[retiredguy123]

When discussing the price with a car dealer, only discuss the out-the-door price. If you start discussing individual line items on the sales contract, you will lose.

[MikeVillages]

Originally Posted by Pballer

Be prepared to get ripped off with outrageous doc fees and other garbage fees that are pure profit to the dealer.

What should be a typical doc fee in Florida & examples of doc fees people have paid in Florida?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by MikeVillages

What should be a typical doc fee in Florida & examples of doc fees people have paid in Florida?

The doc and/or dealer fee should be zero, which is what I have always paid. Florida has nothing to do with it. Note that Mullinax Ford doesn't try to charge any of these fees.

[MikeVillages]

Originally Posted by jetalley

We bought a new vehicle in December. I utilized auto purchase programs from Costco, Sam’s Club, AAA and AARP. It was a lot of dealers to juggle but I was able to compare them fairly well and play them off each other a little. When all was said and done I felt we got a good deal. It was helpful to be firm on exactly what we wanted and not allow the sales people to move us towards models or options we didn’t want or need.

Interesting that you were able to negotiate between different purchase programs. Did distance between your home and the dealership or anything else help?

[NoMo50]

Originally Posted by RON S

If you buying a Ford, I know a very good Manager in Sanford. He is really good.
I buy a lot from him and most of the time depending on the car or truck i get invoice or right around there, with not BS fee's

Thanks, that is good to know. While we are not in the market right now, you never know. When we do buy, we use the A Plan from Ford. It is the absolute cheapest way to buy a Ford product. No haggling, and you know the cost before you even walk in the door.

[MrFlorida]

Originally Posted by Peazoup

Yes, be super careful if buying from Jenkins.

Love Chevy is another one, major rip off !

[easeonby]

One thing I know first hand is stay away from any dealer that has Jenkins name involved.
Many people including myself have had the worst time dealing with them. They try keeping
you there for hours with nothing good to offer. That place you tell them what you will
pay and if they don't accept it walk out the door. Never do a trade in with them either, they
don't want to give you much for your trade either.

[Pballer]

Originally Posted by MikeVillages

What should be a typical doc fee in Florida & examples of doc fees people have paid in Florida?

Doc fees are not capped like in many other states. Some dealers charge $1000+ doc fees. I believe the law requires that a given dealer charges everyone the same doc fee. So to "reduce" the doc fee you need to negotiate a better discount of the car price off MSRP. Dealer advertisements need to disclose the doc fee and electronic registration fee - another rip off.

[MikeVillages]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The doc and/or dealer fee should be zero, which is what I have always paid. Florida has nothing to do with it. Note that Mullinax Ford doesn't try to charge any of these fees.

It is my understanding that when you question the doc fee, the dealership will reply.they are required to charged everyone the same fee otherwise they could be charged with discrimination. A typtical buyer reply should be, we both know your doctor fee is bogus but you need to lower something else so you don't get charged with discrimination.

I would like to know the amount of doc fees people have paid in flordia any any other bogus fees.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Pballer

Doc fees are not capped like in many other states. Some dealers charge $1000+ doc fees. I believe the law requires that a given dealer charges everyone the same doc fee. So to "reduce" the doc fee you need to negotiate a better discount of the car price off MSRP. Dealer advertisements need to disclose the doc fee and electronic registration fee - another rip off.

Dealer and doc fees are negotiable and dealers do not have to charge them. Any dealer who tells you that they are required by law to charge a fee is lying to you. But the only thing that really matters is the out-the-door price.

[MikeVillages]

Originally Posted by Pballer

Doc fees are not capped like in many other states. Some dealers charge $1000+ doc fees. I believe the law requires that a given dealer charges everyone the same doc fee. So to "reduce" the doc fee you need to negotiate a better discount of the car price off MSRP. Dealer advertisements need to disclose the doc fee and electronic registration fee - another rip off.

Thank you. My above post was before I read yours.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by MikeVillages

It is my understanding that when you question the doc fee, the dealership will reply.they are required to charged everyone the same fee otherwise they could be charged with discrimination. A typtical buyer reply should be, we both know your doctor fee is bogus but you need to lower something else so you don't get charged with discrimination.

I would like to know the amount of doc fees people have paid in flordia any any other bogus fees.

I have found that the best way to buy a new vehicle is to use KBB.COM to calculate the out-the-door price. When a dealer wants to discuss any line item in their sales contract, I ask them to give me their OTD price. I refuse to discuss anything else. They can list the line items any way they want but I only care about the OTD price. Their argument about discrimination is hogwash. What do you gain by engaging in a discussion about a dealer fee or doc fee?

[platinum60]

Originally Posted by MikeVillages

What should be a typical doc fee in Florida & examples of doc fees people have paid in Florida?

The doc fee at Phillips Toyota is $899.

[Joecooool]

Do everything online or through email. The first and only time you should ever step into a dealership is when you are there to pick up the car you have already purchased.

If you are going to finance, go to a credit union and get pre-approved for a loan. Shop as if you are paying cash. Then when its time to close, let the dealer know what your approved interest rate is and give them an opportunity to beat it.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

We bought a very nice used BMW convertible through the classifieds right here on TOTV about 8 years ago and feel that we got an excellent deal. There are many well to do old folks in the Villages who buy very nice cars, use them very lightly, always keep them well maintained and garaged, have very low mileage, and have never seen road salt or northern pot holes. Simple depreciation with age makes these cars a good value relative to the wear and tear they have on them. Unfortunately, since Covid supply shortages, and more recently tariffs, used cars have become a high demand item and good deals are much harder to come by.

Garaged? Not in my area some can’t even get golf cart in garage. agree, If I was buying used 3 or more years old vehicles I would review history make sure it didn't come from rust belt. Salty roads and electronics/wiring don’t fair good.

This guy IMO best finding problems other shops can’t.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7iFFYkwIVY