AI Auto-Reply: Never Leave a Lead Waiting
78% of buyers go with the first dealer to respond. When your reps are with customers or it's after hours, Relay's AI sends an immediate, contextual first response, buying time without losing the lead.
Book a Demoof car buyers choose the first dealer to respond to their inquiry.
After 5 minutes, contact rates drop 10x. After 30 minutes, the conversation is likely over.
How AI auto-reply works
Lead arrives
A new lead comes in from AutoTrader, your website form, Facebook, or any connected source. Relay detects the lead source and the vehicle of interest.
AI sends a contextual first response
Within seconds, the AI sends a personalized acknowledgment referencing the vehicle and confirming a rep will follow up. No generic "we'll be in touch" messages.
Rep gets notified and takes over
The assigned rep opens the conversation and sees the full context: original lead, AI response, and any customer reply. They pick up seamlessly.
Each rep controls their own AI and auto-reply preferences.
Configurable per rep: not a one-size-fits-all switch
Every salesperson works differently. Relay gives each rep full control over when and how the AI responds on their behalf.
Always-on mode
AI responds to every new lead immediately, regardless of time. The rep gets the notification and follows up when ready.
After-hours only
AI activates only outside business hours. During the day, the rep handles first contact directly. At night, no lead goes unacknowledged.
Manager defaults
Managers can set default AI preferences for the team. Reps can customize their own settings within those defaults on Pro Plan.
What the AI does, and what it doesn't
- Instant acknowledgment (within seconds)
- Contextual reference to the vehicle of interest
- Setting expectation for rep follow-up
- After-hours lead capture and warm-up
- Seamless handoff with full conversation history
- Negotiate price or make financial commitments
- Answer detailed inventory questions
- Replace the salesperson relationship
- Handle objections or complex inquiries
- Complete the sale
Relay AI buys time. Your sales team closes deals.
AI auto-reply pairs with these features
Lead Routing →
AI auto-reply works alongside routing, the lead gets acknowledged while Relay assigns it to the right rep.
SMS & Calling →
All AI responses go through Relay's dedicated dealership numbers, not personal phones.
Manager Dashboard →
See which leads were AI-handled and how quickly your reps followed up.
AI auto-reply: frequently asked questions
Does AI auto-reply replace my sales reps?
No. AI auto-reply is designed to buy time and keep the lead warm, not to replace the human conversation. It sends an initial acknowledgment so the lead knows their message was received, then hands off to the assigned rep as soon as they're available. Your salespeople close the deal.
Can each rep control their own AI auto-reply settings?
Yes. Every rep in Relay has their own AI and auto-reply preferences. They can enable or disable auto-reply, set when it activates (always, after-hours only, or when they're busy), and customize the tone of the initial response. Managers can also set defaults at the team level.
What does the AI actually say in a first response?
The AI sends a contextual message based on the lead source and vehicle of interest. For example, a CarGurus inquiry about a specific truck gets a response that references the vehicle, confirms receipt, and lets the customer know a rep will follow up shortly. It does not invent information or make promises about price.
How does the AI hand off to the human rep?
When the assigned rep opens the conversation in Relay, they see the full context: the original lead, the AI's initial response, and any reply from the customer. The rep picks up exactly where the AI left off. There is no awkward gap or duplicate message. The customer experience is seamless.
Stop losing leads to slow first responses
Book a demo and see how Relay's AI auto-reply keeps leads warm while your team is busy.
Book a Demo