Hey Everyone,

A local mall is offering a VIN Etching service day soon. They etch your VIN number into each window of your vehicle. I would assume it's very small and hardly noticeable, but I've never actually seen it done. The idea being that the first thing a lot of car thieves do is to get rid of the vehicle's VIN number, and this will serve as a deterant.

Anyone else have this done, or seen it? Do you think it's a good idea?


~Fletch~

 

it's not a bad idea. i'm not that paranoid of getting carjacked or my car stolen, but i'm sure it can happen to anyone.

 

I really dont think it matters. Mine came etched from the dealer but if someone wants your car there gonna take it etched or not.

 

Mine were etched by the dealer, then the finance guy tried to sell me the rest of the deal, where you pay a fee (I forgot how much), and some company registers youretching number. I did not take him up on the offer, however I did write down theetching number in case I ever need it.
I don't think it's the actual vehicle VIN, but another number they come up with. To get the "free" etching, you likely have to pay for the registration service they offer.

 

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Ford puts the VIN number in a few undisclosed spots for just this reason. It varies from car to car, but they are in there. Cops just have to call the dealer and find out where to look.

 

One reason not to do it (If its the actual VIN theyetch)is people are now starting to get your VIN then go to the dealer and have a key cut for the car then just drive away.....I have my VIN covered up on the windshield for this reason. (Not sure how PATS comes into play with that, not sure they could program the key w/o having the car), but better safe than sorry.

 

What they etch is the VIN#. But sometimes dealers can do a crappy job. Had it happen to me on a different car. My dealer wanted some outragous price of something like $180 to do it. Not. I asked my ins.co if it made any price difference and no it didn't so I said heck with it. Look if someone wants to steal your car, their gonna steal it. So they can't sell the glass at the chop shop, there's alot other stuff to sell.

 

It can be an effective deterrent. Thieves who know what they're doing may see the car has been etched and simply move on to another car. This is essentially the "club/wheel lock" or "beware of dog" theory, which is, if you make your car/home more of a pain to steal or break into, a thief will likely just move on to the next car/house (why would a thief try to break into a house with a dog if the next door house has no dog?). Of course, if someone really wants your car, and believes there is no chance they'll be caught, they'll hit your car no matter what.

If it's a free service, and the folks performing the service know what they're doing, I'd take them up on the offer.

Btw, I know folks in the etch business, but I myself don't make any money off it.

 

Here in AZ, local law enforcement offered it for free for a while to new residents. it's the only etching that they will bother to track out here. In other words , if you car is stolen and they come accross a chop shop or recover a like stolen vehicle they will run the VIN#'s found on the glass to see if it's from another stang or if it's your car. They ignore all other etcher company #s. Also for insurance purposes, many insurance companies here in AZ only give a discount for the VIN etching not the other company etching numbers....