HELP! How can I pay for my Tesla in Germany?

[chrisgrogan2]

I will say so far, buying a Tesla as an American in Germany has been a struggle. I have delivery set for a few days out and I'm trying to pay for my MX, but Tesla says it does not take a bank check only a bank transfer. Normally this would be fine, but as an American military individual I am able to purchase the car without VAT (MwSt.) and I have to get certain forms signed and go through bureaucratic hoops. However, the US VAT office has to sign off on the checks to the vendor. So I have Tesla saying no check and the American VAT office saying only with a check. Tesla, take my money!

One possible option that my adviser told me was maybe my bank can make a check out to Tesla Motor GmbH and take it to their bank (Citibank) and deposit the check into their account. Is it possible for me to deposit money into their account without any signatures from Tesla? So confusing.

Any thoughts or options would be greatly appreciated.

 

[holmgang]

You can send money to any account without preapproval or authorization. This is the basis of wires and SEPA (=the common "bank transfer" in DE). Ostensibly you can "deposit" to their account.

The real question is the bureaucracy of the US side recognizing only a check, which is dead in most of the world. They should recognize a SEPA slip or other bank confirmation documents.

 

[chrisgrogan2]

You can send money to any account without preapproval or authorization. This is the basis of wires and SEPA (=the common "bank transfer" in DE). Ostensibly you can "deposit" to their account.

The real question is the bureaucracy of the US side recognizing only a check, which is dead in most of the world. They should recognize a SEPA slip or other bank confirmation documents.

Thanks for the explanation. I agree the US VAT office is a bit dated. However, I was a bit confused on how Tesla would not work with a cashiers check from the bank. In the states you can use a personal check if you wanted.

 

[holmgang]

Thanks for the explanation. I agree the US VAT office is a bit dated. However, I was a bit confused on how Tesla would not work with a cashiers check from the bank. In the states you can use a personal check if you wanted.

Across Europe everything I've done P2P, B2C, and B2B are done by SEPA.

While in sure they exist, in 10 years I've never seen a paper check here whether personal or cashier/certified

 

[MovedOn121]

Not sure why you're buying a EU spec Tesla while stationed here, you can't take it back stateside when you PCS. What base? I have a US spec 3 here and can help with any questions about having a US spec while youre stationed here.

 

[Sugasmile]

I am eager to learn how this worked out for you. I too am an American in Germany and I just placed a deposit for a MY, for when they start production next year. I will be here for a number of years, so I am not concerned about shipping it back to the US.

 

[chrisgrogan2]

Not sure why you're buying a EU spec Tesla while stationed here, you can't take it back stateside when you PCS. What base? I have a US spec 3 here and can help with any questions about having a US spec while youre stationed here.

I'm a teacher here in Europe, so I can be here for a long time if i choose to be. So no worries about having a Euro spec car

 

[chrisgrogan2]

I am eager to learn how this worked out for you. I too am an American in Germany and I just placed a deposit for a MY, for when they start production next year. I will be here for a number of years, so I am not concerned about shipping it back to the US.

So in the end, The VAT office raised the issue up to IMCOM Europe level and essentially made Tesla take a Euro Check. The crazy thing was when I brought the check in to Tesla on delivery day it was like no big deal.

 

[Sugasmile]

So in the end, The VAT office raised the issue up to IMCOM Europe level and essentially made Tesla take a Euro Check. The crazy thing was when I brought the check in to Tesla on delivery day it was like no big deal.

Thanks you! I will keep it in mind for next year.

 

[scorptrigger]

Not sure why you're buying a EU spec Tesla while stationed here, you can't take it back stateside when you PCS. What base? I have a US spec 3 here and can help with any questions about having a US spec while youre stationed here.

I have a US spec tesla and tesla says I am better off selling it and buying a EU spec when I move? You haven't had problems charging?

 

[scorptrigger]

Not sure why you're buying a EU spec Tesla while stationed here, you can't take it back stateside when you PCS. What base? I have a US spec 3 here and can help with any questions about having a US spec while youre stationed here.

I have a US spec model 3 and was told by tesla to sell it and buy a EU spec before moving to Germany. You haven't had problems charging?

 

[MovedOn121]

I have a US spec model 3 and was told by tesla to sell it and buy a EU spec before moving to Germany. You haven't had problems charging?

If coming under SOFA status with the military, you won't have an issue with registration and getting plates. I charge off a regular 220v outlet with the UMC for daily driving. Use an adapter for type 2 to Tesla for supercharging and have seen 143kw charge rate off if it. Before rona, I went to Switzerland and Austria without issue.

If you aren't coming with the military, charging is the least of your issues.

 

[scorptrigger]

If coming under SOFA status with the military, you won't have an issue with registration and getting plates. I charge off a regular 220v outlet with the UMC for daily driving. Use an adapter for type 2 to Tesla for supercharging and have seen 143kw charge rate off if it. Before rona, I went to Switzerland and Austria without issue.

If you aren't coming with the military, charging is the least of your issues.

Thanks, well unfortunately I just sold it. I am military, I guess I will have good opportunities to purchase cars tax free anyway. But it does sound like tesla in particular makes that difficult.

 

[MovedOn121]

Thanks, well unfortunately I just sold it. I am military, I guess I will have good opportunities to purchase cars tax free anyway. But it does sound like tesla in particular makes that difficult.

If AD, I wouldn't buy a Euro spec Tesla since you'll only be here a few years. You wouldn't be able to take it back to the states with you, 25 year rule, and then the same problems if you were to take stateside. Tesla is missing opportunities to sell to the military here along with making a truly world wide car. If you come to Ktown and miss the EV life, hit me up and I'll take ya for a spin .

 

[scorptrigger]

If AD, I wouldn't buy a Euro spec Tesla since you'll only be here a few years. You wouldn't be able to take it back to the states with you, 25 year rule, and then the same problems if you were to take stateside. Tesla is missing opportunities to sell to the military here along with making a truly world wide car. If you come to Ktown and miss the EV life, hit me up and I'll take ya for a spin .

Kool, thanks! Yeah I will be at ramstein, I will miss my model 3 Performance. But I think I will get a EU spec Fiesta ST for the 3 years

 

[No Gas]

I'm working with Tesla to buy a M3 by EURO Check to satisfy the Stuttgart VAT office. It seems like they are still struggling with this. Any advice / suggestions?

 

[Candleflame]

buying a model 3 without having to pay VAT is a very good deal in europe i think. 20% discount + european incentives.

 

[Mark Lewis]

If coming under SOFA status with the military, you won't have an issue with registration and getting plates. I charge off a regular 220v outlet with the UMC for daily driving. Use an adapter for type 2 to Tesla for supercharging and have seen 143kw charge rate off if it. Before rona, I went to Switzerland and Austria without issue.

If you aren't coming with the military, charging is the least of your issues.

Are you able to get software updates? I am also here under SOFA and have been considering bringing a US spec Model X to Germany.

 

[Mark Lewis]

If coming under SOFA status with the military, you won't have an issue with registration and getting plates. I charge off a regular 220v outlet with the UMC for daily driving. Use an adapter for type 2 to Tesla for supercharging and have seen 143kw charge rate off if it. Before rona, I went to Switzerland and Austria without issue.

If you aren't coming with the military, charging is the least of your issues.

Are you able to get software updates while in Germany? I have SOFA status as well and have been thinking about bringing a Model S over from the States.

 

[MovedOn121]

Are you able to get software updates while in Germany? I have SOFA status as well and have been thinking about bringing a Model S over from the States.

Yup, there is a PDF you submit to Tesla. Shoot me a message and I will give you a local FB group we have for the KMC area (if you have fb.)