Ask for an itemized out-the-door quote

When it is used

The first message to each dealer. It asks for an itemized out-the-door quote on a specific car, quoted as a purchase on its own, with no trade-in and no monthly payment figure, so the quotes line up.

The template

Copy it and replace each {{placeholder}}; a line whose placeholder has nothing to say can be deleted.

Subject: Out-the-door quote request for {{car}}

Hello,

I'm interested in the {{car}} you have listed.
Stock # or VIN: {{stock}}

Could you send me an itemized out-the-door quote for it? Please include:

- Vehicle price
- Doc fee
- Any dealer-installed add-ons, each listed with its price
- Sales tax
- Title and registration
- The total out-the-door price

Please quote it as a purchase on its own, with no trade-in. I'm comparing dealers by the out-the-door total, so a monthly payment figure isn't needed. {{financing}}

{{inspection}}

I'm requesting quotes from a few dealers and plan to decide by {{deadline}}. Could you also confirm the car is in stock and available?

Thanks for your help.

Fill it in the planner

What the placeholders stand for

{{car}} The car: year, make, model and trim, such as "2026 Toyota RAV4 XLE"
{{stock}} Stock number or VIN: the listing's stock number or the car's VIN; the whole line is dropped when empty
{{financing}} A line about financing: such as "I already have pre-approved financing, so I'm comparing on the out-the-door price."
{{inspection}} A line about inspection: for a used car: "Since it's a used car, I'd like the sale to be contingent on an independent pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic I choose, and any deposit to be fully refundable if I don't go ahead after it. Could you confirm both in writing before I pay anything?" Empty on a new car, and the line is dropped
{{deadline}} The date to decide by: a date, such as "Friday"

The templates carry no name, phone number, email address or home address.

Next in the method: Invite a dealer to beat a better quote. All templates: emails.

Updated October 27, 2026