Dealer Fees??

daykart · 05-11-2006, 03:20 PM

Hello.

I am new at this, and I have been pricing the Prius on the internet.
I find that in my area, the west coast of Florida, the dealers are charging a $500 fee for "paper work"
This fee is above the taxes, tags, delivery and everything else. It is simply money going to the dealership.

Is this normal?
Do any of you know dealerships where this is NOT done. I do not need to by my car in Florida.
Thanks

keydiver · 05-11-2006, 04:22 PM

Yes, my Florida dealership also adds a $600 dealer fee.

They insisted that everyone pays it, even employees, and they wouldn't back down. I had the choice to either walk away from the car I had waited for for 4 months, or eat it. It was the *only* bad mark in an otherwise good transaction.
If you go to Toyota.com, build a car, and experiment using different zipcodes, I think you will find that all dealers in the SE add it. But, at least I wasn't stupid enough to buy one on the lot for $3000 over MSRP!

They must love it when someone turns down one that was special ordered in, because they told me that EVERY Prius that goes out on the lot gets marked up $3000.

BoosPrius · 05-11-2006, 04:27 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Steven48 @ May 11 2006, 02:20 PM) [snapback]253652[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Hello.

I am new at this, and I have been pricing the Prius on the internet.
I find that in my area, the west coast of Florida, the dealers are charging a $500 fee for "paper work"
This fee is above the taxes, tags, delivery and everything else. It is simply money going to the dealership.

Is this normal?
Do any of you know dealerships where this is NOT done. I do not need to by my car in Florida.
Thanks
[/b]

No, my dealer did not charge extra fees. I was lucky and got my 2006 Prius for almost $750 off sticker price. The only thing extra I paid was taxes and a small amount for the license. The extra fees are a rip off, in my opinion, but ultimately the dealers can charge what they want, mindful only of competition. There is one dealership in my area that adds such extra fees to virtually all their models. The others do not. To the extent possible, I would never do business now or in the future with the one that does.

Gary

Charles Suitt · 05-11-2006, 04:59 PM

<_< Sounds like time to simply walk away, buy in another state for a lower price and do the "fly-drive home" thing.

It has been reported before that Florida dealers were still "on the take" for extra "fees." I've never known a dealer to show real loyalty to a buyer, so a buyer has no local obligation or loyalty to a dealer.

OH YES.. there are "on the lot" Prius available around the country ready for immediate delivery.

qbee42 · 05-11-2006, 05:13 PM

Dealers often charge a "doc fee", which is supposed to cover the cost of documentation. It's really just another markup. Some dealers charge more than others. Ours charged $170 doc fee, with no other dealer fees. They also sold at $500 under MSRP for a package #7.

Tom

ScottY · 05-11-2006, 05:19 PM

My dealer charged $45 doc fee so that I don't have to go to the DMV to get my Prius registered and get the plates. I think that $45 is worth the time I saved.

But $500?!!! What are they doing with all the "paper work"?

Bill Lumbergh · 05-11-2006, 06:52 PM

I've paid doc fees as high as $199 before for a car, but only paid $50 when I got my Prius.

mike0422 · 05-11-2006, 07:48 PM

It is different in different states and with different dealers. In Virginia there is a maximum charge and many dealers charge the maximum because they can. In Maryland it is less. I paid $279 Doc Charge for my Prius (Virginia) a few weeks ago and $100 Doc Charge for a Camry I bought in Maryland this week. If you can go out of state and find a good deal it might be worth it.

ralphbongo · 05-11-2006, 07:58 PM

Deland Toyota does it on all sales (you can get out of it) But I got my NEW 2006 B-red #4 in about 1 hr. It was on the lot and I jumped on it. Did et it under list and was treated GREAT. See Butch Richardson he will take care of you. Now the dealer in Daytona has Prius in stock at $4995.00 over list..Well they can keep them.

daykart · 05-11-2006, 08:00 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ May 11 2006, 05:19 PM) [snapback]253721[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

My dealer charged $45 doc fee so that I don't have to go to the DMV to get my Prius registered and get the plates. I think that $45 is worth the time I saved.

But $500?!!! What are they doing with all the "paper work"?

[/b]

No I am talking serious money...not $45
I used t live in Hauppauge LI, and moved to Florida where the livin is easy...HA HA HA

05-11-2006, 04:22 PM	#2
keydiver Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hobe Sound, Florida Posts: 508 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Yes, my Florida dealership also adds a $600 dealer fee. They insisted that everyone pays it, even employees, and they wouldn't back down. I had the choice to either walk away from the car I had waited for for 4 months, or eat it. It was the only bad mark in an otherwise good transaction. If you go to Toyota.com, build a car, and experiment using different zipcodes, I think you will find that all dealers in the SE add it. But, at least I wasn't stupid enough to buy one on the lot for $3000 over MSRP! They must love it when someone turns down one that was special ordered in, because they told me that EVERY Prius that goes out on the lot gets marked up $3000. __________________ * 2006 Package #3, Classic Silver Metallic * Integrated Garmin GVN 52 Navigation System * BT Brace * Anytime Backup Camera Mod * DVD/Video Input Mod * EV switch using the headlight switch * Infinity 63.7/60.7 Speaker Upgrade * Heatshield Front and Side Reflector Shades * Rear Bumper Protector * Mudflaps * Fumoto Drain Valve

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05-11-2006, 03:20 PM	#1
daykart Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hello. I am new at this, and I have been pricing the Prius on the internet. I find that in my area, the west coast of Florida, the dealers are charging a $500 fee for "paper work" This fee is above the taxes, tags, delivery and everything else. It is simply money going to the dealership. Is this normal? Do any of you know dealerships where this is NOT done. I do not need to by my car in Florida. Thanks

05-11-2006, 04:59 PM	#4
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	<_< Sounds like time to simply walk away, buy in another state for a lower price and do the "fly-drive home" thing. It has been reported before that Florida dealers were still "on the take" for extra "fees." I've never known a dealer to show real loyalty to a buyer, so a buyer has no local obligation or loyalty to a dealer. OH YES.. there are "on the lot" Prius available around the country ready for immediate delivery.

05-11-2006, 05:13 PM	#5
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 5,555 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	Dealers often charge a "doc fee", which is supposed to cover the cost of documentation. It's really just another markup. Some dealers charge more than others. Ours charged $170 doc fee, with no other dealer fees. They also sold at $500 under MSRP for a package #7. Tom

05-11-2006, 05:19 PM	#6
ScottY Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,245 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	My dealer charged $45 doc fee so that I don't have to go to the DMV to get my Prius registered and get the plates. I think that $45 is worth the time I saved. But $500?!!! What are they doing with all the "paper work"?

05-11-2006, 06:52 PM	#7
Bill Lumbergh USAF Aircraft Maintainer Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Marysville, CA Posts: 512 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #1 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	I've paid doc fees as high as $199 before for a car, but only paid $50 when I got my Prius.

05-11-2006, 07:48 PM	#8
mike0422 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Northern VA Posts: 83 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	It is different in different states and with different dealers. In Virginia there is a maximum charge and many dealers charge the maximum because they can. In Maryland it is less. I paid $279 Doc Charge for my Prius (Virginia) a few weeks ago and $100 Doc Charge for a Camry I bought in Maryland this week. If you can go out of state and find a good deal it might be worth it.

05-11-2006, 07:58 PM	#9
ralphbongo Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 83 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Deland Toyota does it on all sales (you can get out of it) But I got my NEW 2006 B-red #4 in about 1 hr. It was on the lot and I jumped on it. Did et it under list and was treated GREAT. See Butch Richardson he will take care of you. Now the dealer in Daytona has Prius in stock at $4995.00 over list..Well they can keep them.