A car dealer has shown exactly how some dealerships allegedly sneak hidden fees into customers’ final bills. It has people both skeptical and grateful.
In a recent TikTok, @geebo4, a salesman with Long-Lewis Auto Group—a seven-location dealership chain in Alabama—walks viewers through what he called a common “trick” used by competitors.
“I’m going to show you one of our competitors,” he says, declining to name the dealership.
He compares two 2025 Ford Explorers: one supposedly sold by a competitor, the other by his own dealership. Going line by line through the final bills, the difference is clear: the competitor had tacked on extra fees at the end.
What Were the Hidden Fees?
@geebo4 breaks down the numbers for viewers. The competitor’s Explorer has a market value of $47,500, with a discount that brought it down roughly $3,000. That should have made the car cost about $44,500.
Then the extra charges appear. There was a $699 “doc fee” and a $190.98 electronic filing fee. After taxes, the final bill comes to $48,166.82.
Next, @geebo4 shows paperwork from his own dealership. His Explorer is technically pricier, with a market value of $48,475 and a smaller discount of $2,843. You might expect this car to cost more, but it doesn’t.
Viral bits from across the social media landscape
Our team of experts tracks what’s trending so you don’t have to—from viral videos to online debates that have everyone talking.
“No doc fee or electronic filing fee,” @geebo4 says. “Never dealer markups.”
The Long-Lewis Explorer ends up at $47,062.46, cheaper than the competitor’s supposedly “discounted” car.
“Buyers beware, the bottom line matters,” @geebo4 says, calling the other dealer’s add-ons “bogus markups.”
What Are Those Fees?
A doc fee, according to Edmunds, is a charge dealerships add to cover paperwork and administrative costs for a vehicle sale, including preparing the sales contract and submitting documents for registration and title transfer. The fee can vary widely based on the state and the dealership; in fact, it can range from $75 to $899, with dealerships in Florida and Virginia typically on the higher end.
While the doc fee itself is usually non-negotiable, buyers can offset it by negotiating the car’s sticker price. It is added on top of the advertised or agreed-upon price to form the final out-the-door cost, but it is not a government charge, meaning it’s at the dealer’s discretion. As such, you should always factor the doc fee into your budget and review your purchase order carefully to ensure it is listed clearly alongside taxes and other legitimate fees.
An electronic filing fee, meanwhile, is a dealer-added charge that essentially serves the same purpose: it’s an extra profit for the dealer that helps cover the cost of preparing and submitting a vehicle’s paperwork electronically. It’s also not a government-mandated tax, though, similar to a doc fee, and it can add hundreds of dollars to the total price of a car.
Due to hidden costs like these, it’s important to always ask for a full breakdown of all fees before signing any paperwork and be prepared to walk away if a dealer refuses to lower the charge. Awareness and negotiation are the most effective tools for managing these additional costs.
Viewers Question Dealership’s Pricing Model
Some people who watched @geebo4’s video weren’t convinced his dealership is any better. They argued that even if he skipped the doc fee, the cost was probably baked into the price of the car anyway.
“You’re getting your money one way or the other,” one person said.
“Just building that doc fee into the vehicle price,” another alleged.
The creator denied it, replying, “Nope, guess again.”
He followed up with another comment: “We are non-commissioned sales. We make our money selling volume … This is the best way to sell cars. We make money and the customer gets a good deal without the run-around.”
Others still weren’t buying it.
“You all play games with the numbers,” one wrote. “Buyers beware.”
“Wrong answer, not here,” @geebo4 shot back.
Not everyone was skeptical. Some thanked @geebo4 for being transparent.
“That’s my type of dealership!” one wrote.
Another added, “Thank you! I went to Styvers (local chain) & [the] salesman actually started arguing with me? What? The price was $4,500 more when they were done? On a used car? No fees for me. I walked.”
Motor1 has reached out to @geebo4 via TikTok direct message.
