Picked up my 35D today NOT
 

Left the dealership without a vehicle after ordering in August. Among the many points of contention was a $600 doc fee. Is it just me or is that way out of line?

I believe most states have legal limits on doc fees, and most dealers charge the maximum legal limit.

I suspect high doc fees, among other things, may be one reason some dealers can offer "$500 over invoice" deals.

I admire you for walking away. I don't think I could have pulled myself away from that car! That's what dealers bank on. I bet he was shocked! May be he will come to his senses now. Sleep on it and if you think you had gotten a bargain to start with, perhaps there is room to negotiate. Good luck.

Good for you! I'd have done the same thing and am prepared to do the same when I go to pick mine up in approximatley 2 weeks.

These atrocious doc fees are a throw back to pinstriping, rustrpoofing, stain protection, negotiating down from an artificially high "list" price and all the other tricks of the trade the dealers are reknowned for.

There are a few good ones out there and those that would pull such a tactic do not deserve your business, If you ordered a car and made a deal and the doc fee was a surprise, I'd tie up the sales of that vehicle so they couln't sell it to someone else. Play hard!

:wow:

So they didn't tell you about the "hidden" cost prior to delivery?

What did you sign when you settled up on the order ? Did you have a Purchase agreement? Didn't you need something for your insurance or bank ? $299 is typically in MA.........

Which dealership?

I got my '09 3.0 from United in Roswell. I'll have to check now to see what my doc fee was.

Edge - I knew it was coming, the amount was a surprise which made me very distrustful.

Diesel Guy - I didn't actually buy the X5, it's still on the lot.

We're still negotiating and it would be counter productive for me to discuss too many of the details here. Please bear with me and I'll give you the full story once it's done.

KWP - I almost went to BMW of Roswell but chose this dealership over them. The Roswell dealership is close to work, this one is close to home.

sorry for the stupid question, but what are doc fees? :dunno:

Literally, documention fee for cost to complete all necessary paperwork imposed by various authorities. Actually, a fat way to get more profit with the excuse to charge what they are expected to do for being the seller. Who reimburses the buyer for filling out all of that crap paperwork? Stupid question, right? Just as stupid for the seller.

In Florida, there is apparently a law that you cannot charge a doc fee for one person and not everyone so they put in in dark print on every sales agreement and say they will be investigated by the state attorney general if they waive it for an individual. Just have them discount the sales price the same amount is the way around it.

The best way around ALL of the dealer garbage, which will only get more "creative", is to negoiate an OUT THE DOOR PRICE. An agree up front that it is the check including every and all costs.