Templates for car salespeople
Short, honest, one question each. Copy the one that fits the moment, change the brackets, send it from your work number.
Every one of these fits in one or two text segments and ends with a question that is easy to answer. None of them invents urgency, quotes a payment without the whole picture, or asks for five stars. Replace the brackets, keep the tone, and send the first one within minutes, not hours.
Speed matters more than polish. Confirm the car, say who you are, ask one question.
Within minutes of an inquiry from your page, the store site, or a listing.
Hi [First name], it's [Your name] at [Dealership]. The [Year Make Model] you asked about is here on the lot. Want the out-the-door number first, or a quick walkaround video?
Two easy choices beat an open question. Either answer tells you what they care about.
Someone messages about a car you posted on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
Hi [First name], [Your name] here. I posted the [Year Make Model] and it's still available. Happy to answer anything. Are you looking to trade something in, or buying outright?
You see a missed call from a number you don't know.
Hi, sorry I missed you. This is [Your name] at [Dealership]. Text works great if that's easier. Which car were you calling about?
A lead comes in after close and you want to hold it until morning.
Hi [First name], thanks for asking about the [Year Make Model]. It's [Your name] at [Dealership]. We're closed right now, so I'll confirm it's still here first thing and text you by [time].
Name the time, then beat it. A kept promise is the first thing they learn about you.
A day after the first reply with no answer.
Hi [First name], [Your name] again. No pressure at all. Is the [Year Make Model] still on your list, or did plans change?
Giving them an easy out gets more replies than a second pitch.
The same-day text is the one most salespeople skip. It's also the one buyers remember.
Within an hour of them leaving the lot.
Hi [First name], thanks for coming in today. Good meeting you. Here's my number so you can reach me directly. What's the one question I can answer while you think it over?
The moment you have the thing you said you'd send.
Hi [First name], here's the [vehicle history report / photos / payment estimate] I promised on the [Year Make Model]. Anything you'd like me to double-check?
The day after a visit that ended with “let me think about it.”
Hi [First name], quick one. On the [Year Make Model], was it the car, the numbers, or the trade that you wanted to think over? Happy to work on whichever it is.
Three named choices get an honest answer. “Any questions?” gets silence.
They liked a car but couldn't come back right away.
Hi [First name], I shot a quick walkaround of the [Year Make Model] so you can look it over without another trip. Want me to send it here?
Days two through fourteen. Each text adds something new; none of them repeats the pitch.
A few days out, when something closer to what they wanted shows up.
Hi [First name], a [Year Make Model] just came in with [feature / color / lower miles] you mentioned. Want photos, or a side-by-side with the one you drove?
When the numbers on the car they drove have actually changed.
Hi [First name], the [Year Make Model] you drove is still here and the numbers have moved. Want me to send the current out-the-door figure?
Only send this when it's true. Buyers can tell when “the numbers changed” is a routine.
About a week out, no reply to the last text.
Hi [First name], are you still looking at the [Year Make Model], or did you find something else? Either answer is fine. I just want to send you useful things, not noise.
Two weeks out, as the last scheduled touch.
Hi [First name], I'll stop checking in after this one. If you're still shopping for a [body style / model] down the road, I'm here and I'll remember what you were after.
Ending cleanly is why they come back in six months. It also keeps the thread out of spam territory.
Offer two times, confirm once, remind the morning of. That's the whole system.
They said they'd like to come back in.
Hi [First name], I can have the [Year Make Model] pulled up and ready. Does [Day, time] or [Day, time] work better for you?
Right after they pick a time.
Great, you're set for [Day] at [time] at [Dealership]. Ask for me, [Your name], at the front and I'll have the car out front. Bring your license, and the title or payoff info if you're trading.
The morning of the appointment.
Morning [First name], looking forward to seeing you at [time] today. The [Year Make Model] is washed and up front. Text me if anything changes.
An hour after a missed appointment, no blame.
Hi [First name], looks like today got away from you, no worries at all. Want to pick another time, or would a video of the [Year Make Model] be easier for now?
Most buyers have a car to get rid of. Make it easy to start that part by text.
They mention a trade before they've been in.
Hi [First name], if you send a few photos of your [Year Make Model] plus the miles, I can get you a real number before you drive over. Here's a link that walks you through it: [trade-in link].
On Dealer Duo, the link is your page's trade-in form: photos, a short walkaround video, and the questions, sent straight to you.
The number is in hand.
Hi [First name], I have the number on your [Year Make Model]. Want me to text it, or walk you through it on a quick call?
A year or two after delivery, as a reason to reconnect.
Hi [First name], it's [Your name] at [Dealership]. Curious what your [Year Make Model] is worth right now? I can send a number by text, no visit needed.
The first week after delivery is when reviews and referrals are decided.
When the car is ready for pickup.
Hi [First name], the [Year Make Model] is detailed, fueled, and ready. See you at [time]. Plan on about [duration] for paperwork and a walkthrough of the features.
The next morning.
Morning [First name], how was the first drive home in the [Year Make Model]? If anything feels off or you have a question about a button, text me and I'll sort it out.
A week after delivery.
Hi [First name], a week in. Got the phone paired and the settings how you like them? If you need anything, I'm one text away.
A few weeks before the first scheduled service.
Hi [First name], your first service on the [Year Make Model] is coming up around [month]. Want me to get you on the schedule with our service team? I'll make sure they know you're mine.
Ask once, make it easy, say thank you. Never ask for five stars, ask for honest words.
Two or three days after delivery, once they've said they're happy.
Hi [First name], glad the [Year Make Model] is working out. If you have two minutes, a few honest words here would mean a lot to me: [review link]. Thank you either way.
“Thank you either way” is doing the work. Nobody feels cornered, and more people click.
A week later, if they said yes and didn't get to it. Once only.
Hi [First name], no rush at all, just resending the link in case it got buried: [review link]. Appreciate you.
The day the review goes up.
Hi [First name], I just saw your review. Thank you, truly. It helps more than you know. If anything comes up with the [Model], text me here.
When a customer tells you, or posts, that something wasn't right.
Hi [First name], I'm sorry about [the issue]. That's not how it should have gone. I'd like to make it right. Can I call you today, or is there a time that works better?
Fix the problem first. Never ask them to change or remove a review; if they update it on their own, that's theirs to decide.
A couple of weeks after delivery.
Hi [First name], if anyone you know starts car shopping, feel free to send them my way. Here's my page so they can see what I have and reach me directly: [your page link].
The day a referral contacts you, whether or not they buy.
Hi [First name], [Referral name] reached out today and mentioned you. Thank you, that means a lot. I'll take good care of them.
People who already bought from the store, from you or from someone who left. A reason to text beats a reason to sell.
On the anniversary of delivery.
Hi [First name], one year today with the [Year Make Model]. Hope it's been good to you. If you ever want to know what it's worth or what's new, I'm here. [Your name] at [Dealership].
Their original salesperson has left the store.
Hi [First name], this is [Your name] at [Dealership]. [Previous salesperson] has moved on, and I've been asked to look after the folks they worked with. If you ever need anything on your [Year Make Model], text me here. Nothing to buy, just a name you can reach.
Say plainly that there's nothing to buy. The ones who reply are the ones who'll call you first next time.
About four months before lease end.
Hi [First name], your lease on the [Year Make Model] wraps up around [month]. Want to go over the options early, before the deadline makes the choice for you? I can text them over.
The same day you talked to someone waiting on a repair.
Hi [First name], good talking with you in service today. Here's my number as promised. If you'd ever like a number on your [Year Make Model] with no pressure, I'm here.
Email is where the recap lives and what gets forwarded to the spouse. Each one has a subject line, a short body, and one next step.
What to say, in your own voice, when the conversation reaches the spot where most deals stall.
Where leads come from, what paid leads really cost, and the method that builds a book you keep.