Topic: Veihicle dealer rant

[Markcb750]

I want a light weight trailer to tow my bikes on.  I have been looking for a Triton Aluminum trailer for about a year.

Went to Matthews Fun Machines yesterday and they had a used one.  Looked it over and asked the price, asked the price of a new one, decided I wanted the used trailer for $499

I asked them if i could bring a check the next day, and how much.

After 15 minutes the young man comes back with his form and shows me they want $499 for the trailer, $99 for getting plates, a rip off, but the kicker is a $199 for a "documentation fee"...Total $811.56 with the taxes.


When I smiled and said forget it I got the "what would you like to pay?"
B.S.

I just shook my head, said 499 total, and walked out.

Now I don't know about you, but when I ask the price, I expect the salesman to tell me the price, turning it into a scam degrades them, if the customer is ignorant, and insults the customer if they are not ignorant. 

I guess this must work on my fellow Americans, I feel bad the country is this accepting of deceptive tactics and that dealers have enough success with it that the practice continues.

Rant over


Mark

[BurtonWarpup]

I was looking at getting a Triumph Speedmaster a few months ago and on the US website it says the bike is $8,000. When I went to my local Triumph dealer, the tag hanging on the bike said $10,000. A bit of a difference, but the sales guy said that that is the "out the door" price with all that crap included. So the site was rather misleading but it was nice to see a dealer actually coming clean with the total price of the bike.

[Brown Bomber]

Bait and Switch. I even had the loan officer at my bank pull this crap on me. Luckily I found an honest broker before it was too late. I "Switched" banks because of that.

[Alan F.]

They're not in the business of selling trailers, they're in the finance business.

[Brown Bomber]

They're not in the business of selling trailers, they're in the finance business.

Still Bait and Switch either way.

[Alan F.]

I can't disagree there.

[74cb750]

This seems to be the norm everywhere.

[Markcb750]

This seems to be the norm everywhere.

I agree, it is the fact that we allow it to be done to us that amazes & discourages me.

Someone should be ashamed; I would like someone to tell me, is it the dealer, or the people that buy the product anyway?

[Steve F]

I don't think you should have to pay a documentation fee on a USED vehicle/trailer if the thing has been titled before.  Just sign over the title and get it transfered to you.  Doc fees are for NEW vehicles that have to have the documentations sent to the state for a new title.  For example, a vehicle (with an engine) title transfer fees in Illinois is $100.  A trailer would be WAY less than that.  Besides, you don't HAVE to get registration through them, you handle it yourself.

[Markcb750]

I don't think you should have to pay a documentation fee on a USED vehicle/trailer if the thing has been titled before.  Just sign over the title and get it transfered to you.  Doc fees are for NEW vehicles that have to have the documentations sent to the state for a new title.  For example, a vehicle (with an engine) title transfer fees in Illinois is $100.  A trailer would be WAY less than that.  Besides, you don't HAVE to get registration through them, you handle it yourself.

It's not about getting documents, its about putting 300 in the dealers pocket through a deception. 

A simple question, "How much for the trailer", is not answered honestly.  Yet Americans keep these people in business, Its ugly, It goes to the root of who we are. 

So are we stupid?
Or are we taken by super skilled hucksters.

[Gordon]

So are we stupid?
Or are we taken by super skilled hucksters.

A little of both?

Maybe the question needs to be more specific.  "How much for the trailer and all accompanying fees?", rather than just "How much for the trailer?".

[Markcb750]

I agree, I have adapted the procedure of saying "how much does it cost to take this car home with me today" when pricing a car from a dealer.

Pulling the documentation fee BS, adding 40% to the quoted price, was unexpected on a used trailer. 

Being an educated consumer is important.  It does not make the practice any more honest does it?

[dave500]

how come when you buy a brand new car the tank is empty?

[754]

500.00  + 40%  = 700.00...

 but then , I am still doing old math...

[seaweb11]

Bought an airplane ticket lately....

[Markcb750]

500.00  + 40%  = 700.00...

 but then , I am still doing old math...

I think the $199 document fee is pretty close to 40%. It is the worst part of the proposed "deal".


The charge for getting the plates is the another 20%..