In Alberta, all-in advertised pricing is the law. That means that the advertised price of a vehicle must include all fees and charges the seller intends to charge, except for GST and any costs associated with financing. Many times, extra fees are added to the advertised price and you may end up paying more than you expected to or budgeted for.
As a consumer, you should never be forced to agree to extra fees, additional equipment or services. Sometimes an extra fee is called a “market adjustment fee” or may be added on as part of a “seasonal package”. Make sure that you have reviewed the bill of sale thoroughly and understand what you are agreeing to.
When it comes to negotiating for something that was not already included in the advertised all-in price of the vehicle, they must be negotiated as additional items. Each extra item must be accurately and individually listed on the bill of sale. For example, the bill of sale could list “four winter tires: $600” as an addition to the all-in total price of the vehicle.
Remember, the bill of sale is the formal agreement to purchase the vehicle. So be sure to understand everything before signing it. If you are unsure, download and print the bill of sale checklist on amvic.org to take AMVIC with you. Other documents that are created during the negotiation process such as worksheets, in-house deposit agreements, deposit receipts and other documents are not a bill of sale.
As all-in advertised pricing is the law, all automotive businesses are required to follow the general codes of conduct. These codes of conduct are legal requirements in Alberta.
Please note that as of 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 22, 2023, AMVIC operations, including emails and calls, will be paused for the holiday season, resuming at 8 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2024.
Visit amvic.org for consumer resources.