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Documentation Fees

779 messages,  Last post on Mar 09, 2011 at 2:57 PM

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Messages Page 78 of 78

#771 of 779 Experience by ken117

Aug 06, 2010 (4:33 am)

I too have a problem with the Doc fee. Interestingly, some dealers in Virginia have a price list for the Doc fees. For people living in Virginia the fee is $399, for people coming from Delaware the fee is $299 and for people in Maryland the fee is $100. I wonder if people really pay $399! No way would I buy a car and pay that amount.
 
When I negotiate, I negotiate a bottom line price. Usually the dealer will simply adjust the pricing structure to get to the bottom line price to include whatever Doc fee they choose. Since it does not impact the bottom line, makes no difference to me, other than the tax would be a bit less. It has to do with legal issues, appears the dealers must charge everyone the Doc fee or they could face legal troubles.
 
For me, a Doc fee of $50 would be OK as they do provide a service in that I do not have to go to MVR. Too me that is worth a few bucks, but not $399.

#772 of 779 Re: Experience [ken117] by jhs70

Aug 06, 2010 (5:08 am)

Replying to: ken117 (Aug 06, 2010 4:33 am)
VA resident here. The car business must be booming here in NOVA. Based on my recent new car inquiries, dealers stop talking to me when I mention that i will drive to MD to buy a new car in order to escape the ridiculous, and I mean ridiculous, doc fees that some of them charge. I've even tried to keep my dollars in VA by going for an OTD price that reduces the doc fee, but they all balk. I guess there are more than enough people in the area willing to spend spend spend that they are disinterested in working with me. What other conclusion can I draw? I've purchased my last 3 or 4 vehicles in MD because of this. (I still think that MD charges too much, but 100 is a lot less than 399, 499, you get the drift.)

#773 of 779 Re: Experience [jhs70] by nortsr1

Aug 06, 2010 (11:45 am)

Replying to: jhs70 (Aug 06, 2010 5:08 am)
Don't feel bad. I live in Florida and the dealers charge anywhere from 499.00 to $599.00 dealer fees. What I usually do (in fact always do) is wait to the final $$$ amount is given to me for my trade-in (and that is after MUCH back and forth negotiation) and than tell them I want either $500.00 or $600.00 more for my trade-in.
  It really all boils down to what you are willing to pay "BOTTOM LINE"!!!!

#774 of 779 Re: Experience [nortsr1] by bocacoder

Aug 14, 2010 (4:43 am)

Replying to: nortsr1 (Aug 06, 2010 11:45 am)
Thanks nortsr1, that's a great way to handle it. I'll keep that in mind next time.

#775 of 779 Re: Experience [bocacoder] by nortsr1

Aug 14, 2010 (5:37 am)

Replying to: bocacoder (Aug 14, 2010 4:43 am)
You are most welcome. It always has worked for me....and believe you me....they always come out ahead on your trade-in. I have walked out several times from dealerships) only to be called back (more than once)....and they will agree to what I have asked. Always remember...if you can't get the price you want...you can ALWAYS walk out. Yes, maybe you have asked too much...but it is your money that they want.
  If they let you walk out, then perhaps you have demanded too much...but...there is always another dealership somewhere.
  And remeber this...if you are satisfied with the deal you get...be HAPPY... not two days later kicking yourself in the ass thinking you could have done better.
  Since I purchase a new car (suv) every three years, beieve me, I have done a lot of purchasing and "negotiating" over the past years. I am 79 years old...so you know I have bought and negotiated a loy of new vehicles.

#776 of 779 FL Docs fees out of control by cadillacmike

Mar 06, 2011 (3:02 pm)

The situation in northern virginia is likely the result of it being a border area with several states, and the dealers responding to the dealer doc fee laws in those states.
 
We don't have that 'problem' here in FL, because the appears to be no law or regulation and the doc fees have hit the stratosphere! $600 - probably more when i actually get to the dealership. Absolutely ludicrous. As northstar1 has stated, find out what it is, and account for that in your final price either on the car you're buying or trading.

#777 of 779 Re: FL Docs fees out of control [cadillacmike] by euphonium

Mar 07, 2011 (12:32 pm)

Replying to: cadillacmike (Mar 06, 2011 3:02 pm)
DOC fee translates into "Additional Dealer Profit". An attempt to legitimize a rippoff. After we settled on the cash price, the paperwork listed a DOC fee. We walked out without saying a word.

#778 of 779 Re: FL Docs fees out of control [euphonium] by mikefm58

Mar 09, 2011 (9:30 am)

Replying to: euphonium (Mar 07, 2011 12:32 pm)
They always do that, then act surprised like "Gee how'd that get there" or make it sound like everybody does it that way. Most will adjust the trade-in or price to account for it when you point it out to them, but it is slimy the way they try to slide it in there, hoping you won't notice.

#779 of 779 Re: FL Docs fees out of control [mikefm58] by cadillacmike

Mar 09, 2011 (2:57 pm)

Replying to: mikefm58 (Mar 09, 2011 9:30 am)
When its $699 it hard not to notice it!

Messages Page 78 of 78

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