Document Fees, gouging the customer! (flat fee, sales, how much)

[engineman]

Have you been charged "document fees" when you bought a car? I am talking about a "document fee" that the dealer pockets over and above the state tag and title fees.

The dealer gets you to an agreed price and then jacks it up by adding a document fee in with the list of sales taxes, tag and title fees just to get another bite out of your wallet. Some states limit how much they can charge.

Paperwork on a sale probably will take 15 minutes of the title clerk's time. A finance contract might take a bit longer, but the dealer makes an additional profit on that also.

[bentlebee]

Yes, almost all do it and some are advertising with a lower flat fee or they will waive it and then add it else where.

We always ask upfront and otherwise we leave or don't even go to the dealer depending on what they charge.

[Pragmaticus]

That's why you never negotiate just car price, only out the door price. That is the only way to compare Apple to Apple between dealers. Last time I was in market once I got the OTD price, I let the dealer what ever he wants to call it. He can call it " I am feeling great today" fee.

[BucFan]

I've come to actually dislike ("hate" is too strong a word) car sales people/dealerships. I have found out the providing them with a "walk away price" and maintaining a hardline.....if you go above this price, I walk away. I had to walk a couple of times. One guy said he had to pay for the lights in the building and couldn't do it by giving away cars.

I don't even like shaking their hands afterwards - give me my car and let me get the heck out of here. I'm paying cash, don't want a warranty, don't finance.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Pragmaticus

That's why you never negotiate just car price, only out the door price. That is the only way to compare Apple to Apple between dealers. Last time I was in market once I got the OTD price, I let the dealer what ever he wants to call it. He can call it " I am feeling great today" fee.

I agree with this ^^^. Out the door price is all that matters. I don't care how much they say they are giving me on trade-in, document fees, etc. etc. I was very happy last time I bought a car (a cheap used one I might add) I bought it from Wilde Honda, and was pleased all the way around, with service, price and the car I got.

[Vannort54]

Florida is the higest in the nation Susprise Susprise not.

Average Dealer Documentation Fees by State

[MortonR]

If you request an "out the door" price quote, more often than not they will not include their "dealer prep" fee. I've had this happen to me while looking at cars a couple months ago. I used specifically for an "out the door" price and without stating specifically that it was to include any and all dealer fees, they quoted me a price without the fees.

When I confronted one salesperson about it they seemed indifferent. "You didn't say it should include our fees."

RM

[HWTechGuy]

When I need to shop for a car in the next few years I'll just go to one of the dealers that advertise no dealer fees. They tend to be the brands in which I'm most interested anyhow.

[EngGirl]

Bought different brand new cars and always asked for out the door price. When/If I saw some magic new fees being added, I was walking away and they stop me to say they did the mistake.
The best advice I can give - spend 2-3 days buying a car and go from one dealership to another. They you have good offer, tell other dealership to at least match it or even to get you better deal.
I saw sales people working out numbers backwards from my price to include all needed fees. I always bought cars with significant discount. If you are not in rush, wait for the end of fiscal year and go shopping.

[BucFan]

Originally Posted by Vannort54

Florida is the higest in the nation Susprise Susprise not.

Average Dealer Documentation Fees by State

don't like it here?

move.