Car shopping should be exciting, but for many North Texans, it is becoming a minefield of hidden costs and "gotcha" moments.
A recent investigative report by Dave Lieber, "The Watchdog" for The Dallas Morning News, highlighted a disturbing trend: dealerships luring customers in with a great price, only to tack on thousands of dollars in "mandatory" add-ons at the finish line.
What is "Payment Packing"?
The practice is called payment packing, and as The Watchdog points out, it’s more than just a bad business move—it’s against the law.
The report details a case involving a Dallas-area dealership where a customer was told he couldn't buy a vehicle unless he agreed to an extra $3,000 "luxury package" that included things like oil changes and vehicle trackers. When the customer tried to decline, he was told the sale couldn't happen without it.
Common "Forced" Add-ons Mentioned in the Report:
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Window tint or clear coating
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VIN etching
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Car locator devices (like LoJack)
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Pre-paid maintenance plans
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Stretched loan terms (shifting from 72 to 84 months to hide the cost of add-ons)
The BBC Difference: Transparency First
At BBC, we’ve followed these reports with a mix of frustration and resolve. We believe that a deal is only a good deal if it’s built on honesty. We don't believe in "luring" people—we believe in earning them.
Our commitment to you is simple:
We have never, and will never, charge fees other than those explicitly approved by the State of Texas Motor Vehicle Commission.
When you see a price on our lot or our website, that is the price. We don’t hide behind "luxury packages" or forced add-ons that you didn't ask for. We believe our customers are smart enough to decide what they need for their vehicles without being pressured into "nonsense" they can't decline.
Integrity is Non-Negotiable
We want to thank our loyal BBC customers for trusting us over the years. We know you have choices, and we are proud to be a dealership where the paperwork matches the handshake.
Don't get "packed" by the bad actors. Come see the team that respects your time and your wallet.
Source: Inspired by reporting from