Bushwack

Have you ever purchased real estate? There are itemized (closing) costs in an escrow document that will make your head spin! And whether you like it or not, these costs are legitimate and a cost of doing business (whether it is an itemization for messenger services, processing fees or exuberant property taxes).

Time is money. The bank processing fee I just paid for my car probably covers 90 minutes of the dealership's time (not just the time I spent face-to-face with Mr. Finance). Assuming raw labor cost of running a dealership is $250 - $300/hr, as a consumer I can understand the fee. I may not like it but its justified.

The cost of doing business.

fuenfer

I think the problem with these fees is that many dealerships bring it up as a "surprise!" right before closing, and I think that's why people consider them "BS" fees. The last two cars I've purchased, my salespeople clearly outlined a document processing fee that they would be charging. I, of course, took that into account when negotiating the price of the car, and didn't consider these "BS".

I also helped a friend purchase a Hyundai, and during the entire course of negotiations, no mention was made of a $199 document processing fee, a $199 VIN etching fee and an advertising fee. It was after he'd agreed to purchase the car that these fees magically appeared, and they refused to budge saying that these fees were part of their policy. No, I don't begrudge a dealership for trying to make money -- we live in a capitalist society, and it is what it is. But it leaves a bad taste in one's mouth to find these fees just prior to signing.