From Sneaker Bots to Agentic Commerce: How AI Could Rewrite the Rules of Auto Retail
Artificial intelligence isn’t just answering questions anymore — it’s starting to make purchases. OpenAI recently announced a new payment feature inside ChatGPT that allows users to complete transactions directly through the chatbot. Analysts are calling this agentic commerce.
In practical terms, it means shoppers can now say: “Buy me this item, use my Amex for points, and get free shipping” — and the AI will handle it. It’s a small step now, but a big signal of where retail is headed.
The Sneaker Bot Playbook, Now Mainstream
This isn’t the first time automation has reshaped commerce. Sneaker collectors have long used bots to beat human shoppers, scooping up limited releases before anyone else could click “buy”.
The difference: sneaker bots were brute force. They refreshed pages and checked out faster than humans. They lived in the shadows.
ChatGPT flips the model. Instead of speed, it optimizes logic: Which card gets the most rewards? Which seller offers free shipping? How do you stack discounts? It’s not just faster than you — it’s smarter. And unlike sneaker bots, it’s being rolled out as a mainstream feature.
Payments Companies Face a New Gatekeeper
The checkout button has always been prime real estate. Apple Pay, PayPal, Shopify, Klarna, Affirm — all have fought tooth and nail for the right to be “the button” you click at checkout. Analysts even call it the button wars.
But what happens when the consumer isn’t clicking anymore? If ChatGPT or another AI agent is making the payment decision, the old levers of convenience, loyalty, and habit start to matter less.
Payments companies may soon have to compete not for human preference, but for AI recommendation.
Why Dealers Should Pay Attention
This shift isn’t just about online shopping carts. It’s a preview of what could hit auto retail.
F&I Will Change. Instead of sitting with an advisor, customers may tell AI: “Get me the best financing and warranty coverage”. The agent could instantly compare lenders and products, cutting straight to the most efficient option.
Service Scheduling Could Automate. AI could book maintenance by comparing dealership offers, appointment times, and perks, then pay with the card that maximizes rewards.
Loyalty Could Be Won — or Lost — by AI. Dealers who adapt early may secure their place as the “default recommendation.” Those who don’t risk being reduced to a lowest-price listing.
From Niche Hack to Industry Standard
Sneaker bots showed us how automation disrupted consumer access. But ChatGPT is making the concept mainstream, consumer-friendly, and potentially legitimate — with retailers and payment providers choosing to partner rather than fight.
For auto retail, the message is clear: If AI can already optimize sneaker drops and Etsy purchases, it won’t be long before it’s working on car deals, service contracts, and financing packages.
The Takeaway: AI as the New Dealership Showroom
Today, ChatGPT-driven referrals make up less than 0.3% of Etsy’s U.S. traffic. But that’s already six times higher than last year. Growth is rapid, and the early movers who integrate with AI systems may secure the most valuable position of all: being the recommendation the AI agent makes on behalf of the customer.
For dealerships, the question isn’t whether AI will step into the transaction. It’s how quickly — and whether we’re prepared to meet it.