Dealer "Fees": what to ask your dealer

[SmartBob]

Cherry Hill says the std. doc fee is $225. That's what they get for all the MBs so it's not too horrible.

[spdickey]

Originally Posted by SmartBob

Cherry Hill says the std. doc fee is $225. That's what they get for all the MBs so it's not too horrible.

Beverly Hills Mercedes gets $55 for doc prep fees. I think their rent is higher than Cherry Hill's shop. So I think it is horrible.

[gryphon]

Was at Smart of Laguna Niguel (S. Cal) on Friday looking at their floor models and asked the saleman about their dealer prep fees. He replied that they were only charging the $55 documentation fee, nothing else.

[Old smart]

I don’t know if Virginia has dealer fees. With the last car I bought there was none, but that may have been a dealer decision. The smart will come from a different dealer so …?

But, it looks like two regions in VA (Northern VA and Hampton Roads) will get a fee made compulsory by the Commonwealth to fund transportation projects, an “Initial Vehicle Registration Fee� of 1% of the purchase price paid by the buyer. PAG can do nothing about this.

There is a lot of controversy over some provisions of the Transportation Bill, and the legislature may re-visit it this session, but I think the IVRF will remain in addition to anything else.

[bmx43]

Originally Posted by fishrdnc

I don’t know if Virginia has dealer fees. With the last car I bought there was none, but that may have been a dealer decision. The smart will come from a different dealer so …?

But, it looks like two regions in VA (Northern VA and Hampton Roads) will get a fee made compulsory by the Commonwealth to fund transportation projects, an “Initial Vehicle Registration Fee” of 1% of the purchase price paid by the buyer. PAG can do nothing about this.

There is a lot of controversy over some provisions of the Transportation Bill, and the legislature may re-visit it this session, but I think the IVRF will remain in addition to anything else.

whoa. that's way too complicated. the fee won't be hidden in the registration fees breakdown, we all pay those fees. it will be listed as either a "doc" fee or "prep" fee on your contract and has to be disclosed. i don't believe there is a car dealer in the US who doesn't charge a doc fee of some sort.

easiest way to find out is call the dealer and ask how much their doc fees are.

[spdickey]

Originally Posted by fishrdnc

But, it looks like two regions in VA (Northern VA and Hampton Roads) will get a fee made compulsory by the Commonwealth to fund transportation projects, an “Initial Vehicle Registration Fee� of 1% of the purchase price paid by the buyer. PAG can do nothing about this.

There is a lot of controversy over some provisions of the Transportation Bill, and the legislature may re-visit it this session, but I think the IVRF will remain in addition to anything else.

That's different, its a TAX charged by the STATE. You're stuck with that. We're discussing the documentation prep fees that some dealers are able to gouge their customers absent state regulation to prevent that.

[Fredvon4]

Some thing else to watch for:

Some unscrupulous dealers list the doc fee separate from the title and reg fees...

I know what you are thinking...we certainly have to pay the title and reg fees..

Yes we all do, but if your state would charge you $8.00 for recording a creating the first lien holder title and sending it to your bank/lender

And your registration is say $52 for one years plates

And your state inspection is $10...

I can add and that is $70...(not talking taxes here)...

Supposedly the docs fee is to do all this for you...( docs fee $55 Title, Reg, Ins $70 total $135)

I know some dealers will separately charge $250 or more for what costs $70

This is on top of the inflated doc fee and is double dipping the same rip off...

We don't do this in Texas... but my dealer in another state pulled this crap and I walked... I learned from my brother in Utah that his Chevy dealer did this to him when I was carping about it to him.

So along with docs fees, dealer prep fees, keep an eye on what they charge you for doing the title and registration vs what it would cost you to do it at the county or state DMV your self...

[scifiguy9755]

SmartCenterAnnapolis say they're only going to charge MSRP plus destination charge, tax, license and registration plus any dealer installed accessories. MD caps doc fee at $100. It's good to live in the FREE State!

[Fredvon4]

no sweat scifiguy9755 the FREE state puts their hands in your pockets in so many other ways you should get some relief buying a new car.... wink

[scifiguy9755]

True enough but at least we're not taking gas like some of the other states with their doc fees. If I was in one of those states I'd probably pass on the car in protest.