April 02, 2007

Hi Tony

I'm looking to get a Honda Element: 2WD EXP, 5-speed. Manual transmission on the Element is hard to find.

If my local car dealer gets the vehicle from another dealer for me (dealer trade), is there a fee for that? Or how about if he orders it direct from the factory for me?

If it's a bogus fee, what can I say to the salesperson to still get my car, and not pay the fee?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Li

Answer:

Hi Li,

If the car dealer gets you a car through a dealer trade there may be a fee added to your deal. There are expenses involved in dealer trades.

The car dealer has to pay a driver to take a car to the other dealer and to drive back in the one you're buying, or he has to pay a tow company to transport the car on a flat bed truck or dolly. If the dealer has to buy the car from another dealer then he may have to pay two drivers - one to drive the car back and another driver to get the first driver there.

The fee will be determined by how far they have to go to get the car, and how many people are involved. The dealer not only has to pay a driver, but there are fuel costs involved, as well having to buy the driver or drivers lunch in some instances!

If the car dealer orders a vehicle for you from the factory you may have to wait a while, but there shouldn't be any additional fees involved.

All my very best...

Tony Iorio