Powershare (charger/gateway) returned to Tesla if not installed

[TesLorean]

Got this today from the assigned installer (SmartCharge America) - "We have been informed that the equipment is not allowed to be released for customers to have outside of installations. All equipment will be returned to Tesla if it is not being used for the installation."

So who owns the equipment if I'm just paying the installation cost? Was Tesla lending it to me? Did Tesla sell it to me as part of the Foundation Series buy? Did Tesla sell it to the installer and they are just "including" the cost in the installation?

Tesla gets to pick the installer - essentially awarding SmartCharge America a monopoly on my installation. Great for SmartCharge America - they can quote any price they like - what else is holding them to be reasonable? How do I not have a choice in the when, where, and if my home is modified?

Text from the Tesla email...
"Your order is eligible for free Powershare Home Backup hardware—you just cover the installation cost. Take our survey to confirm your interest.**"
"**Eligibility based on installation feasibility at your home. "

Sorry... but this is just another example of vaporware, partial delivery - first FSD ("lowest priority"), no Autopilot, not even Automatic wipers, Sentry mode not deactivating at Home/Work, uncalibrated headlamps, wheel covers.

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[DFWBrad]

Got this today from the assigned installer (SmartCharge America) - "We have been informed that the equipment is not allowed to be released for customers to have outside of installations. All equipment will be returned to Tesla if it is not being used for the installation."

So who owns the equipment if I'm just paying the installation cost? Was Tesla lending it to me? Did Tesla sell it to me as part of the Foundation Series buy? Did Tesla sell it to the installer and they are just "including" the cost in the installation?

Tesla gets to pick the installer - essentially awarding SmartCharge America a monopoly on my installation. Great for SmartCharge America - they can quote any price they like - what else is holding them to be reasonable? How do I not have a choice in the when, where, and if my home is modified?

Text from the Tesla email...
"Your order is eligible for free Powershare Home Backup hardware—you just cover the installation cost. Take our survey to confirm your interest.**"
"**Eligibility based on installation feasibility at your home. "

Sorry... but this is just another example of vaporware, partial delivery - first FSD ("lowest priority"), no Autopilot, not even Automatic wipers, Sentry mode not deactivating at Home/Work, uncalibrated headlamps, wheel covers.

Kind weird? I feel like anything "included" in founder edition, should be yours to keep regardless.

What was your quote to install?

 

[TesLorean]

Kind weird? I feel like anything "included" in founder edition, should be yours to keep regardless.

What was your quote to install?

I didn't proceed with quote - 1st they said ~getting you a home visit~, then it became ~send us innumerable photos of your home~. I've already got a charger (40A 240V non-Tesla), I've already got a home generator with a 300-amp transfer switch. I've already got two portable generator input sockets (30A each) with manual transfer switches. The electrical panels in my home look like something out of terminator. I've spent well in excess of $30K on electrical modifications to my home. I've been careful and judicious about the updates I've made. Just because I've made these investments doesn't make "installation in my home infeasible", it just makes it very complicated. How do I become ineligible because I've invested so much and want to be careful about and when/if to invest more? The install cost isn't the point.

Oh and another partial delivery to add to the list: Parking assist missing

 

[countryboy]

I also agree this is BS! Let us keep it, maybe just refuse to enable it unless it's installed properly with a permit. Luckily I have been approved, just hoping the quote isn't ridiculous! If they want more than $4k to install, they can keep it.

 

[agordon117]

Yeah, this is one of the most annoying things about the foundation series. If you go look at your order agreement, it doesn't say anything about powershare. It says "premium accessories". So they are using that as their do anything they want and get away with it badge.

It really sucks, I have electricians I trust, but even if I want to pay their certified installer who will charge obscene amounts more than the job actually costs, I'm not ready to install yet. I'm going to be moving within the next year or so, and I don't want to pay to have the system installed here and then leave. But I also have no interest in the "6 months free supercharging" that they give you if you don't pay their installer. That would at most be worth $100 to me. I want the $1800 of equipment that they told me came with my order on the order page. But this is one of the things tesla is really good at. They don't put anything in writing in a place that matters unless they absolutely have to.

 

[CyberGus]

If I let Tesla install Powershare, do I have to wait 1 year to sell my house ?

 

[Travis64]

they should give free supercharger miles instead

 

[Stuck4ger]

If I let Tesla install Powershare, do I have to wait 1 year to sell my house ?

Unfortunately that hits too close to home. I spent a small fortune renovating a house with a beautiful two car garage with two Tesla connectors, 48 solar panels and 4 PowerWalls only to lose my job a few months later. Got a better job but had to move and the new buyer sure got a great deal.

 

[Outdoors]

I think calls to Smart Charge America and a campaign to say we aren't being pushed around as owners might be worth it. A couple hundred calls and X posts to say Smart Charge isn't reasonable and is nothing more than a Tesla tax for most installs.

 

[84Apollo3]

I received a ridiculous quote from the Tesla assigned installer today. It definitely felt like complete BS. This company should not have a monopoly over my install or my equipment. There is definitely a Tesla tax going on here and he even told me they start at 4K and go from there. That’s not how it should work. He also led with it only being able to run the important things in the house and not everything. I talked him out of that because of my knowledge base on the subject but then got a sky high quote that is absolutely unnecessarily inflated.

 

[wh1t3rbb1t]

Yeah, this is one of the most annoying things about the foundation series. If you go look at your order agreement, it doesn't say anything about powershare. It says "premium accessories". So they are using that as their do anything they want and get away with it badge.

It really sucks, I have electricians I trust, but even if I want to pay their certified installer who will charge obscene amounts more than the job actually costs, I'm not ready to install yet. I'm going to be moving within the next year or so, and I don't want to pay to have the system installed here and then leave. But I also have no interest in the "6 months free supercharging" that they give you if you don't pay their installer. That would at most be worth $100 to me. I want the $1800 of equipment that they told me came with my order on the order page. But this is one of the things tesla is really good at. They don't put anything in writing in a place that matters unless they absolutely have to.

Exactly.

 

[T-1000]

Yep spoke with Tesla yesterday regarding my install. If you don't do the install for any reason, you cannot keep equipment. For AWD they give you 6 months supercharging and for Beast you get 12v months instead. You can decline it before or after you get the quote.

 

[Sanmartindan]

Getting mine installed 3/25. Monopoly does increase price, but Im willing to pay that for fast install and permits

Cant really complain about cost when i reserved a $39k vehicle, but paid $100k. Twas my choice

 

[Wraven]

I posted a similar perspective in another thread surrounding this topic.

There was many threads that broke down the cost/value analysis of the extra 20k being charged for the foundation series.

This thread is highlighting the *possible* continued erosion of the foundation series perceived value.

For example the Cyberbeast orders have a 4k install credit + cost of hardware. If Tesla deems your dwelling to be unfit for use, they give you 12 months of free supercharge (nearly impossible to extract a similar "cost = value" of the hardware and install from that, although some may have a personal preference towards supercharging) We have yet to see what Tesla will do if they deem your dwelling to already be capable of powershare, you don't get the new hardware, you don't get the install credit... and the only pattern we could possibly speculate on is they give you free supercharging.

I personally do not value the free supercharging myself as remotely close to the dollar value of the hardware and install credit.

This could all transpire after you already paid for and taken delivery of the vehicle.

 

[jerhenderson]

Got this today from the assigned installer (SmartCharge America) - "We have been informed that the equipment is not allowed to be released for customers to have outside of installations. All equipment will be returned to Tesla if it is not being used for the installation."

So who owns the equipment if I'm just paying the installation cost? Was Tesla lending it to me? Did Tesla sell it to me as part of the Foundation Series buy? Did Tesla sell it to the installer and they are just "including" the cost in the installation?

Tesla gets to pick the installer - essentially awarding SmartCharge America a monopoly on my installation. Great for SmartCharge America - they can quote any price they like - what else is holding them to be reasonable? How do I not have a choice in the when, where, and if my home is modified?

Text from the Tesla email...
"Your order is eligible for free Powershare Home Backup hardware—you just cover the installation cost. Take our survey to confirm your interest.**"
"**Eligibility based on installation feasibility at your home. "

Sorry... but this is just another example of vaporware, partial delivery - first FSD ("lowest priority"), no Autopilot, not even Automatic wipers, Sentry mode not deactivating at Home/Work, uncalibrated headlamps, wheel covers.

Congrats for being an early adopter. That's what happens..... you test the new stuff.

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