Does Tesla require a full payment before scheduling the delivery?

[jerry33]

You mentioned the sales tax needs to be paid separately in Texas? Do we pay it through Tesla at pickup, or to the state directly by ourselves at registration? Tesla asked for my registration information. So, I have thought they’d help with the registration paperwork, like other auto dealers. That’d be good because I also plan to trade-in my old vehicle. But I might be wrong with the entire process.

Tesla FedExs you the docs, the inspection paper will be in the glove box. You take both to the County Tax Office and pay your sales tax. Tesla tried to handle the paperwork last year, but Texas only assigned one person to handle the paperwork so people waited weeks before their car was delivered. Tesla went back to the older system which got the cars in the hands of the purchasers much sooner. This is not Tesla's fault, it's the fault of the dealer association which has basically purchased the Legislators and tasked them with doing everything possible to prevent Tesla and their customers from having a good experience. So far it's not working (fortunately).

 

[nikmin]

I am in San Jose right in the bay area and my Model Y order page showed - "get ready for delivery" on May 21 and asked me to fill out all the paperwork and even made me pay the full price without a VIN assigned!! This was unlike my prior three Tesla purchases. I completed my payment by Jun 4. I did the online chat with some rep now and he says they are scheduling the build now ! WTF?? Take my $70K and then start building my car?? The website has been modified to mislead Model Y waitlisters! I was thinking they are ready to deliver and made the payment. Beware of making the full payment without an VIN assignment (I got burnt - just warning others). Not sure when I will even receive my vehicle while they bank my $70K. Poor experience this time around :-(

 

[Tobin]

Thank you for your explanation, very informative!

I heard in Texas trade-in of an old car can reduce the final sales tax of the new car. Will that information be included/shown in the "docs" FedExed from Tesla?

Tesla FedExs you the docs, the inspection paper will be in the glove box. You take both to the County Tax Office and pay your sales tax. Tesla tried to handle the paperwork last year, but Texas only assigned one person to handle the paperwork so people waited weeks before their car was delivered. Tesla went back to the older system which got the cars in the hands of the purchasers much sooner. This is not Tesla's fault, it's the fault of the dealer association which has basically purchased the Legislators and tasked them with doing everything possible to prevent Tesla and their customers from having a good experience. So far it's not working (fortunately).

 

[jerry33]

Thank you for your explanation, very informative!

I heard in Texas trade-in of an old car can reduce the final sales tax of the new car. Will that information be included/shown in the "docs" FedExed from Tesla?

Yes. Tesla includes those docs in the FedEx package. It's really a non-issue. Takes about 15-20 minutes at the County Tax Office.

 

[Tobin]

Totally understood. I didn't have good experience with Tesla's online chat or e-mail service, either. I used the online chat twice to ask some questions, and as a follow-up, was asked to send emails to their specialists. No response, period. Don't know if they're too busy or they just ignored the emails ... Either way, Tesla should put efforts to improve their online service. It's just not good customer experience.

So far, I think this TMC club is the most helpful place!

I am in San Jose right in the bay area and my Model Y order page showed - "get ready for delivery" on May 21 and asked me to fill out all the paperwork and even made me pay the full price without a VIN assigned!! This was unlike my prior three Tesla purchases. I completed my payment by Jun 4. I did the online chat with some rep now and he says they are scheduling the build now ! WTF?? Take my $70K and then start building my car?? The website has been modified to mislead Model Y waitlisters! I was thinking they are ready to deliver and made the payment. Beware of making the full payment without an VIN assignment (I got burnt - just warning others). Not sure when I will even receive my vehicle while they bank my $70K. Poor experience this time around :-(

 

[Tobin]

Sounds good, thanks again!

Yes. Tesla includes those docs in the FedEx package. It's really a non-issue. Takes about 15-20 minutes at the County Tax Office.

 

[everydaychris]

Man. ANy input on california owners? Don't feel comfortable paying the FULL price up front before even seeing the vehicle.

 

[theganjaguru]

You mentioned the sales tax needs to be paid separately in Texas? Do we pay it through Tesla at pickup, or to the state directly by ourselves at registration? Tesla asked for my registration information. So, I have thought they’d help with the registration paperwork, like other auto dealers. That’d be good because I also plan to trade-in my old vehicle. But I might be wrong with the entire process.

From what I read, Tesla used to help with it, but they stopped. I believe they provide what’s needed for temp tags, but you will need to go to the tax office and pay it to get your plates. I’d ask the local delivery advisors

 

[spsheridan]

Man. ANy input on california owners? Don't feel comfortable paying the FULL price up front before even seeing the vehicle.

In CA, you do not have to make full payment until you take ownership of the car.

 

[jerry33]

In CA, you do not have to make full payment until you take ownership of the car.

Every state has different laws. Tesla has to follow them.

 

[jerry33]

From what I read, Tesla used to help with it, but they stopped. I believe they provide what’s needed for temp tags, but you will need to go to the tax office and pay it to get your plates. I’d ask the local delivery advisors

The provide the temp tags, you don't have to do anything. See my earlier post on why they stopped.

 

[spsheridan]

Every state has different laws. Tesla has to follow them.

Correct, but I was responding to @jerry33 who asked the question specifically about California laws.

 

[stuartontour]

In California, I gave them a personal check when I picked up the car. I attempted to do a bank transfer through the site, but Tesla's payment portal didn't connect with my bank, for some odd reason.

 

[hcdavis3]

MA thankfully doesn’t require payment until the car is delivered. When I purchased my 3 I went over the car thoroughly and wrote a personal check for the final payment. The option to pay before delivery via bank transfer is on my account page, but I chose to wait until I inspect the car.

 

[everydaychris]

cool. I'm glad I can see the car before paying for it in CA.

 

[aronth5]

I just confirmed with Dedham, Ma delivery that they now accept personal checks so I will have a chance to inspect the car before taking actual delivery.
When I purchased my M3 in 2018 personal checks were not accepted.

 

[spsheridan]

I just got notified by text my car is on its way to the delivery center and to select a delivery date/time. I called my delivery center (Marina Del Rey, CA) and, as with @aronth5, they confirmed they would take a personal check, but preferred a wire transfer or cashier's check. I was astonished Tesla would accept a personal check.