Don't pay Tesla until after your truck has been delivered to your local Tesla service center!!!

[Don Draper]

Paid in full on Monday. Tesla guys showed me on the computer where my Cybertruck was in transit on Tuesday, found it safe in the lot Tuesday night. Got offer today for Friday, Saturday, Sunday delivery. Chose Saturday, looking forward to it. Nothing but pleasant service from Glendale AZ.

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[rtfitch]

It would be a shame if it were true.

1) The Cybertruck is not Tesla's premium vehicle. That's the Model S and Model X
2) What, $150 fully refundable. Get real, that's not really earnest money. The vehicle indeed went up in price, just like everything else. The Foundation Series option is completely voluntary. It's the equivalent of like a King Ranch edition. (except that the King Ranch doesn't include everything)
3) Again, not the top of the line Tesla.
4) There is a perfectly clear line of communications. You just don't believe it.
Tesla: You will be informed when your car is available
You: Where's my car? Where's my car
Tesla: A VIN has been assigned start the buying process and we will notify you when it is time to pickup your vehicle.
Tesla: Your vehicle is available.
5) Rules really haven't changed. They are currently in a ramp-up position and are adding additional features as they feel the can handle it.
6) Not Tesla's problem or responsibility
7) If you keep hitting the wall with your head and it hurts, stop. If the vehicle is not available, it's not available.

If you did not catch it there was a little bit of tongue-in-cheek mixed in there for comic relief.
To be clear, this is my first experience with Tesla as I have never been interested in their vehicles and yes, their purchase process is far from the best.

I have ordered Porches that were being produced in Germany and I always knew where they were in both production and shipping. Likewise with top of the line Jeeps. In fact, we ordered the first diesel powered Jeep Grand Cherokee in the greater Houston area and it would take months to produce in Canada yet we knew exactly what was going on. In this case, nada…but, if we want the greatest technological wonder on 4 wheels we will wait. We can always pull the plug. My point is that the customer experience, here, is far from the norm and is only being tolerated because we are the boys who want the best toy on the block and we want it sooner rather than later. I was 66 when I made my reservation 5 years ago. Do the math, the time we have left to play is rapidly sifting through our fingers.

 

[Robesaw]

It is a shame that Tesla can't figure out a way to offer a "pick it up at the factory option". Problem solved.

Combine the factory pickup with a factory tour and a refund of the shipping costs and I would do it in a heartbeat. No brainer!!

So, how about it, TESLA??

Can’t do that??
My plan was ALWAYS to fly to Austin, tour the factory, and drive my Cybertruck back to Canada and make a trip out of it.
Maybe in 2027 when my rez comes up they’ll offer it
.

 

[Woodrick]

If you did not catch it there was a little bit of tongue-in-cheek mixed in there for comic relief.
To be clear, this is my first experience with Tesla as I have never been interested in their vehicles and yes, their purchase process is far from the best.

I have ordered Porches that were being produced in Germany and I always knew where they were in both production and shipping. Likewise with top of the line Jeeps. In fact, we ordered the first diesel powered Jeep Grand Cherokee in the greater Houston area and it would take months to produce in Canada yet we knew exactly what was going on. In this case, nada…but, if we want the greatest technological wonder on 4 wheels we will wait. We can always pull the plug. My point is that the customer experience, here, is far from the norm and is only being tolerated because we are the boys who want the best toy on the block and we want it sooner rather than later. I was 66 when I made my reservation 5 years ago. Do the math, the time we have left to play is rapidly sifting through our fingers.

This is Tesla.

This is pretty much exactly the same process that previous new Teslas have gone through.

And for your good experiences in factory delivery, I've heard just as many bad experiences. There even seems to have been a rash of situations the last few years where the local dealer essentially stole the vehicle and sold it to someone else for a significant markup. And told the customer that they couldn't find it.

When buying a Tesla, they will communicate with you and give you the steps that you need to go through, like they have everyone so far.
When you pick up the vehicle, expect to be pointed to your vehicle and for it to be relatively dirty. There won't be any red carpet, there will probably be a number of them at the same time. The delivery reps will be busy and won't have much time for you, they have a bunch of vehicles to get out the door every day.

And as Elon and Tesla further optimizes the process, expect even less human interaction. Expect it to be like an Amazon order.

Tesla is changing the car buying experience. No longer do you have to haggle with the stupid sales team. They are trying had to get you to not even have to visit a Service Center, by making service not needed.

 

[rtfitch]

This is Tesla.

This is pretty much exactly the same process that previous new Teslas have gone through.

And for your good experiences in factory delivery, I've heard just as many bad experiences. There even seems to have been a rash of situations the last few years where the local dealer essentially stole the vehicle and sold it to someone else for a significant markup. And told the customer that they couldn't find it.

When buying a Tesla, they will communicate with you and give you the steps that you need to go through, like they have everyone so far.
When you pick up the vehicle, expect to be pointed to your vehicle and for it to be relatively dirty. There won't be any red carpet, there will probably be a number of them at the same time. The delivery reps will be busy and won't have much time for you, they have a bunch of vehicles to get out the door every day.

And as Elon and Tesla further optimizes the process, expect even less human interaction. Expect it to be like an Amazon order.

Tesla is changing the car buying experience. No longer do you have to haggle with the stupid sales team. They are trying had to get you to not even have to visit a Service Center, by making service not needed.

I appreciate all that you are saying, and have walked along the sidelines of like experiences:
(Every Jeep Dealer in Houston was present upon our diesel GC delivery as it was a first, and they hoped to snatch it for a demo and the Porsche dealer always has a vulture or two present who will swoop in for the spoils should you give a thumbs down on your delivery)

I look forward to obtaining our VIN and moving forward, as Santa has big plans for the CyberSleigh come Christmastime.

 

[jerhenderson]

The Tesla app is not clear as to when payment is required. However, the instructions are very clear, stating that we must complete all steps to avoid delivery delays. on the payment tab, it. should state “There is no need to pay any money to Tesla until your delivery day.”

For my situation, it was my local Tesla service center that screwed up and told me my delivery was happening in 4 calendar days (and was shown in my app), so I paid the down payment and had my bank wire transfer the money to Tesla the next day to avoid delays.

Then I was told the DAY BEFORE THE SCHEDULED DELIVERY that the truck was still sitting inside a railroad car somewhere in Texas. Just horrible customer service, and they have no clue as to when it’s leaving Texas.

If I request a refund of monies paid, then it complicates matters when the truck does finally arrive in 2 to 6 weeks from now (assuming no additional delays)

Tesla should offer a premium delivery service for an additional fee for those people who don’t want to wait several weeks waiting on trains and just have it driven over the road directly to the service center.

I understand it’s just a truck and I need to have patience however that’s a lot of money to shell out, especially when the expectation was that the delivery should’ve taken place three weeks ago. that’s enough ranting for now. Sorry for the “War and Peace novel, just trying to alert others not to pay in advance.

The app is very clear on payment, in my opinion, from our MY purchase experience and;
2) Tesla can't control the rail yards. S*** happens.

 

[Woodrick]

The app is very clear on payment, in my opinion, from our MY purchase experience and;
2) Tesla can't control the rail yards. S*** happens.

I'll add that in the past, there were many situations in which people would arrive without the proper insurance information and Tesla wouldn't allow you to pickup your car.
And if something happens to your payment at the last minute, they won't let you pick it up early.

So EXACTLY as the app says, if you want to make sure that you don't delay delivery, complete everything!

But if you desire to take the chance, wait until the last minute. Totally your choice.

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