There is a lot to take into consideration when weighing your options for a new vehicle. Here is one x-factor you may want to consider: This is a copy of an email I just sent to customer service that will give you the gist.
9:16 PM (0 minutes ago)
to customersupport, kemartin
Hi, Calena. Thank you for reaching out. But I think there has been a miscommunication. While I appreciate your checking on the status of my car, given that it is a Tesla approved body shop, I had figured they were going as fast as they can with the repairs.
My actual concerns go beyond just checking up on repairs. The following are the key points of my situation:
This is a horrifyingly inadequate level of customer service from a luxury brand. Even if Tesla had offered to cover all my lease payments during the time without the vehicle, it's still a dicey proposition to ever consider owning another Tesla. When I buy a car, I actually want to be able to drive it. If Tesla is unwilling to go to much greater lengths to remedy this situation, how could I possibly justify risking another situation just like this, where a fender-bender leaves me throwing away thousands of dollars and without a car for 6 months?
I assume you may not have had all the details of my situation, and I would greatly appreciate your passing this up the chain to see what can be done. I have been a loyal and outspoken ambassador for the brand, but if this is the level of risk in owning a Tesla, I have no choice but to communicate that reality as loudly as possible.
9:16 PM (0 minutes ago)
to customersupport, kemartin
Hi, Calena. Thank you for reaching out. But I think there has been a miscommunication. While I appreciate your checking on the status of my car, given that it is a Tesla approved body shop, I had figured they were going as fast as they can with the repairs.
My actual concerns go beyond just checking up on repairs. The following are the key points of my situation:
- I was rear-ended on March 19.
- The body shop had my car for several months before they could even start working on it due to the lack of parts from Tesla. (And as your email indicates, we are now 5.5 months out from my accident and the body shop is still waiting for three parts.)
- By the time I get my Model S back, I will have been without it for 6 months.
- I was told by the manager of the body shop that if the car were a BMW, Mercedes, Audi, or any other luxury brand, I would have had it back in 2-3 weeks.
- So, due only to the situation at Tesla, I have been without my primary vehicle for half a year, while paying $6600 in lease payments. I have also paid $1200 for a full cycle of auto insurance during the time in which my vehicle has been sitting in a lot.
- I have been refused a loaner vehicle.
- I have not been offered a rental car or rental car reimbursement.
This is a horrifyingly inadequate level of customer service from a luxury brand. Even if Tesla had offered to cover all my lease payments during the time without the vehicle, it's still a dicey proposition to ever consider owning another Tesla. When I buy a car, I actually want to be able to drive it. If Tesla is unwilling to go to much greater lengths to remedy this situation, how could I possibly justify risking another situation just like this, where a fender-bender leaves me throwing away thousands of dollars and without a car for 6 months?
I assume you may not have had all the details of my situation, and I would greatly appreciate your passing this up the chain to see what can be done. I have been a loyal and outspoken ambassador for the brand, but if this is the level of risk in owning a Tesla, I have no choice but to communicate that reality as loudly as possible.