Know what to send or say.
Choose an email to send to a dealership, or a response to say to a salesperson in person. The dealer lines are examples of what you might hear; the buyer lines are for you. Replace every [bracketed field] before using a template.
Showing all 22 scripts
Email templates
How to use an email
Each example below tells you who to send it to. Replace the square-bracketed details with your own facts and delete lines that do not apply. The copied email contains only the message to send. Keep the dealership's written reply.
Ask a dealership for its full purchase price
Send to: The internet sales team or a salesperson at each dealership you are considering. Use the dealership's sales email or online contact form.
Before you send: Replace [year, make, model, trim] with the car you want. If you know a listing's VIN, include it. Remove any line that does not apply. Send the same request to each dealership.
Email to send:
Subject: Itemized price for a [Year] [Make] [Model] [Trim] Hello, I am shopping for a [Year] [Make] [Model] [Trim]. Before I visit, please email me a written price for one available vehicle that matches. Include its VIN, stock number, and equipment. Please show these amounts separately: - Vehicle price - Any dealer-installed products or accessories - Dealer fees - Estimated taxes and government fees (please state the registration ZIP code used) - Total out-the-door price (the full price to buy the car before financing) Please identify any rebate, trade-in, or dealer financing requirement assumed in that price. Do not add optional products I did not request. Please send a dated, itemized written out-the-door quote by email. I will compare the written offers before deciding whether to visit. Thank you, [Your Name]
Official guidance
Ask a dealer to match another written offer
Send to: The salesperson who sent you the quote you want improved.
Before you send: Fill in both written totals and VINs. Check that the vehicles, equipment, rebates, fees, and financing assumptions really match. If they differ, explain the difference instead of claiming the offers are identical.
Email to send:
Subject: Re: Written Quote - [Year] [Make] [Model] [VIN] Hi [Salesperson Name], Thank you for the dated, itemized out-the-door quote of $[their total] for VIN [VIN]. I have another written quote of $[comparison total] for the same year, make, model, trim, equipment, and incentive eligibility. Its VIN is [comparison VIN]. Can you match or beat that out-the-door total without adding products or changing the financing assumptions? If so, please send a revised itemized quote showing the exact VIN and every charge. I will compare the written terms before deciding. Thank you, [Your Name]
Official guidance
Confirm the deal before you visit to sign
Send to: The salesperson who agreed to the deal; ask them to have the sales manager confirm any promises that need to appear in the final documents.
Before you send: Copy the actual figures from the dealer's quote into every amount below. Remove lines that do not apply. Do not send a blank template as if these are agreed terms.
Email to send:
Subject: Confirming Written Terms - [Date/Time] Hi [Salesperson Name], Before I arrive, please confirm these terms in writing: Vehicle: [Year] [Make] [Model] [Trim] Exact VIN: [VIN] Stock number: [Stock number] Itemized out-the-door total: $[amount] - Vehicle price: $[amount] - Dealer add-ons: $[amount] - Dealer/doc fees: $[amount] - Tax shown on the quote: $[amount] - Title/registration/government fees: $[amount] Optional products I decline: [Products I do not want] Dealer promises still owed: [Specific promised work or item and deadline] If financing is included, please confirm the APR, amount financed, term, finance charge, and total of payments. I will compare those disclosures with the final paperwork before signing. Please confirm these figures and put any dealer promises, deadlines, and costs in the final signed documents. If anything has changed, please send a revised itemized quote before I travel. Thank you, [Your Name]
Ask why financing changed after you took the car home
Send to: The dealership's finance manager or general manager who contacted you. Keep a copy for your records.
Before you send: Compare the message with your signed documents and fill in the date and VIN. This requests information; it does not settle what your contract or state law requires. Seek local advice if the dealer demands an immediate return or payment.
Email to send:
Subject: Financing Status and Requested Changes - Please Respond in Writing Hello [Dealership Name] Management, On [date], you asked me to return regarding the [Year] [Make] [Model], VIN [VIN]. Before I respond, please provide in writing: 1) Whether financing was final when I took delivery 2) The name of the creditor, if one accepted the contract 3) The contract provision or other basis you say permits a change 4) Every proposed term: APR, amount financed, term, finance charge, total of payments, payment, fees, and products 5) Whether you are asking to cancel the transaction and return the vehicle, and your proposed process for the vehicle, down payment, trade-in, and documents I am not agreeing to changed terms by phone or through this email. I will compare your response with my signed documents before deciding what to do next. Please keep further communication in writing. Thank you, [Your Name] [Your Phone Number]
In-person scripts
How to use a spoken response
Dealer might say is an example, not words for you to repeat. You can say gives you a response; choose the line that fits and replace any [bracketed details]. Copy a single line to use with the dealer, or copy notes for yourself that include the response and guidance. Do not send the notes as a message.
Keep track of numbers when a new manager joins
"I'm the manager. Help me understand what it will take to earn your business today."
"Let's use the last written quote. If you are offering different terms, please show me the complete revised itemized quote."
"My written counteroffer still stands. If the dealership accepts it, please send me the complete itemized out-the-door quote."
"Please email me the itemized out-the-door quote before we discuss more numbers."
When to pause or leave:
Ask for a written quote if you do not have one. If you do, compare any revised quote with it. Leave when your deadline arrives or the numbers keep changing without explanation.
What to verify and saveOfficial guidance
Leave when the wait is too long
"The manager is working on it. Give us a little more time."
"My hard stop is now. Call or text me when the written itemized quote is ready, and I will review it later."
When to pause or leave:
Leave on the boundary you set. Ask for the complete quote electronically and review it when you are rested; you do not owe more showroom time.
What to verify and saveOfficial guidance
Ask about a deposit before paying
"Put down $500 so nobody else buys it. It's refundable."
"Show me the deposit agreement first. I need the amount, VIN, hold period, cancellation conditions, refundability, and refund deadline in writing."
"I do not pay a deposit based on a verbal promise. Put the amount, conditions, refundability, and refund deadline in writing, and I'll decide after I read it."
When to pause or leave:
Do not pay while the refund rules are vague. Walk away if the dealer will not provide a complete deposit agreement and receipt before taking your money.
Official guidance
Ask for the full price, not just a payment
"What monthly payment are you comfortable with?"
"Let's first agree on the itemized out-the-door price. Then show me the APR, amount financed, term, finance charge, and total of payments so I can compare the full financing cost."
"I only need a target payment to structure the deal."
"A payment changes with the term and amount financed. Please keep the vehicle price, trade, and financing numbers separate."
When to pause or leave:
Do not sign until you can reconcile the payment with the written price and complete financing disclosures.
What to verify and saveOfficial guidance
Separate the four numbers on a worksheet
"Let me show you how we can structure this deal."
"Please give me a written, itemized out-the-door price first. We can review my trade and financing separately after that number is fixed."
When to pause or leave:
Do not sign until you can reconcile the payment with the written price and complete financing disclosures.
What to verify and saveLeave without signing today
"These terms do not work for me. I am not signing anything today. I am leaving to review my options."
When to pause or leave:
Pause before signing and leave if the dealership will not allow enough time to read and ask questions.
What to verify and saveAsk a used-car dealer for an independent inspection
"We already inspected it. The car is certified."
"Please show me who certified it, the inspection report, the Buyers Guide, and the written warranty. I still want an independent mechanic of my choice to inspect it before I buy."
"We do not allow cars to leave for inspections."
"Then I will not sign today. If we cannot arrange a reasonable independent inspection, I will choose another vehicle."
When to pause or leave:
Walk before signing if a reasonable independent inspection cannot be arranged.
What to verify and saveOfficial guidance
Ask for the full lease costs
"The monthly payment is the important part of this lease."
"Please give me the full written lease quote: the vehicle price, cash due when I sign, monthly payment, total of payments, mileage limit, and possible charges when the lease ends."
"Also show the gross capitalized cost, capitalized cost reduction, adjusted capitalized cost, residual value, and money factor or rent charge. I will not treat the money factor as a loan APR."
"I need to read the wear rules, early termination method, end-of-lease charges, and purchase option before I decide."
When to pause or leave:
Do not sign until the due-at-signing amount and contract-specific loss treatment are clear.
What to verify and saveOfficial guidance
Review an Arbitration Clause Before Signing
"This dispute form is standard. Sign here."
"Please give me the full arbitration clause and any written opt-out process and deadline. Is the transaction offered without this clause?"
"We cannot change the paperwork."
"Then I will pause before signing. I may decline the transaction or get state-specific advice after I read the clause."
When to pause or leave:
Do not sign any unexplained, incomplete, or unread document.
What to verify and saveDecline Unwanted Add-Ons
"These products are already installed, so the package stays on the deal."
"I did not agree to those products. Please show each product and price separately and give me the out-the-door total without the charges."
"The lender requires the package."
"Please identify the lender and provide that requirement in writing. I will not sign while an unwanted product remains in the contract."
When to pause or leave:
Do not sign while an unwanted or unexplained product remains in the deal.
What to verify and saveDecline or Compare Optional Coverage
"This coverage is only a few dollars per payment. Can you afford a major repair?"
"I decline optional products today."
"If I consider coverage later, I will compare the total price, provider or administrator, overlap with existing coverage, exclusions, deductible, cancellation terms, and claims process in the written contract."
When to pause or leave:
Pause before signing if the product is inserted without consent or the complete written terms are unavailable.
What to verify and saveOfficial guidance
Respond to Changed Terms After Delivery
"The original financing was not approved. Sign this new contract with a higher payment."
"I am not accepting changed terms on the spot. Was financing final, who is the creditor, and what signed contract language are you relying on? Please give me every requested change in writing."
"You already have the car, so you need to decide now."
"I will compare this with my signed documents. If you are proposing cancellation and return, put the full process in writing. I need time to review my options."
When to pause or leave:
Pause delivery before signing when financing is not final; after delivery, do not sign changed terms before comparing documents and getting state-specific help if needed.
What to verify and saveRespond to an Inventory or Ad Mismatch
"That advertised vehicle is unavailable, but this other one is better."
"When did the advertised car become unavailable? Please email me the answer and the VIN or stock number of the car you are talking about."
"Let us work up numbers on this alternative."
"Before I consider a different car, please send me a dated, itemized quote for its exact VIN. If it does not meet my needs or budget, I will keep shopping."
When to pause or leave:
Stop and do not sign while any material number remains unexplained or different.
What to verify and saveOfficial guidance
Use an Outside Trade Offer
"We can offer $[dealer offer] for your trade."
"I have a written outside offer for $[outside offer], valid through [date], based on the vehicle details shown here. Can you improve your offer?"
"That buyer may change its number after inspection."
"I will verify the outside offer on its terms. Keep the trade value separate from the new vehicle's itemized out-the-door price and financing."
When to pause or leave:
Pause before signing or take the trade elsewhere if the combined deal hides the separate values.
What to verify and saveGet Your Keys Back
"I need my keys back now. I am leaving."
"My manager is still reviewing the appraisal."
"Please stop the appraisal and have a manager return my keys immediately."
"Give us five more minutes."
"I am documenting this request. Please bring the manager responsible for my keys now. If the keys are still not returned, I will seek local help."
When to pause or leave:
Stop negotiating and walk before signing once your property is returned. If it stays withheld or you feel unsafe, move to a safe place and seek locally appropriate help.
What to verify and saveCompare Dealer Financing
"You are approved at [APR] with a payment of [payment]."
"Please show me the written APR, amount financed, term, finance charge, and total of payments before I decide."
"The payment is already within your target."
"I have a written preapproval. I will compare offers using the same loan amount and term, then choose based on the complete written disclosures."
"I want time to compare this with an outside loan offer before I sign."
When to pause or leave:
Pause before signing if the offers are not comparable or any financing disclosure is missing or changed.
What to verify and savePut Every Dealer Promise in Writing
"Before I sign, put [second key / repair / accessory / other promise] in the purchase agreement, Buyers Guide where applicable, or the dealer due-bill or We Owe form if you use one."
"You have my word; the paperwork is not necessary."
"Spoken promises are harder to enforce. I need the exact promise, deadline, responsible party, and any cost written into the deal, and I need a copy."
"We do not use a We Owe form."
"Then add the promise to a signed purchase document before I sign. If it is not documented, I will not rely on it when deciding."
When to pause or leave:
Do not sign based on a promise that the dealer will not document.
What to verify and saveOfficial guidance
Compare Exact-VIN Written Quotes
"Please send a dated, itemized written quote for the exact VIN, equipment, fees, add-ons, and incentive conditions."
"Our invoice or internal cost should show you this is already a strong deal."
"I do not need your internal cost. Please compete on the exact VIN's written out-the-door total and do not change the financing assumptions."
"This price is only available if you buy today."
"Put the complete offer, conditions, and expiration in writing. I will compare it with other offers before making a binding commitment."
When to pause or leave:
Stop and do not sign while any material number remains unexplained or different.
What to verify and saveOfficial guidance
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