destination charges now non refundable? and what is the order deposit?

[RidgeRunner]

just checked the terms and conditions and found that transportation and order deposits are "earned" at the time the order is placed and that Tesla wants to recover those costs if the order is cancelled. Is the destination charge and transportation fee the same? on the ordering website destination charge is $1200.

 

[rexki]

15 U.S. Code § 1232 - Automobile Information Disclosure Act1958 - Section 3 - Label and entry requirements​

(e) the method of transportation used in making delivery of such automobile, if driven or towed from final assembly point to place of delivery;
(3) the amount charged, if any, to such dealer for the transportation of such automobile to the location at which it is delivered to such dealer; and

Note: "Destination" is not in the code.

 

[voxel]

just checked the terms and conditions and found that transportation and order deposits are "earned" at the time the order is placed and that Tesla wants to recover those costs if the order is cancelled. Is the destination charge and transportation fee the same? on the ordering website destination charge is $1200.

I think Tesla is referring to the transport fee that is for inventory orders to move a car from one delivery location to another. This is separate from the destination charge.

A transport fee can be as high as $2500 to ship an inventory (non custom order) car across country and if you reject delivery or cancel then Tesla has just spent a few thousand to shuffle cars around for no reason.