Dealer asking for more Registration money

nursecrickett · 07-22-2004, 08:13 PM

Hey guys,
I was wondering....

Just got a letter from the dealer telling me that after having the truck for 3 months, that the DMV has requested an additional $40 in registration fees, so to ensure that I receive my registration card in a timely manner, they have paid DMV the $40.

Now they want me to send a check to them, as per my "estimated" DMV fees on Section 2A of my vehicle contract.

They said they would appreciate a check on return for the money advanced to DMV and it was so nice of them, that they even included a pre-stamped envelope!!

Yeah, I'm pissed, but my question is.....does this sound right?? Should "I" have to pay this fee for something they should have already known?

Thanks!
Crickett

p.s. Anyone else have this issue?

I haven't contacted the dealer yet....wanted feedback first.

bigmd10 · 07-22-2004, 08:21 PM

Well if it says estimate then I would think you would have to pay. I had it the other way, got a check for 104 dollars because DMV fee's were cheaper than they had charged me. So I guess it works both ways.

eakes · 07-22-2004, 08:47 PM

TT&L is almost always a guess. No one really knows what all the charges will total until the DMV comes up with the number. The dealer should have a good SWAG, but obviously your dealer guessed low. So, yes, you owe the money. The dealer was quite accommodating to advance the necessary fees on your behalf rather than have you send additional monies before completing the transaction at the DMV (which he most certainly could have done).

**CaliforniaTitan** · 07-22-2004, 10:24 PM

Crickett,

Yeah you should pay it. For us they understated $12 on the Titan, but on the lil Protege we got a couple months ago they overstated and we got a check back for $22....+$10 to us...LOL

Chris

IMADOGMAN · 07-22-2004, 10:26 PM

Wow, This is a new one to me. Where I live, they know to the penny what the fees will be.

caltitan · 07-23-2004, 01:42 AM

You can always call Arnold up in Sacramento to see if he will do another "roll back" of DMV fees! Estimating fees in California is like doing your income taxes.

Check the paperwork you signed at the dealer when you bought the truck and see if there is anything binding in the purchase agreement about the "estimated" fees. I had a very similar incident with DMV fees years ago when I bought an Accord. I called the sales guy that sold me the car to inquire about the bill I received and he knew nothing about it, he talked to his sales manager and they told me not to pay it and that they should not be sending me a bill for their accounting error. It was a pleasant conversation and I never argued or got upset. I sent the bill back unpaid with a note that the sales manager instructed me not to pay. I guess they didn't want to risk me taking my business elsewhere over a $50 dispute.

I hope this helps.

keiffers · 07-23-2004, 11:00 AM

I'd suggest a possible visit with the state AG on that one. I've never heard of a dealer saying 3 months later you owe X amount of money for remaining registration. Atleast in Texas, it is figured at the time of purchase and then you just pay it every year when the county you live in sends you the renewal. Sounds to me like they're trying to possible get some extra money out of you. I could not understand how any state would allow car dealers to do an "estimated" amount. They usually want ALL funds up front before they'll release the license plate. I got my license plate within a week of purchase, which for Texas seemed pretty quick, since it took almost 3 weeks until I got the plates for my previous Tundra.

zpylot · 07-23-2004, 12:56 PM

Exact same thing happened to me. At the time of sale I paid an extra $25 to re-use my personalized plates. I have since received the registration in the mail for those plates on my Titan. Then I get a letter from the dealership saying the same thing. They underestimated and I owe them money because they paid it for me. I have not paid it yet, it just seemed to fishy to me. That was 3 months ago and I have not received any further communication.

I don't understand how they can underestimate. I have bought so many new cars and never had that as an issue. What is the point of having the DMV (and useless add-ons) person if they cannot get the fees right?