Fee Decoder CarDealCoach

CAR DEAL COACH

The Fee Decoder

Every line a dealer can put on your proposal. Sorted four ways.

REAL

Government money. You pay it. Do not fight it.

REFUSE

Dealer add-on. Optional. Say no and it comes off.

OFFSET

May not come off. Make them drop the price by the same amount.

ASK

No clear name. Say what is this before you accept it.

READ THESE TWO FIRST

MSRP / Market Value

The sticker. Where you start, not where you land.

Selling Price

The number you negotiate. If it equals MSRP, nothing has moved yet.

LINE ON THE PROPOSAL
VERDICT
WHAT IT IS
State Sales Tax / TAVT
REAL
Set by your state. The same at every dealer.
Title
REAL
Puts the car in your name. A fixed state cost.
Tag / Registration
REAL
Your plate and registration. A fixed state cost.
Doc Fee
OFFSET
Dealer paperwork. Often will not come off. Ask for that amount off the price.
Environmental / Paint & Fabric
REFUSE
A coating the dealer added and priced. You can decline it.
VIN Etching
REFUSE
Glass etching marked up high. Skip it or do it for a few dollars.
Nitrogen / Wheel & Tire
REFUSE
An add-on. Plain air does the same job.
Appearance / Protection Pkg
REFUSE
Bundled add-ons. Optional every single time.
GAP Coverage
ASK
Optional. Useful for some. Compare the price against your bank or credit union.
Extended Service Contract
ASK
Optional. Never required to get the car. The price is negotiable.
Other / Unlabeled Line
ASK
No name means one question. What is this, exactly.
Electronic Filing / Non Tax Fee
ASK
A small fee with no clear purpose. Ask before you accept it.
THE ONE RULE

Shop the final price and the amount financed. Never the monthly payment. The payment is where the math hides.

Got a proposal in hand?

Car Deal Coach reads it line by line and tells you Real, Refuse, Offset, or Ask before you sign.

thecarcoachapp.com

Educational only. Not financial or legal advice. Fee names and amounts vary by dealer and state. Always read your own proposal in full.

Try the full tool path from the quiz, to the calculators, to checkout.

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