Tesla Clarifies Return Policy After Conflicting Tweet From CEO

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk sparked some confusion Wednesday when he tweeted information about Tesla’s return policy that conflicted with the policy stated online.

Hours later, Tesla updated the policy stated online to match the boss’s interpretation.

Under the previous policy, the buyer would not be eligible for a refund if they had test-driven a car. Musk’s tweet said a buyer would be eligible to return the car within seven days or 1,000 miles regardless of whether or not they had taken a test drive.

Tesla’s return policy was originally announced on February 28th alongside the company’s plan to shutter stores in favor of an online-only sales model. Prior to the change, the company’s return period was a single day for people who had taken a test drive, or three days for those who did not take a test drive.

Check out the full updated return policy below.

Return Policy
Terms and Conditions

  • Owning a Tesla vehicle means you are driving one of the most advanced, best performing and safest vehicles available. We are confident that you will feel great about your new vehicle, and so are giving you time to experience and enjoy your new Tesla. Subject to the terms and conditions of this policy, if you are unhappy with your vehicle, you may return it to us within seven (7) calendar days.
  • We will accept your vehicle for return if the vehicle:
    • Has an odometer mileage of less than 1,000 miles at the time of return;
    • Has a New Vehicle Limited Warranty that has not been voided;
    • Has not been the subject of any submission or application for any available incentives or perks;
    • Is in new condition, without damage or abnormal wear and tear; and
    • Has not been resold or transferred to any person or entity.
  • To return the vehicle, you will need to deliver the vehicle (including all original equipment and any parts and accessories that came with the vehicle, including the mobile connector kit) to us at a Tesla Service Center (or other location that we agree to), and complete a vehicle inspection, by the end of the seventh (7th) calendar day following the delivery date. If you are unable to return your vehicle by the 7th calendar day after making good faith efforts, please contact your local service center. Extenuating circumstances may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
  • Once you have returned your vehicle, the return process is final and may not be cancelled. At this time, we are not able to facilitate vehicle exchanges. If you decide to order another vehicle, it will be processed as a new order and thus subject to current pricing, configurations and programs.
  • You will remain responsible for any fees or charges that may later become due while the vehicle was in your possession, such as unpaid tickets and citations or applicable property taxes. If you acquired your vehicle with a lessor or lender, you may be responsible for additional fees or charges required by your lessor or lender in order to reverse the transaction. In addition to returning the vehicle, you will need to ensure title to the vehicle is transferred to Tesla free and clear of any liens.
  • If you traded in a vehicle as part of your original transaction, you will not receive that trade-in vehicle back, though we will refund you the applied trade-in value as part of your return. If you had negative equity in your trade-in vehicle, you may need to pay us an additional amount to cover the negative equity.
  • If you acquired your vehicle through a third party lessor or lender, you may have other terms or conditions in your lease or financing agreement, which are outside of our control. This return policy may not apply in such situations depending on the agreement between you and your third party lessor or lender.
  • This return policy is intended to give you confidence in your purchase of a Tesla vehicle, and so is in addition to any other rights you may have under applicable law.

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