I wanted to order a Model Y, avoid the extra $2500 fee for delivery to Alaska, pickup the vehicle in Washington State, and drive it home to Alaska.
Before I decided to order, I contacted Tesla and explained what I wanted to do. I was assured that picking up the vehicle in Washington State (and only Washington State) was perfectly fine. I specifically asked about vehicle registration and was told that when I picked up the vehicle, I would register the car with Alaska through the Tesla app.
After I ordered the vehicle, I was warned by Tesla that there are long stretches without charging stations on the drive to Alaska. I already knew this and explained that I had done much research. I had plans to stop and recharge overnight at RV campgrounds with 50A / 240V electric hookups (I was not in a hurry to make it home and had time). I had already ordered the Tesla mobile connector, all of the plug adapters, the CCS1 adapter, and even capable extension cords should I need any. I also made backup plans just in case any of the campgrounds or chargers unexpected did not work when I arrived at them. I've driven the Al-Can and Cassiar highways many times, including once in a non-Tesla EV.
I asked repeatedly about the initial temporary registration and no potential problems or issues were ever mentioned.
After receiving the vin#, paying for the vehicle, and making a delivery appointment in Seattle, I received a text message informing me that the vehicle was ready to pickup early. I considered changing my travel plans, but first asked Tesla (again) to make sure the temporary Alaska registration would be done when I picked up the vehicle.
Now, for the first time, I was told that no, AK registration was not available. Tesla told me that Washington State only allows Tesla to issue a 3 day registration. I explained 3 days is certainly not enough time to drive an EV back to Alaska.
I inquired with the Alaska DMV. I learned that if I physically went to an Alaska DMV office with the vin# and bill of sale, they could give me a temporary 30 day registration. I asked Tesla for a copy of the bill of sale and was told no, it would only be available after I received the vehicle in Seattle.
I inquired with the Washington State DMV. I learned that if I physically went to a Washington DMV office with the vin# and bill of sale, they could give me a temporary 9 day registration. Although 9 days is a bit shorter than I'd like, that amount of time would be enough for the drive.
I explained these things to Tesla and asked them to verify that the bill of sale would at least be provided when I received the vehicle. The answer was: No, we don't do that. Tesla explained to me that the bill of sale would be mailed to my home address within 2 weeks after receiving the vehicle. I explained that obviously this would not work for me. I asked if they could make an exception in my case, or if they had any other ideas. Nope. They kept insisting I pay the $2500 extra for transportation of the vehicle to Alaska.
I explained that it made no sense to me to pay $2500 to miss out on an epic road trip. Unless they could think of a solution (like giving me the bill of sale!), I asked that my order be cancelled. They cancelled my order.
This is when Tesla started ghosting me. After speaking with a friend who lives in Seattle, I asked Tesla if my friend could pickup a vehicle on my behalf. Crickets.
I've repeatedly asked when my payment for the vehicle will be refunded (after almost a week, it has not been refunded). Radio silence. Absolutely no replies or even acknowledgements. I am planning to call my bank tomorrow and see what they can do with regards to the vehicle I paid for but can not receive. I hope there is just a short delay with the funds being refunded...although if that is case, why hasn't Tesla communicated that? Otherwise, this seems like criminal fraud and theft to me.
It has been a very frustrating experience. I am posting this here just in case any other Alaskans consider buying a vehicle from Tesla, picking it up in another State, and driving it home. I wish I had known about the registration process before placing an order.
-- Jeff
Before I decided to order, I contacted Tesla and explained what I wanted to do. I was assured that picking up the vehicle in Washington State (and only Washington State) was perfectly fine. I specifically asked about vehicle registration and was told that when I picked up the vehicle, I would register the car with Alaska through the Tesla app.
After I ordered the vehicle, I was warned by Tesla that there are long stretches without charging stations on the drive to Alaska. I already knew this and explained that I had done much research. I had plans to stop and recharge overnight at RV campgrounds with 50A / 240V electric hookups (I was not in a hurry to make it home and had time). I had already ordered the Tesla mobile connector, all of the plug adapters, the CCS1 adapter, and even capable extension cords should I need any. I also made backup plans just in case any of the campgrounds or chargers unexpected did not work when I arrived at them. I've driven the Al-Can and Cassiar highways many times, including once in a non-Tesla EV.
I asked repeatedly about the initial temporary registration and no potential problems or issues were ever mentioned.
After receiving the vin#, paying for the vehicle, and making a delivery appointment in Seattle, I received a text message informing me that the vehicle was ready to pickup early. I considered changing my travel plans, but first asked Tesla (again) to make sure the temporary Alaska registration would be done when I picked up the vehicle.
Now, for the first time, I was told that no, AK registration was not available. Tesla told me that Washington State only allows Tesla to issue a 3 day registration. I explained 3 days is certainly not enough time to drive an EV back to Alaska.
I inquired with the Alaska DMV. I learned that if I physically went to an Alaska DMV office with the vin# and bill of sale, they could give me a temporary 30 day registration. I asked Tesla for a copy of the bill of sale and was told no, it would only be available after I received the vehicle in Seattle.
I inquired with the Washington State DMV. I learned that if I physically went to a Washington DMV office with the vin# and bill of sale, they could give me a temporary 9 day registration. Although 9 days is a bit shorter than I'd like, that amount of time would be enough for the drive.
I explained these things to Tesla and asked them to verify that the bill of sale would at least be provided when I received the vehicle. The answer was: No, we don't do that. Tesla explained to me that the bill of sale would be mailed to my home address within 2 weeks after receiving the vehicle. I explained that obviously this would not work for me. I asked if they could make an exception in my case, or if they had any other ideas. Nope. They kept insisting I pay the $2500 extra for transportation of the vehicle to Alaska.
I explained that it made no sense to me to pay $2500 to miss out on an epic road trip. Unless they could think of a solution (like giving me the bill of sale!), I asked that my order be cancelled. They cancelled my order.
This is when Tesla started ghosting me. After speaking with a friend who lives in Seattle, I asked Tesla if my friend could pickup a vehicle on my behalf. Crickets.
I've repeatedly asked when my payment for the vehicle will be refunded (after almost a week, it has not been refunded). Radio silence. Absolutely no replies or even acknowledgements. I am planning to call my bank tomorrow and see what they can do with regards to the vehicle I paid for but can not receive. I hope there is just a short delay with the funds being refunded...although if that is case, why hasn't Tesla communicated that? Otherwise, this seems like criminal fraud and theft to me.
It has been a very frustrating experience. I am posting this here just in case any other Alaskans consider buying a vehicle from Tesla, picking it up in another State, and driving it home. I wish I had known about the registration process before placing an order.
-- Jeff
