Did anyone go on line for a quote only to find that the price offered by the dealer was somewhat greater than the online quote . . . Like around $2500 more? I called the dealer and was told that the delivery charge was that much more for a Mustang even though the on line quote was a drive away price that included the delivery charge.
Hmmmm!
From Drive.com.au:
'DELIVERY ROOM
What might seem like a sharp price can be offset by excessive dealer delivery fees. Again, read the fine print carefully as delivery fees vary considerably. Most dealers quote from $1495 to $1695 but some try to charge up to $3000. When you consider some dealers don't even fill the petrol tank for this price, you can see why some customers get upset.
The delivery fee is not the cost of getting the car to the dealer, as some dealers like to say. It actually is a cost designed to cover the incidentals of getting the car prepared for delivery to the customer, that is getting it cleaned, having a mechanic give it a once-over and completing the registration process.
After speaking with dealer staff at several leading brands it's fair to say some pre-delivery checks are more thorough than others. Some cars simply get a wash and dry. Others, though, may be shipped in "transit mode" and need to have their computers rebooted so the car is ready for normal use. Some brands also truck their cars across Sydney to get them detailed or have accessories fitted. Generally speaking, this fee is a source of profit for dealers. Therefore, delivery fees are as negotiable as the rest of the price, so be sure to haggle'
I always ask for a total final cost itemised quote. Most dealers won't come to the party, so they get culled straight away. Frankly, the so-called Dealer Delivery charge should be 'reasonable' e.g. way less than $1,000.
