Change in Tesla account - "Submit Final Payment" - Still No VIN

[OCR1]

Just because Tesla tells you to give them money does not mean you should. I would never pay Tesla anything beyond the $2,500 until I showed up at the delivery center and inspected the car. If you end up rejecting the car you will have to chase Tesla for your money back and you will have far less leverage to get them to fix anything you are not happy with.

If you were buying a Toyota would you just wire the dealership payment in full before showing up to see the car? It’s no different at Tesla. Just because the website tells you to do something doesn’t mean you have to do it.

 

[TampaRich]

Twice in the past year I’ve written a personal check for the balance owed on the car at the time of delivery. No need to pay in advance online.

 

[SantaMonicaBum]

Curious OCR1 which so cal delivery location did you use? They allowed you to inspect your car prior to signing all paperwork and final payment?

I’ve been to Burbank and Marina del Rey deliveries, both always ask for signature prior to showing you the car.

I agree they should allow you to inspect prior to anything, but hey this is Tesla, they do thing differently. And they do have a generous 7 day return policy.

Yes I’m aware you don’t need to do what the website tells you, but it may trigger the next step in having the delivery specialist contact you. In my case, I call them first, just like the OP did.
Besides what am I afraid of? or trying to protect? Tesla ripping me off? Not likely. Tesla giving me a lemon? Maybe, but there’s the return option if they don’t fix things.

Just a note on how sloppy some deliveries can be, my 1st model 3 was delivered to me without final payment. They got it eventually in a few days.

 

[G78M3]

Same story here. I think it has to do with the fact that I was assigned a VIN before my order was changed from AWD to RDW, of course that vin had to be rejected. My order is asking for payment ever since, but everyone I’ve talked to insists that no payment is not in any way preventing VIN assignment. And so the wait continues

 

[SantaMonicaBum]

“Submit final payment” is actually “submit final payment details”, doesn't mean they want 100% paid right now. It can also mean fill out the details on how much is financed and which institution (bank). That’s needed for Tesla to generate MVPA. (Triggering the next step)

 

[OCR1]

Curious OCR1 which so cal delivery location did you use? They allowed you to inspect your car prior to signing all paperwork and final payment?

I’ve been to Burbank and Marina del Rey deliveries, both always ask for signature prior to showing you the car.

I agree they should allow you to inspect prior to anything, but hey this is Tesla, they do thing differently. And they do have a generous 7 day return policy.

Yes I’m aware you don’t need to do what the website tells you, but it may trigger the next step in having the delivery specialist contact you. In my case, I call them first, just like the OP did.
Besides what am I afraid of? or trying to protect? Tesla ripping me off? Not likely. Tesla giving me a lemon? Maybe, but there’s the return option if they don’t fix things.

Just a note on how sloppy some deliveries can be, my 1st model 3 was delivered to me without final payment. They got it eventually in a few days.

I’ve done 3 deliveries in Costa Mesa. They always try to greet me with paperwork to sign. I let them know I’ll be spending 45 minutes inspecting the car and invite them to find something else to do while they wait for me. Nobody has questioned me yet.

Yes, you can return the car if you need to. But who needs the hassle? It’s better to know that everything is OK with the car before you give them any money. If it’s not, you may have the option of being assigned another VIN right away. If you return the car you’ll wait 60 days to get your money back. And if you want another car before that 60 day period you’ll have to come up with the cash for a second purchase while waiting for a refund. Way too much hassle.