Hi all, my truck should be in late next week and I just got my final pricing. I used Costco and am happy with the discount but the dealer added 'theft assistance' for $475 and a doc fee of $299 even though I am paying cash. There is also another $301 for UT title, registration, etc. that I am fine with. Does anyone know what theft assistance is and if its worth it? I am pretty sure that there isn't supposed to be a doc fee with Costco but I'll eat that if I have too, Thanks
Final pricing questions: 'Theft Assistance and Doc Fee
- OP 🔹 stp07030
- Start date
- Oct 26, 2020
- 2,074
- 4,357
- 2021 Tremor 6.7L Lariat Ultimate / Lariat Black
- 2023 Corvette C8 Stingray R
They both sound like add-ons for the dealer to take more of your money after an agreed upon price. I would ask to have both of them removed, as they are pure profit for the dealer.
My dealer is charging me the price he quoted, plus TTL. If I use my own financing or pay cash, he is also going to wave their customary $150 documentation fee because there is very little paperwork required.
- Jul 11, 2020
- 1,851
- 3,026
- Army
- 2020 F350 Tremor 6.7 Blue Jean
- 2022 Bronco Outer Banks
i only paid the truck price with taxes and title that is it nothing else but i am in MD
Verify doc fee with Costco. Don’t pay theft assistance. verify they do not pay it in their pricing.
Dealers have to charge doc fee with every vehicle. Its legality issue. It’s racist to charge one buyer who does not know any better and not charge another who says no.
Having said this, you can negotiate doc fee off the final price by changing other costs. 1. $60,000 agreed to price plus $299 doc.
2. 59,701 new negotiated price plus $299 doc.
Dealers have to charge doc fee with every vehicle. Its legality issue. It’s racist to charge one buyer who does not know any better and not charge another who says no.
Having said this, you can negotiate doc fee off the final price by changing other costs. 1. $60,000 agreed to price plus $299 doc.
2. 59,701 new negotiated price plus $299 doc.
Costco price and any fee's Costco allows should be spelled out on the Costco website. Any time I have used Costco program, they showed me a sheet with the Vehicle price + agreed markup = (Costco Price).
Last edited:
- OP 🔹
- #6
He never actually shared the Costco price sheet....I’ll ask for it, thanks
- Oct 26, 2020
- 2,074
- 4,357
- 2021 Tremor 6.7L Lariat Ultimate / Lariat Black
- 2023 Corvette C8 Stingray R
Charging a doc fee is not legally required according to my dealer in Texas. I think they tell people it is a legal thing so you will not question it.
Last edited:
Sounds like you need some help in "theft assistance", only not in the way the dealer means it.
I'd call the Costco Auto Program about this whole hustle the dealer is pressing on you. And that's exactly what it is.
You absolutely have no legal obligation to pay a doc fee. The explanation they gave you is just the standard explanation so that it is easier to fleece the customer. The dealer I'm buying from has a standard doc fee, but I beat that out of them. Not a peep about any fake legal considerations.
Based on the dealer adding in BS like that I'd be real tempted just to tell them they're number one with both hands and walk. But I'm sure you are pumped to finally get your truck and a few hundred isn't going to keep you from it. I can't understand that.
I'd call the Costco Auto Program about this whole hustle the dealer is pressing on you. And that's exactly what it is.
You absolutely have no legal obligation to pay a doc fee. The explanation they gave you is just the standard explanation so that it is easier to fleece the customer. The dealer I'm buying from has a standard doc fee, but I beat that out of them. Not a peep about any fake legal considerations.
Based on the dealer adding in BS like that I'd be real tempted just to tell them they're number one with both hands and walk. But I'm sure you are pumped to finally get your truck and a few hundred isn't going to keep you from it. I can't understand that.
- Aug 23, 2020
- 2,974
- 8,224
- 2021 F350 6.7 Iconic Silver Platinum Tremor w/winch
- 2020 Jaguar F Pace SVR - 2020 Harley Davidsnon Limited CVO
My man stand your ground. I’m paying cash and it seems like that’s worst thing to say to a dealer. But fight for the next guy. I paid 150$ for doc fee title and tags. No theft fee. You are being taken advantage of. Tell him you are in this Forum and we all talk about experiences. My dealer tried pulling some shit with me and I brought up the Forum and showed posts and he got on board. Worst thing to say though I’m paying cash. Anyway I’ll keep your situation in my morning prayers. Good luck my man.
- OP 🔹
- #11
MSRP was $71,165 and the Costco discount was $4,161....my understanding is its very close to X plan.
My understanding in utah is that if the dealer charges one person a doc fee, they must charge that fee to everyone at the dealership. X-plan is different. The doc fee varies between dealers, it is not one price in the state, if you contact someone other than Garff or Miller.
If you google dealership fees in Utah it list the max they can charge, I think its $305.00 but the dealer can drop the price of the truck to cover the fee.. I believe title is $6.00. The theft is just that but just theft from you. I’m picking my truck up next week in St. George UT so I will have better info then.
Im dealing with the fleet department and have never paid those fees before and hopefully not next week.
Im dealing with the fleet department and have never paid those fees before and hopefully not next week.
- Jul 2, 2020
- 503
- 617
- Army
- Velocity Blue F350 Diesel with Sport & Ultimate package
- 20 Explorer / 18 Indian Chieftain Limited / 19 Can-Am Defender XMR
WTF does theft assistance even mean?
Yea, I have been shown it every time, that is a MUST part of the Costco Program showing that Dealers contractual commitment to $x price for this model and $x price for maybe a different model. One Dealer even had me initial they showed it to me. Costco also has shopper surveys after the sale as to how the Dealer performed and if there issue they will "attempt" to help you resolve. Most Dealers don't screw around with the program, it's the #1 referral program in the nation, so they make money on it.
First time I used Costco was for my 92' Mustang Lx and it was $100 over Dealer invoice. I drove that car 3 years 30k miles and traded it in for $3500 less than what I paid, easiest / best purchase and resale of a car I have ever had.
Last edited:
There is an add on available for the factory alarm that adds a 2 stage shock sensor. Its about a $200 part.
This is not true. It may be different in different states though.
Dealers have a choice, to charge no one the doc fee or charge everyone the doc fee.
Dealers do not get to pick and choose who is charged the doc fee and who does not. It is a legality issue as they can be sued because they apply the doc fee to me and not them.
However like I said earlier you can remove the cost of the doc fee by having the dealer agree to a lower selling price.
Theft assistance sounds like another way of saying dealer installed GPS tracker.
- Oct 26, 2020
- 2,074
- 4,357
- 2021 Tremor 6.7L Lariat Ultimate / Lariat Black
- 2023 Corvette C8 Stingray R
ok, so you are saying he is waving the doc fee for me only by lowering the cost of the truck another $150 because I am going to finance it myself or pay cash.
Either way, it works out the same for me and now I am getting mine for $1315 under invoice!
What I am saying is that Texas may have different laws they need to follow. Many states laws state if you charge one the doc fee, every one must be charged the doc fee.
You are getting a hell of a deal as dealer holdback is now only 2%. That equals $1600 on a $80,000 truck!
Featured Tremor Photos
Featured Tremor Photos
