SMS & Communications Policy

Effective date: 2026-06-05 · Last updated: 2026-06-05

This policy is a beta-period draft and will be reviewed by counsel before general availability.

1. Overview

CarDealerTool provides infrastructure that enables dealers to send SMS and email to their own customers. The dealer is the sender and the party responsible for the content and legality of those messages. CarDealerTool is a service provider, not the sender.

2. TCPA Compliance

Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), prior express written consent is required before sending marketing SMS. Each dealer must obtain and document the necessary consent from its customers before sending messages through the Service.

3. Opt-Out

Recipients can opt out at any time by replying STOP. The platform processes STOP automatically and flags the recipient as opted out; dealers must honor opt-outs and must not message opted-out recipients.

4. Message Frequency Disclosure

Dealers should disclose expected message frequency at opt-in (e.g. “message frequency varies”) consistent with carrier and CTIA messaging standards.

5. Carrier Fees

Message and data rates may apply to recipients. Dealers should include a “Msg & data rates may apply” disclosure where required.

6. Dealer Obligations

Maintain records of TCPA consent for each recipient.
Configure Do-Not-Contact (DNC) flags on customer profiles and honor them.
Comply with state-specific rules — including stricter laws in states such as Florida, California, Oklahoma, and New York.

7. Quiet Hours

Do not send messages outside 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. in the recipient's local time, consistent with TCPA and state quiet-hour rules.

8. Required Template Disclaimers

Message templates should include standard disclaimers such as “Reply HELP for help, Reply STOP to opt out.” Dealers are responsible for including legally required language.

9. CarDealerTool Liability

CarDealerTool provides the messaging infrastructure only. TCPA and related liability rests with the senders (dealers), who control consent, content, timing, and recipient lists. Dealers indemnify CarDealerTool for claims arising from their communications.

10. Contact

Compliance questions? Email [email protected].