doc fees

enos · 01-05-2005, 03:54 PM

Are they just b/s money for the dealer or are they worth anything? Also, the dealer wants to etch my VIN in my windshield and register it w/the police for $195? Another rip off? Thanks.

Bill_n · 01-05-2005, 03:56 PM

Yep ....

and ...

Yep ....

keiffers · 01-05-2005, 04:00 PM

Yes

and

No....VIN etching can be handy when it comes down to it. That might be the best $200 you spend on your vehicle for an aftermarket item, since it would come in very well if your truck is ever stolen and possibly broken up for parts. They just broke up a major chop shop here locally that had ooodles and ooodles of stolen parts from Honda and Acuras, along with a few 300 twin turbos. If any of those cars or parts had their VIN etched in it, makes it that much easier for the police to contact the owners, albeit with some bad news. Plus on top of that most insurance companies will give you a discount on your insurance if your vehicle has had this done.

Bayou Titan · 01-05-2005, 04:02 PM

Dealer glass etching is the biggest rip off in the history of the world. You can easily do it yourself for $25.00.

http://www.autovinetch.com/

A document fee is another rip off. When will dealerships ever learn?

rrumaner · 01-05-2005, 04:03 PM

STOP!!! Do not let the dealer talk you into $200 for a job that you can do in 15 minutes for $30.00

http://www.vinguard.org/thebest.htm

I did this myself and saved 15% on my insurance. The police do not track the VIN unless the vehicle has actually been reported stolen.

Check out their website. All you need to know is on there.

rjspitz · 01-05-2005, 04:03 PM

You can order the VIN etch kit online for $20. Then register the VIN with your PD for free. Damn Stealers.... I mean Dealers.

I've done every car I owned. Luckily none have been stolen yet.

enos · 01-05-2005, 04:27 PM

So what's my argument with the dealer? He says everyone pays it for paperwork fees. What do I say to that? Btw, he wants $399 for it.

Bayou Titan · 01-05-2005, 04:42 PM

Vote with your feet. March to another dealership that has no document fee. Another option would be to pay the document fee if the salesman comes another $400.00 off the sticker.

Agree to pay for nothing beyond TT&L. That's what's customary. Paying a $400.00 document fee is NOT.

Bill_n · 01-05-2005, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bayou Titan

Vote with your feet. March to another dealership that has no document fee. Another option would be to pay the document fee if the salesman comes another $400.00 off the sticker.

This is generally what you have to do ....

Because ... one way or the other ... they're gonna have that dang document fee ...

In these parts ... ALL the dealers charge that ...

And it is just ADP .. Additional Dealer Profit

enos · 01-05-2005, 04:58 PM

It's such a pain in the a$$ that these dealers try to squeeze any more $ that they can outta you. I guess this will be a deal breaker for me tonight then. All this time and effort to negociate a price and it come down to $399 measely bucks. We'll see.

scr38 · 01-05-2005, 05:01 PM

In Texas the dealer can't charge over $50.00 for doc fees. I don't pay the dealer this fee. They have someone in the office take the papers from sales to the tax office every few days and charge every buyer the fee. I just tell them I won't pay the fee. I haven't paid it on the last 6 cars I bought. After I agree on a price for the car I then tell the sales people I won't pay the doc fee. Sometimes I have to talk to the GM of the dealership, but I don't ever pay it.

DryHeat · 01-05-2005, 05:10 PM

It all comes down to what you want your final payment to be at the best APR possible. If the salesman says you can have the truck for $500 a month..cool. But if you get to the finance guy and you see it's $500 a month for 96 months walk away as fast as you can. If you are happy with the payment and APR, regardless of what the dealer nickels and dimes you, sign the papers and enjoy your new vehicle.

coolvette · 01-05-2005, 05:31 PM

I agree with DryHeat, if your happy with the deal and payments go for and be happy.
If the added it on after, then thats a whole different battle.
Good luck and enjoy ride.

Bayou Titan · 01-05-2005, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolvette

I agree with DryHeat, if your happy with the deal and payments go for and be happy.
If the added it on after, then thats a whole different battle.
Good luck and enjoy ride.

I would not be happy if a salesman added a document fee before signing without my knowledge even if I like the payments. This borderlines on salesman dishonesty at best and a possible violation of Truth in Lending laws at worst.

LordMuut · 01-06-2005, 02:24 AM

I don't see why you would have to register a VIN with your police department. The VIN is registered with your DMV through the registration process. If your vehicle gets stolen, the police have access to this information. They can get it even if you do not remember your plate number. All they need is your name. As far as having it etched in a windshield, what good is that unless they find your windshield in a chop shop?