Understanding Car Dealership Freebies What To Expect And Request When Buying A New Vehicle

Car dealerships have long used various incentives and freebies to attract customers and sweeten vehicle purchases. While the focus of any car purchase should be on finding the right vehicle at a fair price, understanding the common freebies available can help buyers maximize their value. This article explores the standard offers, special perks, brand-specific incentives, and effective strategies for obtaining additional benefits when purchasing a new vehicle.

Standard Freebies to Expect

When purchasing a new car, certain freebies have become industry standard. These items are typically included with most new vehicle purchases or are commonly offered as courtesies by dealerships.

• Free Tank of Gas: A full tank of gas has become a common courtesy for new-car purchases. If a vehicle's tank is low or empty at the time of purchase, buyers should ask for a gas voucher. This freebie allows new owners to drive away without immediately needing to find a gas station, adding convenience during what can be a stressful process.

• Second Set of Keys: Most new cars come with two keys or two fobs for keyless entry. This is an often-overlooked convenience, as modern keys and key fobs can be expensive to replace, with some costing up to $300 to replicate. Ensuring a complete set of keys at purchase prevents future costs and inconvenience.

• Floor Mats: Floor mats, typically costing between $20 and $150, are included with almost all new-car purchases. These essential accessories help protect the vehicle's interior from dirt, mud, and spills. Some dealers may offer upgraded or all-weather mats depending on the vehicle and region.

Special Perks and Services

Beyond standard offerings, many dealerships provide additional services and perks that can add significant value to a new vehicle purchase. These items often require customers to ask specifically, as they may not be automatically included.

• Service Vouchers: Many dealerships provide complimentary service vouchers to sweeten the deal. These typically include free oil changes, state inspections, and car washes. Such vouchers can represent substantial savings over the ownership period of the vehicle, particularly when multiple services are included.

• Window Tinting: Some dealers will tint windows for free if requested by the buyer. While DIY tinting kits are available for less than $100, professional tinting can cost as much as $800. This freebie not only enhances the vehicle's appearance but also provides practical benefits such as reduced interior heat and increased privacy.

• Fabric Protection: Automotive upholstery endures significant wear and tear from daily use. Fabric protection treatments help maintain the vehicle's interior appearance by creating a barrier against spills, stains, and dirt. While not always offered, this valuable protection can be requested as part of the purchase negotiation.

• Brand Swag: Dealerships occasionally throw in branded merchandise such as hats, mugs, or tote bags with a new-car purchase. This practice is more common with luxury brands like Ferrari, BMW, Porsche, and Tesla, which often have their own fashion lines. While not particularly valuable, these items serve as souvenirs of the purchase experience.

Extravagant Incentives

Occasionally, dealerships offer flashier promotions with car purchases. These incentives tend to be short-lived and may vary by location and time.

Some extravagant incentives have included ski-lift tickets, televisions, and even more unusual offerings. In 2009, Max Motors of Butler, Missouri, offered a free AK-47 with every new pickup purchased. Such extreme promotions are rare and often tied to specific marketing campaigns or inventory clearance needs.

Buyers interested in extravagant incentives should search online for dealerships near them to find localized promotions, or check car brands' websites for manufacturer offers. These special deals may be time-sensitive and location-specific, requiring prompt action to take advantage of.

Brand-Specific Freebies

Different automotive brands and dealerships may offer unique freebies based on their marketing strategies and brand identity.

Luxury brands such as BMW and Lexus have been known to provide more substantial freebies. For example, BMW dealers have reportedly given free sunroof wind deflectors, branded floor mats, and a full tank of gas with new purchases. Lexus owners have received various items including all-weather mats, cargo mats, wheel locks, model cars, and oil filters.

Some dealerships distinguish themselves by offering amenities typically associated with high-end experiences. These may include manicures, fresh cookies, waiting areas resembling cafes or spas, fancy bagel spreads, plush massage chairs, putting greens, or fitness centers. While not directly related to the vehicle itself, these amenities aim to make the car-buying experience more pleasant and memorable.

Historical Perspective on Car Dealership Freebies

The practice of offering freebies with car purchases has evolved over time. Historically, dealerships commonly included practical accessories to entice buyers.

Floor mats and mud guards used to be standard freebies with many vehicle purchases. As competition increased, dealers began offering more substantial items such as cassette or CD player upgrades and trunk spoilers. These represented significant value, particularly when audio systems were more expensive options.

In earlier decades, dealerships were more likely to throw in free accessories to close deals, allowing customers to purchase cars and get exactly what they wanted rather than being forced to accept packages of bundled items. This approach has largely been replaced by the current practice of including packages of features, which may include items buyers don't necessarily want or need.

Effective Strategies for Requesting Freebies

When negotiating a car purchase, timing and approach can significantly impact the likelihood of receiving additional freebies.

The most effective strategy appears to be requesting freebies during the negotiation process, rather than after the deal is finalized. If dealerships are unwilling to budge on price, asking for specific items can serve as an effective bargaining tool to ensure buyers get maximum value. For example, if a dealer and buyer are $300 apart on price, the buyer might agree to the higher price in exchange for floor mats and wheel locks that have an MSRP of approximately $220 together.

Buyers should research what specific items typically come with their vehicle model, as some accessories may be port-installed options (PIOs) that are not always included. For instance, 99% of Lexus cars come with mats and wheel locks installed at the port, but this can be hit-or-miss with Toyotas. Being aware of what should be standard equipment helps buyers recognize legitimate requests from unnecessary add-ons.

For regional considerations, buyers should request items specific to their driving conditions. Those in areas with harsh winters might want all-weather mats and mud guards, while those in sunny regions could prioritize window tinting.

Conclusion

While freebies should never distract from finding and purchasing the right vehicle at a fair price, they can add significant value to a new car purchase. Standard offerings like a full tank of gas, a second set of keys, and floor mats are commonly included, while special perks such as service vouchers, window tinting, and fabric protection may require specific requests.

Luxury brands often provide more substantial freebies, and some dealerships go beyond practical items to offer extravagant incentives or unique experiences. Understanding what is typically available and knowing when and how to request these items can help buyers maximize their value.

The most effective approach involves researching standard equipment for specific models, identifying needs based on regional conditions, and negotiating for desired items during the purchasing process rather than after the deal is finalized. By being informed and strategic, buyers can take advantage of the various freebies and incentives offered by dealerships to enhance their new vehicle ownership experience.

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1. Look for these freebies at the car dealership
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5. Freebies when buying a car