# LetYouKnow

> U.S. marketplace for brand-new cars where buyers bid their own price and get an instant result. If accepted, the price is locked in with all dealer and platform fees included. If not, there is no charge and buyers can adjust their Bid and try again.

The content library: plain-English, answer-first guides to what a new car actually costs the out-the-door price, which dealer fees are real versus junk, market markups, tariffs, affordability and the step-by-step buying process. Each guide answers one buyer question directly. Full text of every content page: https://letyouknow.com/llms-full.txt

## Pillar

- [New Car Price Guide: What a New Car Really Costs in 2026](https://letyouknow.com/guides/): The sticker price is rarely the full amount you pay. The real cost of a brand-new car is the out-the-door (OTD) price, which includes the vehicle price, destination charge, dealer fees, sales tax, title, registration and licensing before interest or other financing costs. Sales tax, title, registration and licensing fees are set by government authorities. The destination charge is set by the manufacturer. Many other charges are dealer-set, including documentation fees, market adjustments and optional add-ons such as paint protection and nitrogen-filled tires. The best move is to get the full itemized OTD price in writing before discussing a monthly payment. This guide explains each part of a brand-new car’s price and links to a detailed guide for each one.

## Guides

- [When Is the Best Time to Buy a New Car?](https://letyouknow.com/guides/best-time-to-buy-a-new-car/): The calendar matters less than many buyers are told. Popular buying periods include the end of a month, quarter or model year and the December holidays. These periods may line up with sales goals and incentives that make a dealer more motivated to sell a specific car. Supply and demand, available incentives, financing rates and your readiness to buy generally matter more than the date alone. A scarce model may offer little room for a discount, while an overstocked model may be negotiable throughout the month. A more reliable approach is to get written itemized OTD prices from several dealers for the exact car you want and compare them.
- [Buying a New Car Out of State: What Actually Changes?](https://letyouknow.com/guides/buying-a-car-out-of-state/): Buying a new car in a state you don't live in is legal and routine. What changes is mostly the paperwork, although some state-specific tax, registration and lemon-law rules can differ too. You generally owe sales or use tax based on where the car will be titled and registered, although the selling dealer may collect it. If you pay tax to the seller’s state, your home state may allow a credit, but the rules vary. The manufacturer’s warranty generally applies regardless of which authorized dealership sold the car. Warranty work can usually be performed by an authorized dealer of that brand, subject to the written warranty terms. Buying out of state does not prevent additional fees, add-ons or price changes before a final contract is signed. Because you may be hours away, get the complete itemized OTD price in writing before committing, including how taxes, title, registration, licensing and delivery will be handled.
- [How Much Are Tariffs Raising New Car Prices and Should You Buy Now or Wait?](https://letyouknow.com/guides/car-tariffs-price-impact/): Tariffs can raise the cost of brand-new cars, but there is no single price increase that applies to every model. The effect depends on where the vehicle and its parts were made, how much U.S. content it contains, whether it qualifies for special treatment under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and how much of the added cost is passed to buyers. Even a car assembled in the United States may be affected by tariffs on imported parts. New tariffs generally apply only to vehicles imported after they take effect. Dealers may still change prices on vehicles already in stock. When deciding whether to buy now or wait, consider possible price changes, available incentives, financing rates, vehicle availability and how soon you need the car. Before committing, get the complete itemized OTD price in writing.
- [What Dealer Fees Are Legit and What Are Junk?](https://letyouknow.com/guides/dealer-fees-legit-vs-junk/): Some charges are generally outside the dealer’s control. Sales tax, title, registration and licensing fees are set by government authorities, while the destination charge is set by the manufacturer. Many other charges are set by the dealer, including documentation fees, market adjustments and add-ons such as paint protection, nitrogen-filled tires and VIN etching. A fee is not automatically illegitimate simply because the dealer added it. A charge is a red flag when it is hidden, disclosed late, misrepresented as required, duplicated or added without your knowledge and approval. Always request the complete itemized OTD price before agreeing to the purchase.
- [Is the Destination Fee Legitimate and Why Isn't It in the Car's Price?](https://letyouknow.com/guides/destination-freight-fee/): Yes. The destination or freight charge is a legitimate fee set by the manufacturer to cover transportation from the factory to the dealership. It appears as a separate line on the federally required Monroney window sticker and is included in the total MSRP shown on the sticker. The amount is generally the same for a particular model within the same destination area, although it may vary by model and location. You generally cannot remove the manufacturer’s destination charge, but you can negotiate the overall price of the car. The destination charge on the purchase paperwork should match the amount on the window sticker. Any additional delivery or handling charge set by the dealer should be disclosed separately and should not be represented as the manufacturer’s destination charge.
- [How Far Below MSRP Can You Negotiate a New Car?](https://letyouknow.com/guides/how-far-below-msrp/): There is no fixed amount you should expect to negotiate below MSRP. It depends on the vehicle’s supply and demand, available incentives, how long the specific car has been in inventory and how motivated the dealer is to sell it. A model with high inventory may be discounted by thousands, while a car in short supply may sell at MSRP or above it. In May 2026, Kelley Blue Book reported an average transaction price of $49,220 before applied consumer incentives, an average MSRP of $51,595 and incentive spending equal to 7.1% of the average transaction price. These marketwide figures do not show the discount available on a specific car. MSRP is a reference point, not a floor or ceiling. Compare complete itemized OTD prices in writing from several dealers for the exact car you want and confirm that the final contract matches the offer before signing.
- [How Much Car Can I Afford on My Income?](https://letyouknow.com/guides/how-much-car-can-i-afford/): Work the affordability question from your monthly budget, not the sticker and you get a number you can defend. Start with your monthly budget, not the sticker price, to determine what you can afford. One common guideline recommends keeping the car payment below 10% of your monthly pay after taxes and total car costs around 15% to 20%. Total costs include the payment, insurance, fuel and maintenance. Another guideline is the 20/4/10 rule, which recommends a down payment of at least 20%, a loan term of no more than four years and total monthly transportation costs below 10% of your income. Because versions of these guidelines use different income measurements, choose one method and use it consistently. Set your total monthly vehicle budget first. Then use a realistic down payment, annual percentage rate (APR) and loan term to determine your maximum OTD price. Compare the total cost of the loan, not only the monthly payment.
- [How Do You Buy a New Car, Step by Step?](https://letyouknow.com/guides/how-to-buy-a-new-car-step-by-step/): Buying a brand-new car is easier when you follow a clear sequence. Set your budget first. If you plan to finance, get preapproved before shopping. Choose the exact year, make, model, trim and options you want. Then request complete itemized out-the-door (OTD) prices in writing from several dealers. Compare and negotiate using the OTD total instead of the monthly payment. Treat your trade-in and financing as separate decisions. Compare loan offers using the APR, term, amount financed, monthly payment and total cost. Before signing, read every document and confirm that the final price and terms match the written offer. Completing these steps online or by email can make the dealership visit much shorter.
Review source only, not website copy: CFPB auto loan guidance
- [Is a Car Broker Worth It?](https://letyouknow.com/guides/is-a-car-broker-worth-it/): A car broker may be worth it when the time, stress and dealership negotiations you avoid justify the fee. A broker may locate a specific car, obtain dealer prices, negotiate and coordinate the purchase, but savings are not guaranteed. Brokers may charge a flat fee, base their fee on claimed savings or receive compensation from a dealer. Before hiring one, ask who pays the broker, how the fee is calculated, what services are included and whether cancellation or refund terms apply. If the fee is based on savings, ask how those savings are measured. Verify that the broker has any license or authorization required by your state. Then compare the broker’s complete cost, including the fee, with itemized OTD prices you could obtain directly.
- [Dealer Market Adjustment: Is a Markup Above MSRP Legit?](https://letyouknow.com/guides/market-adjustment-markup/): A dealer market adjustment (ADM) is an amount a dealer adds above the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). It is set by the dealer and is not a manufacturer or government charge. Selling a car above MSRP is generally legal because MSRP is only a suggested price, but the dealer must follow state law and cannot mislead buyers about the actual selling price. An ADM may be negotiable, but the dealer is not required to lower it. Because the markup may differ or be absent at another dealership, compare complete itemized OTD prices before committing. Factory-installed options appear on the Monroney window sticker and are included in the total MSRP. A dealer addendum is separate from the manufacturer’s sticker and may list dealer-installed products, fees or markups.
- [How Do You Negotiate a New Car Price?](https://letyouknow.com/guides/negotiate-new-car-price/): Negotiate using the complete out-the-door (OTD) price, not the monthly payment. The OTD price includes the vehicle price, destination charge, dealer fees, any agreed add-ons, sales tax, title, registration and licensing before interest or other financing costs. Focusing only on the monthly payment can make a car appear more affordable by extending the loan term or changing the down payment while increasing the total cost. Request complete itemized OTD prices in writing from several dealers for the same year, make, model, trim and options. Compare the offers and ask whether each dealer can provide a lower total. Negotiating room depends on supply and demand, available incentives, how long the car has been in inventory and how motivated the dealer is to sell it. Before signing, confirm that the final contract matches the written offer.
- [Why Is It So Hard to Just Get the Out-the-Door Price?](https://letyouknow.com/guides/out-the-door-price/): The out-the-door (OTD) price is the total price of the car before financing. It includes the vehicle price, destination charge, dealer fees, any agreed add-ons, sales tax, title, registration and licensing. It can be difficult to obtain when a transaction begins with an advertised price or monthly payment and additional charges are discussed later. Do not assume an online price is the OTD total. Request the complete itemized OTD price in writing before discussing a trade-in, down payment or financing. This allows you to compare offers on the same basis and confirm that the final contract matches the written price. On LetYouKnow, buyers bid their own lower price on a brand-new car and get an instant result. If the Bid is accepted, the price is locked in and the new car is reserved for 10 calendar days with all dealer and platform fees included. Government fees such as sales tax, title, registration and licensing are added to reach the final OTD total. If the Bid is not accepted, there is no charge and buyers can adjust their Bid and/or new car options and try again.
- [Can a Dealer Change the Price After You Agree?](https://letyouknow.com/guides/price-locked-after-agreement/): Agreeing to a price verbally or through a text message may not create a final contract. Whether a quote is enforceable depends on its wording, who provided it, whether both sides accepted it and state law. Before signing, get the complete itemized out-the-door (OTD) price in writing and confirm that the contract matches it. Also verify whether the purchase and financing are final or still conditional on approval. Once both parties sign a binding contract and all conditions are satisfied, the dealer generally cannot change the agreed price on its own. Federal law does not provide a three-day right to cancel a car purchased at a dealership, although state law or the dealer’s written return policy may provide one. On LetYouKnow, buyers bid their own lower price and get an instant result. If the Bid is accepted, the price is locked in and the new car is reserved for 10 calendar days with all dealer and platform fees included. Sales tax, title, registration and licensing are added separately to reach the final OTD total.

- [A Dealer Added Mandatory Fees After We Agreed on a Price. Can I Walk Away?](https://letyouknow.com/guides/your-rights-against-forced-dealer-fees/): Usually, yes, if no final binding contract has been formed. When a dealer adds mandatory fees or add-ons after agreeing to a price, the dealer has changed the offer and you can generally refuse the new terms. Whether you are already bound and whether a deposit is refundable depend on the documents you signed and your state’s law. Before paying a deposit, get its refund terms and the complete itemized OTD price in writing. Do not sign a contract containing add-ons you did not authorize. Even signed paperwork may be conditional on financing approval and federal law does not provide an automatic three-day right to cancel a car purchased at a dealership. On LetYouKnow, buyers bid their own lower price and get an instant result. If the Bid is accepted, the price is locked in and the new car is reserved for 10 calendar days with all dealer and platform fees included. Sales tax, title, registration and licensing are added separately to reach the final OTD total.

## Compare

- [How Does LetYouKnow Compare to Other Car-Buying Sites?](https://letyouknow.com/compare/): Car buying sites begin at different points in the shopping process. Edmunds focuses on market research and vehicle listings. CarGurus provides dealer inventory and Deal Ratings. TrueCar connects shoppers with dealer offers. The Costco Auto Program provides members with prearranged pricing through participating dealers. Carvana primarily sells used vehicles online at fixed no-haggle prices. LetYouKnow begins with the buyer. You bid your price on the exact brand-new car you want and get an instant result. If the Bid meets a participating dealer’s confidential threshold price, it is accepted and you are matched at your price. All dealer and platform fees are included in the Bid. Sales tax, title, registration and licensing are added separately. If the Bid does not meet a dealer’s confidential threshold price, it is a missed Bid with no charge and you can adjust your Bid and/or new car options and try again.
- [LetYouKnow vs. CarGurus: What's the Difference?](https://letyouknow.com/compare/letyouknow-vs-cargurus/): CarGurus and LetYouKnow serve different parts of the car buying process and can work well together. CarGurus is a digital automotive marketplace that aggregates dealer listings, evaluates eligible listings using its Instant Market Value estimates and Deal Ratings and offers research and financing tools that connect shoppers with dealers. LetYouKnow is a U.S. set-your-own-price marketplace for brand-new  cars. You submit a Bid and if it meets a participating dealer’s confidential threshold price, you are matched instantly at your price. All dealer and platform fees are included in the Bid. Government fees such as sales tax, title, registration and licensing are added separately to reach the final OTD total. If the Bid does not meet a dealer’s confidential threshold price, it is a missed Bid with no charge and you can adjust your Bid and/or new car options and try again. In short, CarGurus helps you discover and evaluate a car, while LetYouKnow lets you initiate the price. You can research inventory and pricing on CarGurus and then bid a lower price on LetYouKnow.
- [LetYouKnow vs. Carvana: What's the Difference?](https://letyouknow.com/compare/letyouknow-vs-carvana/): Carvana and LetYouKnow use different models. Carvana is an online retailer that acts as the seller, sets a fixed no-haggle price and offers delivery or pickup. Its core business remains used cars, although it has acquired several franchise dealerships and now offers a limited selection of brand-new  vehicles. LetYouKnow is a U.S. set-your-own-price marketplace for brand-new cars and is not the seller. You submit a Bid and if it meets a participating dealer’s confidential threshold price, you are matched instantly at your price. The price is locked in and the new car is reserved for 10 calendar days with all dealer and platform fees included. Sales tax, title, registration and licensing are added separately. If the Bid does not meet a dealer’s confidential threshold price, it is a missed Bid with no charge and you can adjust your Bid and/or new car options and try again. In short, Carvana sets the price as the seller, while LetYouKnow lets you initiate the price through a Bid and a participating franchise dealer completes the sale.
- [LetYouKnow vs. the Costco Auto Program: What's the Difference?](https://letyouknow.com/compare/letyouknow-vs-costco/): The Costco Auto Program and LetYouKnow reach a brand-new car price in different ways. The Costco Auto Program requires an annual Costco membership fee and connects members with Approved Dealers that offer prearranged pricing on new and used cars. Costco does not sell the car or negotiate the price. LetYouKnow does not require a paid annual membership and focuses on brand-new cars. Choose the new car you want, Bid Your Own Price and get an instant result. If your Bid is accepted, the matched dealership is revealed and the car is reserved for 10 calendar days. Your Bid becomes your locked-in price with all dealer and platform fees included. Only applicable government fees are added separately. If your Bid is not accepted, there is no charge and you can adjust your Bid and/or change your new car options and try again.
- [LetYouKnow vs. Edmunds: What's the Difference?](https://letyouknow.com/compare/letyouknow-vs-edmunds/): Edmunds helps you research cars and evaluate prices. LetYouKnow lets you use that research to Bid Your Own Price on a brand-new car. Edmunds is an automotive research and shopping platform that offers reviews and ratings, its Edmunds Suggested Price/True Market Value estimate, Deal Ratings on dealer listings, dealer-supplied offer prices, financing prequalification and trade-in appraisals. Edmunds connects you with the dealer, who completes the sale. LetYouKnow is a set-your-own-price platform for brand-new cars. You choose your search radius, then bid your price for your chosen new car and get an instant result. If your Bid is accepted, a match is made at your price. If it is not accepted, there is no charge. All dealer and platform fees are included in the Bid and only applicable government fees are added separately. Dealers do not see your identity until your Bid is accepted. Edmunds helps you research the car and judge the price. LetYouKnow lets you initiate the price through a Bid. Some shoppers research the car on Edmunds and then bid their own price on LetYouKnow.
- [LetYouKnow vs. TrueCar: What's the Difference?](https://letyouknow.com/compare/letyouknow-vs-truecar/): TrueCar provides shoppers with individualized offers from participating Certified Dealers. Under its March 17, 2026 program standards, those offers are lower than the dealer’s lowest publicly advertised price. TrueCar also requires dealers to disclose required fees and accessory prices. The dealer remains the seller. LetYouKnow lets you Bid Your Own Price on a brand-new car and get an instant result. If your Bid is accepted, the new car is reserved, the matched dealership is revealed and your Bid becomes your locked-in price with all dealer and platform fees included. Only applicable government fees are added separately. If your Bid is not accepted, there is no charge and you can adjust your Bid and/or change your new car options and bid again. Buyers and participating dealerships remain anonymous until the Bid is accepted. TrueCar starts with a dealer offer. LetYouKnow starts with your Bid.

## Reference

- [Car-Buying Price Terms, Defined](https://letyouknow.com/glossary/): Definitions of the new-car pricing terms buyers ask about most, including out-the-door price, MSRP, destination and doc fees, dealer market adjustments, junk fees, add-ons, government fees, invoice price, dealer holdback, the Monroney window sticker and manufacturer rebates.

## Core pages

- [Homepage](https://letyouknow.com/): high-level overview of how LetYouKnow works for buyers and dealers
- [How It Works](https://letyouknow.com/how-it-works/): how the LetYouKnow platform works, with a short video explaining the bid flow
- [FAQ](https://letyouknow.com/faq/): common questions about bids, locked prices, fees, shipping and timing
- [Bid Types  Compare Our Products](https://letyouknow.com/explore-bid-options/): the two bidding modes (Search & Bid vs Price Bid) compared
- [Anonymous Bidding](https://letyouknow.com/anonymous-bidding/): how buyers bid anonymously and stay anonymous until a Bid is accepted
- [Team](https://letyouknow.com/team/): leadership team (About Us)
- [Contact Us](https://letyouknow.com/contact-us/): contact LetYouKnow

## Legal and Policies

- [Privacy Policy](https://letyouknow.com/privacy-policy/): how user data is handled
- [Terms and Conditions](https://letyouknow.com/terms-and-conditions/): terms of using the platform

## Apps

- [iOS App](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/letyouknow-bid-on-new-cars/id1605537332): LetYouKnow iOS app for bidding on brand-new cars
- [Android App](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.letyouknow): LetYouKnow Android app for bidding on brand-new cars
- [Get the App](https://letyouknow.com/apps/): links to download the LetYouKnow mobile apps

## Optional

- [Press Center](https://letyouknow.com/press/): press releases and media resources
- [Help](https://letyouknow.com/help/): support articles and live chat
- [Blog](https://letyouknow.com/about/): automotive news and updates
- [Careers](https://letyouknow.com/careers/): open positions
- [Create Account](https://letyouknow.com/create-account): sign-up page