Why do car owners give free advertizing to the car dealer?

[howardbc]

I often wonder why so many car owners (of all car makes and in all states) give free advertizing to the car dealer where they bought their car. Either it's a metal sign attached to their car's rear end, or it's a license plate frame bearing the name of the dealer. Chances are that same car dealer may have put that person through hell plus took them for everything they could. Okay, I know not all dealers are unethical, but it is common knowledge that many will take advantage of buyers, unfortunately. I have always asked the dealer to remove any attached signs, plus I usually bring my own license plate frame or replace the dealer's frame as soon as I can. Anybody have an answer as to why people don't mind promoting a car dealer? I could understand if it's a car driven by a sales person, but how many can that be?

[Swanny]

I bought two new vehicles this year and I made sure they didn't put anything on the back of the vehicle. Both of them said "what about a license plate from", I was like "No, not a chance". I don't understand why people are OK with free advertising, hopefully someone here can tell us ;-)

[KK6PD]

Imagine the amazement of every salesman at every dealership I ever purchased a car from, when just before we signed the papers I would add an addendum specifically stating that absolutely NO dealer Logo's, Names, or Other adornments other than FACTORY applied would be acceptable and the sales contract would be null and void if the dealer add ons were installed. No holes to be drilled, no decals applied!

To this day I have never had a dealer logo on my cars!!!

Contracts are wonderful things!!

73 de Pat KK6PD

[paprius4030]

When we go on vacation i enjoy looking at the dealer stickers ect. to see where people are from. But that's just me i guess

[patsparks]

It's worse than doing it for free, the sticker cost appears on the invoice if you ask them to break down the delivery cost. People pay to advertise their dealer.
There is no dealer sticker on my Prius but I have the dealer sticker on my 1968 Toyota Crown, the dealer went long ago and it adds to the authenticity of the car as a classic car.

[sdtundra]

My dealer threw in some lovely black plastic license plate frames, and those paper placeholders plastered with their name front and rear.

As soon as they had washed it and gassed it up and parked it in the New Owners spot I took my screwdriver I had from when i transfered all the stuff from my truck and removed both and kindly gave them to the sales manager with a smile. He told me I would get a ticket for not having a "license plate place holder" Told him it was worth the risk unless they wanted to knock another $100 off.

[darelldd]

Originally Posted by sdtundra

He told me I would get a ticket for not having a "license plate place holder"

Which, I assume you know, is 100% pure bullshit.

[darelldd]

Oh, and along the same lines, I don't know why people are willing to advertise the car manufacturer all over the car. I talk as much of that crap off as I can. Is it bragging rights to drive a Toyota?

[JimN]

I don't mind the plate frame as I would have to go & buy a pair. I don't want extra stickers. Hasn't the industry moved past dealer badging that needs fasteners?

[sdtundra]

Obviously, thats what the little sticker on the windshield is for until my plates came in