Tesla is apparently now not letting anyone with a pending foundation series order wait for non foundation

[jerhenderson]

Its a non refundable deposit for a cybertruck, the foundation series is listed as a configuration option

The configuration option at this time is dual foundation or tri foundation.

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[jerhenderson]

"BS analysis"? It is inevitable that these FS Cybertrucks will indeed sell for 50% or less than the purchase price in a few years. In March, I bought a 2018 Model X 100D from Tesla (1 yr or 10K miles warranty) for $41K. It had 49K miles on the ODO, all possible options plus FSD. That vehicle originally cost over $150K and it looks, feels and drives almost like a new Model X.

IMHO, the Cyberbeast has less real world utility than a 6 seat Model X and I'm actually happy that Tesla decided to strap a $50K price gouge on the FS Cybertruck. Now, when I see one drive by I think thank god I'm not strapped with that over priced monstrosity as my daily driver. Of course I think the person who originally bought my X was foolish too but as they say, a fool and his money are soon parted ...

I'm getting the CT because it has more real world utility for my wife and I than a 6 seat MX does. As for a 50k gouge - there's no gouge - loaded trucks are expensive and it's really not an aberration.

 

[Cyber Man]

Yes. That's the point of the nonrefundable $1000 for the placed order.

Of course, but they also made the provision to move that $1K into non refundable deposit towards non FS. I know some would say the order is for FS, but again, Tesla made provisions to keep the RN order for non FS. I pasted their message screenshots above. They just keep changing their unofficial answers, that’s all! It’s on us to do whatever best fits. Given that CT is so amazing, I’m putting up with all this s*** show! Beggars are not choosers, even when one is ready to shell out $100K ?

 

[rb92gt]

Yeah i do have a case, thinking of what to do, as its a moot point until tesla threatens to cancel my order which they are not doing yet.

Right now they just went ahead and scheduled a delivery for me on the 12th without me taking any action. Clearly they are desperate

The are desperate? Um. No. They are trying to put asses in seats and you put a deposit for a seat, now you don't want that particular seat that's ready for whatever reason, on you... They are trying to deliver as many of their vehicles they can Q3, simple. Not good business to have too much inventory. Good luck waiting for one in the future that's going to end up costing the same optioned out, or getting a stripped version.

 

[AlDente]

In my opinion, you're thinking of the Cybertruck as just another commuter vehicle. For those of us who actually need a pickup truck and use it as one, the price tag is not that outlandish.

I'm pretty sure the traditional pickup truck driver is not the current buyer of a Cybertruck. It was the simplicity of design, utility and price that drew me to Tesla and the Cybertruck. The promised low purchase price and long range were very important considerations. That announced 2019 price was reasonable and believable due to Tesla's vertical integration and world class manufacturing process. An inflation price adjustment would have been fine but this huge markup was not reasonable, it was bait and switch-ish.

I still have my Dec 2019 reservation in place and thus my mild interest in Cybertruck news. I have no intention of buying a Foundation Series and even without that markup, it is not worth $80K for me. A used Cybertruck could be in my future but in the meantime I have a low cost, luxury BEV doing most of what I need a vehicle to do as a place holder.

 

[HaulingAss]

I'm pretty sure the traditional pickup truck driver is not the current buyer of a Cybertruck.

Don't be so sure.

A lot of people are replacing their previous pickups with a Cybertruck. A bunch of other Tesla fans and followers are mixed in there too, because they were paying attention during the reveal.

The Cybertruck makes an excellent replacement for a gas 1/2-ton pickup, as long as you are like most 1/2-ton truck owners and don't tow trailers on long-haul runs.

 

[Tecyber1]

Unfortunately for you, Tesla is NOT in the wrong here. It was a reservation agreement that was plainly stated. Like you say, accept the FS or eat the $1k deposit.

 

[Tecyber1]

If you don't qualify for the tax credit, I would get the Foundation. Between the FSD, Store voucher, and other accessories, the difference is less than 10k.

I am not sure how anyone who can actually "afford" a CT would ever qualify. I sure as hell don't!

 

[CarMan ElecTruck]

You are forced to agree to get the FSD with Foundation Series.. so yes, this too is a daily commuter..

In my opinion, you're thinking of the Cybertruck as just another commuter vehicle. For those of us who actually need a pickup truck and use it as one, the price tag is not that outlandish.

 

[Pops]

Tesla is in the right strictly speaking. However they are not in the ethical right from a customer service perspective.

Everyone is coming up with justifications why Tesla needs their $1000 deposit. I call BS. What other car company takes non-refundable deposits? If any I assume they started after Tesla normalized the process, to the detriment of all buyers including you. Even still, the deposit for the Model Y last time I checked was only $250. Why would the CT need 4x the deposit especially when there are no "configurations" of the CT, they all come with the same options, except for AWD or Beast.

No one, other than a stock holders could honestly think this practice of taking non-refundable deposits is necessary or justified. Its just an anti-customer policy. This policy only exists to prevent customers getting cold feet, by leveraging the "sunk cost fallacy" human behavior.

 

[SSonnentag]

In my opinion, the $1,000 non-refundable deposit is to prevent people from placing a bunch or orders they don't intend to fulfill just to hold onto them as placeholders for any number of dreamt up reasons.

 

[Hgamble]

Tesla is in the right strictly speaking. However they are not in the ethical right from a customer service perspective.

Everyone is coming up with justifications why Tesla needs their $1000 deposit. I call BS. What other car company takes non-refundable deposits? If any I assume they started after Tesla normalized the process, to the detriment of all buyers including you. Even still, the deposit for the Model Y last time I checked was only $250. Why would the CT need 4x the deposit especially when there are no "configurations" of the CT, they all come with the same options, except for AWD or Beast.

No one, other than a stock holders could honestly think this practice of taking non-refundable deposits is necessary or justified. Its just an anti-customer policy. This policy only exists to prevent customers getting cold feet, by leveraging the "sunk cost fallacy" human behavior.

Solid take, but i am fine with the deposit being forfeit if you decide to NOT buy a cybertruck, thats all well and good.

I want to buy a Cybertruck, just not a "limited edition" foundation series.

 

[SCTesla]

What other car company takes non-refundable deposits? r.

I think it's harder to name a car company that doesn't require a deposit for buying a vehicle that is not on the lot.

I've been charged that from Ford, Toyota, and Mercedes to order something that wasn't on the lot.

 

[SCTesla]

Solid take, but i am fine with the deposit being forfeit if you decide to NOT buy a cybertruck, thats all well and good.

I want to buy a Cybertruck, just not a "limited edition" foundation series.

Then why did you configure and order a foundation series?

You placed an order for something and when it's time to get it you say, "No, I don't want it", but want your money back, even though it was produced.

This is on you.

 

[ThatGuyBo]

Tesla is in the right strictly speaking. However they are not in the ethical right from a customer service perspective.

Everyone is coming up with justifications why Tesla needs their $1000 deposit. I call BS. What other car company takes non-refundable deposits? If any I assume they started after Tesla normalized the process, to the detriment of all buyers including you. Even still, the deposit for the Model Y last time I checked was only $250. Why would the CT need 4x the deposit especially when there are no "configurations" of the CT, they all come with the same options, except for AWD or Beast.

No one, other than a stock holders could honestly think this practice of taking non-refundable deposits is necessary or justified. Its just an anti-customer policy. This policy only exists to prevent customers getting cold feet, by leveraging the "sunk cost fallacy" human behavior.

Dealerships are required to pay the manufacturer a deposit for each car. Tesla does not have dealerships, so the middleman is cut out. Other brands require deposits for certain builds as well.

Rivian does the same thing once your vehicle is configured and you accept it, just like OP did. https://rivian.com/support/article/when-does-my-deposit-become-non-refundable

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