Do I have to pay a dealership/handling fee not disclosed at the time of purchase?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Do I have to pay a dealership/handling fee not disclosed at the time of purchase?
I got a car from a dealership and signed all paperwork; I have everything but the title. It has been 2 weeks since I got the car and they called me saying there is something wrong with the paperwork. Now they are telling me, I have to pay dealership/handling fee and its illegal not to pay it. It sounds really fishy, seeing how the car only cost me $600 and the handling fee is $399.
Asked on June 19, 2012 under General Practice, Colorado
Answers:
MD, Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
No way. Do not do it. Most states prohibit this separate fee from being chared separately on the loan document. It would have to be part of the negotiated total price of the vehicle on the purchase and sales agreement. You need to talk with the dealer's regulator or the attorney general in your state and file a complaint. Do not do anything with the dealership. You have the loan and you have the car. That is it.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.