$399 for a Document Fee ???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Lexington Park MD
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,831
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From: The Voice of Reason!
St. Jude Donor '14
Make them an offer what you are willing to pay and tell them up front the doc fee has to come out of your offer. By law if they charge anyone a doc fee they have to charge everyone a doc fee.
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: South West Michigan
I use to sell cars... the "doc fee" and "dealer prep" were just ways to boost the top line so we could show you how much we could "save" you on the bottom line later. Make an offer and tell them its an "out the door" offer. That includes everything - tax, title, license, dealer prep - EVERYTHING! If they dont accept it.... move on to the next deal. They HAVE to sell a car to stay in business, you DON'T Have to have your new vette right away? Good luck!
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I'm with you - no way I'm going to pay a $399 document fee - just a matter of principle. But when it comes down to it, if you make an offer that is a take it or leave it type and they match it, then go for the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: The line waiting to see Santa Claus stretched all the way back to Terre Haute, and I was at the end, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Doc fees were originally set to recover a dealer's out of pocket expenses. I used to sell motorcycles, and there are lots of little things (depending on your state) that add up. I used to pay my accountant $10 per title app, it cost $15 for the title, it cost $12 to send it out with a signature required, etc. I charged $50...non negotiable. IMO, up to $99 is acceptable.
Unfortunately, the dealers have figured out that they can charge any amount and call it a "doc fee". The good thing is (in many states) it is non-taxable. The last car I bought, the dealer tried to get $499. I told him to drop the price of the car an additional $500. He eventually did, and I still spent the exact amount I offered, and saved taxes on $500.
Unfortunately, the dealers have figured out that they can charge any amount and call it a "doc fee". The good thing is (in many states) it is non-taxable. The last car I bought, the dealer tried to get $499. I told him to drop the price of the car an additional $500. He eventually did, and I still spent the exact amount I offered, and saved taxes on $500.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
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I use to sell cars... the "doc fee" and "dealer prep" were just ways to boost the top line so we could show you how much we could "save" you on the bottom line later. Make an offer and tell them its an "out the door" offer. That includes everything - tax, title, license, dealer prep - EVERYTHING! If they dont accept it.... move on to the next deal. They HAVE to sell a car to stay in business, you DON'T Have to have your new vette right away? Good luck!
This is what I do. The only price I am interested in is the out of door price. They can break it down anyway they want but my out of door price does not change.
Reggie
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,186
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From: North Topsail Beach NC
Almost walked on a Mustang Cobra years ago over a $399 doc fee. It was on of those after the fact "oh by the way" things. I'm usually good for a doc fee of no greater than $125. I got the old "we charge that to everyone," so I told the salesman that he needed to drop the selling price by the difference of $274. He had the audacity to come back with, "but we have a deal." I said, no, we had a deal, if you want to sell the car lower the price. He hemmed and hawed and I finally gave him my cell number and told him to call me back when he was able to talk to a decision maker. About an hour later the phone rang. Imagine that!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Calgary, Alberta
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Tulsa OK
My offer is the out-the-door price with a clear title in hand. I'll deal with the state, they can deal with their book keepers.
OBD
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
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From: . New York
I just looked at a replacement for my 2003 truck and the Doc fee on the sheet was $717.....I S--t you not 
.
Im not ready to buy it until June anyway but I didnt know how out of line that really was until I read this post. Guess thats another thing I have to talk to them about when I do go back to buy.
Thanks
.Im not ready to buy it until June anyway but I didnt know how out of line that really was until I read this post. Guess thats another thing I have to talk to them about when I do go back to buy.
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
I just looked at a replacement for my 2003 truck and the Doc fee on the sheet was $717.....I S--t you not .
Im not ready to buy it until June anyway but I didnt know how out of line that really was until I read this post. Guess thats another thing I have to talk to them about when I do go back to buy.
Thanks
.Im not ready to buy it until June anyway but I didnt know how out of line that really was until I read this post. Guess thats another thing I have to talk to them about when I do go back to buy.
Thanks
The Doc fee at the local Ford dealership was $700.00. Finance manager said $300.00 is mendatory and is for insurance if my car was stolen
, I said that's why I carry my own feckin insurance.I walked --- I was buying a used GM product from them, not a Ford.
