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Does Tesla prefer you to finance with them?

Discussion in 'Model 3: Ordering, Production, Delivery' started by newtons!, Feb 24, 2021.

  1. newtons!

    newtons! New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2021
    Messages:
    1
    Location:
    connecticut
    Hi folks,

    So pardon me if this is an old timer question, but I've been through the dealership purchasing process in the past and with typical auto dealers, they make a fair amount of money when you finance the car through them. One frequent scheme if you prefer to pay cash for your car is to finance your car with the dealership, cut a deal with them on the price of the car and then pay the loan off shortly after taking delivery. The general idea is that the dealer is more likely to give you a good purchase price if they believe they will make more money through the financing.

    Now I know that Tesla has a much different sales approach where such incentives do not exist since there is no "dealership", but the old timer in me still wants to try to play the game. Particularly since I ordered my M3 SR+ a few days before the price cut. I'm a cash buyer, but I was thinking that I might change to financing if it would make it more likely that I might be able to get stuff like more Supercharge credits or perhaps an extension of the Connectivity. "Poor me, if I had only waited a few more days, I would gotten the car for 1K less. Can't you do anything for a poor guy like me?" Maybe if they think they will make some more money if I become a finance buyer this might have some traction?

    What do people think?
     
  2. DoctorNomNom

    DoctorNomNom Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2021
    Messages:
    82
    Location:
    Columbus, Ohio
    This won't work - the sales advisors are not paid on commission. They do not care - at least in my experience. Only people I have ever heard who have had success getting anything extra is the people who buy demo models. Other than that, they set up your order through the same portal you do.

    The typical "tricks" will not work when no one cares. They would rather you pay cash as to them its all the same. The Tesla portal just sets you up with banks who are part of the group who Tesla uses - all underwriting is still done by the bank and the loan paperwork is done by the bank. If anything, paying in cash might help you get matched to a car sooner.
     
    • Like x 1
  3. jjrandorin

    jjrandorin Moderator, Model 3, Tesla Energy Forums

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2018
    Messages:
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    Location:
    Riverside Co. CA
    No, tesla doesnt care because they dont have their own finance arm. Its all "cash" to tesla either financed through them (which actually isnt through tesla, they just farm you out to some other financial institution) paid cash, or outside financing.

    makes zero difference to them.

    Purchase TIMING might make a little bit of difference, as end of quarter sometimes gets some extra supercharging credits (which actually are not worth all that much, but people go gaga over them for some reason). How you finance wont matter in the slightest at tesla, unlike other car purchases you have made.
     
  4. OCR1

    OCR1 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2018
    Messages:
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    Location:
    Southern California
    Buying a Tesla is like buying an Iphone. You place an order online and they let you know when it’s ready for pickup. They have “sales people” just like Apple has those people in blue shirts in the stores. But you don’t negotiate with the blue shirts. They are just there to answer questions.

    As @jjandorin mentioned, Tesla is end of quarter centric, so they sometimes throw a few small bones at you to pick up your car by end of quarter. And if you can find a demo model with some miles on it you may have a little wiggle room. But that’s about it.
     
  5. Lpmatt88

    Lpmatt88 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2021
    Messages:
    3
    Location:
    New Jersey
    In terms of the 1k off I purchased before it and have not picked up the car yet (your same scenario) and am doing financing setup by Tesla (not your scenario) and they automatically adjusted my price without me asking... so you definitely should be getting that 1K off.
     
  6. dmurphy

    dmurphy Woof.

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2018
    Messages:
    3,319
    Location:
    New Jersey - Morris County
    If the price dropped between when you ordered and when you pick up, you’ll get the new price.

    But there is no game. And it’s glorious. If I never meet another “F&I guy” in my life, it’s too soon.

    Either the price of the vehicle is fair to you, enough that you are willing to purchase, or it isn’t.

    This is the promise of Saturn fulfilled, from a time before GM snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
     
    • Like x 2
  7. HughH

    HughH Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2020
    Messages:
    14
    Location:
    Arlington TX
    Ford is following the Tesla lead in sales from what I heard. hey want you to build and select your car on their website and then select the Ford dealer you want to get your car...ugh! My Tesla will be delivered to my house :)

    The just announced today Volvo XC40 is also going the Tesla sales way. Also, both Volvo and Ford have mentioned their new EV will be able to receive on-line updates a laTesla way. Hmmm, we'll have to wait and see!
     

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