Be an informed, prepared customer

The Iowa Automobile Dealers Association connived with Iowa lawmakers who enacted a protectionist law permitting only licensed, bonded, insured dealers to sell new cars. Recently, IADA called in cops to squash competition aborning in West Des Moines and smack down carmaker Tesla Motors for trying to horn in on 'a regulated industry.”

Years ago IADA accomplished another subtle and very lucrative customer ripoff. They got a law that forces buyers to pay dealerships to fill out paperwork related to the purchase of each new vehicle.

Few customers realize until closing that not only are they are expected to pay for a vehicle, they also must pay a $75 or more Documentation Fee which in any other business would be considered overhead.

Refuse to bow down to such highwaymen tactics. At closing simply inform them that you refuse to pay the 'doc fee,” they snarl, make 'It's the law” noises, relent to get the sale, reduce the price of the vehicle by the amount of the 'doc fee,” the 'doc fee” gets paid with their money, you pay for the vehicle and drive off happy, principles intact.

Willard Salemink

West Branch