# Trying to buy a used car from a dealer. Are they insane or off or just me? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 6, 2024, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536 "2024-06-06T00:34:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/241 "2024-11-22T02:06:30Z")
Only if you are in the trade or business of selling cars. For private sales you do not have to. In fact the example given by the IRS instructions for who is NOT required is the private seller of his own car. > **[Form 8300 and reporting cash payments of over $10,000 | Internal Revenue Service](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/form-8300-and-reporting-cash-payments-of-over-10000#)** > > Generally, if you're in a trade or business and receive more than $10,000 in cash in a single transaction or in related transactions, you must file Form 8300. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/242 "2024-11-22T02:13:05Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > Only if you are in the trade or business of selling cars. Any Motor Vehicles, not just cars, and “When I’ve sold pontoon boats,…” kinda sounds like a business to me, but maybe I am wrong. But yeah, if you are selling your own vehicle, you should not file that form. Instead, your bank will file a CTR when you deposit the cash. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/243 "2024-11-22T12:02:23Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > When I’ve sold pontoon boats,…” kinda sounds like a business to me, but maybe I am wrong. Totally wrong. We enjoy pontooning. I buy a used boat, enjoy the heck out of it for a few years, then sell it (ideally for right around what I paid). I’ve done this three times. The boats have all been six to eight thousand, a range I’m comfortable with. Our current boat was purchased by my gf. She wanted something a bit classier, so she spent 24k. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/244 "2024-11-22T12:17:15Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > if you are selling your own vehicle, you should not file that form. Instead, your bank will file a CTR when you deposit the cash. When I’ve flipped boats the cash I receive stays in my possession so I can use it to pay for the next boat. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/245 "2024-11-22T12:24:08Z")
You forgot the fourth option in your thread title … CROOKS. 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/246 "2024-11-27T02:57:01Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > When I’ve flipped boats the cash I receive stays in my possession so I can use it to pay for the next boat. What a minute there. I thought when a **kayaker** flips a boat, it gets “un-flipped” immediately. I, on the other hand, have flipped exactly one boat that wasn’t built to be flipped and it stayed that way until the USCG was able to right it by pulling it at a pretty good clip. But that’s whole 'nother story. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/247 "2024-11-27T07:32:14Z")
> Simialrly, there was an item on CBC about how businesses in touristy Niagara Falls, Ontario were charging a “resort fee” on top of the regular hotel or restaurant list price, since “a business is so expensive to run here”. the show said, if it is not advised ahead of time or on the menu, and not an actual tax, it was not obligatory to oay - they would be violating Ontario consumer law. I discovered this the hard way in Vegas. I will tell everybody who does not already know, as I did not: anything they tell you or write or say or advertise about a price of a hotel in Vegas is fine but you must expect to automatically be charged at least $50 per day, per room, per charge over and above that as a “resort fee”. Minimum. Without exception. And you’ll have a hell of a time getting anybody from Priceline or Expedia or even the front desk to admit that to you before you’re locked in. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/248 "2024-11-27T10:17:26Z")
Expedia must have gotten complaints because lately they’ve been showing tax and resort fees on their [hotels.com](http://hotels.com) page. One I looked up in LV just now: ~~$310~~ **$186** $262 total includes tax and fees Not exactly as it ought to be but at least it’s there. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/249 "2024-11-27T13:07:39Z")
Resort fees have been part of hotel bookings in lots of places for lots of years. And IME are always disclosed well before money changes hands. Color me confused this is news to people. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/250 "2024-11-27T14:08:00Z")
The distinction was between actual _taxes_ which most cities charge on hotel rooms - and may or may not be disclosed by travel sites - and an arbitrary number that some business decides to tack onto the price, usually without advertising it. We drove to Buffalo to go to Outback Steakhouse twice rather than paying Niagara Falls (Ont) prices, and even with gas and currency exchange and tolls it was still cheaper. If it’s charged by the business, not the municipality or state, and it’s not part of the advertised price, it’s fraud. If a car dealer has a ‘dealer prep’ charge that they did not advertise (or at least, a tiny asterisk beside the price and some fine print below…“plus dealer prep and shipping,” yada yada avoids this.) then it is false advertising… Just as I used to say about airline fuel surcharges… If it’s added on to the ticket, by the airline itself, it’s not a fuel surcharge, it’s just a more expensive ticket. Per-passenger fees added by the airport, or taxes on airline tickets, are actual “not our fault” costs that may not be part of the advertised price. IIRC though, government pressure has made most travel sites roll those extra costs into the advertised price. Now the airlines screw their customers with extra for seat selection, luggage, meals, priority borading, headphones - even carry-ons… I’m surprised no one has thought of pay toilets. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/251 "2024-11-27T14:22:00Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > I’m surprised no one has thought of pay toilets Some UK based carrier’s CEO has floated this idea, possibly as a joke. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/252 "2024-11-27T14:35:03Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Resort fees have been part of hotel bookings in lots of places for lots of years. And IME are always disclosed well before money changes hands. > > Color me confused this is news to people. I don’t know what the current state of the law is, but I have booked two stays about 10-12 years ago where the “resort fee” was disclosed somewhere on the website but not anywhere in the booking process. In one case, I had screen caps of the entire booking process and we still charged the fee. Its not on your booking confirmation email either. Apparently having it buried in the “About” page was legal enough and good enough for American Express. It wasn’t even disclosed at check in. It was added at check-out. In the other case we found out at check-in. There was literally a sign on the check-in desk. Apparently if you clicked on the “terms and conditions” link in the confirmation email you would have known. You could cancel your reservation without penalty at check-in, but you’re going to need to find another place to stay and get a rental car somehow. I see now that one of these places does disclose the resort fee. The other still does not. But the recent reviews indicate this might be the least of your problems. Looks like it’s been going downhill since our visit. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/253 "2024-11-27T16:05:43Z")
Another thing about resort fees - if you booked your room through a travel agent, they don’t get commission on the resort fee part of the room charge. It’s treated as if it were a tax. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/254 "2024-11-27T16:19:05Z")
We’re booked in Vegas over Christmas. Resort fees are included in the quoted room price at Wynn. Have been for years. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/255 "2024-11-27T16:29:32Z")
My recommendation is to start by comparing prices on the hotel website to the third-party booking sites. If the price is the same or close, book directly with the hotel as they are able to make changes as needed; if you booked elsewhere, they’re going to tell you to talk to that company. Also the hotel website _should_ make clear any extraneous fees like resort charges. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/256 "2024-11-27T20:45:56Z")
AirBnB “cleaning fees” are the new resort fee. Both are usually disclosed, but often not obviously, particularly if you don’t know to look for them. Once you know to expect them, it is usually pretty easy to find them. For both, if you don’t go past the “$$$ per night” advertised price, you’ll be in for a bad surprise. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > book directly with the hotel I don’t stay at hotels more than a few times per year, but I don’t think I’ve ever found a third party site to be cheaper than the hotel directly, once all fees and stuff are accounted for. I’ll often use the third party sites to compare across hotels, but then do the actually booking at the hotel. Sometimes the third party site will seem to be cheaper, until I get as far as checkout, and then the price has gone up to or higher than the price of booking directly, “I know we said $129/night, but it turns out we meant $149/night.” ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/257 "2024-11-27T22:35:00Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > My recommendation is to start by comparing prices on the hotel website to the third-party booking sites. If the price is the same or close, book directly with the hotel as they are able to make changes as needed; if you booked elsewhere, they’re going to tell you to talk to that company. Also the hotel website _should_ make clear any extraneous fees like resort charges. Yes, I tend to use the hotel website to book. usually they are about the same. Sometimes the travel site won’t include taxes, but generally they do. If the “resort fee” is moderately disclosed up front (i.e. “price includes”) then I don’t have a problem with it. > [@Mark\_Finn](#): > > Another thing about resort fees - if you booked your room through a travel agent, they don’t get commission on the resort fee part of the room charge. It’s treated as if it were a tax. I can’t remember the last time I used a travel agent - I think it was done by my previous employer over 20 years ago. Another motivation, particularly for airlines, is to get the lower price advertised on the travel site then try to ding you with extras. Obviously, a checked luggage fee is an optional fee. When they start including carry-on, now they’re getting obnoxious. As this CEO implied, getting the lowest ticket price on the travel site is their top motivation… > There was the time when a customer complained that a [Spirit Airlines] flight delay to Atlanta (fare: $78) had caused him to miss a concert and demanded damages. Baldanza mistakenly—or not—replied all to a customer service thread: “We owe him nothing as far as I’m concerned. Let him tell the world how bad we are. He’s never flown us before anyway and will be back when we save him a penny.” ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2024, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/258 "2024-11-27T22:43:20Z")
Speaking of travel agents, a few months ago, I drove my father to the AAA office to get him a new passport photo. While we were getting that done, I was slightly amazed to overhear someone on the other side of the office selling travel to a couple of people sitting at her desk, just like a travel agent from decades past. It just seemed such a relic; most of the in-person travel agencies I remember are now closed. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2024, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/259 "2024-11-28T04:41:11Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > I don’t stay at hotels more than a few times per year, but I don’t think I’ve ever found a third party site to be cheaper than the hotel directly, once all fees and stuff are accounted for. I’ll often use the third party sites to compare across hotels, but then do the actually booking at the hotel. I have many many experiences of third-party sites being cheaper than the rate charged by the hotel website. I’ve gotten $200/night rooms for $120 or even 99 per night. It’s definitely YMMV, but not uncommon at all. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2024, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536/260 "2024-11-28T12:59:46Z")
When that happens you might ask the hotel to match the price. They might prefer to get 100% of the revenue. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-buy-a-used-car-from-a-dealer-are-they-insane-or-off-or-just-me/1002536.md?page=14)