2024 VW Atlas Cross Sport w/ Tech

Looking into purchasing a 2024 VW Atlas Cross Sport w/ Tech & sunroof and recently got a proposal from a dealership that I had some questions about.

Currently there isn’t much tacked on in terms of fees, but what is the “optional sales commission”? Is that something I should be able to get dropped?

Also yesterday the salesman agreed on a sales price of 40k (13% off MSRP) but the proposal doesn’t match. Original MSRP is $46,081.

Doing the 0.9% 60 month financing which unfortunately doesn’t stack with the $3,500 rebate but I do qualify for the student rebate ($500).

Purchasing in the DMV area but registering in MN so 6.875% sales tax.

Why buying in DMV but registering in MN? No luck with a dealer closer to home?

In DMV for work for the summer and a tree fell on my car, accelerating my plans for a new purchase.

Are you open to any other makes and models?

Definitely open to suggestions, I was mainly looking into the Atlas because all the features seemed hard to beat given the price range and the promo APR for the base model trims.

I haven’t been tracking fluctuating APRs but value (price relative to features and quality) has always been a VW weakness.

Did you just call them out and say that what you were told doesn’t match the deal sheet?

For 1 thing, just scratch off that optional sales commission. The salesperson is getting commission anyway. I’d be surprised if the salesperson even sees that amount that is on the deal sheet.

Did you ask what’s the processing charge? Is that just a dealer doc fee?

Tax will be based on the registering zip so there is no negotiation there. Just be sure they tax you correctly.

I’d think optional sales commission is his commission. Which is the 5% of the purchase price. Some dealerships do that where they take the percentage of purchase price and put it back on the customers, so that way dealership doesn’t have to lose anymore money.

Interesting…I always thought that was something they tacked on like a dealer ad on almost. So, what happens if customer refuses to pay that? Dealer won’t do the deal? Salesperson is paid a small flat fee by dealer? Salesperson gets no commission?

It would be a minimum commission if customer refuses to pay that. Or they won’t sell the vehicle.

This is what I was unsure about also. I want the salesperson to get some commission but I also don’t want to pay a bs dealer fee.

I would probably move on to a different dealer. Any dealer that puts that sales commission add on as part of the deal is probably someone you don’t want to do business with.

Or make the dealer a final offer, “drive off the lot,” inclusive of all taxes and fees. However they want to divi up that pie, who cares. You paid what you were willing to pay for the vehicle.

Now you see why dealers don’t like the FTC’s CARS Rule. The rule would require the dealer to be upfront about the fee and you’d learn how much sadness @thevolvoguy lives with every day.