These options were more than likely only optional for the dealers who chose which one they were going to attach to which model THROUGH the Manufacturer. As we were told by one of the dealers, it’s the manufacturers that were creating this problem. I’M GUESSING HERE but I’ll bet these dealers whose livelihood depended on these manufacturers providing vehicles in the numbers requested were more than likely coerced by these very manufacturers or they could just suffer the consequences which generally translates into losing your prioritization on the list of suppliers in some way.
I’m glad this is happening too. If the manufacturers wouldn’t have pushed this onto the consumers through their dealer partners these regulations wouldn’t be happening now. The manufacturers/dealers shot themselves in the foot and now they get to live with the consequences of their dishonest practices.
I can relate. Many states have laws that regulate how much a car dealer can charge for certain fees, like doc fees. Florida doesn’t and it is the wild wild west. Doc fees on used cars range from $999 to $1,599 plus other dealer fees they want to charge in addition to tax, tag and title. One dealer was charging $4,000 before tax, tag and title in dealer fees and was using a ‘discounted’ internet price to hook you, i.e. bait and switch tactic. Some car dealers charge up to 25% of the car value in dealer fees in addition to the price so your out the door cost is outrageous. Or the price on their website or car site like autotrader.com looks really good then when you read the fine print the ‘price’ is after a minimum trade in value and financing through approved dealer financing. It’s worse for new car buyers they really gouge them in extra fees.
Been looking for a used car since late November and with the new rules set to take effect at end of July will probably wait until then to see if it curbs the shady car sales dealing that is currently prevalent.