Tom45

I agree with you that if a dealer gives you a bottom line price, you can either accept it, counteroffer or walk away. That is the way it should be.

I was referring more to earlier posts in this thread that included experiences such as the dealer and buyer agreed upon a price and then the dealer put additional fees in the contract. Perhaps hoping that they would not be noticed, lost in the monthly payment calculation or the buyer thinking these are customary charges? This is the unethical part.

shadowman1

I recently went to help a friend of mine look at a new Scion FRS. Be fore we went I called ahead and asked someone what the doc fee was. I was told $110.00. When we sat down with a salesman after looking at the car I asked him what the doc fee was. He said $225.00. I asked him if he was sure about that because I thought it was $110.00 and lo and behold he pulled a writeup out of his desk and confirmed it was $110.00. I hate to be lied to. We went to another dealership and ordered the car she wants.

mpuzach

Exactly. When the fees are used as a means of changing the purchase price after a deal is struck or to advertise prices at which the cars can't actually be bought, they become intentional ploys to mislead buyers.

z28koda

I learned my lesson a few years ago as a 20 year old buying a truck at a "reputable" dealer. Blindly believed everything they told me to the point I walked out. I didn't realize how badly I had be screwed until a week later when they closed.

Now I just walk in, say this is what I'll pay, leave my phone number and walk out. Haven't had them not call me back yet.