"A good car deal shouldn't feel like a magic trick—if it does, you're the rabbit." - Chase Jordan

Destination Fees Explained: Why You Have to Pay Them (And Why You Should Still Ask Questions)

📦 What’s a Destination Fee, Really?

You’re reviewing your final price sheet.

The car looks great.

Then—bam!—you see a destination fee tacked on at the bottom.

Usually $995 to $1,495.

What is it?

Can you avoid it?

Short answer: No. But understanding it gives you negotiating power in other areas.

Let’s unpack what this fee actually is, why it exists, and how to make sure it’s not being used to sneak in extra profit.

🚚 What Is a Destination Fee?

A destination fee is a charge the manufacturer bills the dealership for delivering the car from the factory to the dealership lot.

📌 It’s:

• Non-negotiable from the manufacturer

• Set by the automaker, not the dealer

• Standardized across models (same model = same fee)

⚠️ You’ll see it on the Monroney sticker (that window sticker with all the pricing info).

It’s included in the MSRP but may also be listed separately in dealer quotes.

🧠 Fun Fact:

In Canada, it’s often called a freight and PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) fee.

It may also include a prep charge.

Expect it to run $1,700–$2,400 CAD depending on the vehicle.

❌ Can You Negotiate It?

Technically?

No.

But here’s the Deal Guard Tip: You can’t remove it—but you can ask for a corresponding discount elsewhere.

Ask the dealer:

“I understand destination is standard—but since it’s fixed, can we adjust the selling price elsewhere to offset it?”

If they’re honest and motivated, they’ll often work with you some how and in some way.

🧐 Watch Out for Double Dipping

🚨 Some dealers add the destination fee twice.

• Once in the MSRP

• Again as a line item in the quote

🕵️‍♀️ Always compare:

• Window sticker MSRP vs.

• Final price breakdown

If the destination fee is added again after MSRP, you’re being charged twice.

Call it out and push back.

💡 What About Buying Used?

Good news: Used cars don’t have new destination fees.

However, some dealers sneak in “reconditioning” or “dealer prep” fees that mimic freight charges.

These are fully negotiable!!!

If you’re buying used and see any kind of destination or prep fee:

“That fee isn’t from the manufacturer. I’d like it removed.”

🔒 How Deal Guard Keeps the Fees Fair

At Deal Guard, we comb through every single line item to catch:

• Duplicated fees

• Add-on junk charges

• Misrepresented costs (like fake delivery fees)

We know the real numbers and don’t let fluff sneak in.

Whether you're buying in the U.S. or Canada, Deal Guard protects your time, your sanity, and your wallet.

👉 See why Deal Guard is the most trusted car buying concierge

⚡ Final Takeaway

You can’t dodge a destination fee—but you can dodge being overcharged.

Ask questions.

Compare sheets.

And don’t let duplicate charges or vague fees slip by.

If you want it done right without the stress?

We’ve got you!

👋 From Chase:

🚗 Car shopping shouldn’t feel like a trap.

That’s why I built Deal Guard—to protect buyers across the U.S. and Canada from games, gimmicks, and gut-wrenching deals.

If you want stress-free car buying, visit GETDEALGUARD.COM and let us handle the hard stuff.

Prefer a more joyful car search? Check out FUNNEWCAR.COM and see how fun this process can actually be.

Talk soon,
Chase Jordan