Take a close look at the fees.

Before you sign anything, take a close look at all the numbers on each contract to ensure they are what you agreed upon. Don’t be surprised to find a number of fees on the sales contract, but be aware that some are standard, some are negotiable and some are simply outrageous. We have found most dealers in Florida impose a “Dealer Fee” or “Pre-Delivery fee”, which is intended to either increase their profit or offset costs they have incurred in preparing the vehicle and associated documents for the customer. The Florida statutes recognize this industry practice and require the following statement be included on all documents that include a line item for the fee:

“This charge represents costs and profit to the dealer for items such as inspecting, cleaning, and adjusting vehicles and preparing documents related to the sale.”

If the disclosure is not there and you are charged for this fee you should call the office for a free consultation at 305 677 3619.

Be cautioned about Dealer add-on services and extras.

As if predatory fees aren’t bad enough, there are useless extras pushed by dealers, including rust-proofing, window VIN etching,  fabric protection and paint sealant just to name a few. Be careful about paying for these things the truth is that all modern cars already have rust protection from the factory. VIN etching can be done yourself with a kit, but it is hardly the theft deterrent it’s claimed to be. Fabric protection can also be done yourself with a spray can, and paint sealant is just a liquid wax you can buy at an auto parts store for $10. Don’t be convinced that you don’t need any of it.  Also be aware of extra warranties or service contracts, if you vehicle comes with a warranty already compare that warranty to the add-on warranty the dealer is selling as for the service contract you should really investigate as to what your are really getting.