Are dealers installing Lojack and charging for it, calling it something else?

[yamahamt07]

I had a KIA dealer here in North Texas tell me today that many if not most KIA dealers (probably other car dealers too) are installing LoJak on the cars and charging for it as kind of a hidden thing or calling it something else and they even keep it on the vehicle if you refuse it. This is so the bank can locate the car if you don't make your payments on it.

Here is an excerpt of his email to me:

"Most dealers, like #$$%#@! when I worked there they tried to sell what is called Kahoo. It's a GPS that they install under your fuse box or in that area somewhere that allows tracking on the car."

Anyone else heard of this? thanks.

 

[jw_tx21]

I had a KIA dealer here in North Texas tell me today that many if not most KIA dealers (probably other car dealers too) are installing LoJak on the cars and charging for it as kind of a hidden thing or calling it something else and they even keep it on the vehicle if you refuse it. This is so the bank can locate the car if you don't make your payments on it.

Here is an excerpt of his email to me:

"Most dealers, like #$$%#@! when I worked there they tried to sell what is called Kahoo. It's a GPS that they install under your fuse box or in that area somewhere that allows tracking on the car."

Anyone else heard of this? thanks.

No - not on new cars. And, not if you don't pay for it. Look on dealer addendum window sticker to see if there's a charge.

Apparently this article shows it happens - I would imagine in more of the used market where vehicles are financed by some in-house or related company.

Kahu by Spireon Came With My Truck from Fair Oaks Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and I'm Not Happy | Out Motorsports

Kahu is sold to consumers by Spireon. Kahu is pitched as a vehicle tracking service that allows the owner to remember where their car is parked, track it if stolen, follow new drivers' routes, set speeding alerts, and set alerts if the vehicle leaves a defined geofence area.

www.outmotorsports.com

 

[anotherlostmonkey]

Why would they need to install anything? KIA is already tracking your car via GPS. You can log into the KIA Access app and see the trips you've taken+current location of your car.

 

[yamahamt07]

No. Not if you don't pay for it.

Yeah, he said you pay for it,, but they disguise it as a needed "utility" or something. And if you refuse it, he said they keep might keep it on anyways in case you financed and missed payments, they can locate it to repossess easier. He knows of 3 KIA dealers doing it and he named em.

______________________________

 

[yamahamt07]

Why would they need to install anything? KIA is already tracking your car via GPS. You can log into the KIA Access app and see the trips you've taken+current location of your car.

I guess they are selling it as some kind of utility. UVO is free for a year but after that it costs. And he said this way they can track the car if they need to repossess so it's probably separate from UVO which is what KIA uses to track. I think anyways.......

 

[jw_tx21]

Yeah, he said you pay for it,, but they disguise it as a needed "utility" or something. And if you refuse it, he said they keep might keep it on anyways in case you financed and missed payments, they can locate it to repossess easier. He knows of 3 KIA dealers doing it and he named em.

Interesting, as in the article I referenced above, I'd check the window sticker and then physically search the vehicle (look for a splice) if they install it. Would need to be disclosed.

I certainly wouldn't buy from a dealer that did that.

 

[yamahamt07]

Interesting, as in the article I referenced above, I'd check the window sticker and then physically search the vehicle (look for a splice) if they install it. Would need to be disclosed.

I certainly wouldn't buy from a dealer that did that.

That's exactly what he said......make sure and check everything on that window sticker. Every item.

 

[Familyman20]

Sounds like used car dealers or car brokers. They keep tabs on their property and when you don't pay they send the vehicle location to their tow truck to go scoop it up. These things should be disclosed to you at time of purchase and in most cases time of rental. If KIA stealerships are doing this on brand new factory vehicles I'd be impressed but who knows honestly.

______________________________

 

[arattle]

Yeah, he said you pay for it,, but they disguise it as a needed "utility" or something. And if you refuse it, he said they keep might keep it on anyways in case you financed and missed payments, they can locate it to repossess easier. He knows of 3 KIA dealers doing it and he named em.

You sound like you believe a lot of things car salesmen tell you. I would reevaluate that approach.

 

[yamahamt07]

You sound like you believe a lot of things car salesmen tell you. I would reevaluate that approach.

Gee.....thanks. LOL...and you sound like a really nice guy.

 

[ambient_6]

My dealer (just outside Houston) has LoJack/Kahu installed on every Telly, and you opt to pay for the service. It’s not on the window sticker and, at least here, you’re not charged for the device or install.

 

[yamahamt07]

My dealer (just outside Houston) has LoJack/Kahu installed on every Telly, and you opt to pay for the service.

Interesting. Sounds consistent with what I was told. I wonder if they actually remove the hardware should you opt out. Seems a bit sneaky to have it preinstalled too. Opens up a whole can of worms. Just as I was told. Thanks.

______________________________

 

[ambient_6]

Interesting. Sounds consistent with what I was told. I wonder if they actually remove the hardware should you opt out. Seems a bit sneaky to have it preinstalled too. Opens up a whole can of worms. Just as I was told. Thanks.

Now that you mention it, I was told this was done because some vehicles were getting stolen off their lot and the owners wanted to take measures. Having these trackers installed, they could then locate stolen vehicles. So these devices must be on from the get go? Which makes me think, if I opted out (which I didn’t because I’ve had LoJack in the past and was ok with getting it again), they could still track my vehicle…

 

[yamahamt07]

Now that you mention it, I was told this was done because some vehicles were getting stolen off their lot and the owners wanted to take measures. Having these trackers installed, they could then locate stolen vehicles. So these devices must be on from the get go? Which makes me think, if I opted out (which I didn’t because I’ve had LoJack in the past and was ok with getting it again), they could still track my vehicle…

Exactly what the guy told me. He works for KIA and they installed on the one he bought. And kept it on without his knowledge. He said for the bank to track down in case they need to repossess it. I worked for a car finance company and that was the key to their success. Tracking down cars and they were good at it. It all adds up now.

 

[ambient_6]

Exactly what the guy told me. He works for KIA and they installed on the one he bought. And kept it on without his knowledge. He said for the bank to track down in case they need to repossess it. I worked for a car finance company and that was the key to their success. Tracking down cars and they were good at it. It all adds up now.

Btw looks like we have the same telluride. Non-prestige right? Where in north Texas?

 

[yamahamt07]

Btw looks like we have the same telluride. Non-prestige right? Where in north Texas?

The Colony, up near Frisco. Originally from Southern Cal, been here 12 years. You in North Texas? Oh, I had one on order too with Huffines in Corinth. Wolf Grey. I snagged (intercepted) this one from Bob Utter a few weeks ago and they had no add to MSRP. I guess that's changed there. But Corinth hasn't changed their policy and they proclaim it. Only problem.....there's a few month's wait and it could be getting worse now with Covid again. We'll see I guess.

______________________________

 

[ambient_6]

The Colony, up near Frisco. Originally from Southern Cal, been here 12 years. You in North Texas? Oh, I had one on order too with Huffines in Corinth. Wolf Grey. I snagged (intercepted) this one from Bob Utter a few weeks ago and they had no add to MSRP. I guess that's changed there. But Corinth hasn't changed their policy and they proclaim it. Only problem.....there's a few month's wait and it could be getting worse now with Covid again. We'll see I guess.

I’m in Houston, but my folks live in Savannah off 380 on the way to Denton. Glad you for paid MSRP for it, I did as well.

 

[BasilFawlty]

I had a KIA dealer here in North Texas tell me today that many if not most KIA dealers (probably other car dealers too) are installing LoJak on the cars and charging for it as kind of a hidden thing or calling it something else and they even keep it on the vehicle if you refuse it. This is so the bank can locate the car if you don't make your payments on it.

Here is an excerpt of his email to me:

"Most dealers, like #$$%#@! when I worked there they tried to sell what is called Kahoo. It's a GPS that they install under your fuse box or in that area somewhere that allows tracking on the car."

Anyone else heard of this? thanks.

I had a device called Zaz - a GPS tracker located up under the dash. It was touted as an anti-theft device and they even put a ZAZ sticker on the lower part of the windscreen.

I paid cash for my Telly and have removed that little dongle.

 

[yamahamt07]

Yeah, the guy who alerted me to this said to check near the fuse box. He said it looks like a little ice cream sandwich. Or take it to a mechanic. He also said to check everything you signed. You may have authorized it without knowing it.

I need to go back and check. Based on the responses here, and in spite of what one guy said, this guy was spot on. It's a clear issue...

 

[Robboz]

My husband’s Dodge dealership did that. Said it was required as part of their mark up on every vehicle and we couldn’t refuse it. We literally watched them drive it off the truck and requested that they not put it on. Again, they refused and did it anyway.
Moritz in Alliance isn’t doing that, at least in any of my conversations. They’ve been very upfront about their dealer prep charge And what it includes.