tonyc4s

Ok here is the background. Working a deal for the 07 Touring with Nav.

Got a dealer to go with Invoice on the car. But then there is a $600 Doc fee on the Buyers Order. Its the only additional fee (outside of license and tax) so far, buts is so large I need to ask what you guys think? The salesperson told me its "a cost of doing business" and all dealers have it. And then the speech on I am already getting the car for invoice..they need to cover cost...bla..bla...bla..

I do think I have a good deal, is it normal and should I just let this go? Thanks !!

MSRP: $37,115
Invoice: $34,075

OTD: $37,064.34

Scarab440

iTrader: (8)

all dealers have it its not usually that large. its a great place to build extra profit into the deal.

are they covering your registration/plates/title/inspection sticker? if they are part of that fee would go twards these services.

the getting the car for invoice is meaningless if the just move the $500 over invoice that they may want into the dealers fees

MUZZY

iTrader: (28)

its a rip... they are scamming $500 from you. usually this service covers the tags and stuff but since you are paying for those they are just dbl charging you.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

$600 is ridiculous. Whatever documents are required by the dealer are his responsibility not yours. I call BS on this one.

tonyc4s

Thats what I thought.... So granted, would you guys say 500 over invoice is good? or just decent?

tonyc4s

and thank you guys for your replys...

i8acobra

iTrader: (6)

What state are you in?

tonyc4s

Florida

I1DER

In many types of sales, those are called "junk fees". Yes many have them add it and if all their competitors in the area have them for the same amount, you probably just have to deal with it. They are charging a fee for what they normally have to do. You might ask them if they have a secretary fee to cover their secretaries, a phone fee to cover their phone bill, a brochure fee to cover their handouts, etc. etc. It is a junk fee.

You could also counter back that you have a 'buyers expense" fee to cover your cost of driving around and selecting a dealer and a car. If they won't pay your $500 buyers expense fee, you shouldn't have to pay their sellers expense fee.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

MSRP: $37,115

My target price for this vehicle is $35,359. I don’t like the idea of the dealer giving you a low ball, then tacking on additional charges. The next deal that you make, they will figure something else to add on. These guys are playing games.

desiZ

iTrader: (2)

I paid $45 here in CA

Blacryan

iTrader: (3)

As somebody stated above, dont pay it. Tell them to take the fee off or take 500 off the damn fee than you will go forward.

rglbegl

$65 is the most i have ever charged for it. That fee is left up to me, cuz I am the one who has to DOC it. Anything over $100 is a scam!!!

i8acobra

iTrader: (6)

Since you're in Florida, here's some info for you:

"Similarly, charging documentary preparation fees ("doc fees") is not necessarily prohibited under Massachusetts law. However, it has also been questioned by consumers and challenged in other states as a means to hide a "profit center." Some states have chosen to regulate their doc fees through various types of means. For example, some states require that dealers disclose that documentary preparation fees represent additional profit to the dealer (Florida), while others have simply capped the fee (Ohio, California and Washington). Some states require that documentary preparation fees be disclosed, not preprinted on the form, and negotiated as part of the transaction. In some states, consumers have alleged that doc fees exceeding certain amounts are "unconscionable" whether or not the disclosure of the fee satisfied applicable regulations."

From: http://www.mccarter.com/www2/showarticle.aspx?Show=721

Tell them you're willing to pay $34,425 plus a $75 doc fee and sales tax and not a penny more.

Day-Day

$349 is the amount pre-printed on the form where I just purchased my Z and its labeled as "processing fees". I had asked the sales manager before having them bring the car in from another location if there were any other fees and he said "no".

The $349 is on the "Retail Buyers Order" form which was put together in the "finance" office at the dealership and it has the tally of price, fees, taxes, etc. The finance person started telling me that's its "on the form nothing to do about it, blah, blah, blah". When I finally got the sales manager to remove the $349, the finance person took it off of the agreed-to-price of the car and left the $349 in the tally sheet since it had to be there for some purpose.

Purchasing the car was really quite pleasant until I made it to the finance office. This step in the process was a little irritating because along with the $349 processing fee issue, the finance person was pushing hard to sell other items such as an oil service contract, extended warranty, gap insurance (if I was financing through them and actually had a gap), etc. (I don't know what all he was trying to sell since I tuned him out.)

i8acobra

iTrader: (6)

I just always ask the dealer up front, "what are all of your fixed fees". This way, instead of fighting over whether they are real fees or just extra profit, I simply negotiate a price knowing that this fee is going to be added on later. If I'm willing to pay $500 over invoice and there's a $300 fee, I'll offer $200 over invoice and let them add the fee later.

Day-Day

Good point. This is what I did during a previous car purchase at another dealership. I don't remember what they labeled the fee, but it was the same type of thing for $300 or so. We were clear on the front end so I accounted for it during the discussions with the salesman.

I asked the Sales Manager up front this time around and he did not mention the processing fee that comes into play at the final step of purchasing the car. (Or maybe he forgot? ) I should have specifically asked about the "document fee, processing fee, or a fee of some other name that is pre-printed on the buyer's form" since it appears that every dealership does this.

Or, it is better to just refuse to pay it after negotiating with the salesman since, if he's in on the game, he's counting on this fee be added back to the "agree-to price"?

For me, its less stressful for everyone to be open about it during the negotiations.

jackie chan

iTrader: (1)

dealers cant keep the doors open on holdback alone. $600 over invoice for a car whether it be a fee or just selling price is a very fair deal.

SargentZ

My document fees for my 07 are going to be 150. Its funny because the fee is built into the form in bold as a line item that can't be removed. Usually you can't get out of them in a straightfoward manner. What you do is negotiate the car to a lower price to offset the doc fee. Unfortuantely I was unble to do this cause of the VPP discount I'm using. I'm already getting a great deal so I didn't complain.
SZ

ShrinkyDink

All that matters is if overall it's a fair price. It's moronic to think the dealer isn't entitled to make a profit.