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Going to pick up a '24 ES 350 UL this Thurs at my local dealership. Wanted to get people's take on the invoice - are these fees out of whack? This is in NJ.
These dealers are out of control. I never heard or saw an "electronic filing storage fee". I have also never seen or paid an $899.99 fee for documents. Total $1300.00. Depending upon how much you want the car I'd simply tell them to take it off. Ridiculous fees and IMO they're screwing you. They're trying to charge you for title and tags then add a document fee of $900.00. Ask them if the transaction includes a jar of Vaseline...
If you’re selling your old car, you’d save the sales tax on its value by trading it in rather than selling it, provided dealer gives you close to what you’ll get selling it yourself.
That document storage fee, today, is bogus. In the old days, they say they had to store your paper file, safeguard it, rent space, etc. Those days are over. They can now store it digitally which literally takes up no space anywhere!
Tactics like that really take the joy out of buying a beautiful new car and doom any hope of a loyalty-based relationship between the dealer and me.
remove those outrageous fees or walk on the deal,,,,once U have told them no deal they will probably remove them to save the deal... i always get the figures in writing before i commit.
Appreciate the replies - I sent an e-mail to them just now (the sales guy with the sales manager copied) and put some polite pressure on them to be reasonable. This is my third brand new purchase in 4 years - I've spent hundreds of thousands there, really think they should be able to flex this time. First time I've done anything but just sign the paperwork and give them what they wanted. Full doc fees each time, and last purchase was a pretty big dealer markup because of the coof inventory shortages.
Edit: Will LYK what response I get. Should be good for a few yuks. Who knows, maybe they'll just relent easily (but I doubt it). Prediction: they'll say "oh sure, we can work with you, come on in and we'll discuss" the matter, followed by little/zero change in the fees.
Last edited by whatshappeninman; 06-24-24 at 02:23 PM.
For the eagle-eyed in the thread, here is the explanatory language referenced in the tally boxes above. Evidently the fee "may be optional" - e.g., I can store a copy of this paperwork for free in my desk.
I paid $700 dealer fee and $150 for out of state registration. There wasn't any give on the fees but I did okay after the discount. I still wish I had pushed harder on the fees. If you want a better deal go to several dealerships and throw some numbers around to feel out the market.
Some of those fees look like they may be imposed by state law. New Jersey, which likes to tax everything, is not that big - have you shopped this car in a nearby state?
I bought a 24 ES350 UL with all four available options and it was not that much. I did pay a document fee because I bought the car in a neighboring state, but a few weeks later the dealer sent me an itemization of the fees paid, and a check for the amount of the fee I paid that they did not need to use.
I never discuss these fees. They are a distraction. The dealer wants to steer the conversation to these fees because they get you off your game -- the big picture.
The question is how much is the out-the-door price (before taxes) under the MSRP (the sticker price). That's your true discount. Regardless of what they call these fees, the correct term for all of them is "additional dealer profit."
In my experience, the only time a dealer will seriously reduce their asking price is when you tell them that you have a better price from another dealer.
OP, if it helps you make a decision at all, I paid $57000 OTD for my 2024 ES 350 UL here in Georgia (including all fees and taxes). If you want to compare the list of options, here is part of the sticker for my car.
Last edited by highwaycruiser; 06-24-24 at 06:58 PM.
Reason: Replaced image with smaller one
06-24-24, 11:29 AM
Fees for a new purchase
