tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.comments2024-03-11T03:50:00.158-04:00Earl Stewart On CarsEarl Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11435950589034528205noreply@blogger.comBlogger1407125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-4817681138123698932018-05-10T10:30:23.801-04:002018-05-10T10:30:23.801-04:00Prashanta, yes this is deceptive advertising becau...Prashanta, yes this is deceptive advertising because all the "FEES" they are adding to the advertised price are not legitimate government fees but names made up by the dealer to disguise his additional PROFIT. If this dealer is in Florida, the law states that all dealer fees (which is the generic term for these phony fees) must be INCLUDED in the advertised price. Dealer cheat on this by detailing the dealer fees separately in the fine print. In my opinion this is a violation of the law, but the regulators do not enforce this law. I suggest that you simple make an offer to buy the car for a discount of $1,024 and don't argue about the fees. This has a net effect of eliminating the fees even though they stay on the buyer's order. Thanks for the comment and please let me know if it works. Earl Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11688610216229424097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-63537421612867271992018-05-08T20:34:26.038-04:002018-05-08T20:34:26.038-04:00I am looking to buy a used car- same nonsense list...I am looking to buy a used car- same nonsense listed in fine print: Our Used Vehicle Prices do not include tax, tag, electronic filing fee ($130), pre-delivery service charge ($195) or Dealer Fee ($699). Now this disclaimer is not listed on the sales sticker in the car (?used car Monroney sticker). Is this considered deceptive advertising or should I try to play hardball and see if they will reduce the fees (car price is $17000- so the fees are 6% of the price)?Prashantahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09405976315307528773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-53043831944819221002018-04-26T07:36:11.655-04:002018-04-26T07:36:11.655-04:00Hi, I wanted to share my experience with a dealers...Hi, I wanted to share my experience with a dealership today. Garden Grove kia, we got to the numbers and he showed me my monthly payment which was at 400 for an 18988 loan which was the price after tax and reg. I asked them to provide me with the fee schedule to see what was being charged, they ignored my request and wrote down my sticker price tax and license. Come to find out, there f&I managed includes alarm system and other nonsense during the closing of the deal. Real shady. First dealership I've been to that was that shady and their pricing. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09548475962321584244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-48483403955480289112018-04-24T10:24:52.348-04:002018-04-24T10:24:52.348-04:00Mike, thanks for your comments, especially coming ...Mike, thanks for your comments, especially coming from a person who was in the car business for 20 years. You're and "insider". We agree that the "dealer fee" is the biggest lie and rip-off by car dealers and customers there is or ever was. Earl Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11688610216229424097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-42942360561224439402018-04-24T08:24:24.716-04:002018-04-24T08:24:24.716-04:00I was in the car business for over 20 years. And t...I was in the car business for over 20 years. And the dealer fee is a BS fee. The cars come in ready for delivery other than a car wash. All a dealer fee is extra profit and not all dealers charge this fee. Earl Stewart does not charge this fee. No matter where you buy/lease a car from you can bring it anywhere for the same brand of car for service.Mike Bacarellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00325542726108306886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-10062676824912460542018-02-13T07:35:35.072-05:002018-02-13T07:35:35.072-05:00rob71, thanks very much for that input. What thi...rob71, thanks very much for that input. What this Tampa Honda dealer is doing is typical of most car dealers in Florida. The sad thing is that the regulators, legislators, and the Florida Automobile Dealers Association, FADA, all know this is going on. They tolerate it because of the powerful lobbying of the car dealers and the FADA. It’s almost impossible for an Attorney General or a legislator in Florida to be elected without the support of the FADA. Earl Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11688610216229424097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-60666341430819665762018-02-13T00:00:12.692-05:002018-02-13T00:00:12.692-05:00I was dealing with Kuhn Honda out of Tampa Florida...I was dealing with Kuhn Honda out of Tampa Florida trying to purchase a used vehicle from them.Since I do not live in Tampa I was trying to do the deal over the phone.The vehicle was advertised at $19,976.00 on their website and on numerous other car buying sites.Talking to the little internet sales manager/ con artist the figures did not sound right to me.So I questioned what were the other fees and he said they were dealer fees and that the manager will not come off them but he would ask him anyway to see.Those mystery fees added to a total of $2,847.34.The so called manager took off $100,so it was originally $2,947.34 in extra fees.That's not including my tax ,title and license.H e acted like I was getting a deal because he has never heard of them taking off any of those fees before for any customer.He was just making me feel all special inside.Needless to say I gave him a few choice words and ended up not buying the vehicle.I need a beer!!rob71https://www.blogger.com/profile/05346853304023811812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-39533157720066388652018-02-08T10:13:33.988-05:002018-02-08T10:13:33.988-05:00Thank you. I'm so glad you liked it.Thank you. I'm so glad you liked it.Earl Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11688610216229424097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-4905862483684981112018-02-07T02:29:53.831-05:002018-02-07T02:29:53.831-05:00This Article is very informative and useful for me...This Article is very informative and useful for me that how to get a reasonable price from the seller.Ubaidhttps://tmuktrading.co.uk/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-25600079295153274162018-01-23T07:36:55.606-05:002018-01-23T07:36:55.606-05:00Congratulations on being an educated consumer refu...Congratulations on being an educated consumer refusing to be intimidated. Earl Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11688610216229424097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-12088739611706085912018-01-23T07:35:49.155-05:002018-01-23T07:35:49.155-05:00Thanks for reading and please spread the word. Thanks for reading and please spread the word. Earl Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11688610216229424097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-1418515254640850682018-01-22T22:56:02.656-05:002018-01-22T22:56:02.656-05:00When your fees are not included in the advertised ...When your fees are not included in the advertised price then you are misrepresenting the true cost of the vehicle, which is a deceptive business practice. Gentleman Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02822050683503400608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-45592178236022202772018-01-22T09:31:49.701-05:002018-01-22T09:31:49.701-05:00David, thanks for reading my blog column and for t...David, thanks for reading my blog column and for the compliments. I consider myself an "expert on cars", but to be honest, I'm no expert on exotic cars. I will say that you've done a great job of finding and researching the Maserati's you're interested in. Obviously one of the challenges in establishing the value of a Maserati Quattroporte is the scarcity. With very few buyers for even fewer cars, the prices will vary considerably. The only advice I can give you is to be sure your mechanic or one you trust carefully checks the car. I know you've probably already checked CarFax or AutoCheck. I would place more emphasis on being sure the car is pristine inside and out than on price. It's like buying a rare painting...even if you overpay a little, 5 years from now it will be worth more IF THE PAINTING IS GENUINE AS REPRESENTED. Earl Stewarthttp://www.earloncars.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-44053328454751767742018-01-21T17:04:58.074-05:002018-01-21T17:04:58.074-05:00Mr. Stewart, thank you for your valuable insights....Mr. Stewart, thank you for your valuable insights. I am interested in purchasing a used Maserati Quattroporte in the 2005-2006 Years. I have found 3 candidates so far; a 2006 one owner with nearly 100,000 miles at a marginal dealership which bought it at auction(prelim inspection shows significant money/ work might need to be put into this one. Price is 14,000. Second car at High end Independent dealership- car is local trade in with very well documented maintenance history,superficially seems in great shape and has many extra options , Executive GT, 2 owners;mileage 51,000,Price is 19,000. The third and last one, also 2 owners, local at the local Maserati dealership with 40,000 miles for 20,000 $. As the PPI is around 400.$, have not decided which one to inspect or if to inspect all. I am well aware of the very expensive maintenance repairs of this vehicle(F1 transmission,pump,suspension). The plan is to finance 80 percent of the cost over 4 yrs and keep a substantial reserve for repairs.??? Which would be the better choice and how much should be the Maximum to pay ? (Mannheim, KBB,NADA). Thank you for your time and interest.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02434055131676659065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-40267219794692381972018-01-21T11:15:51.164-05:002018-01-21T11:15:51.164-05:00Hey GM...go to Walmart, pick your items and then w...Hey GM...go to Walmart, pick your items and then when you get to the register pay an additional $10 for "Store Fee", because their profit has been smaller and smaller.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13434047330525069884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-54572384472694355132018-01-10T19:52:11.874-05:002018-01-10T19:52:11.874-05:00rescently started a company and needed a panel van...rescently started a company and needed a panel van. Stopped in a dealership and negotiated a decent price when the paper work came back it had Yes you guessed it DEALER FEEs over $900 bucks. I walked told them to keep it. Eventually bought a van from an AC company that was upgrading their fleet. I am all about making a profit. Simply list the cars etc with your profit built in, this would prevent less hassle. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07382966642702862495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-11553937102214726672018-01-08T05:33:41.847-05:002018-01-08T05:33:41.847-05:00I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest ...I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up!<br />I'll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later.<br />Many thanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-50346476717579828962018-01-07T10:29:28.227-05:002018-01-07T10:29:28.227-05:00It is illegal for a car dealer to advertise car at...It is illegal for a car dealer to advertise car at a price that he refuses to sell it for unless you pay his dealer fee. In my opinion, that makes it illegal for him to refuse to sell for you at the price excluding his dealer fee. Earl Stewarthttp://www.earloncars.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-3372534655667891162018-01-06T18:12:25.494-05:002018-01-06T18:12:25.494-05:00This is great information. Thank you and thanks to...This is great information. Thank you and thanks to Mr. Bell!!! <br /><br />One question, I presume not all dealers are aware of this as I constantly see advertisements that advertise at one price and in small print at the bottom state "Plus dealer fee of XXX." Is it legal for a dealer to refuse to sell me a car if I refuse to pay the dealer fee?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08726559410167851638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-44200670256221197592017-12-27T18:47:16.668-05:002017-12-27T18:47:16.668-05:00I don't even know how I ended up here, however...I don't even know how I ended up here, however I assumed this post used <br />to be great. I don't know who you are however definitely you <br />are going to a well-known blogger in case you are <br />not already. Cheers!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-8658626902344174722017-12-25T12:42:39.255-05:002017-12-25T12:42:39.255-05:00Tampa Honda is the worst I have ever seen. They ga...Tampa Honda is the worst I have ever seen. They gave me a car that was 11,000 they came down on the price which I never did know the price I'm thinking maybe 13 or 14 thousand they had the audacity to turn around and put what they took off right back on by adding an elite warranty package for $500 that I did not even buy and $1,200 of Gap on top of that and I did not even know this they hooked me up with an Financial Bank that charges daily interest on top of the interest for the loan I am livid I have gone around and around with these people they hide when I come I cannot get straight answers. They refuse to show me any more cars they specifically wanted me to have this one for some reason. I told them I had just renewed my tag 2 days prior to buying this car I wanted it transferred, come to find out they did not transfer just proceeded to get a whole new tag which cost me another almost $200 I will make a complaint and I will do it with the Federal Trade Commission as well. These people are the worst of the worst Honda of Tampa I called one time he said he was the manager of course, yeah right says where you got that car and a good deal, yeah but after adding on everything they took off it was a great deal everyone there refuses to talk to me. I just wish someone could do something about Honda I'm sorry about your situation but I definitely know how you feel. I will be doing something about this and I will not stop till something gets done High Praise Mister Earl Stewart for trying to help the public and shame on Congress.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-87186363304071664282017-12-23T00:22:56.510-05:002017-12-23T00:22:56.510-05:006 years ago, when I lived in a northeastern state,...6 years ago, when I lived in a northeastern state, I leased a vehicle for a very reasonable down payment and reasonable monthly payments. By the time that the 3 year lease was nearing its end, I had moved to Florida. I could not find any local Florida dealership willing to lease another similar make and model vehicle at reasonable prices, primarily due to the “dealer fee”. I went up north and got the same deal as my original lease and they titled everything in Florida.<br /><br />Last month, when my leased vehicle was nearing the end of the lease, I again checked several local dealers. One of those dealers is new and advertised “no dealer fee”. All of the local deals were again much higher than I had negotiated up north. So much for “no dealer fee” dealers.<br /><br />I was ready to go back up north to visit relatives and lease a new car when a friend told me about a dealer in Central Florida who gave him a deal similar to what I had on the same basic car. I contacted the saleswoman at this dealership and without any hassle at all, I had my new 2018 car in 3 hours at the same price that I paid up north.<br /><br />If this dealership can make a profit without charging a dealer fee, (the same profit that the dealers up north make), why do the Florida dealerships have to make this extra profit called a “dealer fee”? If buyers in Florida are willing to accept these extra charges, there is no incentive for the Florida dealerships to eliminate them.<br /><br />As a senior citizen, I have bought or leased many vehicles. This had to be the easiest car deal that I ever experienced.Jay Kaplanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06450179619774183950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-34285577105667650192017-12-20T16:10:36.955-05:002017-12-20T16:10:36.955-05:00Thanks for the compliment and I’m very sorry you h...Thanks for the compliment and I’m very sorry you had such a bad experience with the phony fees. The “Destination Fee” should not be added to the price of the car by the dealer BECAUSE IT WAS ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THE CAR TO THE DEALER BY THE MANUFACTURER. If the dealer does charge you, you’re paying TWICE. Earl Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11688610216229424097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-11452328469177858902017-12-20T11:11:27.407-05:002017-12-20T11:11:27.407-05:00Earl:
I only wish your dealership sold the car I ...Earl:<br /><br />I only wish your dealership sold the car I wanted (different manufacturer) because I would have loved to have dealt with a man of your integrity. I looked at an offer with 799 Dealer fee and 99 EFS (without disclosing that the EFS was just another fee).<br /><br />Are destination charges just fees too?<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04530350068518338540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29777096.post-85439258933306570202017-11-26T09:38:49.187-05:002017-11-26T09:38:49.187-05:00My Pathfinder 2017 has all 4 tires with worn inner...My Pathfinder 2017 has all 4 tires with worn inner and outer edges even though they have been rotated regularly and maintained the recommended pressures. I have raised the pressures fron 33 to 35 to try and wear the middles more. I have only done 25000kms and will not be able to run them this winter.Very upset I have to spend $1000 for new all seasons and another $1200 for Winters and steel rimsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com