Why Do 4S Stores Charge a 10,000 Yuan License Plate Deposit?
4 Answers
4S stores charge a license plate deposit to prevent cross-regional sales. This deposit will be refunded to the consumer after the vehicle is registered. Below is an introduction to vehicle license plates: 1. Introduction: A license plate, commonly known as a car plate, is a panel hung on the front and rear of a vehicle. It is typically made of aluminum, sheet metal, plastic, or paper, and displays the vehicle's registration number, registration region, or other relevant information. 2. Function: License plates serve as a numbering and information registration system for vehicles. Their primary purpose is to identify the vehicle's region of registration and allow authorities to trace the vehicle's owner and registration details. 3. Temporary License Plates: Temporary license plates are issued by vehicle management authorities when a car has not yet been officially registered due to pending procedures. Temporary plates have time and regional restrictions.
Last month I encountered the same issue when helping a friend pick up their car. The 10,000 yuan license plate deposit charged by the 4S store is mainly because they're afraid you won't complete the formal procedures when the temporary license expires, and the DMV will hold them accountable. Also, in some cities with license plate restrictions, the 4S store needs to ensure the vehicle is registered under their name promptly. Think about it—if the owner delays getting the license plate for several months, their sales targets get stuck. But remember to keep the receipt for this deposit; it can be refunded once the metal license plate is installed. Last time I specifically asked the after-sales manager, and he said if you encounter a situation where they refuse to refund, calling the manufacturer's 400 hotline to complain is the most effective solution.
Last year, I witnessed this practice firsthand when accompanying a relative to buy a car. The 4S dealership collects the deposit primarily to bind you to handle the license plate registration at their store, as they can earn a few hundred yuan in service fees. On a deeper level, it's to prevent cross-regional sales, as manufacturers strictly prohibit selling vehicles across regions, and the deposit ensures the car is registered at the local DMV. In reality, this money is typically held for no more than two to three weeks. Remember to have the salesperson clearly note in the contract's remarks section: 'Refund within 7 days after license plate completion.' I've seen people get tricked into using the deposit to offset decoration fees, so be extra vigilant about the refund deadline.
The license plate deposit is essentially a security deposit. The 4S dealership is afraid that customers might disappear after obtaining temporary plates, leaving the vehicle as an 'unregistered entity'. Especially for installment purchases, without official plates, the vehicle cannot be mortgaged, and the financial company would hold the 4S dealership accountable. Charging 10,000 yuan is a bit high; I suggest directly asking the sales director before picking up the car if it can be reduced to 5,000. Pay special attention to whether the contract contains wordplay like 'decoration deposit', which can lead to disputes when refunding. Last month, my neighbor was asked to provide a copy of the tax payment certificate when refunding the deposit, so preparing in advance saves an extra trip.
