How does pay-as-you-go pricing work for used car dealerships?

Dealerships upload their inventory lists, financing documents, and FAQs into Chatref. The platform builds an AI agent grounded solely in that content. Every time a site visitor asks a question and the agent responds, your account is debited 1–5 coins depending on complexity. You preload credit via a simple top-up; unused credit never expires and there is no monthly subscription. Every new account starts with $50 in free credit, so you can test with zero risk.

Because there are no per-seat fees, your whole team can access the shared inbox and hand off conversations without per-person charges. Pricing for dealerships stays directly tied to real usage, not headcount.

Traditional live chat tools charge per agent per month, but a used car lot often runs with just two or three salespeople. Chatref’s pay-as-you-go model eliminates per-seat fees entirely. Every staff member can view incoming chats, step in when a human touch is needed, and review conversation history at no added cost. For a lean operation, this keeps overhead predictable and cost-effective AI support within reach even when chat volumes fluctuate.

Chatref’s AI agents resolve routine questions automatically - like current APR offers, vehicle availability, or trade-in steps - freeing your team to focus on walk-ins and negotiations. While the agent answers, the built-in lead capture feature can collect names, phone numbers, and vehicle interests right in the chat, turning casual browsers into warm leads. Each captured lead can be worth far more than the handful of coins it cost to generate. Over a month, the value of saved staff time and new leads often exceeds the entire top-up amount.

Most customer support platforms charge $30–$100 per user/month and lock you into annual contracts, whether customers chat or not. If your lot sees a winter slowdown, you still pay. Chatref costs nothing when the agent is idle. All features - unlimited bots, lead capture, custom branding - are included on every account. No add-on fees, no contracts. For used car dealerships with seasonal spikes (tax refund season, summer) and quiet months, pay-as-you-go aligns cost perfectly with demand.

What are the advantages of pay-as-you-go pricing?
The main advantages are no fixed monthly costs, no per-seat fees, full control over spending (top up as needed), and credit that never expires. You pay only for AI responses actually served, so your costs scale with real customer demand, not team size. The free $50 starter credit also lets you test without any financial commitment.

How does it compare to traditional support costs?
Traditional tools charge per agent per month - often $30 to $200 - with annual contracts, meaning you pay even if chat volume drops to zero. Chatref’s pay-as-you-go has no per-agent fees, no monthly plans, and no contracts. You pay only when the AI answers a question, which can dramatically reduce support spend for a dealership with uneven inquiry traffic.

Can I adjust my plan based on chat volume?
Yes. Since there is no subscription, you simply top up your account credit whenever you need more. Increase spending during busy months, then let the balance sit untouched in slow periods. There’s no need to change plans, contact sales, or renegotiate - it’s entirely self-service.