Looking at buying a new car and want to go over the MSRP window stickers before talking to a car salesperson? Chances are good that’s just exactly what a predatory salesperson wants you to do. Here’s a car window MSRP sticker scam that car buyers need to understand that could be tricking the unsuspecting buyer regarding the actual value of a new car.
Follow us today...
Even New Cars Warrant Close Scrutiny
Recently we’ve learned about shopping and saving money with discounted new cars as well as how to spot hidden problems in a used car. But did you know that while there may not be any hidden problems to look for under the hood in a new car, that there are subtle scams pasted in plain view on new car windows alongside the MSRP sticker that could be a problem for the new car shopper?
MSRP Sticker Basics
Credited to Oklahoma Senator Almer Stillwell “Mike” Monroney, who sponsored the 1958 Automobile Information Disclosure Act, the MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price ) sticker you see on new car windows today was created as a way to ensure proper pricing disclosure on the sale of new vehicles back in the day when gouging car buyers was a real problem. Today, it is illegal to sell a new car at a dealership without a Monroney label affixed to the vehicle.
Basically, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) is implied in its name---a suggestion by the manufacturer of the vehicle to new car dealers about what price to sell a specific car model. Dealers then, can do almost whatever they wish to the suggested pricing ranging from adding discounts or inflating the number as they see fit toward the sales of their vehicles. Buyers should view the MSRP as a negotiable base price of the model with the understanding that any added features will cost extra.
The MSRP does not include taxes, fees, and registration costs. These essentially are non-negotiable expenses toward the purchase of a car that a car dealer will add to the final cost of a vehicle after the buyer and seller have agreed upon a selling price. What is negotiable, however, are all the other things a car dealership may add to the final cost of the vehicle that can include, but are not limited to:
• Extended warranties
• Special trim and paint color
• Protective undercoating
• Vehicle delivery freight charge
• Alarm systems
All of which are negotiable items and features for the buyer and seller to haggle over.
MSRP Sticker Scam
However, other things that are actually negotiable, but appear as part of the MSRP and thereby infers to the buyer that these additional charges are part of the MSRP in reality are not MSRP-related. Rather, they are just a scam tactic some car dealers use to inflate the potential customer’s perceived value of a new car.
Referred to within the industry as “Bump Stickers,” these stickers are created by the dealership to mimic the look of the MSRP sticker and are typically placed right against the edge of the MSRP sticker on the car window to make it appear as if it were part of the MSRP.
In fact, this is a double entendre of sorts where the sticker is “bumped” against the MSRP sticker while at the same time, bumping up the price of a car. The only indication that it is not part of the MSRP may be a small fine print disclaimer on the “Bump Sticker.”
A kinder name for the “Bump Sticker” is the “Addendum Sticker” in which the new car dealer adds in dealer-installed accessories, add-on products, documentation services, and a variety of fees, including a “market adjustment fee” or “additional dealer markup.”
Regardless of what name is given to the additional sticker, it is a tactic to try to move the salesperson’s opening offer higher to the unwitting buyer, who may not realize everything on the addendum sticker can be ignored or at the very least negotiated over. But since it appears to be part of the MSRP sticker and may include some creative wording on costs that sound like normal non-negotiable costs like the aforementioned, “…taxes, fees, and registration costs,” it can fool the uninitiated.
Here is an informative YouTube video explaining in more detail about how to identify the MSRP window sticker scam, identify bogus fees that pad the cost of a new car’s perceived value, and how you can avoid being taken by these type of sticker scams.
How New Car Dealers Scam You: Fake Window Stickers, Prices
How to Find the Real Value of a New Car
Finding the real value of a new car is as simple as a few clicks of the mouse. You can go to websites that offer new and used car values such as Cars.com or Edmunds.com to get a good idea. Or, just search using keywords like “MSRP” along with the model of the car to get you started on the right direction toward figuring out what the actual value of a new car really is before going to a dealership.
Furthermore, it would be prudent to check out sites like this one that offers multiple reviews and the latest news on the most recent models of new cars available.
For more about ways to save money when buying new or used cars, be sure to check out past and future Torque News articles that could make a big difference in your savings.
Coming Up Next: Tire Center Brake Scams
Timothy Boyer is Torque News Tesla and EV reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily Tesla and electric vehicle news.
Follow us today...
These aren't scams as long as
These aren't scams as long as the customer is informed of them. Vehicle prices are driven by market conditions including inventory availability. If a store needs to make X profit a month to stay open and has half the number of cars to sell, they need to make twice the profit. It's supply and demand. Usually dealers compete for buyers. These days, especially with vehicles that are highly sought after, buyers are competing for vehicles. If one customer refused to pay the market price, another one will. MSRP is a good deal these days.
They are a scam because the
They are a scam because the actual MSRP sticker on a new vehicle is REQUIRED BY LAW and only may be removed by the consumer who buys the car.
I purchased my 3rd new car at
I purchased my 3rd new car at the same dealer, same sales person in span of 3 years. This 3rd car has no MSRP Sheet on the window. The sales person said he can’t find it. He just wrote in a piece of paper the cost. I trusted him cuz it’s my 3rd car getting from him. But I’m still hesitant so after the ugly and unfair deal, I kept calling him to show me the copy of MSRP but to no avail. It took 3 months then I had enough and called his manager. Within 3 days I got the MSRP SHEET which is 4000 less from the price of vehicle. And the manager said the difference is for ADDTL MARKET VALUE, which is not appeared on the MSRP SHEET. As well as on my contract
I purchased my 3rd new car at
I purchased my 3rd new car at the same dealer, same sales person in span of 3 years. This 3rd car has no MSRP Sheet on the window. The sales person said he can’t find it. He just wrote in a piece of paper the cost. I trusted him cuz it’s my 3rd car getting from him. But I’m still hesitant so after the ugly and unfair deal, I kept calling him to show me the copy of MSRP but to no avail. It took 3 months then I had enough and called his manager. Within 3 days I got the MSRP SHEET which is 4000 less from the price of vehicle. And the manager said the difference is for ADDTL MARKET VALUE, which is not appeared on the MSRP SHEET. As well as on my contract
I recently purchased a used
I recently purchased a used car that was advertised with a copy of it's original window sticker; there was also a copy of this sticker attached to the car in the lot. After the purchase I found that although the VIN on the sticker matched the car, many of the items on the sticker were not installed or were a lower, less expensive version that was installed. Clearly the sticker was a very good fake. Do I have any recourse? Should I inform the FTC?
Hi, well the problem is that
Hi, well the problem is that most used cars are usually listed as being sold "As-Is"---which is one of eBay's greatest traps (protections) when selling anything as an example---and is no different with used car sellers. This is why buying any used car requires a thorough inspection before striking a deal. The easiest path to take before going to the FTC or lawyering-up, is to go to the seller and explain that the car was misrepresented per your findings and try to work out a compromise like a few hundred dollars of reimbursement for the faulted items. It may or may not work, but it costs nothing before taking a more serious approach. It really depends on how much the car is worth to you and how you feel about the situation. Best of luck on it!
I bought a 2022 new truck and
I bought a 2022 new truck and the factory msrp showed one price and the dealers sticker added about 11,000 more over msrp. But my question is this. If the factory sticker shows certain additional accessories on the window sticker which it's included in the msrp price. Should the vehicle that you are looking at have those accessories already installed? I have called the chevy headquarters and they have not been able to answer my question and the dealership has not returned calls or emails. Can anyone give me advice on these factory window stickers and the dealership stickers. Thanks.
I bought a 2022 new truck and
I bought a 2022 new truck and the factory msrp showed one price and the dealers sticker added about 11,000 more over msrp. But my question is this. If the factory sticker shows certain additional accessories on the window sticker which it's included in the msrp price. Should the vehicle that you are looking at have those accessories already installed? I have called the chevy headquarters and they have not been able to answer my question and the dealership has not returned calls or emails. Can anyone give me advice on these factory window stickers and the dealership stickers. Thanks.
Looking for a new SUV have
Looking for a new SUV have come across several but the window sticker's all say in faint print "not original sticker" what should I do ?
It's really amazing!
It's really amazing!
I read your great content, I enjoyed reading it, you wrote great and in French, we were looking for such content, I got acquainted with your website, this was the best, I shared your website address with my friends, always write like this.
Good luck.
I recently purchased a new
I recently purchased a new car that was advertised with a copy of it's original window sticker; there was also a copy of this sticker attached to the car in the lot. After the purchase I found that although the VIN on the sticker matched the car, many of the items on the sticker were not installed or were a lower, less expensive version that was installed. Clearly the sticker was a very good fake. Do I have any recourse? Should I inform the FTC? Also the advertised price was $500 less than sold to me. Noticed on paper work after purchase.
This is a really great piece…
This is a really great piece as often times dealers are always trying to pull up a fast one on you! Every vehicle is different based on the trim and options the first owner added to the vehicle when they purchased it. I recently purchased a vehicle from a dealer who never provided the window sticker. I ended up finding it by googling "window sticker by DVH" which is an actual reproduction type sticker that showed me all the details.