Privacy
Outsmart the Lot is a static educational site. This page explains what the site itself does, what its analytics service does, and when an external service becomes involved.
Last reviewed: July 2026. This is a general educational resource; rules and fees can vary by state, lender, dealer, and vehicle.
No accounts or submitted calculator data
Outsmart the Lot has no site accounts. Its calculator forms do not submit the values you enter to the owner or to an Outsmart the Lot server; the calculations run in your browser.
The site does not provide a contact form, checkout, or newsletter signup. Do not put sensitive personal information into any calculator field.
Battle Plan progress stays in your browser
When you check off Battle Plan steps, that progress is stored only in this browser's localStorage on this device so the checklist can remember it. The progress is not submitted to the owner or to an Outsmart the Lot server.
You can clear it with the Battle Plan's Reset progress control, or clear Outsmart the Lot's browser site data in your browser settings.
Cloudflare Web Analytics
The production site uses Cloudflare Web Analytics to understand page traffic and site performance. That service contacts Cloudflare and sends page-view and performance metrics. Cloudflare describes Web Analytics as privacy-first and cookie-free.
Read Cloudflare's Web Analytics documentationVINsmart and Ko-fi links
VINsmart vehicle-history reports and Ko-fi tips are handled on those companies' websites, not by Outsmart the Lot. The site does not load a Ko-fi payment widget in the background. It contacts Ko-fi only after you activate a Ko-fi link.
When you follow a VINsmart or Ko-fi link, you leave this site and their privacy policies apply. VINsmart links are clearly labeled affiliate links, so Outsmart the Lot may earn a commission if you make a qualifying purchase at no extra cost to you.
Read Ko-fi's privacy policy