How to Say No to Add-Ons Without Killing the Deal

Dealer add-ons—etching, nitrogen, "protection" packages—often appear at the last minute in the U.S. You can say no without killing the deal if you're clear, polite, and firm. Here's how.

TL;DR Say no early and in writing: "I'm only buying the car at the agreed price. No add-ons." If they insist, recalculate OTD and decide if the total is still acceptable—or walk. Get the agreed price (no add-ons) in writing before you go to finance. Use autopremo.com to know your target OTD so you can spot when add-ons inflate the deal.

Why Add-Ons Show Up Late

Dealers often introduce add-ons after you've agreed on a price—in the box, with the finance manager. By then you're mentally committed. Saying no can feel like "blowing the deal." So many buyers cave. But the deal you agreed to was without add-ons. Refusing add-ons isn't killing the deal—it's keeping the deal you made.

Know your target OTD before you agree to anything at autopremo.com.

What to Say When They Push Add-Ons

Early (when you're negotiating price)

You: "I'm only interested in the car at the price we're discussing. I don't want any add-ons—no etching, no nitrogen, no protection packages. Can we keep it to just the vehicle and the agreed price?" Why it works: You're drawing the line before you agree. If they say "we add this to every car," you say: "Then the agreed price needs to include that, or I don't want it. I'm not paying extra for add-ons." Get the agreed price (no add-ons, or add-ons included in the number) in writing on the buyer's order before you go to finance.

In the box (when finance introduces add-ons)

You: "We agreed on a price that didn't include any add-ons. I'm not adding anything. Please remove these from the deal." If they say it's "mandatory": "Then the agreed price should have included it. I'm not paying more. Remove it or adjust the selling price so my OTD stays the same." If they won't, ask to speak to the sales manager or walk. The deal was at the agreed OTD—not OTD plus add-ons. If they say "it's only $X per month": "I'm focused on total cost, not monthly. I'm not adding it. Please remove it." See OTD with and without add-ons at autopremo.com.

When Saying No Doesn't Kill the Deal

• You've agreed on OTD in writing (selling price + tax + fees, no add-ons). Refusing add-ons is just holding them to the deal.
• You're polite and firm. "I'm not adding anything. Please remove it." No drama—just clear.
• You're willing to walk. If they insist that add-ons are "mandatory" and won't remove them or offset the price, you leave. That's not you killing the deal—that's them changing the deal. There are other dealers.

When It Might "Kill" the Deal (And Why That's OK)

• They refuse to sell without add-ons. Some dealers have a policy. If they won't remove add-ons or reduce the price to offset them, you walk. You don't overpay to save a "deal." You find a dealer who will sell at the agreed price without mandatory add-ons.
• They get upset or pushy. That's a sign to leave. A dealer who gets angry when you refuse add-ons is not someone you want to do business with. Walk.

Get your target OTD so you know when add-ons inflate the deal at autopremo.com.

Your Add-On Checklist

• [ ] Stated early: "No add-ons. Just the car at the agreed price."
• [ ] Agreed price (no add-ons) in writing on buyer's order before finance
• [ ] In the box: if add-ons appear, "Remove them. We agreed on a price without add-ons."
• [ ] If they insist add-ons are mandatory: "Remove them or adjust price so OTD stays the same. Otherwise I'm not signing."
• [ ] Willing to walk if they won't remove add-ons or offset the price

See OTD and spot add-on inflation at autopremo.com.

Bottom Line

Say no to add-ons by stating early that you're only buying the car at the agreed price with no add-ons, and by getting that agreement in writing. In the box, if add-ons appear, ask to remove them. If they insist they're mandatory, ask to remove them or reduce price so OTD stays the same—or walk. Use autopremo.com to know your target OTD so you don't overpay when add-ons appear.