Underestimated Registration Fee?

Lunker · 10-12-2011, 02:24 PM

Received a letter from the dealership stating that they underestimate the registration fee by $40 dollars and that they would like me to pay the difference. Has this ever happened and should I or am I required to pay the difference they they underestimated. I am OK with doing this but it seems to be a trivial amount that they are asking for after the deal was completed.

///M Ryder · 10-12-2011, 02:26 PM

I've had mine over estimated twice and got unexpected refund checks. So I would say yes it happens................Phil

Lunker · 10-12-2011, 02:50 PM

Come to think of it, I was overestimated once and received a check.

Chrisfast · 10-12-2011, 04:34 PM

I would pay the difference. Registration is run by the government (so it's probably correct about 1% of the time) and is a tax. It just doesn't have anything to do with the dealership. Just my opinion..........

8_is_enough · 10-12-2011, 04:51 PM

happened to me also

Ateam · 10-12-2011, 07:51 PM

This is a prime example of a completely missed business opportunity. I agree this has nothing to do with the dealer and they are not at all responsible for this even if they told the customer the wrong info BUT for 40 dollars they could have paid this, sent the owner a letter stating that they undercharged him but took care of the payment and hope you are enjoying your car.. something along the lines of that.

So many business do not have basic business/marketing skills and its clear even large bmw dealers lack the obviously business sense to make long term customers happy

matthewk · 10-12-2011, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ateam

This is a prime example of a completely missed business opportunity. I agree this has nothing to do with the dealer and they are not at all responsible for this even if they told the customer the wrong info BUT for 40 dollars they could have paid this, sent the owner a letter stating that they undercharged him but took care of the payment and hope you are enjoying your car.. something along the lines of that.

So many business do not have basic business/marketing skills and its clear even large bmw dealers lack the obviously business sense to make long term customers happy

Depending on the state this might not be legal.

Lunker · 10-13-2011, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ateam

This is a prime example of a completely missed business opportunity. I agree this has nothing to do with the dealer and they are not at all responsible for this even if they told the customer the wrong info BUT for 40 dollars they could have paid this, sent the owner a letter stating that they undercharged him but took care of the payment and hope you are enjoying your car.. something along the lines of that.

So many business do not have basic business/marketing skills and its clear even large bmw dealers lack the obviously business sense to make long term customers happy

I was thinking along the same lines...something small like this makes me not want to do business with the dealership again. I want to feel like a dealership has gone above and beyond expectations, this doesn't leave me feeling that way. I'll give the Sales adviser a call and see what he says.

DBH · 10-13-2011, 10:47 AM

Sounds pretty cheap to me. The dealer has lost a good PR opportunity. Although this is not that unusual because the clerk in the back office was just "following procedure".

I'd take two $20 bills into the dealership and politely, make a big deal out of paying for their mistake all the while making it clear you're not a happy puppy. If it's not too much trouble for you, try to get the sales or business managers involved. It should be interesting to see their reaction. Oh, if you do end up paying, make sure you get a receipt detailing exactly what you are paying for.

Ateam · 10-13-2011, 11:06 AM

Its not even something that will likely cause a "concious" change in a buyers behavior. Meaning this buyer will probably go back to that dealer providing the rest of the experience was good. However, unconciously this could have envoked a really good feeling in someone about that dealer where it would be much more on their mind when others would talk about which dealers to go to, or in the future if you saw a better deal eslewhere you may be more inclined to go back to this dealer just because you have the "good feeling" that comes to mind when thinking of the dealer. Its these intangible suggestions the business owner can place in customers that is the real secret to effective marketing but so many people do not employ. They should teach more psychology in business school

10-12-2011, 02:24 PM	#1
Lunker Private 8 Rep 56 Posts Drives: E93 M Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Underestimated Registration Fee? Received a letter from the dealership stating that they underestimate the registration fee by $40 dollars and that they would like me to pay the difference. Has this ever happened and should I or am I required to pay the difference they they underestimated. I am OK with doing this but it seems to be a trivial amount that they are asking for after the deal was completed.
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10-12-2011, 02:26 PM	#2
///M Ryder Grown Azz Man 430 Rep 3,021 Posts Drives: GT4 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (8)	I've had mine over estimated twice and got unexpected refund checks. So I would say yes it happens................Phil __________________ 2016 GT4.....Sapphire Blue Metallic, Platinum stitch Leather/Alcantara interior, Carbon Fiber Trim, PCM w/Nav, Guards Red Belts, 2 Zone Climate, Sport Chrono, LWB, Smokers Pack, Big Gas Tank, Light Design Pack, Bi-Xenon w/PDL, Auto Dim Mirror, Clear Side Markers, GTS Clear Taillights Last edited by ///M Ryder; 10-12-2011 at 02:53 PM..
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10-12-2011, 02:50 PM	#3
Lunker Private 8 Rep 56 Posts Drives: E93 M Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Come to think of it, I was overestimated once and received a check.
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10-12-2011, 04:34 PM	#4
Chrisfast Private First Class 9 Rep 134 Posts Drives: Moped Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Colorado iTrader: (6)	I would pay the difference. Registration is run by the government (so it's probably correct about 1% of the time) and is a tax. It just doesn't have anything to do with the dealership. Just my opinion..........
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10-12-2011, 04:51 PM	#5
8_is_enough Captain 197 Rep 985 Posts Drives: 07 GT3, 18 Macan GTS, 22 X540i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Danville, CA iTrader: (10)	happened to me also
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10-12-2011, 07:51 PM	#6
Ateam Banned 88 Rep 1,105 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	This is a prime example of a completely missed business opportunity. I agree this has nothing to do with the dealer and they are not at all responsible for this even if they told the customer the wrong info BUT for 40 dollars they could have paid this, sent the owner a letter stating that they undercharged him but took care of the payment and hope you are enjoying your car.. something along the lines of that. So many business do not have basic business/marketing skills and its clear even large bmw dealers lack the obviously business sense to make long term customers happy
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10-13-2011, 10:47 AM	#9
DBH First Lieutenant 3 Rep 349 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	Sounds pretty cheap to me. The dealer has lost a good PR opportunity. Although this is not that unusual because the clerk in the back office was just "following procedure". I'd take two $20 bills into the dealership and politely, make a big deal out of paying for their mistake all the while making it clear you're not a happy puppy. If it's not too much trouble for you, try to get the sales or business managers involved. It should be interesting to see their reaction. Oh, if you do end up paying, make sure you get a receipt detailing exactly what you are paying for.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2011, 11:06 AM	#10
Ateam Banned 88 Rep 1,105 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Its not even something that will likely cause a "concious" change in a buyers behavior. Meaning this buyer will probably go back to that dealer providing the rest of the experience was good. However, unconciously this could have envoked a really good feeling in someone about that dealer where it would be much more on their mind when others would talk about which dealers to go to, or in the future if you saw a better deal eslewhere you may be more inclined to go back to this dealer just because you have the "good feeling" that comes to mind when thinking of the dealer. Its these intangible suggestions the business owner can place in customers that is the real secret to effective marketing but so many people do not employ. They should teach more psychology in business school
	Appreciate 0 Quote