779 messages,
Last post on Mar 09, 2011 at 2:57 PM
You are in the
Smart Shopper Forum.
What is this discussion about?
Car Buying
#772 of 779 Re: Experience [ken117]
by jhs70
Aug 06, 2010 (5:08 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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
When its $699 it hard not to notice it!