Mach E Catalytic Converter

[Westcoast]

My significant other purchased a certified used 2023 Mach E a couple of weeks ago, so I have been visiting the site to learn more about the Mach E (our first EV). We just received the new plates, and I wanted to put away the paper work in the glove box from the Ford dealer.

I took another look at the dealer forms and discovered an acknowledgement of work page (from the sales manager) that charged her $349 dollars for etching the catalytic converter.

Which was odd given that EV’s don’t have catalytic converters. So I contacted the dealer, they apologized and are going to refund that etching fee to her. In CA there is a law that took effect in 2024 that requires dealers to mark catalytic converters with the cars VIN number.

It's not something that an EV has, nor should be charged for during the sale. But certainly something that could generate a good deal of revenue for a dealer, if that "mistake" happened frequently. So I wondered if anyone else has experienced that type of error from a dealer when buying an EV in CA.

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[SonicBlue]

lol good catch. “Etching fees.” Or, I dunno, maybe the fee is required in California for all I know. Wouldn’t be the most surprising thing in the world.

 

[Westcoast]

Well the etching can be refused, by signing a paper. But the issue with popular gas cars here like Toyota's, catalytic converters are expensive and they get stolen a lot. Dealer's can basically determine their own fees for etching the VIN number.

But it's not required on an EV (no CAT) and they didn't do the work, but still charged the fee to someone that didn't know EV's don't have a catalytic converter. She assumed it was needed, and didn't question it in the middle of signing a bunch of paper work for the loan etc.

 

[Maquis]

I would go back and politely point out the mistake and ask them to make it right. If they say it’s not a mistake, tell them you’ll be filing a fraud complaint.

 

[DugthePug Dad]

Looks like stealership shenanigans.

Ca guy and I didn’t get that charge. I have a 23, so maybe it wasn’t a law then. Regardless it’s a EV…

 

[Westcoast]

Yeah, it doesn't sound like it's a wide spread issue here. The dealer said they would issue a refund for that amount, so hopefully we get a check from them, and chalk it up as a honest mistake.

 

[ChasingCoral]

and chalk it up as a honest mistake.

Yeah. Right.

 

[AliRafiee]

Etching is so helpful, especially on a catalytic converter since thieves resell them whole after tearing it out of the car.

 

[rugedraw]

Looks like stealership shenanigans.

Exactly. As a dealership employee (in sales in particular), I hate seeing these things. I am very happy I dont work in a shady dealer that does stuff like this, but they are out there.

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