Privacy Policy
CarChat (carchat.io) is a vehicle listing site operated by Hammer Corp, Austin, TX. This policy covers how we handle information when you browse listings or contact a dealership through CarChat, whether you use the website directly or reach it through an AI assistant.
Information we collect
- Private negotiation requests. When you ask CarChat to negotiate for you, your contact details, goals, and private notes stay in your CarChat case. They are encrypted at rest and accessible to you in the browser that created the case and to authorized CarChat staff. A negotiation request does not create a dealership lead or give a dealer your contact details. A separate, explicit permission naming that dealer is required before CarChat may introduce you.
- Inquiries you send. If you ask a dealership about a vehicle, we collect your name, phone number, email (if you give one), and your message, plus the vehicle and dealership you asked about.
- Financing applications you choose to send. Asking about a car or a payment does not create a credit application or a credit check. If you later tap Apply and agree to the notice on that form, we collect the fields you type (identity, residence, employment, income, and optionally a Social Security number and driver's license) and send the application to the selling dealership. Application details are encrypted at rest and removed after up to 90 days; contact information remains with the lead record. Only the selling store’s account owner can open the details after reconfirming their password. CarChat is not a lender and does not make a credit decision.
- Prequalification requests you choose to send. If you tap Get prequalified and agree to that notice, we collect your name, phone, and address and send the request to the selling dealership. This is not a credit application and we do not run a credit check from that form. Address fields and the request consent are encrypted and stored at most 30 days, then deleted. Contact information remains with the lead record. This form does not authorize a future credit pull. Any later credit check requires a separate authorization.
- Technical data. Standard server logs (IP address, browser, pages viewed) so we can keep the site working and stop abuse. Browsing does not require an account, and we do not use third-party advertising cookies.
- Search queries. Search terms sent to our site or API (for example "used truck under $25,000"). These are not linked to your identity unless you also submit an inquiry.
Use through AI assistants
CarChat can be used through AI assistants such as ChatGPT and Claude. When an assistant searches CarChat for you, we receive only the search request, never your conversation history or account details. Your name and phone number reach us only if you explicitly ask the assistant to send an inquiry to a dealership, and that inquiry is handled exactly like one submitted on our website.
How we use it
For a private negotiation case, CarChat uses your information to work on your request. Our dealer-facing quote requests identify the vehicle and ask for written terms without revealing your name, phone number, email, private budget, or notes. Case status distinguishes a saved request from actual dealer contact or a received offer. You can cancel the case in the same browser.
When you explicitly submit a direct dealership contact form, we send that inquiry to the selling dealership so they can contact you about that vehicle, and we keep a copy so the dealership can follow up and so we can prevent spam. We do not sell shopper lists, and we do not use your information for advertising. We do not require an account to browse or inquire.
Who we share it with
A dealership receives your contact details only when you explicitly choose a dealer contact or financing form with its sharing notice, or separately authorize an introduction from your private negotiation case. Asking CarChat to negotiate is not permission to share your contact details. Service providers (hosting, database, and email delivery) process information on our behalf. We do not share shopper information with advertisers or data brokers, and we do not sell personal information.
How long we keep it
- Inquiries: up to 24 months from submission, then deleted.
- Financing applications: encrypted application data up to 90 days, then shredded. The name, phone and email that also sit on the inquiry follow the inquiry retention above.
- Prequalification requests: address and the written instruction up to 30 days, then deleted. Name and phone follow the inquiry retention above.
- Server logs and search queries: up to 90 days.
Your choices and rights
You can ask us to show you or delete any inquiry you submitted by emailing support@carchat.io from the address in the inquiry, or by including the phone number you used. We respond within 30 days. The dealership you contacted keeps its own copy; we will give you their contact details so you can make the same request to them.
Children
CarChat is not directed to children under 16. We do not knowingly collect information from children.
Changes and contact
If this policy changes, we update this page and the date above. Questions: support@carchat.io.
CarChat is operated by Hammer Corp, Austin, TX.