Appeal for FSD transfer? Anyone press this hard @ delivery?

[engeler1]

Hi,

As I (im)patiently await delivery of my SAWD ordered in February, I'm still thinking about the FSD Transfer that was in effect as a basis of the agreement when I placed my order. At that time, orders placed by 31-Mar could have FSD regardless of delivery.

I know Tesla T&Cs say they can change the rules at anytime... But that's still poor customer service.

I'm wondering if anyone else has pressed the point at delivery and what the reaction was?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience!

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[REM]

But that's still poor customer service.

no, it's not. let's not start off with a false premise. Tesla offers incentives, and they have no moral or business duty to run them indefinitely nor are they obligated to bend the rules of the program for individuals.

 

[engeler1]

no, it's not. let's not start off with a false premise. Tesla offers incentives, and they have no moral or business duty to run them indefinitely nor are they obligated to bend the rules of the program for individuals.

I like Tesla as a company too, but people can disagree. I think referring to a footnote saying incentives can change at any time is poor customer service.

In my opinion, a better way to handle if they wanted to change the program was to say as of 3/2/26 (or whatever day they changed) you need to take delivery. We will honor the FSD transfer for those who have already placed orders though...

Just my thoughts that would be "customer delight" vs. how they've handled..

A few examples of better customer service:


1. Verizon Unlimited Data Grandfathering (2011–2017)
Verizon's contracts gave it broad rights to modify service plans, but when customers had purchased phones and entered contracts based on "unlimited data," Verizon largely grandfathered those users for years. The company faced significant backlash whenever it attempted to push legacy customers off those plans because customers argued they made purchase decisions specifically because that benefit was being offered at the time. Ultimately Verizon honored many legacy arrangements far longer than strict contractual language required.
Why analogous to Tesla:

• Customer made a purchase decision based on a specific advertised benefit.
• Benefit was available at order date.
• Company retained legal change rights but was pressured to honor customer expectations.

2. American Airlines / US Airways Merger Elite Status Promises
During the merger integration, customers were encouraged to pursue status based on published qualification criteria. When program changes were proposed, American generally honored already-earned status and qualification activity through transition periods rather than retroactively disqualifying travelers.
Key principle: Once customers had taken actions in reliance on a published incentive, the company typically applied changes prospectively.
3. Marriott Bonvoy / SPG Merger
Following the Marriott-Starwood merger, customers accumulated points and booked stays based on publicly advertised redemption values. When Marriott changed award charts, existing bookings and, in many cases, already-issued certificates were honored rather than repriced retroactively.
Why it matters: Marriott had broad program-change rights, yet still preserved benefits that customers had already relied upon.
4. Cellular Carrier Phone Trade-In Programs
AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile have repeatedly faced litigation and attorney-general complaints when customers were promised high trade-in credits during purchase events and later received reduced value due to changing eligibility interpretations.
The common resolution pattern is:

If the customer met the advertised requirements at the time of purchase, companies frequently honor the original promotion even if subsequent policy changes would have yielded a different result.

This is probably one of the closest analogies to the Tesla situation because it involves:

• Advertising a limited-time incentive.
• Customer placing an order.
• Eligibility determined at order date.
• Company later attempting a narrower interpretation.

5. Tesla's Own Historical FSD Cases
Tesla has actually encountered similar issues before.
Examples include:

• Lifetime free Supercharging promises.
• Transferability of free Supercharging.
• FSD pricing changes after reservation.
• Feature availability timing discussed during vehicle reservations.

In multiple instances, Tesla ended up honoring benefits for specific cohorts who had purchased under earlier representations, largely because owners argued they relied on those representations when ordering.
These situations became highly public because the distinction was:

"What were customers told when they ordered?" versus "What did Tesla later decide?"

 

[REM]

yeah, I'm not reading all of that since every single one of those cases are materially different. you seem to think Tesla should have open, unlimited access incentive programs that bend to your personal will.

I'm just pointing out that that is indeed not "bad customer service". You are being manipulative.

furthermore, you are making a great point of why Tesla has said over the years that they will eventually stop private selling to individuals. You are the individual in mind.

 

[ÆCIII]

MVPA
Motor Vehicle Purchase Agreement
If you sign it, you agree to it for your purchase.
Delivery is a time where both you and Tesla honor this agreement, not suddenly try to manipulate or change it.

Tesla has the right to change terms on the MVPA for any future purchases or incentive periods anytime as they deem necessary.

Armchair critics are in the tens of thousands, but if someone doesn't like the way a company operates then they are free to start up their own company and compete with their own ideas.

Tesla is one of (if not the) hardest working and most successful companies on the planet, giving us a combination of quality and innovation in their vehicles second to none.

If you really want to experience 'bad customer service', you can buy from legacy car dealerships, and that should refresh your perspective with better clarity.

- ÆCIII

 

[no%X#XMVk65v#cq]

Hi,

As I (im)patiently await delivery of my SAWD ordered in February, I'm still thinking about the FSD Transfer that was in effect as a basis of the agreement when I placed my order. At that time, orders placed by 31-Mar could have FSD regardless of delivery.

I know Tesla T&Cs say they can change the rules at anytime... But that's still poor customer service.

I'm wondering if anyone else has pressed the point at delivery and what the reaction was?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience!

The folks at the point of delivery will have no say in this matter.

 

[no%X#XMVk65v#cq]

MVPA
Motor Vehicle Purchase Agreement
If you sign it, you agree to it for your purchase.
Delivery is a time where both you and Tesla honor this agreement, not suddenly try to manipulate or change it.

Tesla has the right to change terms on the MVPA for any future purchases or incentive periods anytime as they deem necessary.

Armchair critics are in the tens of thousands, but if someone doesn't like the way a company operates then they are free to start up their own company and compete with their own ideas.

Tesla is one of (if not the) hardest working and most successful companies on the planet, giving us a combination of quality and innovation in their vehicles second to none.

If you really want to experience 'bad customer service', you can buy from legacy car dealerships, and that should refresh your perspective with better clarity.

- ÆCIII

Agree.

It's funny because the things that people complain about the dealership experience like the back-and-forth with the manager and having to push and maybe visit several franchises to get a good deal, are exactly the things that some people seem to miss. That's why they'll never die. OP here wants to go in all Karen, ask for the manager, and demand a better deal. That's just.. not how it works in a corporate store.

 

[SCTesla]

Hi,

As I (im)patiently await delivery of my SAWD ordered in February, I'm still thinking about the FSD Transfer that was in effect as a basis of the agreement when I placed my order. At that time, orders placed by 31-Mar could have FSD regardless of delivery.

I know Tesla T&Cs say they can change the rules at anytime... But that's still poor customer service.

I'm wondering if anyone else has pressed the point at delivery and what the reaction was?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience!

People have and have been rejected. One even refused delivery.

There's really nothing you can do other than going to court, but people tried this in the past (S/X Steam) and failed.

Edit: When I say failed, they were basically awarded their deposit back(and the order cancelled), but did not receive the item/service.

 

[wheatbread]

I agree with op. Changing terms after an order has been placed is poor customer service. That some folks have come to accept that as standard practice is another story. Left a bad taste when I saw that. They’ve for the most part been good about taking care of my cars under warranty so I’ll give them that. Just a sketch move on their part to change up the wording on principle.

 

[bpobob]

They won't do anything. Some website reported that upgrading to a premium would allow a transfer but that was false. I confirmed with Tesla directly. It's a shame because I would trade in my 2025 premium with fsd for a brand new premium if they would allow it.

 

[wheatbread]

They won't do anything. Some website reported that upgrading to a premium would allow a transfer but that was false. I confirmed with Tesla directly. It's a shame because I would trade in my 2025 premium with fsd for a brand new premium if they would allow it.

That’s interesting because my tesla location offered me that option when i briefly enquired about my base model.

 

[Outdoors]

What a masterclass in collective apathy.

The misfortune doesn't directly hit the wallet of the guy typing the reply, the community baseline shifts from solidarity to complete indifference. No longer an issue about consumer fairness and just becomes background noise to anyone who wasn't personally affected.

Like basically you were stupid for believing Elon 5 years ago, but he won't lie to me now. As he can't I just cancel my subscription and get stuck with a car with outdated hardware. Still fools.

 

[SCTesla]

What a masterclass in collective apathy.

The misfortune doesn't directly hit the wallet of the guy typing the reply, the community baseline shifts from solidarity to complete indifference. No longer an issue about consumer fairness and just becomes background noise to anyone who wasn't personally affected.

Like basically you were stupid for believing Elon 5 years ago, but he won't lie to me now. As he can't I just cancel my subscription and get stuck with a car with outdated hardware. Still fools.

Or...we are just relaying reality.

Tesla has been doing stuff like this since 2018.

There are years of examples and Tesla would rather refund the non-refundable deposit than give in...but most of the time they fight that as well.

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