DealerRater Embeds Chat Into Ratings Pages
Through a new partnership, DealerRater is making Contact At Once's chat feature available to its certified dealers.
WALTHAM, Mass. — DealerRater and Contact At Once announced the immediate availability of a new chat feature, which enhances the suite of tools offered to DealerRater’s Certified Dealer partners. The collaboration enables real-time chat between automotive dealerships and online shoppers researching a dealership’s reputation on DealerRater.com.
“Our third-party generated dealer reviews and ratings have helped car shoppers to determine and validate which dealerships they would like to do business with,” said Chip Grueter, president of DealerRater. “Since DealerRater Certified Dealers are committed to providing quality customer service, we believe that the integration of Contact At Once! chat will enable our Certified Dealers to connect with in-market consumers in a way that is faster and more convenient than an e-mail or a phone call.”
The Contact At Once! dealer chat network includes third-party listing sites such as AutoTrader.com, Cars.com, CarsDirect.com, CarSoup.com, Edmunds.com, EveryCarListed.com and UsedCars.com.
Once enabled, dealers can respond to consumer chats originating from any place in the dealer chat network using a single set of tools and processes.
“Dealerships are looking for simplicity when it comes to chat,” said Lloyd Hecht, the company’s director of business development. “By embedding our automotive chat solution, dealers can now utilize a single chat solution to manage chats originating from their DealerRater listing, the dealership’s own website as well as the third-party and OEM websites that are part of the Contact At Once! dealer chat network.” To learn more, click here.
More F&I

Why Your F&I PVR Is Misleading You
Here’s a handy checklist of the numbers to track in 2026 instead.
Read More →
Auto Consumer Anxiety Presents Opportunity
A survey of U.S. drivers found the majority are concerned about finances and the economy, but those fears make many ready to buy vehicle-protection products.
Read More →
Humble and Hungry: 12 Rules for an F&I Life
Dustin Gingerich, with a decade in the F&I business under his belt, shares his thoughts on leadership, building trust with customers, and the importance of learning and innovation.
Read More →
Focus on the Opening
F&I managers must learn as much as possible about their customers, starting before they walk into their offices. The bulk of today’s consumers expect that, and good results will follow.
Read More →
F&I Reaches for the Sky
The increasingly important profit center continued making gains in the first quarter, according to StoneEagle data, ancillary products proving more popular as consumers hold onto their buys longer.
Read More →
Timing the Market Can Hurt Long-Term Program Performance
For dealer-owned reinsurance entities, avoiding volatility entirely can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long term surplus growth. Missing just a handful of strong market days can materially impact cumulative returns—an important reminder for long horizon trust and investment strategies.
Read More →
The 90/10 Rule
In this video, Ryan Ruff explains the rule that elite sales professionals use to turn ordinary conversations into unforgettable customer experiences.
Read More →
Your Office Is Talking
What’s the atmosphere saying about you to your customers? You can make minor adjustments and additions that transform your space into one that creates trust with the people on the other side of the desk.
Read More →
F&I Training Fundamentals
How can auto dealerships help F&I managers fulfill their vital role in the most effective ways? Industry expert Rick McCormick shares his insights on the best ways to train these professionals and help them maintain good habits.
Read More →
Not Just Any Tire Will Do
More consumers and businesses are opting for all-season options for various reasons as safety, sustainability and convenience push practical change.
Read More →