'00 Jetta GLS VR6 Buying Advice

I don't know what you should do, but I expect that any "dealer handling" is included in the blue book prices.

Not sure what "dealer handling" even is. Never heard of such a thing, especially on a used car.

I guess it's a way for the dealership to charge more money...I was told by the salesperson that it was a flat fee of $350.00.

At what stage did the salesman tell you that? Was it later than they told you the "price"?

I wonder if you would pay sales tax on that portion.

I'm not sure if I'd have to pay sales tax on the 'handling' fee. I was told of the handling fee after learning the price of the car.

What would be a more accurate representation of the true value of the vehicle based on Kelly Blue Book categories: Private Party, Dealer, or Trade-In?

Price sounds good especially being certified. Dealers like kbb pricing as it usually on the high side so you must decide to buy the car or not.

A car from a dealer is costs more, and may be worth. It is more in the book. Adding a guarantee is a significant value in the comparisons.

Private party that is not selling to his friends is often willing/eager to take less. The trade-in offers a lot of convenience as well as the potential to save sales tax while buying the new car. . I am not pretending that I have particular insight tho. Seems to go without saying.

Don't get fooled here like so many others. The "blue book" is put out by the used car dealers association and exists for one purpose: to benefit used car dealers.

Yes, its a guide that can be used to give some idea of the value of a used car but the spread in prices between "trade in value" and "retail value" at a dealer is set at a wide margin to benefit the dealers.

The "private party value" is also set well below the "retail value" to make people believe the car sold by the dealer is always worth more.

Often, you can learn more about a used car from meeting the actual prior owner and learning how well it was or wasn't cared for etc.

Yes, the dealers check cars over to some extent and offer warranties you won't get with private sales but don't let yourself get manipulated here into overestimating the value of this along with the downside of a dealer purchased vehicle.

TL

If you aren't hard up to buy a car, I'd just tell the salesperson flat out that you're hung up on that "handling fee" and that it's a deal breaker. And then go home.

They'll call you back. There's alot of cars out there.

Michael

-- Different places, different names, peculiar people, just the same - We are brothers in our hearts. - GC

This is more or less what I figured. I can understand the dealer has costs associated with doing business, but a $4500 difference between my cost and what the dealer would be willing to pay seems a bit much (it's about 30%). I made my offer to the dealer and they refused - I'll keep shopping.