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Took me 5 seconds to find mine. Was all bundled up under the dash next to the OBD 2 port. Has to be the GPS unit. Funny that they charge you for this service that any thief can easily remove in under a minute if they steal the truck. They don't make any attempt to hide it.
They started the process for the refund of the tire and wheel package. Weird process but its started. Finance manager just gave me the kickback on the theft protection.
Chances are it's already in the vehicle. These things are used for inventory tracking but they leave them in there to try and scam people into paying for the hardware and service as a profit boost. The real cost to the dealer is pennies on the dollar to what they will want to charge you. I wouldn't be surprised if it was left in there even if you don't pay for it.
I refused to pay for it. they refused to take it out. I took it out and smashed it to hell!
The labor cost to remove is likely higher than buying a new one. They are that cheap.
Look at your contract, was probably slipped in their without your knowledge. Also look under your driver side dash, if you see a bunch of aftermarket wiring, thats it.
$400 for the MOPAR EVTS isn't exactly "CHEAP"...... and labor to "remove it"???? It took 5 minutes to take it out.
That may be what they would charge you, as an individual, to buy it...but there is no way dealers are paying that. Plus that $400 includes the service to the end user (you), it's not just for the module. The hardware itself is almost worthless.
Perhaps, yes, to a third party device, probably relatively low cost.
Nope, if it's already activated it can be transferred without charge for 72 hours, otherwise it's $99 for the 'reprogramming fee' (which is yet another shady "gotcha" tactic). The whole thing is just a dealer asset management program that FCA partnered with an outside company (Guidepoint Systems) to manage...then it's pawned off as an expensive dealer added accessory. MOPAR just puts their sticker on Guidepoint's module. Guidepoint also does the same thing with Nissan (not to mention a ton of shady used car dealers and auto finance companies).
Well, I already knew Guidepoint systems was the provider. What you said seems accurate, because the "welcome" kit states for customer to register within 72 hours. There was about a 3 hour window from the time I "customer activated" it, until the time it went back with out a service plan (hence the $199 "upgrade").
I'm convinced the auto industry is nearly as bad as the finance world when it comes to devising ways of making money off of useless **** lolWell, I already knew Guidepoint systems was the provider. What you said seems accurate, because the "welcome" kit states for customer to register within 72 hours. There was about a 3 hour window from the time I "customer activated" it, until the time it went back with out a service plan (hence the $199 "upgrade").
Previous to that 3 hour window, I downloaded the Guidepoint APP just for the hell out of it, and the device was indeed active because I could tell everywhere I had travelled that day, so indeed was a "dealer tracking device" at that point.. Within hours, none of those functions were active.
I told them to take it out, they refused, they didn't want it, I didn't pay for it (of course they have a $600 doc fee), I took it out myself, I smashed it to hell. Not tracking me or anything else. end of story!
Just had similar experience with dealer. Unfortunately I signed the docs and bought the truck without noticing they added in $1,385 for some type of Platinum Appearance Package that supposedly protects paint for 12 months.... Dealer clammed up and wouldn't even discuss this last minute add on to the docs. Same story about it automatically being installed on vehicle. I would of have that meant it was a dealer installed option but it wasn't listed on the window sticker. Went to RAM to complain about this experience and they offered me an oil change coupon. LOL, an oil change.... Other than that nothing was done about the dealer's deceptive practice. Said they had to walk a fine line with dealers.... I really like the truck, in fact it's my second one. Unfortunately my last too. I won't buy a product from a company that condones this deceitful behavior from their dealerships.
I sent an email directly to the GM of the dealer I bought mine from about the finance manager not wanting to refund me for one of the dealer add ons and in turn, the finance director called me and said they would refund me the $299 for the theft protection. You can't blame the manufacture for what the dealer did. I'm sure this happens with dealers from every manufacture.
When I was younger, I had the same games played on me by every Ford, GM, Toyota, Ram, Dodge, and even VW dealers when purchasing for my wife. They are all out for one thing - the spare change in your wallet. Even now, they try but I’m a little wiser…but they still have ways to get to my wallet.
I agree that dealers are not the manufacturer, but in this case the dealer refuses to even discuss the matter. There is a lot more to my story with this dealer and I had to take it to RAM for escalation. Again I agree there is a difference between dealer and manufacturer but there is an agreement between them regarding the sale of their vehicles. I believe the manufacturer would want the dealer to be reputable in their dealings. Which was not the case with me. So when the manufacturer does nothing but offer an oil change they are condoning the dealers practices in my book.
