Car dealerships on Messenger: answer every "is this still available?"
Every car you list on Facebook brings a stream of Messenger enquiries, most of them "is this still available?". Answer slowly and the buyer moves on to the next listing. An AI agent can reply from your stock list, answer the common questions and book a test drive, and leave prices and part-exchange to the sales team.
What customers ask on Messenger
- Is this still available?
- What is the mileage, and does it have full service history?
- Can I come and see it tomorrow?
- Do you offer finance?
- Will you take my car in part exchange?
An example conversation
This illustration shows a Marketplace enquiry about a used hatchback. Names and details are examples.
| Who | Message |
|---|---|
| Sophie | Is this still available? |
| AI agent | Yes, the 2021 Golf is still available. It has 28,000 miles and full service history. Would you like to see it? |
| Sophie | Can I test drive it Saturday? |
| AI agent | Saturday has 11:00 or 2:00. Please bring your driving licence. Which time suits you? |
| Sophie | 11 |
| AI agent | Booked for Saturday at 11:00. Mark will have the car ready for you. |
What the agent answers
- Whether a car is still available, from your live stock list.
- Mileage, service history, MOT and spec.
- Booking test drives and viewings.
- Opening hours, location and what to bring.
What it always hands to you
- Price negotiation and part-exchange valuations.
- Finance applications and anything about credit.
- Problems with a car someone already bought.
Keep the stock list live
The worst reply a dealer can give is "yes, available" for a car sold yesterday. Connect the agent to the list your team actually updates, and tell it to say a salesperson will confirm if a car is not on that list. Messenger also limits messages to people who have not replied, so the agent answers enquiries rather than starting new chats.
The Messenger limits that matter here
| Limit | Spaces limit per Messenger account |
|---|---|
| Messages | Up to 40 a day |
| Gap between messages | At least 20 seconds |
| New conversations you start | 3 an hour, 8 a day |
Like Instagram, Messenger limits messages to people who have not replied, so replies in existing chats work best.
Set it up in an afternoon
- Give the agent your stock list, or connect it to the tool that holds it.
- Connect the Facebook account that receives your listing messages by signing in.
- Write a note with test drive rules, finance wording and when to hand over.
- Share the sales team's free slots.
- Review the first week of chats with the team.
Who you message
Pricing
FAQ
Does it work for Marketplace messages?
Marketplace enquiries arrive in Messenger, so the agent can answer them on the account you connect.
Can it talk about finance?
Only to say you offer it and a person will go through options. Anything about credit or monthly payments should go to your team.
Can it follow up with buyers who went quiet?
Messenger restricts messages to people who have not replied, so keep follow-ups to one, and only to people who enquired.