One car.
One email.
One number.
Get the out-the-door price in writing before you leave home. Send the same quote request to every dealer, compare their real total prices, and let the quotes compete for your business.
Different offers.
You choose.
The price online isn’t the price you pay.
The advertised price is only the starting point. Taxes and required fees vary, and optional dealer products can push the final total higher.
The point is not that every difference is “dealer profit.” The point is knowing exactly which dollars are taxes, required fees, optional add-ons, or negotiable price.
Four simple steps.
No negotiation course. No sales tactics to memorize. Just a cleaner way to buy a car.
1. Copy
Use the proven email template.
2. Send
Email the same request to multiple dealers.
3. Compare
Review their written out-the-door prices.
4. Buy
Choose the best verified offer and move forward.
I’m interested in a 2026 Toyota RAV4 XLE. Please send me your best out-the-door price in writing, including all taxes, required fees and any dealer add-ons.
I’m comparing multiple written offers and will move forward with the best verified deal.
Thank you,
Copy. Paste. Send.
The goal is simple: get the same type of written number from every dealer before anyone starts steering the conversation toward monthly payment.
| Dealer | Vehicle | OTD Price | Add-ons / Conditions | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dealer A | RAV4 XLE | $31,892 | None listed | Available |
| Dealer B | RAV4 XLE | $33,450 | Paint protection | Available |
| Dealer C | RAV4 XLE | $32,120 | None | In transit |
| Dealer D | RAV4 XLE | $34,399 | Etching + service plan | Available |
Understand what common products do, whether they’re optional, and what to ask before agreeing.
Signing-Day Checklist
Make sure the contract matches the quote.
A low email quote is useless if the final paperwork quietly changes the deal. The checklist gives you the exact items to verify before signing.
Don’t let everything disappear into a monthly payment.
Look at each number on its own before they get bundled together.
Car price (OTD)
The total vehicle price including taxes and required fees.
Your trade-in
Know its value and negotiate it separately.
The loan
Compare APR, term and total cost after agreeing on price.
Pro tip
Never negotiate the payment first. A lower monthly payment can simply mean a longer loan and more interest.
Spend $9.99 before you spend $30,000.
The OTD Method gives you the tools to make a smarter, more informed decision before you walk onto the lot.
Before you buy.
Does this guarantee a specific amount of savings?
No. Dealer pricing, taxes, fees, inventory and negotiation vary. The method is designed to make real written totals easier to compare before you commit.
Is the lowest quote always the best deal?
Not automatically. Verify the exact vehicle or VIN, conditions, rebates, required financing, add-ons, availability and quote expiration before deciding.
Does this work if I’m financing?
Yes. The key is to compare the vehicle’s out-the-door price separately from the loan. Then compare APR, term and total borrowing cost after the price is clear.
What about my trade-in?
Keep it separate too. Know your trade-in’s approximate value and avoid using the monthly payment as the main measure of whether the overall deal is good.
Does it work for used cars?
Yes, but compare the exact vehicle carefully. Condition, mileage, history and VIN matter much more when two used vehicles are not truly identical.
Is every dealer fee optional?
No. Taxes, registration and some fees may be required or vary by state. The method helps you identify the full written total and distinguish required charges from optional dealer products.