Tesla is Not Treating Us Like Customers

[CHC]

My beef with Tesla can be best equated to why Jay Leno doesn't own any Ferraris:

"you know you're spending a tremendous amount of money you should be made to feel like a customer "

We're spending a LOT of money on the Cybertruck. Yet Tesla, with ZERO communication, ZERO transparency regarding the product launch, not allowing anyone to even sit in the trucks in showrooms, being forced to pay a $20k 'Foundation' markup, HALF of the promised range... it feels very much like a Ferrari experience.

"Oh you wanted a reasonably priced truck that beats out the competiton in range, features, etc.? Fuck you, pay $100,000 for fewer features and less range, or get to the back of the line. You should be grateful for the PRIVILEGE to even hold a reservation"

I'm not feeling very much like a customer with the Cybertruck launch. It makes me want to reconsider the whole thing.

Interested to hear other's thoughts.

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[MyKidCouldDrawThat]

I too will never purchase a Ferrari. Buts it's def a different level than Tesla. You can't even own one because Ferrari keeps the contractual power to take it back from you (re: the 2010's Deadmaus debacle). I believe Tesla would create a better process but hasn't bothered to spend the time improving any of it yet. Not like Ferrari where they are almost intentional about being douches.

 

[Gigahorse]

I mean I am fine with the lack of communication if nothing changes.
But ghosting customers and reservation holders for 4 years just to surprise everyone with much higher prices and range going from 500+ to under 200 is pretty rough.

 

[deema]

The difference is that the Ferrari has stock but chooses not to sell it to you

 

[CyberMoose]

Tesla, in my opinion, gives a reasonable amount of information.

First of all, I'm not talking about reservation holders. The Cybertruck was delayed a lot for a lot of reasons and it's not all that uncommon to reserve something and hear basically nothing back for a long period of time from a company. Especially when your reservation was a very minor cost compared tot he actual price tag.

As for the wanting a 50k truck that beats the competition, there is no point in making that argument ever. The Cybertruck could cost $50 to make and deliver and I wouldn't blame Tesla for charging 100k for it because that's supply and demand. Regardless of how much they spend to make or how much profit they get from it, they are a business and should sell their trucks like any other company. You want a cheaper Cybertruck? Wait until they run out of people who are willing to buy at the current price, the next price, and even the next price, and we will see what Tesla would be willing to go down to.

But as it stands, if the AWD was at 50k, who would buy any other truck unless they absolutely hated Tesla or the design. The Cybertruck would be sold out probably for the next 7+ years even if they ramped up production and built another factory. While at the same time, they can make more profit by selling it for what they can get. The 80-100k price tag makes sense with their demand and competition and the foundation series is also just a smart business decision for launch that isn't uncommon to do.

How about you go get a Ford Raptor and feel like a customer as the dealership explains why you should feel lucky to pay above MSRP for a used one.

And the biggest thing I would be looking at here is that it's a brand new truck, with very limited numbers in the world, where you have 2,000,000+ people who want to sit in one and test drive it, even people that don't even want to buy it. And probably 0 of these people have ever driven a steer by wire vehicle.

We should also be aware that most Cybertrucks are the only one there on display. It's a display to look at, not to drive. Many of these say Foundation and are very likely to eventually be a Cybertruck going to a customer when Tesla is ready to release it. Maybe they are waiting for a software update, maybe they have something they want to add or test first. Either way, I'm 100% certain that Tesla would rather have that truck sitting in one spot in each location rather than have it booked for test drives for the foreseeable future.

 

[Cybertruck2024]

If you're spending a lot of money, a dealership will treat you like a king. It's a fair point that Tesla doesn't give that experience at its upper trims, where similarly priced vehicles elsewhere will roll out the red carpet.

When it comes to M3/MY versus other places in that price range, you may be better off with Tesla. None of the BS, just a straight transaction, easy and done. Buying a $40k Rav4 won't get you red carpet, it just gets you nagging and attempts to upcharge.

 

[Pops]

Tesla is not a "customer first" company. They have something a lot of people want, more than they can even make, so customers are of little to no value to them right now.

I recently bought a Model Y and it was a horrible experience.

Like Apple, the only reason Tesla is doing well right now is because they have a compelling product. They can get away with taking things away from customers. Unlike Apple, Tesla actually has a fair price for what you get, likely because they omit a lot of features.

At the end of the day you are taking a deal with the devil. If you buy a Tesla you will get what you crave... but maybe not what you need.

 

[CHC]

Tesla, in my opinion, gives a reasonable amount of information.

First of all, I'm not talking about reservation holders. The Cybertruck was delayed a lot for a lot of reasons and it's not all that uncommon to reserve something and hear basically nothing back for a long period of time from a company. Especially when your reservation was a very minor cost compared tot he actual price tag.

As for the wanting a 50k truck that beats the competition, there is no point in making that argument ever. The Cybertruck could cost $50 to make and deliver and I wouldn't blame Tesla for charging 100k for it because that's supply and demand. Regardless of how much they spend to make or how much profit they get from it, they are a business and should sell their trucks like any other company. You want a cheaper Cybertruck? Wait until they run out of people who are willing to buy at the current price, the next price, and even the next price, and we will see what Tesla would be willing to go down to.

But as it stands, if the AWD was at 50k, who would buy any other truck unless they absolutely hated Tesla or the design. The Cybertruck would be sold out probably for the next 7+ years even if they ramped up production and built another factory. While at the same time, they can make more profit by selling it for what they can get. The 80-100k price tag makes sense with their demand and competition and the foundation series is also just a smart business decision for launch that isn't uncommon to do.

How about you go get a Ford Raptor and feel like a customer as the dealership explains why you should feel lucky to pay above MSRP for a used one.

And the biggest thing I would be looking at here is that it's a brand new truck, with very limited numbers in the world, where you have 2,000,000+ people who want to sit in one and test drive it, even people that don't even want to buy it. And probably 0 of these people have ever driven a steer by wire vehicle.

We should also be aware that most Cybertrucks are the only one there on display. It's a display to look at, not to drive. Many of these say Foundation and are very likely to eventually be a Cybertruck going to a customer when Tesla is ready to release it. Maybe they are waiting for a software update, maybe they have something they want to add or test first. Either way, I'm 100% certain that Tesla would rather have that truck sitting in one spot in each location rather than have it booked for test drives for the foreseeable future.

All this text and none of it addresses my overall point...

Also I do own a Raptor and had a great experience. Paid sticker and Ford paid for offroad driving school for a weekend, among other perks

 

[CyberOwl]

Define ‘customer’

 

[Coolbreeze704]

My experience with Ford was not that much different.

Waited 18 months after I placed my order. They played games with reservations and who fit into the early waves. I was a first day reservation but was relegated to a 2023 instead of the 2022 I should have had based on my early order

Poor communication throughout the process. Dealer games with pricing. Price increases by Ford throughout the the process while I waited for my 2023.

I had to take charge of the whole process through Ford corp and regional manager to even get my 2023 3rd wave order to stick. Just a mess. Then on delivery dealer could care about my experience. Tried charging me BS charges like protection products they say they installed on the Lightning without notifying me.

They pulled standard features last minute like onboard scales, smart hitch, heated steering wheel and one other major feature I have long forgotten.

I love my Lightning but Ford did me no favors, that is for sure. My Tesla MY LR on the other hand was a exceptional experience from order to delivery.

 

[MountainRatMatt]

While I agree that Tesla doesn't treat its customers as good as it could I think it is not anywhere comparable to Ferrari.

1) Tesla has a mission, that mission is "Accelerating the world's transition to sustainable energy." In that regard they are trying to make and sell as many EV's as possible, not necessarily make all their customers happy. While making customers happy is an admirable goal, it obviously isn't their highest priority.

2) I don't think they meant any ill will by making the Cybertruck more expensive and with less range than originally announced. In keeping with their mission they have to make concessions in some areas and price and range were two of those areas that they chose. Just imagine if they did make it 500 miles of range, the price would have been another 25% higher to keep it a viable product.

3) Tesla does the exact opposite of Ferrari, they would gladly let anyone own a Tesla, give them your money and they will give you a car. Ferrari...not so much.

4) Cybertruck is brand new and production hasn't ramped yet, just give it time and anyone that wants one can get one. Tesla will build as many Cybertruck's as they can (or have demand for). Pricing will likely hurt demand but at that point Tesla can either reduce production numbers or reduce cost, they will not artificially hold back product like a Ferrari or Rolex does as that is counter to their mission.

 

[Gurule92]

I wouldnt say they are forcing you to buy FS. But yea, they could be more communicative. Remember the delivery event?

"Yo check out these videos. Whelp thats it. Peace.. out wait, look at franz throw a baseball!, okay now get out" MTV cribs style lol

 

[CyberGus]

range going from 500+ to under 200

This did not happen. The range for the AWD is 340 miles.

 

[CyberGus]

Anyone wishing to get the "full customer experience" should visit a traditional dealership.

 

[SolarWizard]

Unlike Apple, Tesla actually has a fair price for what you get, likely because they omit a lot of features.

The only significant differences between apple and tesla are the incredibly massive leads in customer service and build quality enjoyed by the fruit.

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