Book a 45-minute call with ClearCut Strategy before you go to the dealership, or have ClearCut Clarity review the deal you have been quoted before you sign. We advise you, and you deal with the dealership yourself.
ClearCut Auto Inc. is a licensed broker-agent in British Columbia. Outside British Columbia, ClearCut Strategy and ClearCut Clarity are advisory only: we advise you, the buyer, and never contact the dealership.
We are fee-only. You pay a flat fee, and no dealership, lender or third party pays us anything. You deal with the dealership yourself, with a professional in your corner.ClearCut Auto Inc. · Broker-agent licence B70016 · British Columbia
Buying a vehicle in Alberta
Four things that work differently in Alberta.
What the Government of Alberta, the Canada Revenue Agency and AMVIC say about tax, advertised prices, registration and your protection as a buyer.
01 · Sales tax
GST at 5%, and no provincial sales tax.
Alberta has no provincial sales tax, so a vehicle bought from a dealership carries 5% GST. When the dealer takes your vehicle in trade, GST is charged on the price minus the trade-in allowance. A private sale generally carries no GST.
Make sure your trade-in is on the bill of sale. It lowers the GST.
02 · Advertised prices
The advertised price has to be the all-in price.
Under AMVIC's all-in pricing rule, an advertised price must include all fees and charges the seller intends to charge, such as freight, PDI, administration fees and levy recoveries. Only GST and financing costs can be added on top, and a market adjustment fee cannot be added to the advertised price.
If the bill of sale comes in above the ad, ask which line was added.
03 · Registration
You register at a registry agent, with insurance in your name.
To register a vehicle you go to a registry agent with proof of ownership, such as the bill of sale, proof of valid insurance that names you, and acceptable identification. A vehicle on a public road in Alberta must have valid insurance and a registration certificate.
Arrange your insurance before the day you pick up the vehicle.
04 · The regulator
AMVIC licenses dealers, and a dealer owes you disclosure.
The Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) licenses automotive businesses and registers their salespeople. Before you buy, a dealer must disclose the vehicle's history in writing, including any manufacturer buyback, fire or flood damage, police, taxi or rental use, salvage status and incident repairs over $3,000, and a dealer selling a used vehicle must provide a mechanical fitness assessment. If a licensed business goes into receivership or bankruptcy, or loses its licence, AMVIC's Compensation Fund may cover an eligible loss. Private sales are not eligible.
Buying used from a dealer? Ask for the written history and the mechanical fitness assessment before you sign.
Checked against the official sources below on October 26, 2026. Rules change, so confirm anything you rely on with the source.
A plan before you shop, or a second opinion before you sign.
Before you shop
ClearCut Strategy
$150 plus GST or HST for your province, calculated at checkout
For clients who intend to engage with the dealership independently but want professional coaching first.
A single 45-minute phone consultation on how to negotiate a vehicle purchase: theory and approach
Deal structure guidance: what should and shouldn't appear in a typical dealer quote, including fees, add-ons, and dealer-installed extras
Financing strategy consultation and term structure guidance: how to evaluate interest rate, term length, and monthly payment options
Negotiation strategy: coaching on what to say, what to ask, when to push, and when to walk away
Dealership insight: common tactics used at dealerships and how to navigate them confidently
No specific deal, quote, or numbers are reviewed: you implement the approach independently
Advisory-only scope under this service level. No dealer communication, negotiation, or third-party representation is included.
Best for: Confident buyers who intend to negotiate their vehicle purchase themselves, but want professional preparation before walking into the dealership.
$250 plus GST or HST for your province, calculated at checkout
For clients who want to negotiate independently but want a professional second opinion before committing.
Review of the agreed vehicle purchase price, deal structure, and every product and charge appearing on the quote or purchase agreement
Assessment of whether the purchase price and overall deal are fair relative to current market conditions
If financing terms (interest rate, term length, monthly payment) appear on the dealer's quote, those terms are reviewed and guidance is given on the rate. ClearCut does not introduce a lender, suggest another lender, or help with any credit application
Identification of any concerns with any element of the deal (price, fees, financing, or back-end products) before you sign
Findings given on a call and in a written summary provided to you
For licensed insurance products (life, disability, and critical illness coverage), ClearCut Auto Inc. does not provide licensed insurance advice; any insurance-specific advice must be obtained from a properly licensed insurance professional
What you provide: The dealer's quote or purchase agreement for the deal to be reviewed, with personal identifiers removed as set out in Section 5 of the Agreement.
How findings are delivered: On a call and in a written summary. The summary is written for your own decision. It is not addressed to, or written for, the dealer or any lender.
One quote per purchase: Each Clarity purchase is one review of one quote or purchase agreement. A revised or different quote is a separate purchase. The service ends when the written summary is delivered.
Clarity is a professional evaluation of the deal you were quoted. It never tells you whether to buy.
Advisory only. No dealer or lender communication, negotiation, or representation of any kind is included.
Best for: First-time buyers, family vehicle purchases, or anyone who wants peace of mind that the deal they have negotiated is fair before they sign.
ClearCut is not your broker, agent or representative. The National Advisory Services Agreement does not appoint ClearCut to act for you, and ClearCut has no authority to act, sign or speak for you with anyone.
Under either service, ClearCut does not:
contact, communicate with or negotiate with any dealer, private seller, lender, warranty provider or other third party, at any stage;
find or source a vehicle, or arrange a purchase;
arrange financing or a lease, introduce you to a lender, suggest taking the deal to another lender, or help complete a credit application;
accept, hold or transfer any money for a vehicle purchase. You pay the seller directly and take title from the seller;
prepare any letter, form or other document for you to give to a dealer or lender;
set a target price, prepare a counteroffer or lay out a negotiation plan for a specific deal;
advise whether you should go ahead with a purchase;
advise on life, disability or critical illness insurance. Those are licensed insurance products, and advice on them must come from a properly licensed insurance professional; or
sign, accept or decline anything on your behalf.
You deal with the dealership directly, make every decision, and decide alone whether to sign any quote or purchase agreement. ClearCut does not guarantee financing approval, vehicle availability, any price, or any savings.
Book and pay
Pay, then pick your time.
Online checkout for buyers in Alberta. GST or HST for your province is calculated at checkout.
ClearCut Strategy
Before you pay
What you get: A single 45-minute phone consultation on how to negotiate a vehicle purchase: theory and approach. Advisory only: we advise you and never contact the dealership.
Fee: $150 plus GST or HST for your province, calculated at checkout. The tax and the total are shown at checkout before you pay.
Agreement: the National Advisory Services Agreement (NAS 09/2026), accepted at checkout. Read it before you pay. Stripe emails your receipt when you pay, and we email you a copy of the Agreement within one business day.
Refunds: Paid in advance. Your call takes place within 30 days of payment, at a time you choose after checkout. If we can't deliver it in that window, email info@clearcutauto.ca to cancel and we'll refund the full amount within 15 days. Once your call has taken place, the fee is earned. These terms do not limit any right to cancel or obtain a refund that you have under the consumer protection law of your province.
Right after paying, you pick your time on the next page.
ClearCut Clarity
Before you pay
What you get: A review of one quote or purchase agreement you already have: price, deal structure, financing terms if they appear, and every product and charge on it. Findings on one call and in one written summary, written for your own decision. Advisory only: we never contact the dealer, a lender or the seller.
Fee: $250 plus GST or HST for your province, calculated at checkout. The tax and the total are shown at checkout before you pay.
Agreement: the National Advisory Services Agreement (NAS 09/2026), accepted at checkout. Read it before you pay. Stripe emails your receipt when you pay, and we email you a copy of the Agreement within one business day.
Refunds: Paid in advance. Your review takes place within 30 days of payment, at a time you choose after checkout. If we can't deliver it in that window, email info@clearcutauto.ca to cancel and we'll refund the full amount within 15 days. Once your review has taken place, the fee is earned. These terms do not limit any right to cancel or obtain a refund that you have under the consumer protection law of your province.
Right after paying, you pick your time on the next page.