You got an AI data offer with a deadline. What to do in the first 48 hours.

Don't say yes. Don't say no. Don't send anything. Send one short reply that buys you a week, then use the week.

Today: read it once and write down six things

Who sent it, and from what email address.
Which company they work for: the buyer, or someone introducing you.
What they want: which systems, which records, how many years.
The number, and the words around it. "Estimate," "up to" and "indicative" mean it isn't an offer yet.
The deadline.
Anything about exclusivity or how long they keep the data. Most first emails leave this out.

Don't send anything yet

No sample, no export, no login, no "connect your accounts" link. Not even one folder "so they can size it."

Buyers set their price after they see a sample, so the sample is part of the deal, not a favor. And a folder pulled in a hurry usually has a customer's file or an employee's pay stub in it somewhere.

If you do any defense or export-controlled work, talk to whoever handles export compliance before any file leaves.

Check who's on the other end

Is the email from the buyer's own domain? A Gmail address or a look-alike domain is a reason to stop and look the company up yourself.
Did someone introduce you? Buyers pay finder's fees, some up to $100,000. That doesn't make the intro bad, but ask. More on who gets paid.
Does the email match the buyer's website? If it promises things the website doesn't mention, ask where they come from.

About the deadline

No buyer we checked puts a 48-hour deadline on its own website. The one buyer that publishes a hold period gives 14 days. Most buyers also take weeks or months to pay after you sign.

A real buyer can wait a week.

The reply to send today

Fill in the brackets and send it.

Hi [Name],

Thanks for reaching out. We're interested and are reviewing your offer with our advisors.

Please send the full written terms, including:

the draft agreement

exactly which systems, records and years are included

whether it's exclusive, and for how long

who receives the data, including the end buyer

when and how we'd be paid

whether anyone is being paid a fee for introducing us

We'll get back to you by [date, 7 to 10 business days out]. Please confirm the offer stands until then.

Thanks, [Your name]

If they answer with a new deadline instead of the terms, that tells you something.

Who to call

Your attorney. Ask if they've handled a data license before. Most haven't yet. That's fine, but you need to know.
Your IT person or provider. Before anyone connects anything. They know what's in each system and what a "read-only" connection can really reach.
Your CPA. For payment timing and tax.

Day two: sort what they asked for

List every system they asked for and mark what's in it: yours, a customer's, export-controlled, or employee records. Customer files and employee records usually can't be sold. Which records you can sell covers what to look for.

Then decide if you want a second bid. Before you sign anything, read the 7 things to check.