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So I'm an international student looking at some used cars at dealerships. I find all the fees very confusing though. Some dealers say that "out of state buyers pays the listing price" which I guess means that you don't pay all the fees? Why? As I'm only here on a F1 visa I can't establish residency in any state so I guess I will always be a "out of state buyer"? Do dealers tend to fraud people with extra unnecessary fees? Which fees are obligatory?
When they talk about "out of state buyers" they're talking about the state where the car will be registered. What that means is that the dealership isn't set up to handle title and registration for states other than the one where they are located, so you will pay them the price of the car and take the paperwork to the department of motor vehicles in the state where you are located to pay the sales tax, title transfer, and registration. If you will be registering the car in the state where the dealership is located you will pay them for everything.
Driver's licenses, vehicle registration, vehicle insurance, and sales tax are on a state to basis and can vary quite a bit with little rhyme nor reason. Thus buying in one state then taking it to another state can get confusing.
Some dealers say that "out of state buyers pays the listing price" which I guess means that you don't pay all the fees? Why?
Each vehicle is going to have a title issued by the state you live in, the title is like a deed and proves ownership of the vehicle. Without a title it makes for a really nice lawn ornament. There is going to be fees for the title from the state issuing it and sales tax on the purchase price. If you are buying out of state you would need to take care of that in the state you live in.
Yes, we have items that are cash cows [fees, taxes] for government and businesses. Tobacco products, liquor products, food/liquids in containers that can be recycled, buying/selling a house [too many fees, taxes to list], and purchase of a vehicle- title fee, [impact fee in FL] registration fee, sales tax, dealer admin fee
Yes, we have items that are cash cows [fees, taxes] for government and businesses. Tobacco products, liquor products, food/liquids in containers that can be recycled, buying/selling a house [too many fees, taxes to list], and purchase of a vehicle- title fee, [impact fee in FL] registration fee, sales tax, dealer admin fee
do not forget the doc fees or the over mileage and wear and tear fees on leased cars
When they talk about "out of state buyers" they're talking about the state where the car will be registered. What that means is that the dealership isn't set up to handle title and registration for states other than the one where they are located, so you will pay them the price of the car and take the paperwork to the department of motor vehicles in the state where you are located to pay the sales tax, title transfer, and registration. If you will be registering the car in the state where the dealership is located you will pay them for everything.
Also, in my state all of the registration and application for title is done by the town clerk. And the town gets a fee based on the value (cost) of the vehicle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by camaro69
Do yourself a favor, bring someone who's knowledgeable about buying a car with you so you don't get ripped off.
Yes, find a local person from the state that you reside in to help you out. Or a fellow expat who already has purchased and registered a car.
The whole process can be daunting to those who are new at it. And sadly, some dealerships add extra fees that may or may not be negotiated or eliminated.
If you are a newbie International Student, stay away from Dealerships unless you have an American Friend. Best advice is to look at International Student Center. If you are from a Big Campus of any State University, there are many Chinese students Ph.D. or PostDocs leaving USA after their course is finished or just changing the campus. They will sell their cars for cheap as long as you got cash. Get one from International Graduate Students. If possible, you can finance it from your local Credit Union.
Buy Car only from students who are leaving. If any student is selling the car without leaving the campus, this means that it has some costly repair problems. I will avoid buying cars from Indians and Koreans though !!! Car from Indians will always have costly repairs-they sell it only then. Korea student cars almost always have accident / insurance history.
If you are a newbie International Student, stay away from Dealerships unless you have an American Friend. Best advice is to look at International Student Center. If you are from a Big Campus of any State University, there are many Chinese students Ph.D. or PostDocs leaving USA after their course is finished or just changing the campus. They will sell their cars for cheap as long as you got cash. Get one from International Graduate Students. If possible, you can finance it from your local Credit Union.
Buy Car only from students who are leaving. If any student is selling the car without leaving the campus, this means that it has some costly repair problems. I will avoid buying cars from Indians and Koreans though !!! Car from Indians will always have costly repairs-they sell it only then. Korea student cars almost always have accident / insurance history.
Who not go into a dealership? You do realize, depending on where one comes from, the level of comfort with negotiating is a lot higher than we have here in the US.
In addition, going to a dealership and paying 10k+ will most likely yield a pretty decent car. Going through a private buyer for that kind of money wouldn't be very advisable.
Fees are what they are. You pay them and that's that. We all do it, we all suffer when we pay but it's an inescapable fact of life.
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