The State Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation suggests consumers demand an itemized list of fees on a contract before buying a car.
The state surveyed over 180 car dealerships in 2011 and found that many auto dealerships charge “documentation preparation” fees. The fees ranged in price from $45 to $399 and the list of reasons for the charges were varied. Some dealerships claim they have to charge for document storage, administrative costs, contract preparation, some said they are required by law and several even claimed a Homeland Security charge.