Topic: Who pays for that first tank of fuel on a new car?

[Accordingly]

Interesting article on a GM cost saving "strategy" in the U.S....

http://jalopnik.com/cars/news/gm-says-to-dealers-no-gas-for-you-195512.php

[Trainman]

As long as I get a full tank of gas when I take possesion, it does not matter to me if it is the dealer or the manufacture who is paying for it.

After all, in the grand scheme of things, what is an extra $60-100 to the dealer?  Do they not make huge profits already? 

[ovr50]

Most every vehicle I've ever bought came with a full tank. It just seems to be good PR for the dealer to do that. In fact, I just yesterday finished up my dealer gas on the GT/CS. Interestingly, that was only one little thing that caused a bit of a minor fuss on my buy of the GT/CS. As the price was very reasonable, given the Ford Family Pricing incentives, the salesman wrote in a $200 "admin fee". I said "I never pay admin fees unless there is a very good reason why you earned it". The sales mgr. came over and explained all the things the "admin fee" goes to cover, including a free first tank of gas (probably a $50 or $60 item). I said "fine, still not paying the admin fee and leave the car empty when I get it - I'll buy my own gas". He said "ok, done deal".

When I got the car on Aug 12, the tank was full and I did not pay the admin fee. 

[The Mighty Duck]

In case you're confused, the car-based HHR is a truck, but the truck-based Chevy SSR is a car.

 

[Trainman]

Most every vehicle I've ever bought came with a full tank. It just seems to be good PR for the dealer to do that. In fact, I just yesterday finished up my dealer gas on the GT/CS. Interestingly, that was only one little thing that caused a bit of a minor fuss on my buy of the GT/CS. As the price was very reasonable, given the Ford Family Pricing incentives, the salesman wrote in a $200 "admin fee". I said "I never pay admin fees unless there is a very good reason why you earned it". The sales mgr. came over and explained all the things the "admin fee" goes to cover, including a free first tank of gas (probably a $50 or $60 item). I said "fine, still not paying the admin fee and leave the car empty when I get it - I'll buy my own gas". He said "ok, done deal".

When I got the car on Aug 12, the tank was full and I did not pay the admin fee. 

 

[tpl]

My only NA car, a 1975 Ford Pinto bought new in Mtl in 1975 came with 1/4 tank.  Everything since has had a full tank.

[toolatecrew]

Most every vehicle I've ever bought came with a full tank. It just seems to be good PR for the dealer to do that. In fact, I just yesterday finished up my dealer gas on the GT/CS. Interestingly, that was only one little thing that caused a bit of a minor fuss on my buy of the GT/CS. As the price was very reasonable, given the Ford Family Pricing incentives, the salesman wrote in a $200 "admin fee". I said "I never pay admin fees unless there is a very good reason why you earned it". The sales mgr. came over and explained all the things the "admin fee" goes to cover, including a free first tank of gas (probably a $50 or $60 item). I said "fine, still not paying the admin fee and leave the car empty when I get it - I'll buy my own gas". He said "ok, done deal".

When I got the car on Aug 12, the tank was full and I did not pay the admin fee. 

So I'm curious other than the first tank of gas (which GM has stated that they pay $20 of that to the dealer and are "consisten with other manufactures meaning Ford is likley giving dealers $20 or so ) what was his justification for the admin fee?

I'd love to hear the answer since its often shrouded in such mystery.

BTW sounds like you got a great deal on a fun car good for you.

[toolatecrew]

My only NA car, a 1975 Ford Pinto bought new in Mtl in 1975 came with 1/4 tank.  Everything since has had a full tank.

That was probably on purpose.

Likely to diminish the likelihood of exploding Pinto gas tanks destroying other cars on the dealer lot all Pintos were kept on the lot with minimal fuel,

[tpl]

Actually the exploding Pinto thing had not really surfaced then... or at least I did not hear of it until much later.

[Panzer]

Actually the exploding Pinto thing had not really surfaced then... or at least I did not hear of it until much later.

After it exploded on you?   

Seriously, charging the customer $20-$40 in gas is BS after having made a $20K-$40K purchase.  Like ovr50 said, I'd make a point of finding out what exactly comes with the car and with 'hidden fees' are involved.

Next thing you know, they'll start charging for the oil that goes in the engine and the grease in the wheel bearings because they're all petroleum-based.  Sheeeesh...

And classifying the HHR as a truck is like saying the PT Cruiser is a truck.  Aren't they both based on CAR platforms (Cobalt & Neon respectively)??

[tpl]

In those days it was $5 purchase afert a $4500 purchace so relatively not much has changed.

It rusted away ( even after Ziebart) before anyone ran into me.

[sbmarti2]

Thats an interesting article.

My used car came with like 2/3rds of a tank, but I was cool with it.  However, the only fee I paid was a lien search fee of $95, which I was fine to pay as I don't want the bank seizing my car if someone doesn't pay off their loan.

[Gwendly]

The HHR is as much a truck as my X-trail is a space ship

[y2chuck]

I can't remember if all the cars I've bought have come with a full tank or not.  I think it's a nice gesture by the dealer to have it filled up but as long as it's not bone dry or below 1/4 tank I don't think I'd really care.

[ovr50]

So I'm curious other than the first tank of gas (which GM has stated that they pay $20 of that to the dealer and are "consisten with other manufactures meaning Ford is likley giving dealers $20 or so ) what was his justification for the admin fee?

I'd love to hear the answer since its often shrouded in such mystery.

BTW sounds like you got a great deal on a fun car good for you.

toolate - I can't recall much of the things he listed, they were on a pre-printed form (probably had to answer the same question before a few times); but I think lien search was one (on a new car?), insurance guy/gal on site, paper processing, salesman/gal review of car operating features with new owner (I usually know more than they do about the car), and some other stuff. Sorry, I was a bit more focussed on the gas issue. 

And, yes, thanks, I did get a great fun car at a very good price. 

[articsteve]

The PDI charged by the dealers in the US is usually $50, but they usually charge a "registration fees" worth a couple of hundred bucks.  In Canada it is about $500 for PDI.  The tank of gas is paid for out of that.  Also, in Ontario at least, "admin fees" from Honda and Toyota are banned by the distributor.  The shortfall from the admin fees are made up by the ever increasing PDI and this new anti theft protection scam.

[Accordingly]

I found it interesting the GM (in the U.S.) had reimbursed the dealer for a fill up, but is now limiting that. If that were to have been the same policy here in Canada, this implies there has been the opportunity for the dealer to double-dip...from the manufacturer and from the unwary consumer.

[dr_spock]

My Nissan barely made it to the gas station in 1988.  My VW came with a full tank in 1998. 

I can't remember how much gas was in my used Honda.  It was week or two before I had to gas it up.