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Chevyjam

Hello AA motoring, I have a general question I hope you can give me better insight on. I recently seen a used car posted online for the price 17.774. The car was traded in this past weekend so when I seen it they hadn't cleaned it out yet from the trade deal. Upon going up to the dealership and going through all the "negotiations" I went back to the financing department to finalize the deal. To make a long story, the financing individual documented the Base Vehicle price at 18,395. When I asked her why the price was 18,395 she said because it included fees and freight. The title tax, processing fees, etc are documented on my contract but the so called freight was added in the price of the car. I asked her why It wasn't documented and she claimed they do that with all their cars to make their prices more competitive, and so they can get their 6% from the government or something. She said on all contracts the freight line is listed N/A. My argument is if the price of the vehicle was advertised at 17,774 should that have been documented at the base vehicle price or are they legit in adding the "freight" charge in the base price and writing that down? Your answers will really be appreciated.

ABayliss

If the car is advertised at $17,774, that should be the price. Sometimes, if the car is a new import and not yet registered, you will see cars advertised at $xx plus ORC (On Road Costs). The additional costs are usually the registration and compliance costs, not normally freight or tax etc.

Chevyjam

Thank You,
When I went back to the dealership the next day and spoke directly with the finance person, I asked her and she said again the reason for the price difference is they add freight in all their cars. I aksed if that was the case why isn't the price for your frieght listed on the contract, and she claimed they don't do that, they put N/a on all their cars. Still got a good price on the car, but if it's advertised and agreed on a number the number written down on the contract as the base price for the vehicle before taxes etc should be the price advertised or negotiated not $600 more, and it not be listed. Can't really do much about it now, but Thank you. Please correct my understanding of this situation is wrong.

ABayliss

That sounds like misleading advertising to me unless the car was advertised in one location and you requested it to be sent to another.
I can't see any reason why they can legitimately add $600 to the prices of all their cars unless (as I said previously) they're advertised as "plus ORC".
I think the Commerce Commission would take a dim view of such misleading advertising.

Chevyjam

No, when I went to the dealership the salesman said it was just brought in that weekend. I just went there because I seen it online. The car wasn't cleaned out yet, and still needed to be insoected. The only thing the online advertisement said was "*fees are plus taxes, tags, and freight. The taxes and tags are listed on my contract but the freight isn't. The freight slot has n/a. And when I asked was told they add freight on all their vehicles but it's just in the price and they don't list it, i forgot why she said they don't. This wasn't a independent dealer so Im surprised but I'll check the commerce commison out. Thank you