With Basic, Dealer Garage checks a mailbox you choose over IMAP, reads lead emails (including the ADF/XML format that many listing sites use) and creates leads with the customer's name, contact details and the vehicle of interest. It runs on your computer, so the mailbox credentials stay with you.
How it works
- Create or choose a mailbox that receives your lead emails.
- In Settings, Leads, enter its IMAP details. Dealer Garage tests the connection.
- Dealer Garage checks the folder, reads new messages, extracts the customer and vehicle and creates a lead.
What is ADF
ADF is an XML format for automotive leads. Listing sites and many dealer websites send it so software can read it. A message in that format carries the customer's name and contact details, the vehicle of interest and a comment. Dealer Garage parses it and fills in the lead. See the glossary.
What it needs
- A mailbox with IMAP access (most providers offer it).
- Basic or Pro plan.
- An internet connection while checking mail.
An app-specific password is safer than your main one where your provider supports it.
After a lead arrives
It appears on the lead board, counted in the unopened-leads badge, and joins the same pipeline as walk-ins and calls. See lead management.
Setting it up safely
- Create a dedicated mailbox, such as leads@ your own domain, and point listing-site lead emails at it.
- Use an app password rather than your normal one if the provider supports it.
- Enter the IMAP host, port and folder in Dealer Garage and run the connection test.
- Send yourself a test enquiry and confirm a lead appears.
If leads do not appear
- Check that the messages arrive in the folder Dealer Garage is reading.
- Confirm the mailbox allows IMAP access and that the password is right.
- Make sure Dealer Garage is running; it checks while the app is open.
- Look for messages the provider moved to spam.
Questions people ask
Do I need to change my listing-site settings?
Point their lead emails to the mailbox Dealer Garage checks.
Is my email password sent to you?
No. The connection is made from your computer to your mail server.
Which sites work?
Any that send leads by email in a readable format, including ADF/XML.
Try Dealer Garage
Dealer Garage is installable dealer management software for independent used-car dealers in the US and Canada: inventory, leads, deals, dealer paperwork, Facebook Marketplace posting and email campaigns, with records stored on the dealership's own computer..