Dealer Paid DMV Fees

[Durwin]

Ok folks, here are where your opinions count.....

1.Before I went to the dealership to sign the paperwork for my Av, I was given an anticipated $ amount for DMV fees.
2. When I arrived several days later, I was told it would be about $200 more because of weight fees(it is a 2500). That brought the total up to about $472. I signed off. Seemed fair, I know that larger trucks have "weight fees" (it's California).
3. That was in early May. Last week I received a notice in the mail from the dealership, stating that they had to pay $78 more in fees when they sent the DMV paperwork in. I now have my stickers and registration..
. I didn't appreciate the amount being raised in #1 and 2, but it seemed correct to me. Now I recevied a letter in the mail....I'm not about to pay more, especially now that I have a legitimate contract and a valid registration.
4. My question is..... Would you send in the $78?
I have no doubt that the dealership had to pay more. They should have had a final figure when I bought the vehicle.

I'd like to know what everyone thinks on this one.
Thanks Durwin

 

[FredRose]

Durwin,

Here's one of my hot buttons, did you pay a 'doc fee,' which I believe to be a way the dealers around here extort an additional $100-400 from you? If so, then I wouldn't pay it, claim that the doc fee should cover it.

I don't think I'd pay anyhow as I think about it, their job is to know how to do business and since they delivered it to you 'paid in full' then it was. Coming back to you for more money proves their incompetence. I'd think hard before doing any more business with them.

(In the past I've walked out of dealers that refused to waive the doc fee and insisted on adding it to the negotiated price.

I bought my AV on the GM supplier plan which forbids charging doc fees so it was not a concern.)

Fred

 

[Blueruck]

I think your dealer needs to know how to calculate fee's and if they make a mistake, they eat the cost. I wonder if they ever sold another 2500 truck and had fees

I am sure there are many out there who would blindly pay that bill..... I am not one of them....

 

[wrchism]

IMO, it depends on your relationship with the dealer, and what sort of deal they struck with you in the first place.

If you were dealing with typical 'sales slime' where the game is to screw the customer to the highest degree possible, then I'd give let the dealer eat the $78.

If, on the other hand, you had one of those rare sales situations where the dealer was above board regarding a deal related to invoice price, and you were treated well overall, I might come forward with the $78.

 

[Durwin]

Thanks for the info folks. I just wanted to see if I was being a hard ass on this. Nope, I didn't pay a doc fee. Believe me, I read that sales contract like it was an enlistment agreement.

Oh, by the way, I won't drop names here, but for those of you in Sacramento, it was Family Chevrolet.
Durwin

 

[WhiteAVZ71]

In Florida here they can only guess at what the DMV fee's will be. I have been forunate that all the dealers here wait until your new tag and paperwork come in for you to pay for it. But like the post above says it depends on your dealer relationship. And we all know that they aren't going to go broke over your $78. Plus if you havent done the delaer survey yet....you have lots of bargaining power there. If they dont get all excellent's they dont get as many cars next year from GM. So usually they will do just about anything to make sure you give them all excellent's.

Hope this helps.

 

[Durwin]

Thanks for the words...
Nope, I've did the survey and mailed it off on Saturday. The dealership won't be pleased with me on that one...
My vehicle was damaged during dealer prep, so I wasn't a happy camper... I wasn't happy that it took 2 trips to get the work done to correct it.

And the final straw was getting that letter in the mail.
Durwin

 

[gstreak]

I have been watching the local sales around here (Sacramento including Family) and I can tell you they don't sell many 2500's there. They had one early this year and it sold. They haven't had one since. You probably bought it!

 

[Rolando]

It's the principal of the thing. They damaged your truck too? Not only should they pay the $78, but they should at minimum give you a free oil change.

 

[gpfahler]

Durwin,

I have a 2500 purchased in So California. I pulled my sales contract the DMV fees for my vehicle are 469.00

Let me know if your total fees are around the same.

Gary

 

[Durwin]

My fees were just over $525. They say that the $78 is for transferring the tags from my trade-in to the Av. $78??
Durwin

 

[gpfahler]

Thats interesting,,never heard of that.. Was the registration expired on the trade in vehicle?? If not I would question this fee. Don't sound right to me..