www.vinetcher.com

Is this for real? Supposedly you buy a kit w/ masks and some sort of etch cream that etches in your windows. This etches your VIN in your windows, which supposedly makes it more difficult to sell or part out your vehicle if stolen.

I looked it up and sure enough, my insurance company seems to offer some sort of discount for it. It lists etching under the 5-25% discount bracket for 'anti-theft devices'. I'm sure any discount is on the 5% end of that range.. but 5% is > $20 fer me.. and that's just the first year.

Anybody done this? How much does it actually save you? Fer $20 + S&H this sure seems worthwhile..

I first read about it on a site that was talking about new-car dealer scams. It seems some dealers try to tell you it is required by the loan company and will cost you a nice ~$300.

 

idk, if i was going to chop youre car, i would just bust all the windows and laugh......

 

wouldnt that just cause more damage to the car, because theyd just break the windows.... the only window i could see it helping is the windsheild...

 

Supposedly the logic is that if all the windows are smashed/missing, then no one in their right mind would buy the car. That is assuming they try to sell it intact. I don't know how it deters people from stealing the car and parting it out.

In the end who the hell cares? 5% off my insurance bill works out to way more than $20.. and that's just in the first year!

I wonder if I am 'already getting' the anti-theft discount because my vehicle has PATs.. or a security system, or whatever..

Ah.. something just occured to me. It's probably only 5% off your theft premiums, nevermind the liability or collision portions.. Still, fer 20 bux!

 

yea it would be nice if my insurance does that, it would pay for itself after 6 months too.... i know right now that i have full discounts on theft even w/o any deterants or alarms lol

 

The Pa. State Police do a thing once a year in different parts of the state. They have ppl etch your vin professionally for free and give you a certificate from the PSP to give to your ins. co. as proof. Kinda cool.

Did you read the thread around (forget the link) about ppl writing down the vin and getting keys made at dealers w/o having to show proof of ownership? Hell the thread promotes putting electric tape over the existing vin. lol Much less etching it in the glass for all to see.

I dunno though. Personal preference I guess.

 

That stuff does work Colin, the Buick/Pontiac dealer I worked at here in Michigan did it to every car. I have personally done it to 1000+ cars. It is really quick to do and I dont believe we etched the VIN just a series of numbers that was kept with the car and also with the paperwork for the customer.

 

MY truck has an 8 digit code etched in all the glass...

 

yea i work at a chrysler/jeep/dodge dealership and all of the brand new cars get it and so do the trade ins, i think when you buy the car from a dealership with it already on tehy automatically give you the discount right off the bat but i could be wrong

 

My truck has the VIN already etched in all the windows

 

Are rangers stolen all that often?

The only ones I would steal are Jared's (now sold) and Rwenzig's but I am sure the home made artificial intelligence in Bob's truck use some sort of electro-shock anti theft device to incapacitate me.

 

i heard the reason for window etching is that its a pretty penny to replace ALL the glass in a vehicle... not cost effective when trying to part out or resell a stolen ride.

 

all my windows are vin etched...came with it..dunno if it saves me any money

 

Etching cream costs about 20 bucks.

Aaron

 

yeah all of my windows have a set of numbers and letters etched in them already.. i figured it was something everyone had??

 

its so no one can chop ur vehicle up if it is stolen. i dont recall if its the full VIN or just a section or just a set of numbers that coralates to the VIN. either way, it saves $$ on insurance and gives "peace of mind"...

 

Actually, yes. They are among the top 10 most stolen vehicles in many states.

http://www.statefarm.com/insuranc/au...s/grndthft.htm

 

SAWEET, neither of our veicles are on that list!

 

I had the last 8 of VIN etched on all of my vehicles ever since I can remember. They are really the only number we use at the Ford dealership, the rest of the VIN means nothing unless its the vehicles first time in for service and it was not purchased at our dealership.

Honda has been doing the etching from the factory since the early 90's and then started in 2000 started to label all of the body panels as well with the VIN number.

 

Bottom line: sounds like I have to call my agent and figure out the cheapest way to qualify for this discount! Everyone's doing this but meeeee! I must make amends so I can regain my membership to the cool kid club! Oh, and save a few bux on the insurance too..
Yes, I read that thread. I actually called a guy on this the other day. The guy is a Mazda parts dealer on a forum I've been reading lately. He offers a package where you can get keys from a Mazda5 and a remote from an MX-8 to build a 'flip-key' like they have for VW's and BMW's these days. The guy made a 'kit' so you can order the two parts together and get the mod super easy, which is sweet. But he advertised that he would also cut the key for you if you supplied the VIN... That obviously made me nervous! Sure, w/o having the key programmed you can't start the car (microchip PATS system, just like our Rangers). But you can still get into the car!

I made a stink about it. He basically told me to chill, saying that he would never cut a key if the address registered for the VIN and the shipping address did not match. I guess that's enough..
Either that or the truck will open the door, throw your *** out, and drive itself back to Bob's place!
I what states is that? I've never heard of the Ranger being popular w/ theives in any state..