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Dealer Fee

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by khowardrn, May 28, 2009.

  1. khowardrn

    khowardrn New Member

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    I called my local dealer and they are selling the car at MSRP, but they also want a $599 dealer fee. I'm gonna call around, but is everyone on this forum paying a dealer fee?
     
  2. DeanFL

    DeanFL 2010 owner - 1st Prius

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    OK.... IMO that would be like an Ace Hardware store selling a drill for $29.95 and they want a $1.99 Store Fee. I so hate these ripoff add ons, whether it be forced Port Options or fees as this. The Fee is an additional profit. Additional.

    For those buyers that are either forced to pay them, if they can't shop around or early adopters at any cost - that's fine. It simply feeds bad behaviors. I expect and want my dealer to make a profit as I want them to prosper in their business and be there for service and my next buy. But if it's excessive - Bye - Bye. Absolutely - call around.

    Very shortly I will be on the receiving end as my first view and test drive will be over the weekend. I'm hoping for a pleasant experience as many have noted on the Board so far.
     
  3. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    I know there is a fee some dealers charge for marketing/advertising and I think it is above the MSRP price plus destination fees. In NY it's something like $450. I feel it is a bs fee but one dealers do try to add on, and many if not most get.
     
  4. sluday

    sluday New Member

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    Tell them you have no problem paying the $599 dealer fee. Then say you will pay sticker minus $599 or no sale. I would just go to another dealer and not even try to bargain with them. There is plenty of profit in sticker price sale. There is no need to steal another $600 from you.
     
  5. Notinarush

    Notinarush Junior Member

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    I agree wholeheartedly. The State of Maryland as an example limits the dealers to a processing fee (i.e., additional profit) of no more than $100.
     
  6. Jabber

    Jabber Chicagoland Prius Guy

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    Are the other dealers also charging a Documentation Fee or Doc Fee on top of the Dealer fee?
     
  7. djasonw

    djasonw Active Member

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    I would be interested in knowing which stealership is charging this "added profit". Perhaps if enough people wrote disparaging remarks about this dealer's practices, they would straighten up their act. Unfortunately, what they're doing is legal but certainly not moral.Bad news travels fast, especially on the web.
     
  8. sluday

    sluday New Member

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    They won't sell many at that price and if they do, those fools who pay deserved to be ripped off. :p
     
  9. scienceexpert

    scienceexpert New Member

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    I am with you on that one. I have seen prices from $699 to the fab low of $55 DOC fees. :rockon:

    They are slamming most buyers with high locked in profits on the MSRP then want to rip you a new rear with the tack on fees and not to mention dealer rip add-ons.

    Did I say screw the buyer like a corkscrew!:mad::mad:

    :eek::eek:
     
  10. lefat1

    lefat1 Fat Member

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    dealer fee is pure profit..go to earlstewarttoyota.com to see his explanation
     
  11. jon5506

    jon5506 New Member

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    i can tell you im from massachusetts and i just bought my prius 2 at km motors for $300 above invoice and no doc fee and free siomize polish
     
  12. Midpack

    Midpack Member

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    I'm near Chicago and there are 3 2010's at 2 dealers and they have no dealer add-ons/costs except doc fee ($119 at one, didn't ask at the other). I think doc fee is standard everywhere. All 3 are available at MSRP, no dealing, but that may come when the pipeline fills and initial buyers have theirs. Time will tell...
     
  13. jon5506

    jon5506 New Member

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    :welcome:
     
  14. dbacksfan

    dbacksfan Member

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    Then count me among the fools. :eek: But I don't think I deserved to "be ripped off" any more than you do.

    I haven't encountered a single dealership here in Phoenix that is willing to negotiate on their documentation fee. Yes, the amount varies from store to store. But they consistently remain VERY firm on whatever amount they set. I've shopped and negotiated vigorously on price, but not once has a dealer taken a single dollar off their doc fee. I realize it's added profit margin, so I focus on the total out the door price (among other things) when making a purchase decision.
     
  15. ComfortablyNumb

    ComfortablyNumb Junior Member

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    What are the doc fees like in Phoenix? In Tucson, from what I can tell they are $349 and $299 for the 2 dealerships. The dealership in Sierra Vista charges $199.
     
  16. sluday

    sluday New Member

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    I take it that you currently have no car and are in need of a vehicle immediately. If so, then you are at the dealers mercy. If not then wait a month and get the car under sticker. If every dealer in Arizona is charging $600 for doc fees next month, then go out of state and buy. Buy a one way ticket to Texas or California and make the deal happen for less and then drive your new car home.

    If you must be the first one on the block to own a new Prius then expect to be ripped off.
     
  17. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    the entire state of AZ has tax rate issues AFAIC. dealer fees can be a result of charges by the distributor for advertising, etc. in WA, the MSRP includes the advertising price, doc fees vary by dealership and are limited by the state. in my case, doc fees, $50, license, $78, ad fees (charged because i got mine under special program so paid much less than MSRP) of like $520... give or take. forget the exact figure now. destination charges also come in which is $750 for most of the country
     
  18. dbacksfan

    dbacksfan Member

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    Actually, my current car is coming off lease in early July. So I do have a time constraint. The doc fee that I am paying is $349, one of the lowest, if not the lowest here in the valley for Toyota stores. All other things being equal such as cost and availability, by the time I pay for the airline ticket and additional costs (meals, drive to airport, gas, others?), not to mention minimum of 6 hour drive (to southern California), it doesn't work out financially. And to drive from Texas, forget about it. That's a LONG haul. Since I'm self-employed, time taken for such an journey has additional opportunity costs that others may not have.

    From other posts of yours that I have read, I believe that you meant no disrespect by the ripped off statement. It just came off a bit judgemental and harsh to me. But in the end, no harm done. Have a nice evening! :)
     
  19. dbacksfan

    dbacksfan Member

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    Yes, the sales tax rate is very high in comparison to what you all pay in Washington state. Here it varies from 7.8 to 8.2%, depending upon the municipality. The state registration fees are high as well - on my P III, it's going to be $400+. The doc fee that is charged by the dealership is $349. So yes, I'm paying dearly for this car. But I'd pay similar fees if I were purchasing a new RAV4, Corolla, Camry, etc.

    Unfortunately, I was not one of the lucky ones to be able to participate in the Prius priority buyer program. But, I have been fortunately blessed in other significant ways this past year. So I have no real complaints.
     
  20. CharlesJ

    CharlesJ Member

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    DOC fees according to my local dealer, this was back in 1996 on a new Avalon, was to take the paperwork to DMV to transfer titles, etc. It was around $35 then. Still a rip off when they take probably the weeks sales all at once, one trip. At least if was minimal then.

    When I bought my used 08, out of the area in Ca, they charged me $55; not much to worry about. Certainly not into 3 digits:D