Dealer "Fees": what to ask your dealer

[bmx43]

there seems to be mass confusion on this subject since every state handles this subject differently. many people are calling their dealer and asking if they are adding any added markup or fees. they are all being told NO! whereas PAG is mandating that dealers have to sell at MSRP, they can not mandate "doc" fees that dealers are able to charge. in many states these are unregulated and the dealer can charge anything he can get as long as every car gets the same fee.

that sucks.

so, when you call your dealer, the only question you should ask is "how much are your doc fee?" if you ask about prep fees or dealer markup, you will get the answer you want, but you won't get the truth. unfortunately.

[CruisingAZ]

I was talking with another dealer in another state and it looks like I will have my smart sent to that state and pick my car up there. I will avoid the $400 doc fee for my state and pay $55 instead.

I am going to inform my local dealer of this and let them decide if they want to loss the $1,500 commission over $350 in excess doc fees.

[flywithsean]

Originally Posted by CruisingAZ

I was talking with another dealer in another state and it looks like I will have my smart sent to that state and pick my car up there. I will avoid the $400 doc fee for my state and pay $55 instead.

I am going to inform my local dealer of this and let them decide if they want to loss the $1,500 commission over $350 in excess doc fees.

I doubt these cars have more than $800 profit in them. The money to be made is all back end.

[CruisingAZ]

Originally Posted by flywithsean

I doubt these cars have more than $800 profit in them. The money to be made is all back end.

I got the $1,500 figure from another thread, but either way if my dealer wants to give up the sale I will be happy to drive six hours to pick up my car and save $345.00

[flywithsean]

I say hold their feet to the fire and don't back down. they will call your bluff so you need to call theirs.

[CruisingAZ]

Originally Posted by flywithsean

I say hold their feet to the fire and don't back down. they will call your bluff so you need to call theirs.

I will take a day trip to West Covina and see family, pick up my car and still be home in time to drive by the local dealer and honk.

[SmartBob]

hold their feet to the fire and don't back down

Great expression Sean, I like it!

[jwight]

Originally Posted by CruisingAZ

I got the $1,500 figure from another thread, but either way if my dealer wants to give up the sale I will be happy to drive six hours to pick up my car and save $345.00

That was from spdickey; 7% profit over invoice plus 2% for selling in the dealer's local area. So your local dealer is looking at losing 9% of MSRP if you take delivery in CA. He must have a hell of a profit margin on his other lines.

John

[maxtraxduffy]

Special equipment

Extras


Fog lamps
$ 110.00


Anti-theft alarm system
$ 160.00


Additional instruments (analog clock and rev counter)
$ 120.00


Total price[*]:
$ 13,980.00






[*]
Excluding tax, license, registration, destination charge, and dealer installed accessories.


Illustrations contained in this website are based on product information available at the time of posting applicable to vehicles available for sale outside of the United States and Puerto Rico. smart USA reserves the right to make changes at any time, without notice, in colors, materials, equipment, specifications, and models. Any variations in colors shown are due to variations in monitor resolution. Illustrations may include test situations. Some vehicles may be shown with non-U.S. equipment. Some vehicles are shown with optional equipment.

[bmx43]

Originally Posted by maxtraxduffy

Special equipment

Extras


Fog lamps
$ 110.00


Anti-theft alarm system
$ 160.00


Additional instruments (analog clock and rev counter)
$ 120.00


Total price[*]:
$ 13,980.00






[*]
Excluding tax, license, registration, destination charge, and dealer installed accessories.


Illustrations contained in this website are based on product information available at the time of posting applicable to vehicles available for sale outside of the United States and Puerto Rico. smart USA reserves the right to make changes at any time, without notice, in colors, materials, equipment, specifications, and models. Any variations in colors shown are due to variations in monitor resolution. Illustrations may include test situations. Some vehicles may be shown with non-U.S. equipment. Some vehicles are shown with optional equipment.

are you serious? still beating that horse huh? seriously? fight the power man, fight the power!

for those who have not followed this, here is the thread that my friend maxtrax is salty on.

http://smartcarofamerica.com/forums/...?t=1835&page=5