Answers

Ask Questions Answer Questions Browse Questions

Search for questions:

My Answers Profile

Question

Question Details

Asked: Mar 29, 2008 - 04:50 AM

Status: Closed

Do you have to pay document and etching fees?

Do you have to pay document and etching fees??

In Buying & Selling > Car Buying > Fees
2 answers - 588 days ago

Answer this Question

Watch this Question | Email to a Friend

Note: Per our Visitor Agreement, Edmunds.com does not guarantee the accuracy of any answers. We recommend that you use common sense when following any advice found here.

Answers

avatar

sylvia

Date: Mar 29, 2008
Time: 08:40 AM

You do have to pay the documentation fee. It is capped in some states so please refer to "What Fees Should You Pay" http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/art... where we list the doc fee chart per state. Typically doc fees should be under $100. Anything over this and you should challenge it. It's simply dealer profit.

Don't ever pay an etching fee - ever. You didn't ask for this, the dealer simply does it and they take the risk of not getting you to pay for it. It doesn't do anything other than put the VIN elsewhere on your car (get a permanent marker if you are that worried about it). Etching fees are a complete scam and you shouldn't pay for it unless you specifically walked into the dealer and said "I won't buy a car without it".

avatar

michie2

Date: Mar 29, 2008
Time: 08:49 PM

Thank You so much for all your help. I've been helping my elderly Mother get a car this week and what a nightmare dealing with these sales people. So condescending and they lie through their teeth. They charged her $299.00 (in NJ) for DOC fees and wanted around $250 for etching fees and some other fees as well (eg, internet fees,tire fees, etc.) I was so mad I told them that if they did not take off the etching fees then no deal. I was told they could not. When I stood firm after listening to them go on and on, lying and lying I just said no deal.
Anyway, my poor Mother got so worn down that she just paid the rest of the fees. Disgusting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope others learn from this forum and have the sales person write every last thing down on a piece of paper. Like I told my MOther if you tell these people that the sky is blue they will agrue with you and tell you no, the sky is never blue, its always violet. Yikes, I hate being lied too.
Thanks again. At least I stood firm and she stood firm on this bogus etching fee they charge. What BS!!

Answer this Question

View More

Top Car Buying Fees Experts

Rank Leader Points
1. steve_ 480
2. mr_shiftright 270
3. obyone 110
4. sylvia 110
5. greanpea68 70
6. isellhondas 70
7. texases 65

Edmunds Newsletter

  • Sign up for the Edmunds Automotive Network Newsletter and get the latest news, reviews and more.