Unique Florida Car Buying FEE

[UH1B913]

There is an informal Clerical (clean up/prep) Fee on dealer car sales in Florida - It varies appreciably between dealerships. Beware what you sign - we just bought our first car here in Florida - from Philllps Toyota of Leesburg. There was no mention of the $499 fee on the billing by the salesman. It is in addition to normal state fees. The service that we requested the vehicle before delivery was not performed and we were not advised of it. The receipt of permanent license plates did not occur until the date of expiration of the temporary plates. We were not kept appraised of the timing. Replacement part identified promised at the time of sale still not on order after 50+ days. None of this has been deemed as grounds for re-negotiating a reduction in that fee. As a matter of reference - Key Scales Ford of Leesburg their $299 fee will cover several "factory level" oil & filter changes and if the customer does not expect to use them, the clerical fee is significantly reduced at the time of sale. Believe this is common on all new and used vehicles.

[l2ridehd]

All dealers in all states have some type of added fee they don't talk about until the very end. I ALWAYS ask what is the final "out the door price" and that is what I use to comparison shop. One thing to remember is that fee is always subject to what you agree to pay. Negotiate your best deal, tell everyone that is the total amount you will pay, and stick to it. I once had a dealer who agreed to everything then tried to add another $199 fee. I refused. I told the manager of the dealership to read the sign above the exit door. He asked what sign? as nothing was there. I said it says "I will not be back" They sold me the car at the agreed to price without the $199 fee.

[784caroline]

I agree negotiate the final out the door price and avoid surprises at the end. When I bought my last car I saw a $499 dealer prep charge added .....I did not sign and was walking away.....The salesman called the Mgr and they said OK BUT they said and I was told that they HAD to leave the Dealer prep fee in or else they would have a customer revolt on their hands if it got out that they were negotiating that fee. My contract just reduced the price of the car by $499..prep fee was included but I was happy because I negotiated the out the door price!

[MikeH]

The fee, regardless of what the dealer calls it, is additional profit for the dealer. Don't believe otherwise!