How do dealers decide whether to accept an offer?

In general terms, dealers weigh what they have in the vehicle, how long it has been in stock, current demand, manufacturer incentives, and whether a trade-in or financing is part of the deal. A car that has been listed a while or a model with incentives may leave more room than a scarce, popular one. Every dealer sets its own approach. A clear, written out-the-door offer backed by financing pre-approval tends to be easier for any seller to evaluate.