Dealer add-ons explained
Add-ons are extra products or services included in a vehicle transaction. They can be useful in some situations, but the important first step is knowing exactly what they are and what they cost.
Ask for an itemized list
Request the name and price of every add-on. Examples can include protection products, service contracts, accessories or dealer-installed products.
Ask whether each is optional
Do not assume every line item has the same status. Ask which products are required by the transaction and which are optional. Keep the answer in writing when possible.
Compare the deal without them
If a product is optional, ask for the same transaction with that item removed. Comparing the two versions makes the price difference easy to see.
Consider financing impact
If an add-on is financed, you may also pay interest on it. That means a $1,000 product can cost more than $1,000 over the life of the loan.
Do not overstate what the add-on means
The presence of an add-on does not by itself prove that a dealer acted improperly. The useful question is what the product is, what it costs and whether you want it.