Imagine putting $15,000 down on a new Prius, trading in your old car, and still owing the full sticker price on your loan. That’s what happened to a California buyer who later realized the dealership quietly hiked the price by $7,000 and tacked on thousands more in fees—turning a $29K car into a $45K deal. The kicker? The buyer only discovered the mess after checking their credit report months later. This story is a wake-up call: dealership paperwork can be a maze, and focusing only on monthly payments can cost you big. Has anyone else had a dealership experience like this? #Cars #CarBuying #California