Bad Experience with Tesla Delivery

[bala99]

Just wanted to share my experience with Tesla's delivery on Model 3. I was driving an Audi Q5 and due to an accident (for no fault of mine) the car got totaled and decided to use the opportunity to switch to a fully electric vehicle. Tesla was my first choice. The 2 month wait time was a big issue for me as I would need to go with a rental car for the duration. But decided, it was worth wait. Booked one in October and was told it would be available around 6-8 weeks. When the VIN was sent, I wasn't in town. I arrived a day after their max hold time of 3 days. I requested them to have the vehicle be delivered to my daughter in my absence. But they wanted me to be there. So I had to let go of the vehicle and get back in the waiting list. I was told that I wouldn't be put back in the conventional queue but would be on priority list and the wait for that would be around a week. So, I extended my rental for that period. On 24th Dec I was notified that I should be prepared for a delivery on 28th Dec. But never heard from them till 28th when they notified that they didn't have a vehicle for me and it would happen on 30th instead. Never heard anything on 30th as well. I tried calling them several times and got no definite response. One of their representatives said it could be delivered in a day or 2 or a week or 2 weeks. Great! I went to the Fremont Hub Tesla center and talked to the front desk and person there insisted they did their part in having a car ready on Dec 15th. And, they can't help if the vehicle isn't ready. They have no clue when it would be ready. I can wait or am free to cancel was what she said. So, here I am ..

• A car would pop up anytime in 8 weeks period.
• I'm supposed to be in town not knowing when it would come.
• They would wait for just 3 days(including a sunday).
• They will insist the person registering the car be there to take delivery
• They will put you back on queue if u miss the date
• They will not care to even inform upfront if they can't honor the date
• They have the arrogance to say 'you are free to cancel your order if you want'

If they have no clue when a car would pop up to be delivered to the consumer, the least they can do is to deliver the car to an authorized person or provide for an option to extend the delivery date once within a given max duration of date. They do none of that. Now, I need to figure out how I extend my rental to accommodate this uncertainty that this company has thrust upon me.
Truly disappointing that the company that thrives on the demand has gotten this arrogant. I deeply regret having committed myself to this car.

 

[LevelHeaded]

It seems unlikely that the benefits of allowing delivery to persons not on the registration or title could ever outweigh the risks.

 

[MXWing]

If you still have your reservation, you can show up (and be nice) and see if there is a left over car.

A lot of your problems is due to personal circumstances that are not within Tesla's control or policies.

There are so many people that want your car so if you can't take it at that instant..

that's how it goes. Unfortunate but fact of life.

It seems unlikely that the benefits of allowing delivery to persons not on the registration or title could ever outweigh the risks.

You've got 4 posts so far. All of them intelligent. I have some hope in the new owners.

It's not in Tesla's interests to be difficult on delivery. Children defrauding their parents happen all the time.
Where does the line end..? Grandchildren? Cousins, Best friend, aunts?

I also doubt OP has the daughter come in with an an actual power of attorney that carries weight that would free Tesla from aforementioned liabilities you discussed.

 

[Mr. Burrito]

I came across a Subaru dealer that would overnight the buyer the paperwork, they would sign and return it and this would allow someone else to pick up the car. That person you designated to pick it up would just show their driver's license and be on their way.

 

[MXWing]

I came across a Subaru dealer that would overnight the buyer the paperwork, they would sign and return it and this would allow someone else to pick up the car. That person you designated to pick it up would just show their driver's license and be on their way.

A Suburu dealer can play grab ass games with you for 8 hours to move a car.

Tesla is wanting people out in 5 minutes.

 

[Atreyu]

Those dealers make commission. Tesla employees don’t. If I’m gonna make commission on you getting your $100,000 car, I’d pick your ass up at the airport if I’m selling one car a week.

 

[ewoodrick]

Sounds like you want to order an inventory car when you know you are going to be in town

 

[ucmndd]

Those dealers make commission. Tesla employees don’t. If I’m gonna make commission on you getting your $100,000 car, I’d pick your ass up at the airport if I’m selling one car a week.

I actually had a commissioned sales person pick me up at the airport for a $26k Volkswagen, so one definitely need not spend $100k for the treatment.

That said, relative supply and demand is a thing, and Tesla staff has precious little incentive (commissioned or not) to bend over backwards to accommodate _anyone_. If you don’t want it or can’t pick it up, there are 20 other people ready to go.

 

[Mr. Burrito]

This was a no-haggle Subaru dealer. The salespeople make $200 a car (according to the one I talked to) whether they sell a base Impreza for $18k or a fully loaded $40+k Outback. Outside of the mad EOY rebate rush, I don't see why this couldn't be taken on by Tesla as long as the person who was picking up the car could do it within their 3 day window.

 

[Uncle Paul]

Typical dealership sales people know that they must meet their quota or lose their job. They will move heaven and earth to get that last car delivered in a pay period if it means keeping their job.

Those same dealerships typically have millions of $ worth of cars sitting on their lots. They pay a flooring cost on every one of them past a certain date. Heavy pressure is on to sell those incuring flooring costs.

 

[bala99]

When the person who registers authorize someone to pay the cashier cheque and take delivery of the car, Tesla should have no issues to deliver the car to that person. Maybe have an option online to do opt for that procedure. But to say, have or lose it is sheer arrogance imo.

 

[Mr. Burrito]

Typical dealership sales people know that they must meet their quota or lose their job. They will move heaven and earth to get that last car delivered in a pay period if it means keeping their job.

Those same dealerships typically have millions of $ worth of cars sitting on their lots. They pay a flooring cost on every one of them past a certain date. Heavy pressure is on to sell those incuring flooring costs.

This was a service offered to anyone year-round, not some sales people taking it upon themselves to sell a car. And you could do it with factory ordered cars as well.

 

[ucmndd]

When the person who registers authorize someone to pay the cashier cheque and take delivery of the car, Tesla should have no issues to deliver the car to that person. Maybe have an option online to do opt for that procedure. But to say, have or lose it is sheer arrogance imo.

Tesla's number 1 goal for this quarter, as stated by the CEO himself, is to deliver as many cars as possible. They've developed what can only be called an assembly line to do exactly that, and assembly lines only work when everything is done the same way.

If your special request takes an hour of a delivery specialist's time, when they could have otherwise delivered 5 cars, dealing with your special needs is not in their best interest. When demand is high and there are literally 10 people standing by waiting to take your vehicle if you don't want it, then it's an even easier choice.

I've bought a lot of cars and I've never come across a case where a dealer would hand the car off without you coming in and putting pen to paper. Not saying it can't be done, but again, you're asking for a special accommodation at literally the busiest time ever for the company.

 

[SMAlset]

....
Truly disappointing that the company that thrives on the demand has gotten this arrogant. I deeply regret having committed myself to this car.

I don't think it is arrogance I just think they don't really know. I'm sorry your schedule was such that you missed out on taking delivery the first time around. Had the two come together at that time I think you would be loving your car and the experience would have been worlds different. Not saying it's at all your fault and understand business can take people away and make them unavailable at times and I can see Tesla not being able to store cars too at least at this point in time. I also can understand their policy that the buyer be present to accept delivery of the car. It is a legal contract and between you and Tesla with financial implications. When it gets delivered to you it's up to you to look it over for any damage and note at the time and passing that responsibility off to some third party would not be something I think even any dealership would want to enter into. All that said I do believe they are trying very hard to deliver people their cars but the communication between departments in the process needs improving.

BTW saying "you can cancel your order" I don't think is meant as uncaring, just legally an option for your since you have a contract to purchase. It is one of your options and they are letting you know it's one.

Living in Fremont can't you go over to the factory to ask in person to see if they can match you up with a car? I think they are so swamped right now that they probably aren't picking up phones. I know others have mentioned going in person and had some success.

 

[Krytron]

OP, I am pretty sure your order is SR+. Basically Tesla abandoned your SR+ which was supposed to be built during Christmas time in order to make more pricey ones. Tesla M3 is in very high demand now and they will do their best to make more money. For them, we are not customers but just 1 data point of their Q4 delivery record. I don't want to blame Tesla for doing this - they are doing "business". Actually, I am angry about myself for expecting a good and reasonable long term customer service to Tesla. SR+ is Tesla's "bait and switch."

I am sorry you missed mid December delivery but Tesla did what they had to do. If I were in the same position as Tesla, I would do the same thing. So, calm down and just weighing which one is more heavier to you, desire to have model 3 OR anger to Tesla. If anger is heavier than desire, cancel the order and move on. If not, just wait BUT you have to know that your car probably not be delivered until late March 2020.

I did not know what Tesla is doing for delivery when I made my order on November 11. After come to this forum, I realized I was a victim of bait and switch. They are making pricey M3 over SR+ in order to move us to pricey M3. Also, without considering delivery date, Tesla delivers cars built in the first month of Q to foreign countries, the second month of Q to east coast US, the final month to west coast and only the last two weeks for California. There will be a chance to get the car earlier but be prepared to the worst - end of March.

I am in the same boat. I decide to wait a week or two until this EOY madness settle down and see what will happen. But I don't expect anything from Tesla.

 

[OCR1]

It’s conceivable that Tesla will build more vehicles for North America in January. In the past they did not need to do so because demand was filled with existing supply. This is a new chapter for Tesla. I’ve never seen so many people so desperate to buy a Model 3.

 

[Matt L]

Just wanted to share my experience with Tesla's delivery on Model 3. I was driving an Audi Q5 and due to an accident (for no fault of mine) the car got totaled and decided to use the opportunity to switch to a fully electric vehicle. Tesla was my first choice. The 2 month wait time was a big issue for me as I would need to go with a rental car for the duration. But decided, it was worth wait. Booked one in October and was told it would be available around 6-8 weeks. When the VIN was sent, I wasn't in town. I arrived a day after their max hold time of 3 days. I requested them to have the vehicle be delivered to my daughter in my absence. But they wanted me to be there. So I had to let go of the vehicle and get back in the waiting list. I was told that I wouldn't be put back in the conventional queue but would be on priority list and the wait for that would be around a week. So, I extended my rental for that period. On 24th Dec I was notified that I should be prepared for a delivery on 28th Dec. But never heard from them till 28th when they notified that they didn't have a vehicle for me and it would happen on 30th instead. Never heard anything on 30th as well. I tried calling them several times and got no definite response. One of their representatives said it could be delivered in a day or 2 or a week or 2 weeks. Great! I went to the Fremont Hub Tesla center and talked to the front desk and person there insisted they did their part in having a car ready on Dec 15th. And, they can't help if the vehicle isn't ready. They have no clue when it would be ready. I can wait or am free to cancel was what she said. So, here I am ..

• A car would pop up anytime in 8 weeks period.
• I'm supposed to be in town not knowing when it would come.
• They would wait for just 3 days(including a sunday).
• They will insist the person registering the car be there to take delivery
• They will put you back on queue if u miss the date
• They will not care to even inform upfront if they can't honor the date
• They have the arrogance to say 'you are free to cancel your order if you want'

If they have no clue when a car would pop up to be delivered to the consumer, the least they can do is to deliver the car to an authorized person or provide for an option to extend the delivery date once within a given max duration of date. They do none of that. Now, I need to figure out how I extend my rental to accommodate this uncertainty that this company has thrust upon me.
Truly disappointing that the company that thrives on the demand has gotten this arrogant. I deeply regret having committed myself to this car.

You are trying to buy a very popular car. Sorry about them not holding it for you...I’m sure whoever got that car is really loving it. I’m sure you will eventually love it too.

 

[Matt L]

I think there is a serious lack of understanding/perspective of what is going on right now at the Fremont factory. I think we will all be shocked when we hear the delivery numbers for these final days.

 

[M_D129]

Honest question to the folks here..did they change the timing in which you have to take delivery of your car?

When I bought in March, you had to take delivery your car within 1 week. This was stated in the original order agreement.

OP this is unfortunate. I personally think you will thoroughly enjoy the car and this will be forgotten once you get your hands on it.

 

[Transformer]

Russ Engle broadcasted some video from the Fremont factory tonight.
Tesla Factory 2019 New Year's Eve Delivery Event Twitch Livestream ~ 8 pm