Price gouging dealership

[MysticRob]

Everyone telling me they are paying zero or a $100-150 doc fee can post their buyers order or contract.

According to the list posted, in 2011 only five states had doc fees under an average of $100.

That website does NOT list what "States" allow dealerships to charge, it's merely an average of what dealerships in those states typically charged back in 2011, or sometimes a max of what a State will allow dealerships to charge, like in CA where the State now only allows an $85 max. And again, that site was as of 2011, plenty has likely changed in 10 years.

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[huunvubu]

That data is 11 years old. Wonder what it is today?

This one is dated 11/4/2020 but the averages seem to be the same. The only difference I can see is the States that before that could charge whatever they wanted are now limited like Florida can now not charge more than $999.

Car Dealer Fees by State – Used Car Dealership fees 2021

 

[MysticRob]

This one is dated 11/4/2020 but the averages seem to be the same. The only difference I can see is the States that before that could charge whatever they wanted are now limited like Florida can now not charge more than $999.

Car Dealer Fees by State – Used Car Dealership fees 2021

There is a LOT of misinformation floating on the interwebz (duh). The site you linked to says this:
"As per the law, the dealers are ordered by the government to charge specific documentation fees from every customer."
That is BS and/or not specific enough. States don't require dealers to do anything at all regarding so-called "doc fees". They do require sales tax and registration fees be collected IF the dealer isn't going to pay those themselves (which they of course would not).
Some states do however require that IF a dealer is going to charge a "doc fee" that the doc fee be the same for all customers.
Some states, like Georgia that I mentioned in a previous post, are the wild west, where anything goes.
Best to check with your own state and/or local govts on what is and what isn't allowed to be charged by dealerships to customers, but guaranteed there's usually some shady shiite hiding under dealership rocks!

 

[MysticRob]

Perfect example of whether or not doc fees in my own state of Idaho, written by the State Attorney General. If anyone would know, it's this guy:
https://www.idaholegalaid.org/files/YoungAdultHandbook.pdf


Granted this is in my own state, all other states can and likely will differ.
Ctrl+F the keywords "documentation fees":
" Dealer Fees - Many dealers charge a “dealer documentation” fee for paperwork preparation. Dealer documentation fees are not required by law. These fees vary from dealer to dealer and are negotiable. It is unlawful for a dealer to charge such fees if they have not been clearly and conspicuously disclosed in connection with the advertised price. "

 

[olderbudwiser]

Ordered my Hybrid about 2 weeks ago received confirmation immediately. After reading all the goings on, paid visit to ordering dealer. Sales person and Sales manger both came out and assured me A/Z/D plan orders they follow the pricing to the letter. With no additional charges. Did not ask about retail.

I'll let you know somewhere between March and June how that turned out.

 

[MysticRob]

Ordered my Hybrid about 2 weeks ago received confirmation immediately. After reading all the goings on, paid visit to ordering dealer. Sales person and Sales manger both came out and assured me A/Z/D plan orders they follow the pricing to the letter. With no additional charges. Did not ask about retail.

I'll let you know somewhere between March and June how that turned out.

Makes sense, as Ford makes them honor it, though you left out the X-Plan (what I'll be using).
I apologize if I've just been hammering on the thread with multiple posts, just wanted to ensure everyone gets good info and doesn't get screwed on pricing these pretty cool trucks.

 

[MaverickTime]

Ordered my Hybrid about 2 weeks ago received confirmation immediately. After reading all the goings on, paid visit to ordering dealer. Sales person and Sales manger both came out and assured me A/Z/D plan orders they follow the pricing to the letter. With no additional charges. Did not ask about retail.

I'll let you know somewhere between March and June how that turned out.

With all the online chatter about market pricing and price gouging, I went back to my dealer just to recap our existing deal. I got 4% off Dealer Invoice (not MSRP) with the only additionals being tax, tags and PA documentation fee of $395.00. I think I got a wonderful deal. What say you? Anyone got equal or better? My build was XLT fully loaded. all packages.

 

[olderbudwiser]

Makes sense, as Ford makes them honor it, though you left out the X-Plan (what I'll be using).
I apologize if I've just been hammering on the thread with multiple posts, just wanted to ensure everyone gets good info and doesn't get screwed on pricing these pretty cool trucks.

Sales person made it sound like plan pricing is adhered to. He may have used the word x plan I don't recall.

 

[olderbudwiser]

With all the online chatter about market pricing and price gouging, I went back to my dealer just to recap our existing deal. I got 4% off Dealer Invoice (not MSRP) with the only additionals being tax, tags and PA documentation fee of $395.00. I think I got a wonderful deal. What say you? Anyone got equal or better? My build was XLT fully loaded. all packages.

Sounds pretty good!! Will dealer share copy of their invoice when it comes in.

Under A/Z/D/X plan dealer is require to give you a copy of the invoice.

 

[BMCGC]

I caved and upped my order from XL to XLT. Left everything else the same.

I decided that I want cruise and don't want to roll the dice on Forscan and sourcing the steering wheel controls.

 

[BMCGC]

Georgia changed it's vehicle tax laws several years ago to be more competitive with Florida in attracting new residents.

There is no Georgia sales tax on vehicles.

There is a one time Title Ad Valorem Tax of 6.6% when you purchase the vehicle, then an annual $22.50 tag fee.

Georgia does not issue titles after 25 years. Non-title vehicles are TVAT exempt.

I paid 20k for my 65 Mustang and paid no TVAT since it does not have a title.

I paid 10k for my 67 Mustang and again no TVAT since it does not have a title either.

I also have a USCG retired plate and a veteran plate, so on two vehicles I pay only $2.50 a year for tags.

The Ford dealer 2 miles from my house has the same doc fee plus a bunch of other hocus-pocus fees and add on's. I went there once and couldn't get out fast enough.

 

[James St. Patrick]

$500 in MD, and last year it was $300.

 

[DryHeat]

Later that evening I realize that I had blown it. They still didn’t provide a signed buyer’s order. We had never created one!

Sales person and Sales manger both came out and assured me A/Z/D plan orders they follow the pricing to the letter.

Both @clippedwings and @olderbudwiser went to their dealers to solidify their orders and prices. It seems like both came away with assurances but no Buyer's Order signed by both parties. Even though both have been on this forum enough to have seen all the horror stories and recommendations about enforceable contracts.

So... why did it turn out like that? Maybe it's totally innocent and everything is going to work out fine. Probably most dealers will honor their word, even if they legally don't have to. But we've seen that some won't.

I'm hoping that, as more deliveries occur, people will take the time to post about how it went down.

 

[MysticRob]

With all the online chatter about market pricing and price gouging, I went back to my dealer just to recap our existing deal. I got 4% off Dealer Invoice (not MSRP) with the only additionals being tax, tags and PA documentation fee of $395.00. I think I got a wonderful deal. What say you? Anyone got equal or better? My build was XLT fully loaded. all packages.

Sounds like you're doing A/Z/D-Plan since the Hold Back might be up to 4% off invoice.
X-Plan is 0.4% off invoice.

 

[Bbot]

Just Say No and walk away. What comes around goes around.

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