A Few Things You Should Know About Dealer Pricing Practices

At Parkway Volvo Subaru Hyundai in Wilmington, NC, we're all about transparency and doing business the right way. Unfortunately, not every dealership follows the same principles. Here's what you need to watch out for when shopping for a new vehicle:

Disclaimers: Beware of Unrealistic Prices

Some dealers advertise prices that seem unbelievably low, but there's a catch. These "too-good-to-be-true" prices often come with fine print that includes every possible rebate deducted from the price, even if you don't qualify for all of them.

Here are some common rebates that may be included:

  • HMFC Financing Rebates: Offered when you finance through Hyundai Motor Finance.
  • Owner Loyalty Coupons: For current Hyundai owners purchasing or leasing a new Hyundai.
  • Manufacturer Rebates: Special discounts from Hyundai that vary by model.
  • Military Rebates: For customers who meet specific U.S. Military employment requirements.
  • College Graduate Rebates: For recent graduates of accredited four-year colleges or universities.
  • Mobility Coupons: Discounts for modifications to accommodate disabilities.

The truth is, you're unlikely to qualify for every single rebate. But some dealerships still advertise prices as if everyone does, which leads to disappointment and frustration when you get to the lot.

Addendum Stickers: The Hidden Markups

Have you ever seen extra stickers on a car window at a dealership? These are called Addendum Stickers, or as they're commonly known, Bump Stickers, because they bump up the price. Dealers use these to add hidden fees for items or services that may not provide real value to the customer.

Here are some examples of addendum charges we've seen:

  • Market Adjustment - $1,995: What market are they adjusting for? Likely, it's just an excuse to charge you more.
  • Coastal Environmental Protection Package - $995: A fancy term for paint protection and fabric sealant. That's an expensive wax job.
  • Detail Appearance Package - $295: An overpriced car wash, essentially.
  • Import Market Assessment - $695: A vague charge that doesn't mean much but costs you extra.
  • Dealer Protection Package - $1,595: Likely a bundle of all the above, adding up to nearly $1,600 in unnecessary charges.

At Parkway, the only addendum stickers you might see will be for actual dealer-added accessories, like cross rails on a Santa Fe or mud flaps on a new Sonata-things you can actually see and value. We're not in the business of charging for "invisible products." We believe in doing things the right way.