CPO Deposit Refund?

[itstrue526]

I am very close to purchasing a 2015 CPO Model S. But this forum has me concerned about how terrible the experience has been and I would like to know if it starts to go bad that i can pull out and get my money $2,500 back.

My question: I understand the legal terms, but how strict is Tesla really with not refunding the $2,500?

I've talked to multiple sales reps in the stores and they all have said, that Tesla doesn't give a lot of information at time of reservation and if it's got issues and you don't want the car, they are pretty good about letting you transfer the deposit (even after 72 hours) or getting your money back.

Was hoping for some feedback from the forum.

 

[Ande]

I guess you are reading this forum wrong, unless you go for a new P100D instead...

 

[jeffpaul]

I am very close to purchasing a 2015 CPO Model S. But this forum has me concerned about how terrible the experience has been and I would like to know if it starts to go bad that i can pull out and get my money $2,500 back.

My question: I understand the legal terms, but how strict is Tesla really with not refunding the $2,500?

I've talked to multiple sales reps in the stores and they all have said, that Tesla doesn't give a lot of information at time of reservation and if it's got issues and you don't want the car, they are pretty good about letting you transfer the deposit (even after 72 hours) or getting your money back.

Was hoping for some feedback from the forum.

This forum is unfortunately full of whiners who *love* nothing more than to complain to everyone about how terrible Tesla is and how Elon has deceived them. But guess what? They still have their cars. And if there's one thing I learned from my highschool and college years of customer service it's this: If somebody likes your product, they will tell a few people. If somebody is angry with your product, they will stand on a soapbox and tell everyone they know and then some.

Sure, there have been a few bad experiences, but these forums are a terrible place to gauge the overall experience people have with their cars. Most experiences are awesome... I love my car and despite a few minor issues I've had fixed under warranty, I would never go back to anything else.

 

[glide]

Not sure what the two posters above are talking about. The CPO program stinks to high heaven. Yes, your car will be awesome, but you will be treated like garbage. Anyone claiming the majority of CPO buyers are having a smooth experience are drinking too much of the Tesla Kool-aid.

If it gets to be more than you are willing to handle you can get your deposit back.

 

[Evil Twin]

What the hell are you people talking about? This person just wants to know if he can get his money back if things go south.

Here's a real answer - I got my money back, twice, when the deals when south. Demand, don't ask.

 

[PhilDavid]

This forum is unfortunately full of whiners who *love* nothing more than to complain to everyone about how terrible Tesla is and how Elon has deceived them. But guess what? They still have their cars. And if there's one thing I learned from my highschool and college years of customer service it's this: If somebody likes your product, they will tell a few people. If somebody is angry with your product, they will stand on a soapbox and tell everyone they know and then some.

Sure, there have been a few bad experiences, but these forums are a terrible place to gauge the overall experience people have with their cars. Most experiences are awesome... I love my car and despite a few minor issues I've had fixed under warranty, I would never go back to anything else.

And then there are the apologists who proudly proclaim everything is fine when it is not their hard earned money on the line.

At the end of the day, I would like to see Tesla treat all their customers, including those who buy a CPO Tesla, with respect and fairness along with the dignity of driving home a car that does not need to be taken to a body shop for repairs. IMHO if Kia can offer quality used cars with standards, so should Tesla.

As for the OP's question, you can absolutely get your deposit back if the car they deliver is not in satisfactory condition. In fact you should make it clear to them from the beginning that if the car they deliver is all banged up/damaged/trashed that you will reject delivery with your deposit back. Tesla may not have standards for CPO cars they sell other than it passing inspection but it does not mean you should not have your own standards

Good luck with your search. With the current CPO Program, there are good cars out there and there are also cars in dismal condition. Reject the cars in dismal condition until you get one in decent condition.

 

[cranch]

They quickly returned my deposit when the vehicle I initially reserved was in California (and the tax rules were explained). It was returned within several days of me saying I'd like to cancel.

 

[MarkKW]

I had my cpo deposit moved to a new s and it went very well and loving the car now!

 

[davidc18]

My refund took about a week, no issues at all.

 

[Matutino]

My CPO deposit got also moved to a new S... no issues. Now refund of s CPO is different story and Tesla might not give it back to you.

 

[J.J.]

Made my deposit, was treated well, picked up my car and love it.

 

[itstrue526]

So, i pulled the trigger this morning. Got a call from my adviser in the afternoon. Here is how it has gone so far:

1. I ask: Can i see pictures
Answers: Yes i will send them to you

2. I ask: Can I see the maintenance report for any work done by Tesla. i.e. if the A/C was fixed, etc
Answers: That is confidential. You can see it after you own the car.

3. I ask: Can i see the car in person before i buy it.
Answers: You are only allowed to see the car on delivery day

4. Adviser asks: You will be picking the car up in Denver.
I answer: The website says the car is in Dallas where i live.

The adviser will investigate and call me back.


So far, not so good. I was optimistic, but this is trending in the direction of the negative reviewers on this forum.

 

[s1rk]

The buying experience sucks.... the driving experience rocks.

During my vehicle delivery, I almost declined the vehicle but they told me that I would have to forfeit the $2500 and won't be able to transfer it to a new customized order. I decided to just keep it since the issue I saw were very superficial and did not bother me that much (The picture they sent me was pretty close to what it was in person)... I was just being picky, but then again it is $100k+ car.

Just be sure to stay on top of them and keep bugging them. At least that's what I had to do.

 

[Naekuh]

1. I ask: Can i see pictures
Answers: Yes i will send them to you

2. I ask: Can I see the maintenance report for any work done by Tesla. i.e. if the A/C was fixed, etc
Answers: That is confidential. You can see it after you own the car.

3. I ask: Can i see the car in person before i buy it.
Answers: You are only allowed to see the car on delivery day

4. Adviser asks: You will be picking the car up in Denver.
I answer: The website says the car is in Dallas where i live.

1. You can flat out reject delivery if you feel you are not getting the car promised.
Tesla is usually good about crediting it to another car. The key thing is do not accept delivery, because once u have the keys, sign the papers, and drive off, they will not take it back under most reasons, or even fix issues you didnt see before you took delivery.

2. This is BS.... might be because it has the previous owners info on it... ask for a carfax instead on the car then, although they are not 100% reliable, they will still within a certain degree tell you what service the car has had. If they refuse to pay for the carfax, then tell them your not comfortable purchasing the car without any records.

3. This is most likely because of 4, they thought u were in denver..

4. This is hilarious... and your right, its not looking good at a start. It would definitely raise some flags with me, but the advisor should be able to tell you where the car is located, and you should be allowed to see the car if its local.

Again, like Evil Twin said, demand, not request.
If they don't accept your demand, then walk away, and either goto another tesla showroom, and talk to a specialist, request you get someone else then the original person u were talking at headquarters, with the note that the rep was very unhelpful.

It also helps to use a referal code from a p100d owner to speed things up... (Sarcasm / Joke)

 

[Nick B]

Yeah, sure, Tesla will reimburse your deposit if you buy a new car but unfortunately most people buying a CPO usually don't want to put the same $$ as someone buying a new car.

I would say the best advice is probably to buy locally and to see the car before buying it. It avoids a lot of potential problems...

 

[Chirogid]

Can you call your credit card company and have them get your money back for you from Tesla?

 

[USMCAviator]

I cancelled my “CPO” order in December; about a week after the initial reservation. The sales advisor located in Fremont immediately let me know the $2,500 refund would be processed within 7 days (I didn’t have to ask), and within 2 weeks of my cancellation the money was back on my credit card.

You shouldn’t have to bring your credit card company. When placing the deposit, it is made very clear the deposit is non-refundable, so politely asking might go a long way!

 

[Alset4S]

I had no problem getting my deposit refunded when I cancelled my order for a pre-owned S

 

[whitex]

When placing the deposit, it is made very clear the deposit is non-refundable, so politely asking might go a long way!

Not totally true. If they can't deliver a car in reasonable shape, reasonable time, or provide records, the credit card company will likely stand behind you.

Elon's dream is to manufacture, sell the cars exclusively online and never have to service them except for software updates. He already tried closing all stores and firing all sales a month ago. We wants to be Apple - pay money and we ship you the product, no questions, no human interactions, no trade-ins, enter credit card number here, you credit information or money transfer there, then wait for your car to arrive (but don't call to see when it's coming, it will be there sooner than anyone thinks), then never service the car either while under warranty. The only problem is, there are very, very few such customers.

 

[Alset4S]

Not totally true. If they can't deliver a car in reasonable shape, reasonable time, or provide records, the credit card company will likely stand behind you.

Elon's dream is to manufacture, sell the cars exclusively online and never have to service them except for software updates. He already tried closing all stores and firing all sales a month ago. We wants to be Apple - pay money and we ship you the product, no questions, no human interactions, no trade-ins, enter credit card number here, you credit information or money transfer there, then wait for your car to arrive (but don't call to see when it's coming, it will be there sooner than anyone thinks), then never service the car either while under warranty. The only problem is, there are very, very few such customers.

SMH. Somebody give WhiteX the key to the restroom he's so full of Sugar. I agree there are some similarities between the two. Both have stores or service centers where you can look at product, demo it, obtain information and have it serviced. IMO Apple staff is more knowledgeable about their product. Tesla should seek to be more Apple like in this regard. Apple
has a few more company locations but then Tesla has Rangers who come to you. You need not look very hard on the forums and Facebook user groups to see how they are praised. Both take trade ins with Apple being easier and faster. Amount offered from each generally suck. Apple is way way ahead on repairing damaged product. Another area Tesla could be more Apple like. Not to mention buying pre-owned or reconditioned product. Can anyone deny Apple's success? 1987 revenue 2.6B 2018 revenue 265.6B. Tesla 2018 revenue 21.4B. Not surpriseing a 40 year old company is ahead of an 11 year old in some areas. 10, 15, 20 years from now who knows? Might not be a Tesla Inc. But it's my believe in 20 years Tesla will be acknowledged as responsible for the demise of the ICE automobile.