is this normal to pay a fee of $399 when buying a car?

dealer emailed a broken down quote and it states this fee.

Is this a must that everyone has to pay, can it be negotiated??

Please feedback asap.....

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I know I had to pay freight from Japan, I think around $1100.00 bucks. Hal

 

what about for civic non-hybrid?

 

These extra charges are pure bull, similar to what happens when you buy an airline ticket these days. Actually, service departments are jumping on the bandwagon too, with environmental charges, misc. shop supply charges, and so on.

I would establish a number you're prepared to pay, and then propose that number to them, as the everything but sales tax offer. If they refuse to "speak your language", ie: continue to quote prices to which there will be charges added, walk.

 

I bought used Hondas in CT the past couple of years, one a hybrid Civic and one regular Civic. We paid a "Dealer Conveyance Fee" of $179. Not sure if that's the same as a Doc Fee. Whether the fees are different for new versus used cars, I have no idea. In addition, we also paid for licence and title, but in each case the total for all those fees was less than the $399 your fee is.

 

The regular Civic is built in Canada so less frieght that the Hybrid which is made in Japan.Hal

 

I live in Toronto, 50 miles from the plant where gasoline Civics are made. The honda.ca website quotes $1350 PI & PD. On the same site, they quote the same fees for the Civic Hybrid that comes from Japan.

Carmakers rationalize their delivery charges to make one price for all. You're going to pay it even if you live across the road from the plant.

 

The "Doc" fee is a "documentation" fee that the dealer charges to "pay the folks who do all the paper work" in the back office. It's pure profit to the dealership. Trust me on this one, I sold cars for 7 years and can tell you guys here horror stories of how dealerships rip people off.

If you are price shopping, always get an "OTD or Out the Door" price so when comparing prices, you will see what dealers are charging what for their fees.

 

thanks all