Bogus Dealer Doc Fees Explained

[RobbieAG]

Excellent video explaining the BS doc fees dealers charge. Basically they're double dipping - they charge you more because they're a dealer, then they charge you for a bunch of admin stuff that they already included in the price of the vehicle.

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[Sleeper 7]

I refuse to pay Doc/admin fees. Just walk away

 

[pkinfc]

the dealerships have been able to build magnificent show rooms, millions in inventory, free fancy coffee machines, acquire huge amounts of land. They are struggling and clearly need the extra couple hundred bucks from you to survive. That being said, I had a dealer once tell me that was the only way they make money, i replied that if that was the case they were doing it wrong.

 

[commadorebob]

Most competent dealership make enough money in the garage that the salesfloor won't need to nickel and dime people to death.

 

[Skyline]

The level of negotiation depends on just who is in the "driver seat"; you want/love the vehicle in question, then the dealer is. If the dealer wants to sell, need to clear the lot for example, he/she will deal. Basically it is an atypical market and demand question...

 

[am_fm_radio]

I just saw on line a 2023 Maverick XL Only options Full Size spare and trailer hitch. .. Dealer upped it $6,000 over MSRP and had a $600 Document fee.. I'm in Kansas and was surfing dealers in OK and MO..

 

[TheSEARCH]

Old video. many have upped doc fee., NY is now 170. Many states have a limit .Some states have none. Legislators get paid off by dealer association. For the maverick you get msrp then depending on state doc fee's will get added. Good luck saying well In will take doc fees out of msrp. . Lucky dealer don't rip you with a adm of 2 or more K for a maverick order.

One local dealer back before 23 order banks open told me 2K over msrp on mav orders. I of course told dealer to stick it. .Funny part same dealer texted me if i wanted to order a 24. They clearly don't take notes as I called them all sorts of names back in 22.

 

[NJBob]

I was told if they charge a Doc fee they have to charge it to all customers. Above poster is right NY 175. In NJ it varies but around 500. Heard Florida is like 1K.

 

[Mavreezy]

They recently raised the doc fee to $85 from $80 in California. I literally wanted to walk away from the deal when they told me I had to pay an extra 5 bucks. Damn bastards...

 

[TheSEARCH]

They recently raised the doc fee to $85 from $80 in California. I literally wanted to walk away from the deal when they told me I had to pay an extra 5 bucks. Damn bastards...

It is amazing that CA of all places has one of the lowest doc fee's. After all everything else is typically more money in CA. The video is right that in the past and maybe now on more abundant vehicles you could get the dealer to lower the price by the doc fee amount. BUT no way on high demand vehicles like the Mav.

If I lived in FL I would travel out of state to buy a new vehicle. I don't think there is any limit on it in FL. I think FL dealers mark it up as high as they think they can get away with it. Reading hear i have seen a grand. Insane amount FL user fee, lol.

 

[realshelby]

I was told if they charge a Doc fee they have to charge it to all customers. Above poster is right NY 175. In NJ it varies but around 500. Heard Florida is like 1K.

Not a legal requirement. Doc Fee is simply additional Dealer profit. The ONLY reason there is a dollar amount listed that is different across states.....is that the States have LIMITED the amount a Dealer may charge for "Documentary Services".
Originally started out to cover costs of sending an employee to the Motor Vehicle Department to do the paperwork to obtain a title and a license plate. Not uncommon for a clerk to take 50 sets of paperwork to that office. $50 was a fair charge and worked for decades. Even then it was NOT a legal "fee" in any manner.
I really don't care what they use for a Doc Fee. When I negotiate I make SURE that on paper the deal I make INCLUDES doc fee. Same with the other Mop and Glo products that are allegedly already on the vehicle.....

 

[Mav_RICK]

Everything is negotiable except when it’s not.

 

[Mavreezy]

It is amazing that CA of all places has one of the lowest doc fee's. After all everything else is typically more money in CA. The video is right that in the past and maybe now on more abundant vehicles you could get the dealer to lower the price by the doc fee amount. BUT no way on high demand vehicles like the Mav.

If I lived in FL I would travel out of state to buy a new vehicle. I don't think there is any limit on it in FL. I think FL dealers mark it up as high as they think they can get away with it. Reading hear i have seen a grand. Insane amount FL user fee, lol.

I read articles that in Florida some dealerships charge up to $1200 for a doc fee. That's beyond craziness.

 

[apstephen]

It is amazing that CA of all places has one of the lowest doc fee's. After all everything else is typically more money in CA. The video is right that in the past and maybe now on more abundant vehicles you could get the dealer to lower the price by the doc fee amount. BUT no way on high demand vehicles like the Mav.

If I lived in FL I would travel out of state to buy a new vehicle. I don't think there is any limit on it in FL. I think FL dealers mark it up as high as they think they can get away with it. Reading hear i have seen a grand. Insane amount FL user fee, lol.

There are a few dealers here in FL....very few...that don't charge insane amounts on dealer fees. If someone down here can't find a dealer that doesn't charge an arm and leg, then going out of state is an option. I'm doing X-Plan on my Maverick, $300 - $400 savings off MSRP, $600 off my dealer fees.

FL legislature last session just reinforced protections for the major OEM dealers. Only one manufacturer gives the consumer the ability to bypass a FL dealer and order direct from OEM.....Tesla got an exemption.

Can't buy new car extended warranty with a FL zip code on line unless you go thru a Florida dealer.

Notice what I said regarding extended warranty...."FL zip code". Thankful that I live 21 miles away from a Georgia post office box!

 

[NJBob]

Not a legal requirement. Doc Fee is simply additional Dealer profit. The ONLY reason there is a dollar amount listed that is different across states.....is that the States have LIMITED the amount a Dealer may charge for "Documentary Services".
Originally started out to cover costs of sending an employee to the Motor Vehicle Department to do the paperwork to obtain a title and a license plate. Not uncommon for a clerk to take 50 sets of paperwork to that office. $50 was a fair charge and worked for decades. Even then it was NOT a legal "fee" in any manner.
I really don't care what they use for a Doc Fee. When I negotiate I make SURE that on paper the deal I make INCLUDES doc fee. Same with the other Mop and Glo products that are allegedly already on the vehicle.....

All I know at least in NJ the dealer has to charge everyone the same. However you can negotiate that off the price of the car.

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