What “Document Fee” has everyone seen?

[BradnChristine]

My dealer charged a $20 doc fee, which seems fair. Is there a reason to use xplan and not Farm Bureau? FB is better discount, no?

That depends entirely on the situation with your dealer. Using X-Plan for my fairly loaded Lariat Lux saves me $864.98 from MSRP; $499 of their usual $599 Doc Fee; AND they don't get to charge me their usual $1000 "Custom order fee". So X-plan saves me $2363.98, and if I had used FB instead, I'd be paying $1863.98 more.

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[Paul Davis]

That depends entirely on the situation with your dealer. Using X-Plan for my fairly loaded Lariat Lux saves me $864.98 from MSRP; $499 of their usual $599 Doc Fee; AND they don't get to charge me their usual $1000 "Custom order fee". So X-plan saves me $2363.98, and if I had used FB instead, I'd be paying $1863.98 more.

Yeah I guess different people have different wants and needs. I would not do business with a dealer that charged unreasonable fees, and I agree with consensus that the Maverick is a fantastic deal in XL, so-so deal in XLT, and unattractive at Lariat price points. The whole point of the Maverick, to many, including me, is a <$25k truck.

 

[UberGadgetFreak]

The Ford dealerships in my area:
1: Price does not include applicable tax, title, license, $798.50 Administration fee, and $189.00 electronic filing fee.
2: All prices are before tax, tag, title, and $699 administration fee.
3: $799 dealer administrative fee, $59 electronic filing fee and a $497 dealer installed package that includes Ford Protect Surface Care. (And no, they will NOT let you buy it without the surface care).
4: $899 Documentation Fee. The advertised price does not include a $699 interior and exterior protection package installed on all vehicles. Again, not negotiable.
5: Price excludes tax, tag, other governmental fees. For new trucks only, price also excludes a dealer installed package which costs $1,074 and includes a Ford quality bedliner, nitrogen filled tires, door edge and cup guards and window tint protection. For new cars only, price also excludes a dealer installed package which costs $774 and includes nitrogen filled tires, door edge and cup guards and window tint protection. The price includes a $559.50 closing fee. (And again.. not negotiable.).

Its insane here (NC). I am better off going out of state when X-plan or other discounts don't apply. A few hours away and I can be in a state with doc fees capped at $175 and can easily find Ford dealerships in that same not adding stuff on at exorbitant prices.

 

[Nomadikhan]

$300

 

[JohnHartshorn]

Illinois is a $325 “documentation fee”. This is supposed to be the be the max amount able to be charged, but dealers have been notorious of inflating that number in the Chicagoland area. X-Plan $100 pricing does not apply to Illinois (to my knowledge) due some sort of regulation or laws on it.

The max is now $347.26 for 2023. It is linked to the federal Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period ending Nov. 30, so you can plan on it going up another ~10% for 2024.

My local small town Ford dealer is still only charging the old $150 rate (as of last Nov).


https://www.cata.info/news-and-announcements/13044369

 

[Dano67]

Mine is scheduled for next so haven't received it yet but my dealer charges $79. When we purchased my wife's Crosstrek last year, that dealer has a $0 documentation fee (part of the reason we used that dealer).

 

[commadorebob]

My out-the-door price. Assumes no trade or other down payment, but the dealer has a line item to spell out the fact they never charge a doc fee.

Ignore the 2022 part. Form header wasn't updated. Actual order is a 2023.

 

[Larry G]

I paid $449 which is capped in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

 

[huunvubu]

Average fees are visible online:

(Link) Car Dealer Fees by State 2023

From the link:

Florida is the absolute worst at $995 and is $400 higher than the tie at 2nd place at $599 for North Carolina and Virginia.

Minnesota is the lowest at $75

Here in Texas it is capped at $150 but if over that amount the dealer must notify the State.

That said these numbers are average price of the Doc Fees and if your state has NO LIMIT then dealers can and will charge whatever they can get away with.

Check this link for Limits: Vehicle Title, Tax, Insurance & Registration Costs

These States have No Limits as of July 2021:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

 

[Chris_G]

Why is the ever being discussed when the fees are completely visible online and dealerships almost always charge the maximum allowed:

(Link) Car Dealer Fees by State 2023

From the link:

Florida is the absolute worst at $995 and is $400 higher than the tie at 2nd place at $599 for North Carolina and Virginia.

Minnesota is the lowest at $75

Here in Texas it is capped at $150

I paid $899 in northern Virginia, seems to be the going rate.

 

[huunvubu]

I paid $899 in northern Virginia, seems to be the going rate.

The link I posted is for the Average cost. States that have NO LIMIT allows their dealers to charge whatever they want.

Virginia is a NO LIMIT state.

 

[Grumpa]

The link I posted is for the Average cost. States that have NO LIMIT allows their dealers to charge whatever they want.

Virginia is a NO LIMIT state.

In Charlotte NC I am paying $799. Dealer won't budge! Just another way to sock it to the consumer! In years gone by, I was able to negotiate or eliminate the doc fee. Not now!

 

[cavemold]

$85 in California,,,, but our sales tax and registration more than make up for that.

365 to renew my tags... so yea.

 

[Ragtime Billy Peaches]

365 to renew my tags... so yea.

$820 for my 3 yr old F250.

 

[cavemold]

$820 for my 3 yr old F250.

Really. Dang

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