FoxAuto Dealer Glossary
Clear definitions of wholesale dealer terms — from floor plan tracking to pack fees. A quick-reference guide for independent and wholesale auto dealers who want to understand the terminology behind DMS software, floor plan financing, and dealer-to-dealer operations.
The auto dealer industry uses terminology that can be confusing, especially for newer independent and wholesale dealers. This glossary provides straightforward definitions for the terms that come up most often in wholesale operations — floor plan financing, cost tracking, pack fees, and the dealer-to-dealer sales process. Each term links to a full definition page with examples and context for how it applies to running a wholesale dealership. Whether you are learning the business, training a new team member, or just want a quick refresher, these definitions are written by a licensed Texas dealer for dealers.
Wholesale Dealer Terms
Click any term to read the full definition with examples and practical context for wholesale dealers.
What Is a Wholesale DMS?
A dealer management system designed for wholesale auto dealers who buy at auction and sell to other dealers. Unlike retail DMS platforms, a wholesale DMS focuses on cost tracking, floor plan management, and dealer-to-dealer deal workflow.
Read definitionWhat Is Floor Plan Tracking?
The process of monitoring daily interest accrual on vehicles financed through a floor plan credit line. Floor plan tracking calculates how much each vehicle costs per day in interest, revealing the true holding cost that determines wholesale profitability.
Read definitionWhat Is True Cost Per Vehicle?
The complete, all-in cost of a vehicle that includes purchase price, auction fees, transport, reconditioning, title fees, and accrued floor plan interest. True cost per vehicle is the number that determines whether a deal is actually profitable or just appears profitable.
Read definitionWhat Is a Pack Fee?
A fixed dollar amount added to a vehicle's cost by the dealership to cover overhead, create a profit cushion, or build a reserve fund. Pack fees are an internal accounting tool that ensures each vehicle carries its share of operating costs before commission or profit calculations.
Read definitionWhat Is a Curtailment Fee?
A mandatory partial payment required by a floor plan lender when a vehicle has been on the credit line for a set period, typically 60 to 90 days. Curtailment reduces the lender's exposure and pressures dealers to turn aging inventory faster.
Read definitionWhat Is a Dealer-to-Dealer Sale?
A vehicle transaction where both the seller and the buyer are licensed auto dealers. Dealer-to-dealer sales are the primary transaction type in wholesale operations and follow different paperwork, tax, and title transfer rules than retail consumer sales.
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Wholesale Dealer Software
The only DMS built exclusively for wholesale auto dealers. See all features.
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Practical guides for wholesale dealers — floor plan calculators, profit tracking, and more.
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FoxDMS puts every concept in this glossary to work: automatic floor plan $/day tracking, true all-in cost per vehicle, pack fee management, and dealer-to-dealer deal workflow. Try it free for 14 days — no credit card required, no contracts. Set up your dealership in 2 minutes and see how a wholesale-focused DMS handles the operations behind these terms.