Documentation Fee
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 211
Likes: 2
From: Kings Mills OH
This is exactly where I am today. Ordered the car at the end of August or maybe beginning of September and handed over a $5k non refundable deposit. In return I received a contract stating the car will be sold at MSRP and 'not a penny more' (seriously, it says that). Fast forward 4+ months and the car is being built THIS WEEK. I am arranging to pay for the car and find out yesterday there is an extra $250 doc fee. Seems like the contract should state MSRP + tax + title + doc fees. Pretty deceptive. My reaction? I suggested they remove it. A promise that I will buy more cars from them doesn't hold much weight BUT I am in the Sales industry and know the importance of telling everyone I know....whether for a good experience, or heaven forbid, a poor experience. Hope my dealer understands the long term impact. I already explained, I am picking up the car no matter what, so it's on them how they want to proceed with the doc fee. Hope they make a good decision for me...and them. One way or the other I will be enjoying the Z. The remaining question: will I continue doing business with them and tell my friends, business associates, etc about the great experience....or not?
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Burke, VA
This is exactly where I am today. Ordered the car at the end of August or maybe beginning of September and handed over a $5k non refundable deposit. In return I received a contract stating the car will be sold at MSRP and 'not a penny more' (seriously, it says that). Fast forward 4+ months and the car is being built THIS WEEK. I am arranging to pay for the car and find out yesterday there is an extra $250 doc fee. Seems like the contract should state MSRP + tax + title + doc fees. Pretty deceptive. My reaction? I suggested they remove it. A promise that I will buy more cars from them doesn't hold much weight BUT I am in the Sales industry and know the importance of telling everyone I know....whether for a good experience, or heaven forbid, a poor experience. Hope my dealer understands the long term impact. I already explained, I am picking up the car no matter what, so it's on them how they want to proceed with the doc fee. Hope they make a good decision for me...and them. One way or the other I will be enjoying the Z. The remaining question: will I continue doing business with them and tell my friends, business associates, etc about the great experience....or not?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Gwinett GA
Calm down gentlemen/ladies....it is not illegal, profit is not a bad term, i am sure no one in here goes to work everyday expecting to work for free and not get paid!?!?!? We still practice capitalism???...i think. When did it become illegal to make a profit? Shop around, look for better deals if you're' not comfortable paying it but dont bash a/any business for trying to make a profit!!! Paying $90k for a car and then whining about a few hundred bucks??? Right....whew!!! Got that one off my chest!!! Now lets see the replies...
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 211
Likes: 2
From: Kings Mills OH
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 227
Likes: 2
From: Mary Esther FL
Just bought my daughter a new car and had the doc fee removed, but we discussed it before closing. Bought my 2013 GS in NH and there were no additional charges. The dealer is making a good profit if selling a Z06 for MSRP. I’d work it as much as you can.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
That's at least half a day wasted around here and if I'm not working then I'm not getting paid.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,083
Likes: 190
From: IL / FL .
Not around here. Since the "documentary fee" is known to really be just additional dealer profit, dealers add another $40 fee for the real "license, transfer, and title fee" . Both fees even on a car that is being taken to another state to be licensed and titled!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 211
Likes: 2
From: Kings Mills OH
This is exactly where I am today. Ordered the car at the end of August or maybe beginning of September and handed over a $5k non refundable deposit. In return I received a contract stating the car will be sold at MSRP and 'not a penny more' (seriously, it says that). Fast forward 4+ months and the car is being built THIS WEEK. I am arranging to pay for the car and find out yesterday there is an extra $250 doc fee. Seems like the contract should state MSRP + tax + title + doc fees. Pretty deceptive. My reaction? I suggested they remove it. A promise that I will buy more cars from them doesn't hold much weight BUT I am in the Sales industry and know the importance of telling everyone I know....whether for a good experience, or heaven forbid, a poor experience. Hope my dealer understands the long term impact. I already explained, I am picking up the car no matter what, so it's on them how they want to proceed with the doc fee. Hope they make a good decision for me...and them. One way or the other I will be enjoying the Z. The remaining question: will I continue doing business with them and tell my friends, business associates, etc about the great experience....or not?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,495
Likes: 1,263
From: Jacksonville FL
The last three cars I purchased the salesman would not change the DOC fee; however, he might reduce the price of the car. The DOC fees were already printed on the sales contract. 
Racer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 371
Likes: 15
From: Louisville KY
I have had salesmen cross through the pre-printed doc fee, once without me even mentioning it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,353
Likes: 100
From: And then it was said... "let there be blue Corvettes and yellow Camaros" Ft Worth Texas
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
My dealer has sold me 7 new Corvettes, all at invoice price, over the past 15 years. I think the doc fee on my recent 2015 Z51 Coupe purchase was $150, a super low price to pay for all he has done for me.
Last edited by Blue Demon; Jan 15, 2015 at 02:05 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,234
Likes: 92
From: Florida
2026 Restomod of the Year Finalist
2025 Restomod of the Year Finalist
Obviously no one has a problem with a business making a profit. The problem is when businesses advertise or negotiate a selling price and then when you sit down to finalize the transaction they start adding fees.
Dealerships just need to calculate their cost of doing business when determining their sales price and leave it at that. Don't try to make the sales price look better than it actually is by separating out bull$**** fees.
Also, I just love it when a salesman tells me that it's not their fault and "by law" they have to charge these fees. Well, it was because of their slimy sales tactics that some states passed laws to limit the amount of fees they can charge.
The bottom line is decide what you think is a fair price for their product and if they are willing to sell it at that price including any fees then buy it. If not, shop around because there are dealers who do not play those games.
Dealerships just need to calculate their cost of doing business when determining their sales price and leave it at that. Don't try to make the sales price look better than it actually is by separating out bull$**** fees.
Also, I just love it when a salesman tells me that it's not their fault and "by law" they have to charge these fees. Well, it was because of their slimy sales tactics that some states passed laws to limit the amount of fees they can charge.
The bottom line is decide what you think is a fair price for their product and if they are willing to sell it at that price including any fees then buy it. If not, shop around because there are dealers who do not play those games.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 87
Likes: 150
From: Martinsville Indiana
Just curious what you guys in the US are paying for the "documentation fee" when you purchase a new car. I have run into a few dealers that are charging almost $500 for what ends up as printing your bill of sale. Why can't GM stop these types of charges that can only be called ridiculous profit for the dealer ?
