Dealer Locate - I Have To Pay

[spolebitski]

The vehicle I want to purchase is not at the dealership and was found with a "locate". The dealer wants a $1000 deposit that would cover going to get the vehicle (sending a salesmen to pick it or via truck).

I have talked to a few people and they seemed to be under the impression that the dealer should not charge a "locate fee" and it's part of "doing business" to make a sale. I thought I would throw it out here to get some more opinions.

The vehicle is less than 200 miles away. I have no problem paying gas to get the vehicle but $1000 to cover the salesmen's time to get the vehicle is a bit much.

[corbinse]

Spolebitski,

Maybe I’m a bit confused
The 1000$ deposit does this go towards the purchase of the car or is it added on to the cost of the car. If it part of the already negotiate price of the car and does not inflate the cost this is just a good faith deposit that the dealer is requesting. Here is the way they are looking at things. If you are unwilling to place a deposit on the car and they expend time, energy and mainly money to retrieve the car. And the car gets there and you don’t like it or change your mind first they are out of the sale and second they are out the expenses required to get it for you.

If it is added to the negotiated price that may be a little excessive. I do know transport for about 200 miles is around 270 plus the cost of transfer paper work, and other items. 500 to 600 would not be unreasonable.


But if it is a good faith deposit .. I would tend to agree with them (sorry!)

[spolebitski]

When I purchased my last vehicle I put $50 as a deposit ... this was put towards the purchase of the vehicle.

This time the salesmen asked me to put $1000 down as a deposit to get the vehicle. I felt a bit uncomfortable putting a deposit down before we even negotiated a price of the vehicle.

To me the final price that we negotiate should be final, i don't care how they go and get it, but I should not pay anything in addition to make the sale because it is at another dealership. I also want to be able to reject delivery if something is not up to par (dents, scratches, etc) but once I put the deposit down i believe it is "legal agreement to purchase the vehicle".

I do appreciate your posting and still welcome others.