100% disagree on everything.
Majority of emails are also looking for answers (price, quotes, availability, etc) pretty similar to chat. Furthermore, very few questions can be found on a website other than hours of operation and inventory related (starting negotiation price and some options in the unit).
Chat is another way of communication. No more no less.
If you look outside the automotive industry almost every other industry (banking, airlines, cell phones, etc) force you to enter your contact information before they will chat with you or it is one of the first things they will ask you what you use their systems.
Anonymous chats are discouraged in almost every industry.
Here is the difference in mindset: some people think that I need your name and number to hound you after you chat with me. On the other hand Bank of America, Comcast, Sprint, etc look at it from the point of customer support (disconnection issues, quality control issues, follow up with support issues).
Step up. Chat done right is not $299/month. Nor every dealer will be able to find the staff and train them to be great at chat (lets actually start with phone skills if you are going to spend some money). There is no mystery on chat, it is just another way of communication tat fortunately you can keep open 24/7 (that is actually its advantage).
