What are “Dealer Add-Ons”?
Dealer Add-Ons Explained: Paint Protection, Tint, and More
You’ve found the car. You’ve agreed on the price. Then you walk into finance — and suddenly, you’re being sold on “dealer packages” you’ve never heard of.
What Are Dealer Add-Ons?
Add-ons are extras dealerships install to boost profit margins. You’ll see names like:
Appearance Package
Protection Package
Premium Interior Sealant
Wheel Locks & Nitrogen
They sound valuable — but most are optional, redundant, or massively overpriced.
The True Cost of Add-Ons
Here’s the secret: that $2,995 “ceramic coating” might cost the dealership less than $200. The “paint protection” might be a simple film over the lower bumper and not the entire car. And unfortunately, sometimes these items aren’t actually installed. And window tint? Many dealers outsource it for $150–$250 and charge $900+.
At The Car Agent Co, we break down each line item. If an add-on adds real value (And you actually want it.) we negotiate the price down. The dealers almost always have a massive profit margin on their add-ons, and can generally negotiate so you’re paying very little for the add-on, or nothing at all. Often times, the car hasn’t even arrived at the lot yet, and the dealer is attempting to charge you for the add-on. This is a great position to be in. At this time, you can just deny the service. If a dealer refuses to let you opt out of the package, you know they are profiting a large margin, and this is a good time to walk away from the deal.
How Add-Ons Affect Financing
Many buyers don’t realize add-ons increase not just the price — but also the sales tax and loan interest you pay. A $3,000 package financed over 60 months adds hundreds in hidden costs.
What You Should Do
Before signing, ask for an itemized list of all add-ons. Then say:
“I’d like the vehicle without the additional packages.”
Most of the time, they’ll cave — especially when they know you understand what’s going on.
Knowledge is your best leverage. That’s exactly what we bring to the table.