frame and sticker on the car, or remove the plate frame and sticker.

They opted to remove the frame and sticker.

zakany001 > DCCARGEEK
04/11/2014 at 11:13

I've never had a problem with having the dealer remove their sticker.

I'm cool with the free licence plate frame because, well, free frame.