Dear Tom and Ray:

What does "Doc Fee" mean? I was charged $40.00 for "Doc Fee" when I bought my new car. Melanie

Ray: Doc Fee was the obstetrician who did the "delivery" on your new car, Melanie.

Tom: Actually, it's short for "Documents Fee," which is what the dealership charges for standing in line at the Department of Motor Vehicles to get your license plates and registration.

Ray: And from my experience on those lines, they're only charging you about $2 an hour!

It's NEVER cheaper in the long run to buy a new car. Want proof? Order Tom and Ray's pamphlet How to Buy a Used Car: Things That Detroit and Tokyo Don't Want You to Know. To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1994 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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