F
Below 60 · Failing

Transparency Verdict

Shottenkirk, Inc. earns an F.

Early caution — limited data.

On the small number of verified deals we have so far, we observed significant fee, add-on, or markup concerns. This is an early read and the picture may shift as we collect more — get every number in writing.

Developing confidence — based on 3 verified out-the-door quotes · Fort Madison, IA
Collected Sep 15, 2025Jan 30, 2026 · Updated Jun 1, 2026

Location

Fort Madison, IA

1 rated dealer within 30 miles · Open full map →

The full story

Why Shottenkirk, Inc. earned this grade

Between September 2025 and January 2026, CarEdge negotiated or logged 3 verified deals with this dealership. We pulled the doc fee, the add-ons, and the gap between advertised and out-the-door price from each one. Then we graded them the way a friend in the business would: on the things that actually cost you money.

! Where to push back

3 things

Doc fee exceeds the state cap

Their typical doc fee of $899 is above IA's legal cap of $180. This is a red flag — every dealer in the state must stay at or below this number.

TipTell them you expect the doc fee at $180 or lower. It's not optional; it's the law.

Add-ons are baked into almost every deal

100% of quotes include dealer add-ons, averaging $1,158. This is their business model — inflate the OTD, then hope you don't line-item it.

TipDemand an itemized quote before signing anything. Every add-on is optional — refuse them unless you actually want them.

The listing isn't quite the price

Quoted prices run about 4.3% above the advertised listing. On a $35,000 vehicle that's roughly $1,505 in extra fees or markup.

TipGet an OTD quote in writing before you visit. Compare it to the listing — if there's a gap, ask them to account for every line.

What they do well:Nothing stands out as a strength in this data. That's the finding.

3 verified OTD quotes from Shottenkirk, Inc.

Real out-the-door worksheets, not reviews. Click “View Quote” on any row to see the price breakdown.

Recent Quotes

Verified out-the-door prices from real transactions

2 vehicle transactions3 individual quotes

2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

Used
$43,911
$899doc fee$1,685add-ons
View Quote →

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning

Used2 quotes
$47,029
$899doc fee$895add-ons
View 2 Quotes →

Most Common Add-ons

1
protection packageavg $895
2 quotes
2
protection planavg $1,685
1 quote

At a Glance

Doc fee ($899) is well above average ($212)

Tips for Shottenkirk, Inc.

  • Doc fee is $499 above national average. Ask if they'll match competitors or reduce it.
  • This dealer often adds $1,158 in dealer add-ons. Request a quote WITHOUT any add-ons upfront. These are almost always removable.
  • Low-rated dealer. Get everything in writing. Ask for an itemized OTD quote before visiting.
  • Dealer markup is only +4% above listing (excluding taxes). This dealer keeps their fees minimal.
Live inventory

On the lot right now

Separate from the grade above — this is what's currently listed. Useful for spotting aging stock with room to negotiate.

Nearby Rated Dealers

These dealers near Fort Madison have transparency scores based on verified pricing data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shottenkirk, Inc.'s doc fee?

Shottenkirk, Inc. charges a typical documentation fee of $899. The IA average is $212. This is based on 3 verified OTD quotes in our database.

Does Shottenkirk, Inc. add mandatory add-ons?

Shottenkirk, Inc. adds an average of $1,158 in dealer add-ons when present. Ask for an itemized breakdown and negotiate to remove non-essential items like paint protection, nitrogen tire fill, or VIN etching.

Is Shottenkirk, Inc. a good dealer?

Shottenkirk, Inc. has a transparency score of 55.1/100, earning a Grade F. This score is based on their doc fees, add-on behavior, dealer markup, and data quality from 3 verified OTD quotes. This is below average. Consider getting quotes from other dealers in the area for comparison.

How we know this

Every number on this page came from a real deal.

Most dealer review sites scrape star ratings and count angry posts. We do the opposite. CarEdge shops for cars alongside thousands of real buyers every week — and when we negotiate on their behalf, we capture the full out-the-door breakdown the dealer sends back.

For Shottenkirk, Inc. in Fort Madison, IA, that has meant 3 verified OTD quotes logged into our database. Each one is a PDF, an email, or a screenshot showing the actual doc fee, the actual add-ons, and the actual final price — not a salesperson's promise.

Fee Transparency

30%

Is the doc fee reasonable, or is it just profit? We compare it against the state average — and the legal cap, where one exists.

Add-on Behavior

30%

How often does the dealer try to stick on paint protection, theft deterrent, or nitrogen tires? And when they do, how much do they cost you?

Price Accuracy

30%

Does the advertised listing price match what you'd actually sign for? We flag dealers whose out-the-door diverges from the listing.

Data Quality

10%

More data = more trustworthy grade. Dealers with lots of recent, complete quotes score higher for consistency.

The four numbers behind the grade

Weighted Score

The raw component scores — the math that led to F.

Fee Transparency (30%)
31
Add-on Behavior (30%)
30
Price Accuracy (30%)
89
Data Quality (10%)
100

Doc Fee Comparison

This dealer$899
IA avg$212
National avg$400

Pulled 3 quote records · Grades update as new data comes in · Dealers cannot pay to change their score.

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*Information provided for general informational purposes only. Scores are independently calculated and do not imply endorsement of or affiliation with any dealer. Verify all information independently before making a purchase decision. See our Terms of Service.