Florida Car Dealer Fees

[kappy]

6 years ago, when I lived in a northeastern state, I leased a vehicle for a very reasonable down payment and reasonable monthly rates. By the time that the 3 year lease was nearing its end, I had moved to Florida. I could not find any local Florida dealership willing to lease me another vehicle at reasonable prices, primarily due to the “dealer fee”. I went back up north and got the same deal as my original lease and they titled everything in Florida.

Last month, when my leased vehicle was nearing the end of the lease, I again checked several local dealers. One of those dealers is new and advertised, “No Dealer Fee”. All of the local dealers deals were again much higher than I had negotiated up north. So much for no dealer fee dealers.

I was ready to go back up north to visit relatives and lease a new car when a friend told me about a dealer in the area who gave him a deal similar to what I had on the same basic car. I contacted the saleswoman at this dealership and without any hassle at all, I had my new 2018 car in 3 hours at the same price I had paid up north.

If this Florida dealership can make a profit without charging a dealer fee, (the same profit that the dealers up north make), why do the Florida dealerships have to make this extra profit called a “Dealer Fee”? If buyers in Florida are willing to accept these extra charges, there is no incentive for the Florida dealerships to eliminate them.

As a senior citizen, I have bought or leased many vehicles. This had to be the easiest car deal I have ever experienced. I am willing to share more details about my experience.

[villagetinker]

kappy, you may want to remove your email address from a public forum, you can edit your orginal post. Also, thank you for the information, I will keep this in mind when we start looking for a new car.

[birdawg]

6 years ago, when I lived in a northeastern state, I leased a vehicle for a very reasonable down payment and reasonable monthly rates. By the time that the 3 year lease was nearing its end, I had moved to Florida. I could not find any local Florida dealership willing to lease me another vehicle at reasonable prices, primarily due to the “dealer fee”. I went back up north and got the same deal as my original lease and they titled everything in Florida.

Last month, when my leased vehicle was nearing the end of the lease, I again checked several local dealers. One of those dealers is new and advertised, “No Dealer Fee”. All of the local dealers deals were again much higher than I had negotiated up north. So much for no dealer fee dealers.

I was ready to go back up north to visit relatives and lease a new car when a friend told me about a dealer in the area who gave him a deal similar to what I had on the same basic car. I contacted the saleswoman at this dealership and without any hassle at all, I had my new 2018 car in 3 hours at the same price I had paid up north.

If this Florida dealership can make a profit without charging a dealer fee, (the same profit that the dealers up north make), why do the Florida dealerships have to make this extra profit called a “Dealer Fee”? If buyers in Florida are willing to accept these extra charges, there is no incentive for the Florida dealerships to eliminate them.

As a senior citizen, I have bought or leased many vehicles. This had to be the easiest car deal I have ever experienced. I am willing to share more details about my experience. You can email me at; jk103017@icloud.com.
Crooked That's what they are. What Dealer did you end up going to? Just went to Ocala Honda nine hundred dealer fee got up and walked out. I will wait until I go back up north to purchase a car.

[jpvillager]

I find the Florida dealers hard to work with. Just bought a new Honda in upstate NY. Got a reasonable deal and the dealer had a third party that for $100 took care of all the Florida paperwork, Florida sales tax and Florida plate transfer from old to new.

[sirknor]

It's not just the dealer fee. They like to put on a lot of extra junk and add another 5 thousand above the factory sticker price.

[CB750 Rider]

I just purchased a new vehicle and had a heck of time negotiating down the "dealer documentation fee." This was my first new car purchase in Florida. The dealer stated Florida law required the Documentation Fee, which is dubious to me; I paid what I thought was fair for the new vehicle but I sure had to work the negotiation long and hard. I did not pay $699 for documentation, which is pure profit to the dealership.

[retiredguy123]

When you visit a car dealership, one thing that you can be sure of is that the salesperson will lie to you about everything related to the price, fees, and value of the car. Personally, I believe that car manufacturers would sell more cars and make more money if they would get rid of the dealers and set a firm, fixed price for their product. Other retailers learned this lesson a long time ago.

[Wiotte]

When you visit a car dealership, one thing that you can be sure of is that the salesperson will lie to you about everything related to the price, fees, and value of the car. Personally, I believe that car manufacturers would sell more cars and make more money if they would get rid of the dealers and set a firm, fixed price for their product. Other retailers learned this lesson a long time ago.



GM’s Saturn tried that. People would rather negotiate with Slick Sam than not negotiate with Millennial Mike. They walked away from Mike thinking they could do better with Sam.


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[retiredguy123]

GM’s Saturn tried that. People would rather negotiate with Slick Sam than not negotiate with Millennial Mike. They walked away from Mike thinking they could do better with Sam.


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It just seems absurd to me that some of the largest companies in the world, producing great cars, and they are depending on low life salespeople who need to lie to the customers to make a living selling the product. There has to be a better way. Where is their pride?

[kappy]

Thanks for the advice and I understand what you are telling me. However, I do want to get the word out that people in Florida do not have to put up with what I believe are unnecessary additional charges. If the dealers up north can make a reasonable profit without any dealer fees. Why can’t the Florida dealers do the same.

Well, if i’m Any example, they obviously can. The $799 and more fees are judt outrageous, IMHO.

[village dreamer]

It's not just the dealer fee. They like to put on a lot of extra junk and add another 5 thousand above the factory sticker price.

like under coating and window etching and scotch guard

[Wiotte]

like under coating and window etching and scotch guard



They prey on the uninformed & trusting, young and old.


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[Miles42]

Dealer fees seem to be the norm here. Even when buying used. I don't get it at all. Just another reason I hate car salesmen or women.

[DeanFL]

A couple years ago I went with a friend to the Lincoln dealer on 441 Leesburg. He wanted to check out a new Lincoln. I separated from him in the showroom and looked at some of the window stickers. On each one was a $500 "New Vehicle Preparation". Never in my life saw that, and a few minutes later a young sales rep came up and asked if I had any questions. I said Yes I do, and asked him what that charge was for. He said (quote) "Oh they don't completely build the car in the factory and we finish it out back". Me= "Oh really - what type of things need to be done?" Him= "like install the fuses and put in oil and gas and other things". Me= "Do you tell all your customers that"? Him= (befuddled) "Well yeah". Must say I lost some control then and told him what I thought of that answer, their fee, and how this dealership treats unknowing customers. A minute later my friend had to escort me outside. He thankfully did not buy from that dealer.

[collie1228]

My son works in auto sales and recently told me to watch FL dealers who charge exorbitant documentation fees (Doc fees). New York dealers are limited by state law to charge no more than $75.00 for this expense, which covers the processing of paperwork on a car sale. I looked up the FL average Doc Fees on the web, and in 2011 the average was $607.00, the highest in the nation. I"m sure it's higher now. I'm buying a new car after the first of the year, and plan to refuse to pay such an outlandish charge.

[Nana2five*]

Had a similar experience. Used car pushy salesmen and was not willing to negotiate on the price. Left looked on line ended up driving an hour to Winter Park Lexus bought a used 2015 Toyato Rava 4. Excellent experience and no " dealer " fee and the whole transaction was painless. I am not paying for you advertising and such.

[Sail41]

I'm also looking to buy a new vehicle and will refuse to pay this fee. We should compile a list of dealers who DO NOT charge these crazy fees. I know that Mulinax Ford does not charge these fees. It's in their advertising.

[Wiotte]

I'm also looking to buy a new vehicle and will refuse to pay this fee. We should compile a list of dealers who DO NOT charge these crazy fees. I know that Mulinax Ford does not charge these fees. It's in their advertising.



Check around Orlando, more competition.


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[Kerry Azz]

When you visit a car dealership, one thing that you can be sure of is that the salesperson will lie to you about everything related to the price, fees, and value of the car. Personally, I believe that car manufacturers would sell more cars and make more money if they would get rid of the dealers and set a firm, fixed price for their product. Other retailers learned this lesson a long time ago.

I’m hoping that you was joking with saying “all salespeople are liars!
FYI salespeople are not paid a commission on the dealer fees charged, they’re paid on a percentage of the profit and dealer owners over the past 15 years have padded their ADM “Additional dealer mark up items to show as it should in commissions to the salesperson. Don’t blame the person who is helping you they just want to close the deal.

[retiredguy123]

I’m hoping that you was joking with saying “all salespeople are liars!
FYI salespeople are not paid a commission on the dealer fees charged, they’re paid on a percentage of the profit and dealer owners over the past 15 years have padded their ADM “Additional dealer mark up items to show as it should in commissions to the salesperson. Don’t blame the person who is helping you they just want to close the deal.
I was not joking. The first lie they all tell is to show you a bogus invoice which in no way represents what the dealer paid for the car. Cars are not even sold to the dealer on an individual vehicle basis with specific invoices. I have never visited a car dealership when I have not caught the salesperson in numerous lies and untruths about costs, rebates, financing, and vehicle features. The only way to get a fair price on a new car is to do your homework and know what the "out-the-door" price should be. That is the basic cost of the car (usually about 3 percent below MSRP) minus the applicable rebates and trade-in value, plus the sales tax, title fee, and tag fee. Some dealers will even try to overcharge for the tag fees by saying that you may owe the state money that they need resolve to get a tag. Dealer installed options, dealer preparation, documentation fees, and advertising fees are totally bogus. But, it is a mistake to even discuss anything related to individual fees with the dealer except the out-the-door price. After you agree on the out-the-door price, the dealer will make the numbers work and you can write a check for that amount. Use KBB.com and Edmunds.com to price the car. Then, if you are honest, polite, and firm with the dealer, you can buy an average car for that amount and save about $2000 to $3000 as compared to what an uninformed buyer will pay.

[collie1228]

There are so many reputable websites that will provide actual costs and prices of automobiles (new and used), anyone going to a dealership with the intention to buy should have the information necessary to get a reasonable deal. You can visit Truecar, Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, Carfax, and a bunch of others. If you don't do your homework, you deserve to pay a high price.

[CWGUY]

There are so many reputable websites that will provide actual costs and prices of automobiles (new and used), anyone going to a dealership with the intention to buy should have the information necessary to get a reasonable deal. You can visit Truecar, Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, Carfax, and a bunch of others. If you don't do your homework, you deserve to pay a high price.

:oops: One thing you can learn here is a lot of people DON'T do their homework! If they don't have a clue when buying a home.... how much homework are they doing on buying a car?:ohdear:

[Duce920]

could you share the dealer name with me - i am not a dealer , i am looking for a lease car ?

thanks

Bruce - . The Villages

[mroberts268]

Hyundai of Central Florida in Clermont recently opened and they are following the original Saturn model putting their best price up front with no haggling. Bought a 2018 Sonata and saved over $3,000 from what other Hyundai dealers were offering. Check it out.

[airstreamingypsy]

There's a dealer called Mullinax Ford, down in Apopka, that advertises no dealer fees. I have no personal experience with them.

[kappy]

Contact me at jk103017@icloud.com. I’ll give you all the information. Kappy

[kappy]

The Clermont dealer gave me much higher quotes than dealer fee dealers. Kappy

[Ross]

No dealer fee at the MULLINAX dealerships. There several of them in central FL. I have done business with them several times in the past 21 years.

[Tenjum]

When Buyers walk it is amazing what happens.
I am an expert car buyer often helping others.
I found the experience of buying a pre-owned Elantra very
Tiring. Found local Hyundai dealer millennial salesman so unknowlegable I had to walk out before I punched him.

You can try small towns like Inverness etc. to spread the love around and perhaps get a lower price before they add $599 dealer fee on a used car. Good grief Charlie Brown!!

[OhioBuckeye]

6 years ago, when I lived in a northeastern state, I leased a vehicle for a very reasonable down payment and reasonable monthly rates. By the time that the 3 year lease was nearing its end, I had moved to Florida. I could not find any local Florida dealership willing to lease me another vehicle at reasonable prices, primarily due to the “dealer fee”. I went back up north and got the same deal as my original lease and they titled everything in Florida.

Last month, when my leased vehicle was nearing the end of the lease, I again checked several local dealers. One of those dealers is new and advertised, “No Dealer Fee”. All of the local dealers deals were again much higher than I had negotiated up north. So much for no dealer fee dealers.

I was ready to go back up north to visit relatives and lease a new car when a friend told me about a dealer in the area who gave him a deal similar to what I had on the same basic car. I contacted the saleswoman at this dealership and without any hassle at all, I had my new 2018 car in 3 hours at the same price I had paid up north.

If this Florida dealership can make a profit without charging a dealer fee, (the same profit that the dealers up north make), why do the Florida dealerships have to make this extra profit called a “Dealer Fee”? If buyers in Florida are willing to accept these extra charges, there is no incentive for the Florida dealerships to eliminate them.

As a senior citizen, I have bought or leased many vehicles. This had to be the easiest car deal I have ever experienced. I am willing to share more details about my experience.

I'm also from up north, Ohio to be exact & I worked for Ford Mo. Co. in Lima, Ohio for 38 yrs. You're exactly right about what you said. To put it in a nutshell, in this area it's called taking advantage of the retirees,dealers like to tell you this car was only driven on Sun. you know what I mean. People can say what they want but if I want a discount I'll use my "Z" Plan. Some dealers say they can beat it, maybe so, but even I proceed with caution. If I buy another car, which I'm going to in the next yr. I'm going to give Key Scales a chance then I'm going to call the dealer where I bought my Ford Fusion Sport from & I'll bet my dealer in Ohio will beat any Ford dealer down here by at least $1,000. or more. If you're interested in a Ford I can get you a Pin# to save you some money, but like I said some dealers will give you some kind of Song & Dance how they can beat it. If they can beat it, go for it but check at least 3 dealers before you decide. For gosh sakes don't let them tell you that you have to buy now to get this wonderful deal. Do your homework. :read:

[manaboutown]

I identify the vehicles I want to consider and use the Costco service. A year ago I bought a new BMW X5. No haggle. The salesman even made a small calculation error in my favor which he later figured out but honored the deal. At this time this dealership was selling new cars hand over fist to Chinese over the telephone. They really did not need my deal.

[OhioBuckeye]

It's not just the dealer fee. They like to put on a lot of extra junk and add another 5 thousand above the factory sticker price.
Smart advice! Don't get suckered into letting them tell you what you need, it's just a way to get more money out of you. They're just trying to take advantage of you. Heard it all, I worked for Fo.Mo.Co. for 38 yrs. so I know a little bit how they work. Buy what options you want & don't let the slick talkers talk you into anything!

[OhioBuckeye]

I just purchased a new vehicle and had a heck of time negotiating down the "dealer documentation fee." This was my first new car purchase in Florida. The dealer stated Florida law required the Documentation Fee, which is dubious to me; I paid what I thought was fair for the new vehicle but I sure had to work the negotiation long and hard. I did not pay $699 for documentation, which is pure profit to the dealership.

Good for you. Personally I would of either said you pay it or I would of got up & walked out. There's always dealer that'll beat the one before. Then I bet he would of stopped you before you touched the door handle.

[OhioBuckeye]

GM’s Saturn tried that. People would rather negotiate with Slick Sam than not negotiate with Millennial Mike. They walked away from Mike thinking they could do better with Sam.


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You know you can select options & get a qoute for the full price online, didn't you? Then you don't have to be high pressured into buying a new car from Honest John!

[Plowboy]

Car salesman in Florida have a large population of eldrly gullible folks with more dollars than cents.

[Wiotte]

Car salesman in Florida have a large population of eldrly gullible folks with more dollars than cents.



They come from an age when trust wasn’t second guessed. The boomers know a thing or two, coming from an age of distrust towards most things. Cynicism keeps the wolves away from the door, and our money where it belongs. Who are we to blame ?


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[tcxr750]

In Ohio, dealers don’t add a dealer fee, they just add a $600 rust proofing and upholstery Scotch Guard treatment fee. Ha Ha
In regard to leasing I’ve also discovered that you may be able to buy the car at lease end for less than shown in the contract. I have done this several times on bank financed leases, not factory leases. I have purchased the car for anywhere from $300 to $1500 less than shown on the lease agreement.

[Miles42]

I have been buying cars for many years and have heard all the BS. salespeople need to recognize this.

[tcxr750]

Several years ago a friend of mine went to a local Lincoln- Mercury dealership to buy a new car. The salesman did the “give me your car keys” and then wouldn’t give them back routine. My friend, a retired cop, took out his cellphone and proceeded to call the police. Needless to say the keys were returned and the sales manager and salesman changed their attitude..my friend left the dealership.
My experience with buying a new car has evolved over the years to become less stressful and more businesslike. I do leave the transaction at the first sign of being pressured.

[water boy]

Sams club, Costco, cars guru, true car all charge the dealer 399.00 fee for sending you in hard to see how you are getting the best price when they have to add 399.00 to there cost. When You go on line to one of these sites that are trying to help you LOL they send Your information to the three closest Dealers that are signed up with them to your zip code. For the next 6 months if You buy a car from that dealer they have to pay this fee. When a Dealer signs up with them they tie right in to Your computers customer base to know if they sell someone they sent You.

[John_W]

My salesman Jerry Lundegaard always recommends adding Trucoat.

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/shameless/images/2/20/Macywilliamh4.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140507143016

Just ask this couple.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/B2LLB9CGfLs/maxresdefault.jpg

[retiredguy123]

Sams club, Costco, cars guru, true car all charge the dealer 399.00 fee for sending you in hard to see how you are getting the best price when they have to add 399.00 to there cost. When You go on line to one of these sites that are trying to help you LOL they send Your information to the three closest Dealers that are signed up with them to your zip code. For the next 6 months if You buy a car from that dealer they have to pay this fee. When a Dealer signs up with them they tie right in to Your computers customer base to know if they sell someone they sent You.
I agree. These buying services are not needed. You need to know what the car is worth or you will get ripped off. There is no need to engage in any conversation with the dealer about dealer fees or any other fees. This just plays into their playbook. The only fee you should discuss with the dealer is the out the door price, including trade-in, taxes, tags, and title. I have found that you can buy a car for the kbb.com or edmunds.com fair market price and it will save you about $2,000 to $3,000 from the dealer's initial offer. But, you need to make the dealer know that you will walk out the door unless he takes your offer. As soon as you start talking about individual fees or dealer installed options, you have lost the battle. Get their initial out the door price in writing. Then, be polite and present them with the kbb price and tell them it is a take it or leave it offer. If you are firm, they will take the offer. Don't sit in their silly little office while the salesperson checks with the sales manager. Go to the waiting room and drink the free coffee. I have bought several cars this way and it works.