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Final Payment before Delivery!
- Thread starter Raven5000
- Start date
Todd Burch
14-Year Member
Yes. I wired $85K to them yesterday. Standard operating procedure at this point in the game. Tesla's doing direct deliveries, meaning all you'll have is a truck driver and your car at delivery time. No Tesla rep until possibly later for the "walkthrough" (since they're trying to get as many cars delivered as possible--they don't have enough delivery specialists). I admit since you're in San Francisco it might be different for you.
(I was greatly looking forward to handing over a gigantic check when the car came off the truck but the wire will have to do). OK, I wasn't looking forward to handing over the money, but...
(I was greatly looking forward to handing over a gigantic check when the car came off the truck but the wire will have to do). OK, I wasn't looking forward to handing over the money, but...
PureAmps
Model S P85 (#2817)
Yes, I was surprised as well considering I'm picking up at the factory! I thought I would just be able to write them a check and sign the final MVPA during pickup, as I've done for all my other vehicles. I understand that other states have issues related to Tesla's non-standard sales model and require pre-payment, but I thought purchasing in CA would be more "normal". Because of this, I'm now going to wire the money rather than pay by check, just to speed things up.
My guess is that they are trying to get a consistent process across all of their customers regardless of the purchaser's state. I just hope when I show up to pick up the car it is the right color/specs/etc., and there are no issues that would cause me to not accept the vehicle. I'm sure it will be fine, but I share your concern for such a large purhcase...
My guess is that they are trying to get a consistent process across all of their customers regardless of the purchaser's state. I just hope when I show up to pick up the car it is the right color/specs/etc., and there are no issues that would cause me to not accept the vehicle. I'm sure it will be fine, but I share your concern for such a large purhcase...
i'm picking up at the factory also. I got the paperwork and was confused. I talked to my DS and asked if I could bring check to delivery and was told "no problem" ! I'd suggest that if you have a problem to call your DS and discuss it. They seem to be very accommodating.
William13
Active Member
mitch672
Active Member
Also consider it's December 17th (technically the 18th since business is done for the 17th at this point) there are only 7 full business days left in 2012 (the 24th and 31st are usually half days).
Tesla is trying to get as many vehicles delivered as possible, to make the 4th quarter numbers look good.
Having full payment assures them the delivery will go smoothly, and has been pretty much SOP from what I've heard anyway.
Lets help them get as many cars delivered as possible in 2012.
Tesla is trying to get as many vehicles delivered as possible, to make the 4th quarter numbers look good.
Having full payment assures them the delivery will go smoothly, and has been pretty much SOP from what I've heard anyway.
Lets help them get as many cars delivered as possible in 2012.
mitch672
Active Member
Yes, but it's "FOB" their manufacturing facility in Fremont, CA... once they put it on the delivery truck, it's technically "delivered", it's out of their control at that point, the delivery company doesn't collect checks for Tesla, the logistics for having a delivery specialist collect checks are probably too complex right now, considering the quantity of vehicles they are trying to deliver, and resources they have available.
Before finalizing my order, I called Tesla to confirm that I would not be required to pay for the car until the car was delivered TO ME.
I was willing to give them $5K to finalize the order - not sure I'll be willing to give them almost $100K for a car I haven't seen yet.
Hopefully I won't have to face this when they are ready to deliver my car...
I was willing to give them $5K to finalize the order - not sure I'll be willing to give them almost $100K for a car I haven't seen yet.
Hopefully I won't have to face this when they are ready to deliver my car...
kinddog
Banned
just give them the money, it's not like they are going to steal it.
people's unnecessary stubbornness about this issue only makes Tesla's job harder and likely delays the customer from getting their cars. for no reason. absurd.
people's unnecessary stubbornness about this issue only makes Tesla's job harder and likely delays the customer from getting their cars. for no reason. absurd.
I disagree. While It certainly makes business sense for Tesla to get their money for the car ASAP, it also makes good business sense for the buyer to make sure he/she gets the car he paid for. What if you show up at the factory for your car and instead of Signature Red, your car is white? Not really an easy fix and you may end up making payments on a car you're not driving. AFIK something like that hasn't happened and I'm sure Tesla would do the right thing but those situations can be easier to work through IMO if the money hasn't changed hands.
adurstewitz
P3853, VIN3062
Legally, the car is considered delivered once the third party trucking company collects the car in your behalf. That's the reason the tax credit becomes available at that point.
Fine if thats your opinion. But IMO, if you are worried about either (a) Tesla delivers a car that's very different than what you ordered and/or (b) Tesla wouldn't very quickly address the issue in the off chance that that did happen, then you should really re-consider buying from Tesla to begin with. It would seem to me that you have very low confidence in the company. Cuz if you are worried about that, I'm not sure why you'd have any less worries 1 day later after receiving your car. You're going to need to trust them on day 1. And I can't see how that trust level would be significantly different in this case on day 0.
You could receive your car, give the final payment, then have an issue like dead 12V battery or stuck charger (which have occurred) that requires a visit and time to fix vs. "wrong color at delivery" which hasn't happened yet. By your explanation, in either case, you're "paying for a car you aren't driving".
So, I don't see a material difference in "holding payment til you get the car". Might as well pay for it, and trust Tesla to deliver the car, and any fixes under warranty as needed.
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I see both sides of the argument. Not having paid for a car until you actually touch it is understandable. Not paying for it gives you 100% control if something is not to your liking.
I agree that paying in advance is not going to be a problem. Tesla is a fine company.
Can't comprehend the stubbornness here. Just pay for the car you purchased. Tesla told me specifically that if, upon delivery, there was some major problem with the car to refuse the delivery and they'd make things right. I have no reason to doubt that. Many people have taken delivery via multiple different mechanisms and none have reported any signficant issues. It's unreasonable to expect them to put a car on a 3rd party truck to you before you pay for it. You have all sorts of legal recourse if the vehicle is a lemon or damaged or whatever else it is you're paranoid about.
I understand the issue of payment upon loading the truck and I don't think there's any way around that as the company/delivery process is structured. The OP sounded like his was a factory pick up. I also agree that Tesla would make things right if there was a problem. I just feel that as production ramps up, there is greater potential for more problems and big problems like a wrong color or something that can't be fixed fairly rapidly with a single Ranger or service center visit, i.e, making things right might take some time. It's not being stubborn, just prudent with your money. If it happens, when my time comes and I have to pay before I see the car I will, I would just prefer not to have to do that.
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