Carfax

[Konr]

So when I was finishing up purchasing my camaro, I was hit with a $499 "documentation fee" (it was carfax lol, it was mandatory soo), going through it it had been in a few rough patches, but she was fixed up good as new, so I thought. It's been about 8 months since then and I had a friend looking at her. The fascia had been repainted (a horrible job at that). Should this have not been listed on the report for whatever reason?

[Chevy_cowboy]

You paid $500 for a carfax report? You can run your own for $40 on their website!


But they can only show what has been reported to them... usually by dealers or insurance companies. Damage or repairs that were done by the owner or without a insurance claim usually won't show up on a history report.

[PalmerGA]

A CarFax is only as accurate as the information put in by repairers/body shops/etc. Often, non-insurance repairs are not reported.

[Konr]

Originally Posted by Chevy_cowboy

You paid $500 for a carfax report? You can run your own for $40 on their website!


But they can only show what has been reported to them... usually by dealers or insurance companies. Damage or repairs that were done by the owner or without a insurance claim usually won't show up on a history report.

Ah, no I didn't even want it. They called it a mandatory documentation fee and it was necessary before I could leave the lot if I wanted the car. Dealerships right? Lmfao.

[102SS]

Originally Posted by Konr

Ah, no I didn't even want it. They called it a mandatory documentation fee and it was necessary before I could leave the lot if I wanted the car. Dealerships right? Lmfao.

I would have told them to eat shit and shopped somewhere else.

[Spartan01]

That price does sound really high.

As for the repainting, it could have been replaced, which may not be a big deal if it was upgraded to a different style, or if it was cracked due to minor damage.
Does it run ok? Does it start and stop ok? You have had it for 8 months, so if it was horribly damaged the problem would have probably revealed itself by now.
I wouldnt worry about it, but if it still bugs you, take it to a good mech or body shop and have them inspect it.

[Chevy_cowboy]

Originally Posted by 102SS

I would have told them to eat shit and shopped somewhere else.

same here, the only legitimate "document fee's" would be title and registration. Some dealers sneak in these last minute made up fee's knowing many customers wouldn't be willing to walk away from the deal. Funny thing is, they suddenly decide they can waive them when you're about 5 feet out the door.

[102SS]

Originally Posted by Chevy_cowboy

same here, the only legitimate "document fee's" would be title and registration. Some dealers sneak in these last minute made up fee's knowing many customers wouldn't be willing to walk away from the deal. Funny thing is, they suddenly decide they can waive them when you're about 5 feet out the door.

They have to write the bill of sale anyway,why does it all of a sudden cost 5 Benjamins?

I had them wave destination once to get a sale.

They had to get it shipped to have it on the lot so why charge me?

I said ok then order me a new one exactly the same and I will pay the shipping.

They seen my point and made the deal.

[Austin45]

Originally Posted by Konr

Ah, no I didn't even want it. They called it a mandatory documentation fee and it was necessary before I could leave the lot if I wanted the car. Dealerships right? Lmfao.

Most dealers have something like that and some states even require it by law. You could've probably negotiated it down. My dealer adds a $50 fee so we always consider that $50 during negotiations.

The fee is to pay for clerical work done by the people behind the scenes you will never see.

[Chevy_cowboy]

Originally Posted by Austin45

Most dealers have something like that and some states even require it by law. You could've probably negotiated it down. My dealer adds a $50 fee so we always consider that $50 during negotiations.

The fee is to pay for clerical work done by the people behind the scenes you will never see.

If they feel the need to charge BS fee's, it needs to be upfront during negotiation. Slipping it in later during signing when they know most buyers are too committed to walk away is low, even for a car salesman.

IMO once you agree on a OTD price, another penny added that price is reason to walk away or stand in their lobby and call another dealer.

[chris1973]

I tell the dealer up front the price we negotiate is OTD (Out the Door) inclusive of whatever costs you may have. The point is if they want to have mandatory fees then lower the sale price by the fee amount and you can have your mandatory fee.

[a.morblu]

Carfax is a small racket in itself. It's not manditory for a dealer or insurance compaines to submit any information to it about a vehicle. So a carfax report on a car could come back clean even if major work was completed. It's more of a gentlemen's agreement to do so and we all know dealers are not gentlemen.