Any downside to home delivery of Model 3?

[bpjod]

I spoke with my delivery adviser today (out of Calgary, AB for those who are wondering) and they asked me whether I'd prefer home delivery of my Model 3. We currently own a Volt and I've accumulated a couple of weeks in the Model S on Turo and in 2 weeks I've got a 4 day rental of the Model 3 on Turo. I'm one of those guys that actually reads the manual and is also really good at figuring things out on my own. With all that, I'm pretty confident that I'll have no issues with figuring out the TM3.

To pick up the car at the nearest delivery centre would be a 2.5 hr drive each way. My wife and I would both have to take the day off work, and work is overwhelmingly busy right now - I'm not quite sleeping on the roof yet, but sometimes feel I should. I'm leaning toward home delivery (seriously, a delivery truck shows up with your new car at work/home and drops it off for you - how cool is that?!!!), but am wondering what I'll be missing. Off the top of my head:

• Someone else to teach my wife some of the more unusual/interesting features of the car (sometimes it's just better that way ).
• If there are defects on pickup I can point them out to the delivery specialist, with home delivery I've just got a driver rather than a delivery specialist. I'm thinking any problems would be under warranty so shouldn't really be an issue anyway. Right?
• Hanging out with/meeting other new TM3 owners!

Anything else?

 

[kingjamez]

It's not the end of the quarter, so your chances of having something major wrong with it are lower... I'd go for home delivery.

 

[SMSMD]

Do a thorough check before you sign off the delivery receipt..any deficiencies/damages should be documented on it.
Check you charging kit for all plugs.
There should be a checklist at delivery on TMC download that and have it handy.
Get a friend to take photos as you will have your hands full.
Enjoy the moment.

 

[Brentt]

If you take home delivery, the transport company is responsible for any damage during transport, not Tesla.
In the event there is damage, you will file a claim with the carrier and they will be responsible for paying for the damage.
My delivery center is about four hours away. I rented a car, one way, then ubered to the delivery center.

 

[Dogwhistle]

If you take home delivery, the transport company is responsible for any damage during transport, not Tesla.
In the event there is damage, you will file a claim with the carrier and they will be responsible for paying for the damage.
My delivery center is about four hours away. I rented a car, one way, then ubered to the delivery center.

Yeah, that’s my understanding of one of the big pitfalls of home delivery. Once the car is given to the delivery service, Tesla is no longer responsible for it. Any damage encountered on arrival has to be worked out between you and the delivery company via insurance.

 

[Snobun]

I took home delivery for my S because there are no SvC in my state. I don’t know if it is the same for Model 3, but inorder to take home delivery, I had to pay for the car in full before it will be loaded on a truck from the factory. It took 12 days after I paid to finally get my car. I did not inspect the car since it’s already paid for and refusing delivery was not an option. I found some issues after I took delivery and Tesla took care of everything.

 

[evJOULE]

bpjod, sounds like home delivery would be so much more convenient for you work wise, but if the delivery center is open on Saturday, the 2.5 hour ride back might be a nice way for you and your wife to put it through its paces. And that way you both would get the full delivery experience and be able to deal with any issues upfront. BTW, I'm expecting that you have already received your VIN. When were you invited, configure and receive your VIN? I am out east, and except for people in Ontario, I haven't heard of anyone receiving a VIN yet. Good luck with the delivery.

 

[jtpassat]

Since I live in RI and there are no Service Centers in RI, I have to do home delivery.

 

[bpjod]

Do a thorough check before you sign off the delivery receipt..any deficiencies/damages should be documented on it.
Check you charging kit for all plugs.
There should be a checklist at delivery on TMC download that and have it handy.
Get a friend to take photos as you will have your hands full.
Enjoy the moment.

Yeah, that’s my understanding of one of the big pitfalls of home delivery. Once the car is given to the delivery service, Tesla is no longer responsible for it. Any damage encountered on arrival has to be worked out between you and the delivery company via insurance.

Thanks for the info, that is probably my biggest concern. If I do drive to Calgary, It will mostly be due to this potential concern.

 

[bpjod]

bpjod, sounds like home delivery would be so much more convenient for you work wise, but if the delivery center is open on Saturday, the 2.5 hour ride back might be a nice way for you and your wife to put it through its paces. And that way you both would get the full delivery experience and be able to deal with any issues upfront. BTW, I'm expecting that you have already received your VIN. When were you invited, configure and receive your VIN? I am out east, and except for people in Ontario, I haven't heard of anyone receiving a VIN yet. Good luck with the delivery.

Yeah, but who gets to drive it home. If I let her drive it home and I drive home in the Volt, I might never get a chance to drive the Model 3 again! I've been waiting for my Tesla since 2012 (just about ordered a Model S before our dollar went into the toilet relative to the $USD).

I don't have a VIN yet. I did configure on April 25 as soon as I saw my invite (well after about 30 minutes of contemplating exactly how important AWD is to me). I just about bought a Model S (I've come close a few times) a little over a year ago from the Calgary store so I had a contact there. When I was having issues uploading one of the driver's licence images to my account, I reached out to him by email for assistance. He's now on the "delivery side of things" and called me a few days ago to get things set up for delivery, including asking whether I wanted home delivery or would be going to Calgary for delivery. I hadn't considered home delivery before, but it got me thinking. Hence this thread.

But yeah, still no VIN here (quick pause to look at that other browser tab). Still wearing out my F5 key...

 

[evJOULE]

Yeah, but who gets to drive it home...

Just have her sign a contract stating that she is going to play nice and willing to share. I was hoping that you getting a VIN was a signal to new developments. Looks like Ontario is getting first round possibly due to issues with the GOV incentive there going away soon.

 

[Surfertom]

Model 3 Home Delivery was my only option went great.
Maine has no stores and I would have paid Maine and Mass taxes if I drove to pick up.
Other than having to pay in full for a car then wait 5-7 days for delivery it went fine.
Much easier than going to delivery center 2 hours away. I worked a full day of work as they dropped off at 700 am

 

[dhrivnak]

We were in a similar spot as the closest service center is 4 hours away. Since we wanted to sit and verify visibility and build quality we drove to the service center as we did not like paying in full up front sight unseen. In the end it could have worked as the car was flawless and visibility and seat comfort are second to none.

 

[jtpassat]

How much additional time did it add to the delivery?

Model 3 Home Delivery was my only option went great.
Maine has no stores and I would have paid Maine and Mass taxes if I drove to pick up.
Other than having to pay in full for a car then wait 5-7 days for delivery it went fine.
Much easier than going to delivery center 2 hours away. I worked a full day of work as they dropped off at 700 am

 

[jtpassat]

Did you have to pay taxes in two states? Did Tesla handle registration?

We were in a similar spot as the closest service center is 4 hours away. Since we wanted to sit and verify visibility and build quality we drove to the service center as we did not like paying in full up front sight unseen. In the end it could have worked as the car was flawless and visibility and seat comfort are second to none.

 

[Dan Detweiler]

One potential upside to home delivery. If you are going to get any kind of paint protection it is often in your best interest to NOT have the delivery center prep the can (at least the paint). Often they do more damage than is already in the paint and it adds to the difficulty and expense of paint correction before a ceramic or film coat is added.

Dan

 

[dhrivnak]

Did you have to pay taxes in two states? Did Tesla handle registration?

Tesla FULLY handled all the paperwork and no we paid only TN taxes even though we picked up the car in NC.

 

[BlueWRXPride]

Yeah, but who gets to drive it home.

It's my understanding that if you're X miles away from a SC, they will cover your expenses to get there. So rent a car one way, have Tesla cover it, and you both drive it home!

 

[SMSMD]

It's my understanding that if you're X miles away from a SC, they will cover your expenses to get there. So rent a car one way, have Tesla cover it, and you both drive it home!

I was offered flight tickets for two one way however I chose home delivery. It was memorable moment as I had my friends, passersby had stopped to watch, it was a small gathering. The driver was well experienced and explained about the car to me. Checked out everything along with me.