October 16, 2024
Dealer fee was not included in advertised vehicle price
Dear Consumer Ed:
I want to know what we can do about a car dealer who has added a $799 dealer fee to the cost of a car that we are in the process of buying. Can we demand that they drop this charge since it wasn’t included in the advertised price?
Consumer Ed says:
Although Georgia does not regulate the amount dealerships can charge for dealer fees (also referred to as “document fees,” “doc fees,” “processing fees,” or “customer service fees”), Georgia does regulate how dealers advertise these fees.
There are two main types of vehicle fees: government and non-government. Government fees, which include tax, tag, title, and Lemon Law fees, may be excluded from the advertised price.
Any other non-government fees or costs the vehicle dealer collects as a part of the sale, such as dealer fees, must be included in the vehicle’s advertised price. Even if the dealer uses a blanket statement such as “additional fees may apply” or “additional dealer fees may apply,” the vehicle’s advertised price must still contain all non-government fees.
Failure to include a non-governmental fee in an advertised vehicle price is considered an unfair or deceptive practice and would violate Georgia law. If a dealer does not include the non-governmental fee in the advertised price and then refuses to remove the fee from the purchase price of the car, you can file a complaint with the Georgia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division by visiting consumer.ga.gov or by calling (404) 651-8600.
The next time you’re shopping for a car, keep in mind that asking the dealer to provide an “out-the-door” price before you agree to purchase the vehicle should help ensure that you are seeing the total cost of the vehicle, including any add-ons, dealer fees, tax and other government fees.
For more helpful tips about buying a car, visit consumered.georgia.gov/your-car/buying-car.
Submit your own question to Consumer Ed. Remember…we do not give legal advice. Always consult a lawyer about legal issues.