Help Center
User Guide &
Reference
Everything you need to run your deal, spot scams, and walk into any dealership or private sale ready to win.
Quick Start
30 Seconds to Protection
Get a Bouncer Pass
Tap any "Get Protected" button to unlock every tool. Passes start at $2.99 for 24 hours — pay once, no subscription, no signup needed.
Run your deal through the OTD Engine
Enter the vehicle's negotiated price and your state. The engine applies 2026 tax tables and exposes every hidden fee so you know the real total before you sign anything.
Scan any listing or seller message
Paste the listing text (or a seller's reply) into the Scam Scanner and check any photo/behavior boxes that apply. You'll get an instant risk score with an explanation of every flag.
Copy a Battle Script and negotiate
Pick the negotiation scenario that fits your deal — OTD anchor, add-on refusal, market-adjustment pushback — and send the script word-for-word. No improvising under pressure.
You can try the OTD Engine for free before buying a pass. All other tools require an active pass.
Tool Guide
OTD Reality Engine
Calculates the true Out-The-Door price for any car deal — new or used. Dealerships love monthly-payment math because it hides fees. This tool forces every number into the open.
Enter the negotiated price
This is the price of the vehicle itself — not MSRP, not monthly payment. It's what you and the dealer agreed the car is worth. If you haven't negotiated yet, use MSRP as a starting point.
Select your state
Pick the state where you'll register the car (usually where you live). Our engine applies that state's exact 2026 sales tax rate.
Add the VIN (optional but recommended)
A 17-character VIN unlocks automatic Year/Make/Model/Trim decoding via the NHTSA database — so you can verify the car is exactly what the dealer claims.
Enter add-ons and fees
Add any charges the dealer listed: doc fee, destination, accessories, protection packages. The engine flags which are standard, inflated, or junk.
Review your real OTD
The engine shows total cost broken down by each component plus a Bouncer Score for the deal. Use this number — not a monthly payment — as your negotiating anchor.
Print or screenshot the OTD breakdown before going into the dealership. Show it to the finance manager. They'll know you did your homework.
Tool Guide
Scam Scanner
Detects fraud in private-party listings and dealership ads. Paste the listing text, flag photo and behavior red flags, and optionally paste the seller's reply — and get an instant risk score.
Copy the listing text
Copy everything from the listing — title, description, price, seller notes, any disclaimers. Longer text = more signals for the engine.
Paste into the Scam Scanner field
Find the large text area on the scanner page and paste your listing text there.
Check the photo & behavior boxes
These four checkboxes add signal the scanner can't read from text: no license plates visible, no inspection sticker, car appears to be at a shop or tow yard, or photos show damage not mentioned in the listing.
Paste the seller's reply (optional but powerful)
If the seller has replied to your inquiry, paste their message in the "Seller Reply" field. The engine detects evasion patterns: redirecting to in-person meet without answering questions, VIN refusal, phone-only communication requests, and more.
Read your Scam Risk Score
Your score from 0–100 breaks into six dimensions: Language, Price Signals, Title Signals, Seller Behavior, VIN Signals, and Seller Reply Analysis. Each flagged dimension shows you exactly what fired and why.
Tool Guide
Trap Detector
Exposes the junk fees and psychological tricks dealers use in the F&I office and during negotiation. Know the trap before you walk in.
The Monthly Payment Switch
Dealer shifts from OTD to monthly payment talk.
Counter: Repeat: 'I'm negotiating on total out-the-door price only.'
The Four-Square Worksheet
Mixes price, trade-in, monthly payment, and down payment on one sheet to confuse you.
Counter: Separate every variable. Negotiate price first, then trade-in, then financing — never all at once.
The Spot Delivery / 'Yo-Yo' Scam
You drive home, then get called back saying financing fell through — usually with worse terms.
Counter: Never drive away until all paperwork is fully executed and financing is confirmed in writing.
VIN Etching
$200–$400 for a service you can DIY for $10 with a kit.
Counter: Say: 'I'll decline all add-ons. Please remove them from the contract.'
Nitrogen Tire Fill
$150–$300 for something available free at many tire shops.
Counter: Refuse it. Air is 78% nitrogen anyway.
Paint / Fabric Protection
Overpriced sealant applied at the dealer.
Counter: Decline. Better products cost $30 at any auto-parts store.
Extended Warranty (F&I)
Often overpriced by 200–400% vs. third-party plans.
Counter: You can buy a third-party extended warranty anytime within your factory warranty period. Don't decide in the finance office.
Market Adjustment
Arbitrary markup above MSRP.
Counter: Say: 'I'm not paying a market adjustment. My offer is MSRP OTD.' Walk out if they won't move — other dealers will.
Tool Guide
Battle Scripts
Ready-to-send negotiation scripts for every dealership scenario. Copy them word-for-word — no improvising under pressure.
Enter your deal details
Add your target OTD price, trade-in value (if any), and the scenario you're facing. The more context you give, the more tailored the script.
Pick your scenario
Choose from common situations: OTD price anchoring, pushing back on add-ons, handling market adjustments, trade-in negotiation, or walking away gracefully.
Copy and send
Tap the copy button. Paste it directly into an email or text, or read it aloud in person. These scripts are tested and designed to keep you in control of the conversation.
Scripts work best via email or text first — that way you have everything in writing and aren't put on the spot face-to-face when dealers use silence and pressure tactics.
Tool Guide
Dealer Score
Look up or contribute to dealer reputation scores. Know who you're walking into before you shake a hand.
Search by name or location
Enter the dealership name, city, or zip code into the Score search. Results show community-sourced ratings and flag verified scam tactics.
Review the score and reports
Each dealership shows an overall Bouncer Score (0–100), specific tactic flags (pressure tactics, false advertising, bait-and-switch, etc.), and community comments.
Rate your own experience
After buying, rate your dealership. Your honest report helps protect the next buyer.
Passes & Pricing
How Passes Work
Full 24-hour access. Best if you need to run a deal today or compare a few listings this weekend.
A long weekend of car shopping covered. Ideal for test-driving multiple vehicles over a few days.
Two full weeks to take your time. Perfect for buyers still deciding between a few vehicles.
A full month of protection. Best for buyers still early in the process or shopping in a difficult market.
What all passes include
OTD Reality Engine — unlimited runs
Scam Scanner — unlimited scans
Trap Detector — full trap library
Battle Scripts — all negotiation scenarios
Bouncer Score — dealer lookup & rating
Bouncer Go — location-based dealer hunting
Passes are non-subscription. One payment, timed access, done. No auto-renewal, no hidden charges.
Quick Reference
Key Terms
OTD Price
Out-The-Door price — the full amount you pay to drive away: vehicle price + taxes + title + registration + doc fee + add-ons.
MSRP
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price — the sticker price. It's a starting point for negotiation, never the floor.
Invoice Price
What the dealer paid the manufacturer. Closer to a true cost floor, though holdback and incentives complicate this.
Doc Fee
Documentation fee — dealer profit wrapped in paperwork. Ranges from ~$85 (capped states) to $1,500+ (uncapped states).
Destination Charge
Factory-to-dealer shipping cost set by the manufacturer. Typically $900–$1,500. Non-negotiable on new cars.
Market Adjustment
Dealer markup above MSRP. Common on high-demand vehicles. Fully negotiable — push back hard.
F&I
Finance & Insurance office — where dealers pitch add-ons (extended warranties, paint protection, GAP insurance) after you agree on price. High-margin territory.
GAP Insurance
Covers the 'gap' between what you owe and what insurance pays if the car is totaled. Dealers mark it up 200–400%. Buy from your own insurer instead.
VIN
Vehicle Identification Number — 17-character unique ID. Decoded via NHTSA's free database. Mismatches across title, dashboard, and door jamb are fraud red flags.
Salvage Title
Car was declared a total loss by an insurer. Carries major resale, insurance, and financing penalties. Always requires disclosure.
Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title
A salvage vehicle that was repaired and re-certified. Still carries a branded title — insurance costs more and resale value is lower.
Flood / Lemon Title
Branded titles for flood-damaged or state-certified defective vehicles. Both are typically deal-breakers.
Wire Transfer / Zelle Scam
Scammers insist on wire transfer or Zelle for a vehicle in a distant city. Once sent, money is gone. Never wire for a car you haven't seen in person.
Upside-Down / Underwater
Owing more on your current car than it's worth. Dealers roll this 'negative equity' into your new loan — inflating your payments.
Four-Square Worksheet
Dealer tactic using a paper with four boxes (price, trade-in, monthly payment, down payment) to obscure the true cost by mixing variables.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
DISCLAIMER: Car Buying Bouncer provides mathematical estimates and negotiation templates for informational purposes only. We do not provide financial, legal, or professional advice. All calculations are based on user inputs and average data. We make no warranties regarding the accuracy of this data or the success of any negotiation. Users assume all risk. Not affiliated with any dealership, manufacturer, or third-party inspection service.
Designed by Russell Nomer