Good thread with great points all around. I like the idea of the Tesla sales model. I think that it's important to remember that the stores themselves are in their infancy. I imagine that, in 6 months or so, all the stores will have at least one tester vehicle that will be available in the parking lot for scheduled drives (do it like the Apple Stores do the Genius Bar reservations, on a computer in the store). That way, prospective buyers can go in, learn about the car, schedule a no-stress test drive and then order the car from the comfort of their own homes. They wait a few weeks (3-4) and the car shows up.
Obviously I'm glossing over some issues here. Trade in appraisal, Multiple models needing to be tested, etc, but I think that it's a much better model than what we have now. I recently went into a Chevy dealer to buy a Suburban (okay, you can whip me later, but I use it to tow something heavy while I carry around four people and two dogs). I was planning on ordering the thing so that FOR ONCE I could get the thing specced EXACTLY as I wanted to (not too much to ask when dropping $50,000 on something, right?) They said, "no problem, what would you like?" So I told them. That was when I found out that they were sold out of nav units for this model year and I would have to wait until the 2013 model year if I wanted on with a nav unit. Okay, so now they're scouring the "dealer network" trying to find me something that's close to what I want. The short of it is that I compromised on color (Silver, ugh, but it matches the Airstream) and got the options I wanted.
Basically it pisses me off that I can go online to almost ANY car manufacturer's website and "build" a car to my specifications but that there's no flippen way that I'll ever actually get that car. What's worse is that they give me some BS suggested price that everyone knows is basically just a jumping off point for harassment from the dealer to try and squeeze an extra couple of grand out of me because he's got overhead and slim margins...
I guess that this turned into more of a rant than I intended and I apologize for it. I guess reliving my recent vehicle purchase got my ire up.
Anywho, I also agree that they're going to have to get the service issue figured out. The mass market is NOT going to tolerate leaving some individually defined comfort zone in order to get service. I, for one, am willing to drive 100 miles to get out Land Rover or Audi serviced but my mom pitched a fit because the dealer for her Acura is across town (think 15 minutes with traffic). Here's what worries me about the Model S and service: If my Land Rover craps out (not an unimaginable happening) I can have it towed to an independent shop in town and they will very likely be able to get it up an running for me (ditto for the Audi). If my Model S craps out I'm pretty much stuck until I can a) get a Ranger to my house to fix it or, b) flat-bed it to the nearest service station.
For the first few years I may be upgrading my AAA to the one with the 200 mile towing range.
Obviously I'm glossing over some issues here. Trade in appraisal, Multiple models needing to be tested, etc, but I think that it's a much better model than what we have now. I recently went into a Chevy dealer to buy a Suburban (okay, you can whip me later, but I use it to tow something heavy while I carry around four people and two dogs). I was planning on ordering the thing so that FOR ONCE I could get the thing specced EXACTLY as I wanted to (not too much to ask when dropping $50,000 on something, right?) They said, "no problem, what would you like?" So I told them. That was when I found out that they were sold out of nav units for this model year and I would have to wait until the 2013 model year if I wanted on with a nav unit. Okay, so now they're scouring the "dealer network" trying to find me something that's close to what I want. The short of it is that I compromised on color (Silver, ugh, but it matches the Airstream) and got the options I wanted.
Basically it pisses me off that I can go online to almost ANY car manufacturer's website and "build" a car to my specifications but that there's no flippen way that I'll ever actually get that car. What's worse is that they give me some BS suggested price that everyone knows is basically just a jumping off point for harassment from the dealer to try and squeeze an extra couple of grand out of me because he's got overhead and slim margins...
I guess that this turned into more of a rant than I intended and I apologize for it. I guess reliving my recent vehicle purchase got my ire up.
Anywho, I also agree that they're going to have to get the service issue figured out. The mass market is NOT going to tolerate leaving some individually defined comfort zone in order to get service. I, for one, am willing to drive 100 miles to get out Land Rover or Audi serviced but my mom pitched a fit because the dealer for her Acura is across town (think 15 minutes with traffic). Here's what worries me about the Model S and service: If my Land Rover craps out (not an unimaginable happening) I can have it towed to an independent shop in town and they will very likely be able to get it up an running for me (ditto for the Audi). If my Model S craps out I'm pretty much stuck until I can a) get a Ranger to my house to fix it or, b) flat-bed it to the nearest service station.
For the first few years I may be upgrading my AAA to the one with the 200 mile towing range.
