Transparency Verdict
Thompson Automotive Group earns an F.
Buyer beware.
We consistently see inflated fees, surprise add-ons, or big gaps between listing and OTD price. If you shop here, bring our data and be ready to walk.
Developing confidence — based on 7 verified out-the-door quotes and 2 tracked negotiations · Raleigh, NC
Collected Sep 3, 2025 – Apr 21, 2026 · Updated Apr 29, 2026
Location
Raleigh, NC
The full story
Why Thompson Automotive Group earned this grade
Between September 2025 and April 2026, CarEdge negotiated or logged 7 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 thingsDoc fee is slightly padded
$899 is $95 above the NC average of $804. Not outrageous, but worth questioning.
TipAsk them to match the average. If they won't, factor it into your overall price — every dollar here is negotiable.
Add-ons are baked into almost every deal
100% of quotes include dealer add-ons, averaging $4,436. 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 3.8% above the advertised listing. On a $35,000 vehicle that's roughly $1,330 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.
7 verified OTD quotes from Thompson Automotive Group
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
5 vehicle transactions — 7 individual quotes
2026 Cadillac OPTIQ
2025 GMC Yukon XL
Most Common Add-ons
At a Glance
Tips for Thompson Automotive Group
- Doc fee is $499 above national average. Ask if they'll match competitors or reduce it.
- This dealer often adds $4,436 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.
Nearby Rated Dealers
These dealers near Raleigh have transparency scores based on verified pricing data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thompson Automotive Group's doc fee?
Thompson Automotive Group charges a typical documentation fee of $899. The NC average is $499. This is based on 7 verified OTD quotes in our database.
Does Thompson Automotive Group add mandatory add-ons?
Thompson Automotive Group adds an average of $4,436 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 Thompson Automotive Group a good dealer?
Thompson Automotive Group has a transparency score of 59/100, earning a Grade F. This score is based on their doc fees, add-on behavior, dealer markup, and data quality from 7 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 Thompson Automotive Group in Raleigh, NC, that has meant 7 verified OTD quotes across 2 negotiated deals 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 ScoreThe raw component scores — the math that led to F.
Doc Fee Comparison
Pulled 7 quote records · Grades update as new data comes in · Dealers cannot pay to change their score.
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