An Open Letter to Elon Musk

[John156]

An open letter to Elon Musk,

On May 24, 2014 I purchased a Model S. I found it to be the best automobile that I have ever owned. Last November I received a telephone call from Katherine Kim, Tesla North West Pre-Owned Advisor, with an offer to trade in my older Model S for a new Model S. The offer stated that “I configured the exact car you have and added Dual Motor and Autopilot which totals to be $92,500. You’d be paying an additional $34,100 out of pocket. Your reference number is RN6330581.”

As I'm over 80 years old, I thought this will probably be my last car and I wanted to experience and thrill of driving a Tesla S with dual motors and autopilot.

The car was delivered December 10, 2015. Unfortunately, it was not the exact car I had previously owned. The previous Model S had a power liftgate, cornering lights and a chrome rear bumper. The new Model S has a manual liftgate and the opening height cannot be adjusted. The new Model S does not have cornering lights and the rear bumper is black.

I called and emailed Katherine Kim several weeks ago. Katherine Kim said she would get back to me but has not. The people at store where the original car was purchased told me there is nothing they can do.

I find it totally unacceptable that Tesla Motors would treat one of their best customers in this manner. From what I have heard about you, Chairman Musk, I don't think you would find this kind of treatment acceptable either!

I still find Tesla to be the finest, most technically advanced car ever made. . . and as testament to that, I went out and bought Tesla Motors stock!

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,

John Taylor (VIN 5YJSA1E23FF117376)

 

[Larry93428]

Clearly and respectfully stated.
Yes, you should get your satisfaction.
~Larry

 

[AudubonB]

The previous Model S had...a chrome rear bumper.

Say what?

 

[bonnie]

I think some of the first Model S had a chrome skid strip when you opened up the rear hatch. It was replaced very early with a black piece. I don't believe the original was actually chrome, but rather had a chrome finish - but I could be wrong. Operating purely on memory here.

 

[Canuck]

I think he means the strip of chrome under the rear bumper that came with the old tech package that included the power lift gate, if I recall correctly.

 

[bonnie]

I think he means the strip of chrome under the rear bumper that came with the old tech package and included the power lift gate, if I recall correctly.

Ah. I don't remember that.

That's the difficulty with ordering and expecting 'the same car' that you had before. Small things change. There is no way a sales specialist or anyone else will know all these little things, much less which ones will matter and which ones will not. I assume some parts also improved - certainly the OP wouldn't require that those be down rev'd to the original spec either.

 

[Canuck]

That's the difficulty with ordering and expecting 'the same car' that you had before. Small things change. There is no way a sales specialist or anyone else will know all these little things, much less which ones will matter and which ones will not. I assume some parts also improved - certainly the OP wouldn't require that those be down rev'd to the original spec either.

Yes, I also think that the doctrine of caveat emptor applies -- plus it seems unlikely that he didn't agree to the exact specifications before buying but he probably didn't play close enough attention.

 

[jerry33]

I believe that chrome strip can be ordered for $200 or such. Mine has the chrome strip. It's main function is to collect water spots after washing.

 

[Gerasimental]

Chairman Musk - love it!

 

[JER]

I can see the missing power liftgate being a significant problem if the height limit setting was important for your circumstances; a major oversight there by the sales advisor.

Still beats me why power liftgate and cornering lights are bundled with cosmetic features...

 

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Yes, I also think that the doctrine of caveat emptor applies -- plus it seems unlikely that he didn't agree to the exact specifications before buying but he probably didn't play close enough attention.

That's what comes from trusting stuff that Tesla employees say. "Don't work on commission" = "Get sales-related bonuses".

 

[AnOutsider]

I believe that chrome strip can be ordered for $200 or such. Mine has the chrome strip. It's main function is to collect water spots after washing.

haha too true! Chrome strip doesn't seem to be an issue, but the rear liftgate, is that now bundled with a different package?

 

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

I can see the missing power liftgate being a significant problem if the height limit setting was important for your circumstances; a major oversight there by the sales advisor.

Still beats me why power liftgate and cornering lights are bundled with cosmetic features...

Because people want the power liftgate enough that Tesla can bundle in bling and make more money.

 

[JER]

... the rear liftgate, is that now bundled with a different package?

Was part of Tech Package IIRC, now part of Premium Interior and Lighting. Yeah, not exactly intuitive...

 

[AnOutsider]

Was part of Tech Package IIRC, now part of Premium Interior and Lighting. Yeah, not exactly intuitive...

Yeah, I could excuse a rep (who probably doesn't live and breathe Tesla) for missing that since it's an oddball. Does suck though.

 

[TEG]

I think he means the strip of chrome under the rear bumper that came with the old tech package that included the power lift gate, if I recall correctly.

Also stuff above the bumper:

This:

vs:

And then there is that little strip on the diffuser...

 

[Touring]

Give him a brake. His 80 and drives a Tesla. Respect!

 

[PaulusdB]

He's not complaining about the brakes, though.

IMHO after such a hard-selling approach, the buyer should be compensated in some way or another. Advice to the sales rep: know the stuff you're selling.

 

[ecarfan]

John, sorry to hear about your issue with Tesla. Yes, basically Katherine Kim made a mistake. I'm sure she thought she had
"configured the exact car you have" but failed to fully understand some of the changes in the way options are now packaged. Possibly she was not a Tesla employee in 2014. I hope Tesla does right by you.

 

[Mark Z]

My chrome diffuser was broken during a reverse hit into a cement planter. The fix was to replace it. That lovely chrome finish is definitely on plastic.