Anjoe

Wondering what you all think about this. Seems ridiculous to me. I paid the dealer $495 (total)for "advertisement fee" and "Dealer prep". I know they're both legal. But, the dealer is selling me a car...should I not expect that they would prepare the car for me so it's nice and shiny. If I go to buy a bicycle, they don't charge me to take it out of the box and clean it. Seems absurd to me that someone is selling you a brand new product (for a **** load of $) and wants to charge you more to give it to you in driveway condition.

Any thoughts?

April

If it is part of the printed invoice from AoA (comes to the dealer usually as a fax), then that's part of the total cost of the car. If not on the invoice and not tax or lic, then it is not something you should pay. Each region has different fees - but the basic seems to be $195 for prep fees plus the advertising fee of 1% of base invoice. But do check, as it is not consistent.

A dealer showing a doctored invoice can get the entire place shut INSTANTLY! So it's incredibly rare to have this happen. 3rd party websites have disclaimers on their pricing info, indicating that all fees may not be accounted for. So ask to see the actual invoice on your car when you are ready to sign the contract. If you have doubts, ask to see several invoices of cars currently on the lot, just to compare.

I hate that Audi itemizes these fees, because it just makes for a point of contention. They should just wrap it up in the base invoice.

1heartaudiworld

basically its up to the dealer to charge whatever they want for anything they want including prep fees. I argued that its not right since the dcustomer is paying twice for the same service since audi requires the car to be prepped before delivery an in fact pays the dealer to do it...

PhilB_A3

Hi April,

Maybe you can help me understand this issue a little better. I recently ordered a '08 A3, and I had available to me both the Audi Employee and Family discount (Invoice + $300), and the Audi supplier discount (MSRP - 6%).

When you calc Invoice + ad + prep + $300, the supplier discount is actually a better deal. It just seems very odd to me that a supplier can buy an Audi at a better price than an employee? Any thoughts?

Phil B

April

then it's not. Whenever the margins get this small, the dealer tries to find profit centers by nickle and diming the customer. Not saying it is right, just the nature of the game.

April

I find it odd as well. No idea why it is structured like that.

1heartaudiworld

And like I said.. Audi says its ok for dealers to tack on whatever they want.

April

before AoA generates it, and then sends it to the dealer? Anything tacked onto the invoice by the dealer after it has been sent to them from AoA, is just that, and not a legit part of the invoice.

Sure, the dealer can ask for other "fees" as part of prep, but that isn't to say they are legit or can't be negotiated away.