R56 Processing Fees?
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Processing Fees?
Responses to an earlier post (MC vs MCS and Other Newbie ?'s) have been helpful (and more would be welcome), but I wanted to run another quick one by the board. Are most buyers getting stuck with those dealer "processing fees"? The nearest Mini dealer to my home has a sign in the window saying that all transactions will get tagged $400. I've been able to negotiate my last two car purchases, and paid an over-invoice price. I understand that a Mini will, at least for now, be sold at MSRP. But has anyone been able to avoid paying a "non-negotiable" processing fee? I should add that I don't intend to lease or use any dealer financing. Thanks.
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Normally I refuse to pay "processing fees" out of principle. If it's low ($50-100), then it shouldn't be enough to affect the sale, from the dealer's perspective. In the case of $400... that looks like built-in commission for the salesperson or just plain profiteering. "Processing" is the cost of doing business (insert diatribe on gross vs net profit). Wal-Mart doesn't charge you a "processing fee" to have the cashier ring up your sale. It's built into the price of items.
Were the dealer to sell the car at invoice + $400... I would pay it. MSRP (in the case of MINI) starts the dealership at roughly $2k in gross profit already. Adding another $400 on top is ridiculous.
As noted, the high demand for MINI means you might have little choice though. Personally, I'd go somewhere else or do without.
Were the dealer to sell the car at invoice + $400... I would pay it. MSRP (in the case of MINI) starts the dealership at roughly $2k in gross profit already. Adding another $400 on top is ridiculous.
As noted, the high demand for MINI means you might have little choice though. Personally, I'd go somewhere else or do without.
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Braman Palm Beach: $689 Dealer Services (plus $165 to process tag transfer!)
Didn't negotiate down since we did not go for any of the other dealer add ons-LoJack, Teflon, Pin Stripes, etc. I wanted to be able to say, "Look, you already made almost $900 in pure profit. Don't drill the front bumper for a tag and throw in some mats." It is a delicate dance.
Didn't negotiate down since we did not go for any of the other dealer add ons-LoJack, Teflon, Pin Stripes, etc. I wanted to be able to say, "Look, you already made almost $900 in pure profit. Don't drill the front bumper for a tag and throw in some mats." It is a delicate dance.
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Many MINI dealers charge only MSRP, however others layer on processing fees, document preparation fees, just because fees, etc. These are great examples of creative price-gouging and greed. My advice is to offer only MSRP and get the deal in writing. If dealer insists on excess fees for the privilege of selling you a car, go elsewhere. There are several MSRP MINI dealerships who advertise on this website and will be delighted to work with you.
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Braman Palm Beach: $689 Dealer Services (plus $165 to process tag transfer!)
Didn't negotiate down since we did not go for any of the other dealer add ons-LoJack, Teflon, Pin Stripes, etc. I wanted to be able to say, "Look, you already made almost $900 in pure profit. Don't drill the front bumper for a tag and throw in some mats." It is a delicate dance.
Didn't negotiate down since we did not go for any of the other dealer add ons-LoJack, Teflon, Pin Stripes, etc. I wanted to be able to say, "Look, you already made almost $900 in pure profit. Don't drill the front bumper for a tag and throw in some mats." It is a delicate dance.
I'm also buying my car from them, expected to arrive some time in May. When I placed the order we didn't discuss any of the dealer add-ons, i.e. LoJack, pin stripes, etc. Did you discuss that when you picked up the car? I'm just wondering since I'm tempted to call up my MA and have him fax/e-mail me a copy of the final invoice w/ tag/title fees and taxes so I don't have to go through the hassle of arguing with them when I go pick up the car.
Thanks for your help.
Ani
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Hank Aaron in GA wanted a $300 doc fee which was non-negotiable (for 5 minutes worth of paperwork since I brought my own financing & had to do all the vehicle registration myself since it was an out of state purchase but HEY at least I got quoted in a Wall Street Journal article about rip-off Dealer Fees for my troubles ) & they also wanted a $500 dealer prep fee which I negotiated to zero. Every dealer is different, some will negotiate the fees & some won't.
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Loui -
Thanks for the info. I did get a print-out with the order details, pricing and so forth except for taxes and title fees. I will call my MA and have him send me a copy of what the final balance will be w/ the taxes added. I don't think there will be any problems, but if there are, I'd rather deal with them now and not later.
Thanks again
Thanks for the info. I did get a print-out with the order details, pricing and so forth except for taxes and title fees. I will call my MA and have him send me a copy of what the final balance will be w/ the taxes added. I don't think there will be any problems, but if there are, I'd rather deal with them now and not later.
Thanks again