Going to pick up my new TL this Saturday at Montclair Acura in New Jersey. I called ahead to the dealership for a final balance due only to find that in addition to the price of the car (including destination) State sales tax and DMV charges they want to charge me $79. port fee and $159 Vehicile thieft registration fee. Does anyone know what these last two charges are and if they are legit or just a way of getting a few extra bucks out of you? I know that here in New York my local Honda dealership doesn't know what these charges are,,,is it something to do with New Jersey???

 

Isn't that ironic?!

I don't know if the "port" fee is legit, but the theft registration thing should be totally voluntary. Tell them you're hoping it gets stolen, so its not in your best interest to get that offer.

 

Refuse to pay either! Those are not legitimate fees, and if they insist, take your business elsewhere. Just remember, any fees on top of the price of the car + destination are icing on top for the dealer.

 

the 79 dollars is the "suckers" fee and the 159 dollars is the "hahahaha" fee.

 

Tell the dealer that if you thought you were going to get screwed, you would have brought your own lube.

 

Shouldn't pay...

 

bend over and crack a smile....

 

Ask them if they are going to hit you with a feel for their electric bill for the month you car is delivered as well.

And, is your deal is so good they are going to report you for "stealing the car" from them.

Here's my response to them....

:thefinger

 

I hate a salesman

 

Just tell them to remove the fees. It is over and above the agreed upon price and you won't pay them. If they insist, walk.

In the trade, it's called B.O.D. (Bump on Delivery) It is underhanded and slimy even among car salesmen.

What port? It came by rail from Ohio! Maybe it's for a bottle of port wine for the sales mgr? Or maybe it's Tony Soprano's vig. Who knows? Who cares? Don't fall for it.

 

Now we now the true story behind all these amazing prices that people have been quoting from New Jersey dealers. Take along a tube of KY when you go for those big bargains. "$500 over invoice." Yeah. OK.

XP

 

It is made up bullshit to increase the dealer's profit. If you fall for it, it's gravy to them and shame on you. I would smack them upside the lie box. Remember Jersey's slogan: the state that slaps you back first.

XP

 

Picked up the car on Saturday and didn't pay either charge. P.S. The car is great.

 

Do you post on a stock message board as well?

 

Glad to hear you were able to get them to stuff the extra fees. However, after that experience, I would at least start looking around to see if there were another dealership you would want to deal with for service.

 

Putting all else aside, the buying experience went smoothly. The car came in a week later than promised but I think that Acura was a week behind on production. As for service,,,, this dealership is 80 miles from my home. I dealt with them because my car configuration was on a list of inbounds which shortened the wait. I will get it serviced a my local Acura dealer or were I work at Honda.