I would like to be objective and share my experience so others can learn from my mistake. I spent about a month researching used vehicles and found what I wanted at Toyota of Cool Springs (4 hour drive from my home in Atlanta). Their website makes it clear that a $598 is INCLUDED in the advertised price. Our negotiations were relatively easy and we met at what I felt was a fair price. During the meeting with the finance person, they attempted to sell me an insurance policy that would add ? about $30 per month? according to him... only after looking at the contract did I learn it was a $4,000 policy. I declined the insurance multiple times and the contract was re-printed 3 times because he continued to attempt selling the policy to me at different prices. Reality is that my monthly payment went down about $50, not $30. The insurance policy was finally removed from the contract and I signed the dotted line and we drove home. My wife and I reviewed the documents the following day only to find out the $598 doc fee was ADDED to the purchase price AFTER the negotiations. It was clear I had made a mistake by signing the contract without reading carefully, line by line but I undoubtedly was stuck on the $4000 insurance premium and I was completely oblivious to the doc fee (as well as a $500 paint and upholstery policy whose premium was never discussed). Seeking answers, I called the finance person the next day. He assured me their dealership is not one to tack on fees at the end of the purchase (which is in reality what had happened). He was relatively surprised at my question and said he would follow up with the sales people and manager. He called back and offered some excuse that I had negotiated $700 off the purchase price which was the same as the doc fee. I didn't buy it and asked to speak with the manager. It has been 2 weeks and I have only received the run around from the dealer. I have left messages with my sales person, the finance person, a second sales person, and the used car manager. I have not heard back. I have been very patient and diligent in attempting to resolve this issue prior to posting this but clearly the dealership does not want to offer any explanation. I hope this is fair warning to those purchasing a car at this dealership. The $598 doc fee is NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE, DESPITE WHAT THEIR WEBSITE SAYS.
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