Hopefully all states will either make Doc fees illegal or put a cap on them like California. There is nothing received for these Documentation fees and it is pure profit for the car dealership. Be sure and shop around and make sure you have any used car checked out by a knowledgeable mechanic (this is basic and a Auto Sales 101 requirement). I always have a used car checked over by mechanics and you wouldn’t believe the stuff I’ve found that way – previously wrecked cars that didn’t show the wreck or damage designation on the CarFax, mismatched or wrong parts, missing parts, etc…
Generally with low mileage used cars and when you purchase from a car dealership with a full warranty you have much less to worry about. Still be sure and shop around. Shop the car price, warranty price (it is a general rule that all car dealerships double the warranty price they sell to you – so the warranty price is very negotiable and you do not have to purchase it right then and there – that is one of the biggest lies going on in almost every finance manager’s office).
Shop around and get a car that best meets your needs and budget. Don’t let a slick sales staff (including the finance manager) talk you into a higher price or payments than you can afford. Stick with your budget and use a online car website like Edmunds.com (another great Auto Sales tip everyone should use) to get the true value of the vehicle you are looking at and a good idea of the price you should pay. Don’t go by what the sales staff says – their job is to get you to pay as much as possible for that car or truck.
Do your homework and you will save thousands of dollars. It is a fact that car buyers that do their homework and negotiate hard on their new or used car purchases save on average $2,500 dollars more then those that don’t and just negotiate a little (AAA). Save money – do your homework (Edmunds.com), shop around, have any used car checked out by a good mechanic, be aware of car dealerships charging ridiculous Documentation fees, and negotiate – negotiate – negotiate and you will get a great deal regardless of whether you are buying a new or used car or truck.