What “Dealer add-ons” means
Dealer add-ons are extras the dealer adds, not the factory. Some are physical (wheel locks, door-edge guards, tint) and some are coatings or service promises (paint sealant, interior protection, theft registration). They are listed on an addendum sticker beside the factory window sticker or on the worksheet as a single “protection package.”
They are some of the highest-margin items in the store. Many cost the dealer a small fraction of the price shown.
How it shows up at the dealership
You will hear that add-ons are “already on the car” and can’t be removed. Physical items may already be installed, but you are still negotiating the total price. Add-ons can also appear later, in the finance office, inside a monthly payment.
Worked example · illustrative numbers, not a quote
A typical addendum, and what to do with it
| Nitrogen in tires | $199 |
| Pinstripe | $299 |
| VIN etch | $399 |
| Paint and fabric protection package | $995 |
| Addendum total you should ask to remove or offset | $1,892 |
Illustrative. Some states have rules on how add-ons must be disclosed; check your attorney general’s site.
What to do
- Ask for the addendum before you visit, and say you don’t want any of it.
- If items are installed, ask for the price to be reduced by the addendum total.
- Read the final buyer’s order for add-ons that reappeared.
What to say
“I’m not paying for the addendum items. If they’re already on the car, I’ll take it as-is, but the price needs to come down by the addendum total.”
Also called: addendum items, dealer-installed accessories, protection package.