• This thread is just the tip of the iceberg.The people ahead of the curve aren't Googling for answers — they're already in here, having the conversations you haven't found yet. DealerRefresh is free.Get the full picture →

The Three "C's" of SMS Compliance for Auto Dealers

Nathan Anderson

Green Pea
Apr 27, 2016
6
3
First Name
Nathan
If someone had told you 10 years ago that people would be ordering everything from groceries to cars on their phone without actually speaking to a store representative, you probably wouldn't have believed them. But today we do all that and more with our smartphones, and the evolution of text message (or SMS) communications and customer care has grown right along with it.

A 2014 study conducted by Morpace found that more than 35% of people were either 'very' or 'somewhat' interested in receiving text messages from auto dealers after they purchased a car. These messages could be about scheduled maintenance, recalls, or even reaching out about vehicles and special pricing.

SMS Compliance for Dealers is Critical

The automotive industry has been particularly uneasy with implementing texting solutions after high-profile lawsuit settlements have left dealers and dealer groups understandably cautious.

One issue that comes up when using SMS as part of your marketing and customer service are the laws surrounding these communications. In some ways, the laws haven't quite caught up with the technology, which creates a lot of gray area for dealers who want to make the most of this option.

For instance, calling someone on their mobile phone can possess the same risk as texting. Phone systems and call center platforms could be classified as "autodialers" in the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), which means all the rules that apply to telemarketers would apply to your dealership as well.

[highlight color="#cc652d" font="#ffffff"]
>> Free Download: SMS Compliance Guide for Auto Dealers
 

✨ AI Highlights

Nathan Anderson outlines the three core compliance principles dealers must follow when using SMS to communicate with customers, framed around growing consumer openness to text-based dealer outreach. The post references a 2014 Morpace study showing over 35% of buyers were interested in receiving dealer texts post-purchase, establishing why SMS strategy matters. The thread emphasizes that compliance isn't optional — dealers who ignore the rules around consent, content, and contact risk serious legal exposure under federal messaging regulations.

Replies Views 0 1 Started Last Reply