that's what i'd suggest as well! Especially with the reduced difference between the 60+supercharging and the 85.
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Is it impossible to add any options after finalizing?!?
- Thread starter SuperCoug
- Start date
that's what i'd suggest as well! Especially with the reduced difference between the 60+supercharging and the 85.
NigelM
Recovering Member
Perhaps there's a middle-ground Tesla could offer that would satisfy some folks.
Suppose these were the options:
1. Buy the vehicle as specified at finalize. (Unchanged)
2. Cancel the order after finalize. Lose your spot in line. Lose your $5k. (Unchanged)
3. Modify order after finalize but no more than a week later. Keep your spot in line. Pay a $2k restocking fee.
Would 3 satisfy the expectation of having some wiggle room after finalizing?
I fail to see why you should punish people following path 1 by delaying their vehicle production a week to satisfy people following path 3.
Suppose these were the options:
1. Buy the vehicle as specified at finalize. (Unchanged)
2. Cancel the order after finalize. Lose your spot in line. Lose your $5k. (Unchanged)
3. Modify order after finalize but no more than a week later. Keep your spot in line. Pay a $2k restocking fee.
Would 3 satisfy the expectation of having some wiggle room after finalizing?
I fail to see why you should punish people following path 1 by delaying their vehicle production a week to satisfy people following path 3.
bonnie
I play a nice person on twitter.
I'm just stuck on why anyone expects a manufacturer to stay flexible AFTER finalizing ... sure, it would be nice. But it would also drive up costs.
And let's face it. We're an entitled bunch, used to driving to the outcome we want. Anyone here who would want to be one of the specialists dealing with one of us? Every day? Of course we all have different approaches, but I doubt there is a single person on this forum who just let life happen to them. We'd be enough to drive anyone over the edge.
And let's face it. We're an entitled bunch, used to driving to the outcome we want. Anyone here who would want to be one of the specialists dealing with one of us? Every day? Of course we all have different approaches, but I doubt there is a single person on this forum who just let life happen to them. We'd be enough to drive anyone over the edge.
Disclaimer in the fine print with muted and fast announcer reading it: "Driving near the edge not recommended, especially with 21" inch wheels. Driving over the edge will also void your warranty."
stopcrazypp
Well-Known Member
I guess you should wait for the manager of the Bellevue store to respond to you. But if she responds to you and says it's not possible, then you can also PM people who have said they were able to change their configuration after finalizing for details about how they got it done and who they talked to.
I also agree with the posts about timing. Your specific car might be in a different stage than others, so it's may not necessarily be the same situation.
And that`s why noone should get the opportunity to change their config. If one person gets to do it and talks about it on TMC, everyone expects to be able to do the same.
And Tesla cannot afford to run around making changes to finalized orders, as they run a tight ship to make enough cars to stay afloat.When I finalized I approached it as if it were any other binding contract. I wasn't about to sign the paperwork and submit it until I was certain about what I wanted, verified that all information was accurate and I had read all the fine print. There was an error on my initial Pre-MVPA. I made sure that my paperwork was corrected and acknowledged by Tesla. I initialed the correction and insisted that Tesla countersign the correction before signing the paperwork.
Later, I had buyers remorse about the 21" wheels but I stuck with them because I made a committment. There was plenty of time to make changes but I couldn't entertain the idea of backing out on what I had signed. The 21" wheels haven't been as much of a problem in winter weather as I expected, so I got lucky.
There were some that managed to get changes made to their configuration but it was early on when people had less information at hand for decision making and the production rate was much lower. I was surprised that Tesla entertained their requests but they may have been more flexible since people were configuring their cars without the ability to see a car in person at that time and options were still evolving a bit. I still wasn't willing to request a new pre-MVPA even though it was just a wheel change. Changes caused some big delays and angst for some individuals early on. I can understand why Tesla would no longer entertain any changes at all to signed pre-MVPA's at this point. The production numbers are just too great and modifications could lead to errors.
On the other hand, if you finalized before the final Supercharging information was released, then I think you have a valid argument.
Later, I had buyers remorse about the 21" wheels but I stuck with them because I made a committment. There was plenty of time to make changes but I couldn't entertain the idea of backing out on what I had signed. The 21" wheels haven't been as much of a problem in winter weather as I expected, so I got lucky.
There were some that managed to get changes made to their configuration but it was early on when people had less information at hand for decision making and the production rate was much lower. I was surprised that Tesla entertained their requests but they may have been more flexible since people were configuring their cars without the ability to see a car in person at that time and options were still evolving a bit. I still wasn't willing to request a new pre-MVPA even though it was just a wheel change. Changes caused some big delays and angst for some individuals early on. I can understand why Tesla would no longer entertain any changes at all to signed pre-MVPA's at this point. The production numbers are just too great and modifications could lead to errors.
On the other hand, if you finalized before the final Supercharging information was released, then I think you have a valid argument.
Wow, tough crowd. I'm a bit scared to do another post but against my better judgement I'll add the following thoughts (in no particular order):
*** I totally understand that I have a legally binding contract and "Final means FINAL". I would never expect my deposit back if I decided to cancel my order.
*** I understand there are complex logistics that go into making a car and "at some point" its simply too late to make changes. Agreed. My frustration was being told that for my car that point was 2 and a half months ago when my order was originally sent to the factory.
*** I'm trying to give them more money. l'm not trying to scale my order back but rather making it bigger. (Similar to what others have suggested with the idea of stepping up to the 85 kWh car) It seems like they would be more open to adding $$ than removing $$. I assume any request for a 85 kWh battery pack would be rejected as well.
*** THIS ONE IS KEY: I never expected to keep my place in line. All the posts that correctly point out that adding features late would drastically increase manufacturing costs are assuming that these changes are being worked into the production schedule. I fully expected to be removed from whatever active queue I was in and put into some future batch. That doesn't sound expensive to me.
*** My experience with Tesla reps at the Bellevue store have always been great and I have frequent contact with them. Their response of "Gee, I hope we can do that, let me make a few calls and get back to you" is all I could have asked for.
*** This was my first call to the number at HQ and I totally believe that this is not typical. (That's the reason I mentioned my experience with Jason because it was so different than my other Tesla experiences at the Bellevue store and the Get Amped Tour)
*** The reason for my original post was to validate that others had made changes after they finalized. Apparently it has happened in a few certain situations which is what I thought. Being told that it has absolutely never happened and that I can't believe anything posted on this forum seemed silly.
So what am I hoping for? My fantasy goes something like this: I get a call from the folks at Bellevue with something along the lines of "Good news, if you are willing to step out of line you can add the $2,000 option to your car and you won't even be subject to the new retail price increases since you are not technically cancelling your order but simply making an amendment."
*** I totally understand that I have a legally binding contract and "Final means FINAL". I would never expect my deposit back if I decided to cancel my order.
*** I understand there are complex logistics that go into making a car and "at some point" its simply too late to make changes. Agreed. My frustration was being told that for my car that point was 2 and a half months ago when my order was originally sent to the factory.
*** I'm trying to give them more money. l'm not trying to scale my order back but rather making it bigger. (Similar to what others have suggested with the idea of stepping up to the 85 kWh car) It seems like they would be more open to adding $$ than removing $$. I assume any request for a 85 kWh battery pack would be rejected as well.
*** THIS ONE IS KEY: I never expected to keep my place in line. All the posts that correctly point out that adding features late would drastically increase manufacturing costs are assuming that these changes are being worked into the production schedule. I fully expected to be removed from whatever active queue I was in and put into some future batch. That doesn't sound expensive to me.
*** My experience with Tesla reps at the Bellevue store have always been great and I have frequent contact with them. Their response of "Gee, I hope we can do that, let me make a few calls and get back to you" is all I could have asked for.
*** This was my first call to the number at HQ and I totally believe that this is not typical. (That's the reason I mentioned my experience with Jason because it was so different than my other Tesla experiences at the Bellevue store and the Get Amped Tour)
*** The reason for my original post was to validate that others had made changes after they finalized. Apparently it has happened in a few certain situations which is what I thought. Being told that it has absolutely never happened and that I can't believe anything posted on this forum seemed silly.
So what am I hoping for? My fantasy goes something like this: I get a call from the folks at Bellevue with something along the lines of "Good news, if you are willing to step out of line you can add the $2,000 option to your car and you won't even be subject to the new retail price increases since you are not technically cancelling your order but simply making an amendment."
Finalized on Dec 20th with a Blue/Tan 60kWh...., signed my paperwork on the 17th of Jan. The next day, wife said she wanted Black...grrrrr, sent back a note asking if I could change the color. Product specialist came back with a "Yes you can still change your color".
Maybe paint is not a part so it's not an issue to change the color of the body. That's my experience
Maybe paint is not a part so it's not an issue to change the color of the body. That's my experience
rolosrevenge
Dr. EVS
Interestingly, my boss was in the same situation, and didn't get supercharging when he finalized in December. I told him that he needed super charging and not twin chargers for his 60 kWh S so he called up to ask if he could change, since he had standard suspension, which doesn't go into production until march, they let him change, and then even advised him not to get the HPC since he wasn't getting the twin chargers anymore. I think the problem with yours is that they've already started production of it in some way and so it's hard to get it out.
Thanks for that perspective. I think in your case you were able to catch the order before it was "sent to the factory". My rep said it can take a few days before your order is sent to the factory and said that changes made before that time were not a problem. This distinction was reiterated several times on my call. In my case my order was sent to the factory very quickly which apparently is why I would have been out of luck even if I had tried to make the upgrade back in early November.
I'd feel a lot better about the "wheels are in motion" thinking if I had a delivery window even if that window was late March. At that point it really would feel like it's too late because the car would have already been selected for a future batch on the build schedule.
Don't bet on it. I ordered blue, hit finalized, docusigned. The very next day I talked myself into black, called and asked if I could change it to black and the rep said no, sorry.
I finalized 11/20 and decided to change my color on 12/20. I had no problem changing at all. I'm sure it moved me back in line as my sequence is 7898 and they seem to be giving delivery windows a couple thousand past me at this point. That's my own fault. There are stages of production which allow you to change up to a certain point in most manufacturing environments. There is also a point where the order is locked in. You may be too close to production to change. The lectures by many here are disturbing. Perhaps people are forgetting that this is still a large purchase. In addition, it's not like you can go to the local store and see every color or multiple options. This is ordering sight unseen. When you order from other manufacturers you can actually walk away if you don't like the car when you see it in person. Good luck. I hope you get to make the change.
Krugerrand
Meow
What I'd find disturbing is people who think just because something has a larger price tag that that somehow gives them a special privilege to ignore a contract and then complain when things don't go their way.
Absolutely, some (many) have ordered Model S sight unseen, but that's their choice. If it's not a choice you're comfortable with, then don't do it.
Al Sherman
It's about THIS car.
Not going one way or the other specifically. I hope the experience is pleasant for everyone that buys from Tesla. That's one of the reasons I believe in the company. No excuses for an employee who speaks to a customer as described in this thread even if there was provocation. Especially at Tesla. I agree with Bonnie that we (as a group) might be a tad difficult to deal with day in and day out. But, that IS customer service. AND, one of the main reasons I love Tesla. I'm the kind of customer who annoys you before I sign the contract. I beat everything to death so that when it comes time to sign I can do it on my iPhone while eating lunch in between flights at the Atlanta airport. Which is ironic because that's where I earned the money to buy the car!
I was able to change my order, but:
- it happened during relatively early days
- I asked the next day
- all I did was add jump seats, something that's going to be a due bill item anyway
I'm glad that during the month+ wait until my car got to testing that I didn't believe I could change, or else I likely would have talked myself into and then back out of grey wheels and been bugging Tesla about it.
- it happened during relatively early days
- I asked the next day
- all I did was add jump seats, something that's going to be a due bill item anyway
I'm glad that during the month+ wait until my car got to testing that I didn't believe I could change, or else I likely would have talked myself into and then back out of grey wheels and been bugging Tesla about it.
Chas F
Model S 60kWh #P6396
I finalized a 40kwh in November and had regrets about getting the Tech Package in December. I sent an email asking if the change was possible, fully expecting (and OK with it) that they would come back with "not possible". To my surprise, they allowed the change as long as it was before December 31st.
The point is, based on the language of the contract, it is purely at their discretion to allow or dis-allow any changes after signing the contract. I know it is easy for me to take this stance since my change was granted, but I can assure you that my attitude would have been the same if they had said no.
Some of us have been granted a gift from Tesla, some of us not. I'm sure they have their own criteria for deciding which, but we who have finalized signed a contract that does not provide entitlement to an answer either way. IMHO.
The point is, based on the language of the contract, it is purely at their discretion to allow or dis-allow any changes after signing the contract. I know it is easy for me to take this stance since my change was granted, but I can assure you that my attitude would have been the same if they had said no.
Some of us have been granted a gift from Tesla, some of us not. I'm sure they have their own criteria for deciding which, but we who have finalized signed a contract that does not provide entitlement to an answer either way. IMHO.
jbherman
Member
My perspective (which won't be popular given the tone of this thread):
Yes, we did sign contracts agreeing to purchase this product when we finalized our cars, however the thought that the manufacturer must be completely inflexible on minor cosmetic changes is silly (in my opinion). I've custom ordered every car I've ever owned and never have had any difficulty making changes of any kind after submitting my order. That being said, those companies (Mercedes, BMW, Audi, etc.) have a fleet of completed cars and they likely just swap them out. So, the fact that I was unable to change from silver 21" wheels to grey within 2 days of finalizing is tough to stomach. The argument against is that once the order is set, they've already committed parts, supplies, etc. So, if that's the case, why are many of our cars being delivered with items due (spoiler and parcel shelf in my case). If the car is entering the line, the parts should be there to complete it. Wasn't that in our binding contract (to have our cars delivered as ordered)? You can't have it both ways (and yes, I understand that TM will make good on the items due with time...but nobody will tell me when or how). Disclaimer: I'm told the parcel shelf is being redesigned, which is why they aren't being sent out. If the car hasn't entered production and you want to alter it, why not implement a change order system and charge a fee (how about $100) for the cost of altering the paperwork and having a runner confirm with the factory that the change is in effect? The reality is that none of us truly know the process and all of this is just opinion...not sure I understand the visceral and antagonistic responses in this thread. None of us are 100% right on this...it's just the different expectations that we all have.
By the way...I love my car. The experience just needs some fine tuning for this level of product.
Yes, we did sign contracts agreeing to purchase this product when we finalized our cars, however the thought that the manufacturer must be completely inflexible on minor cosmetic changes is silly (in my opinion). I've custom ordered every car I've ever owned and never have had any difficulty making changes of any kind after submitting my order. That being said, those companies (Mercedes, BMW, Audi, etc.) have a fleet of completed cars and they likely just swap them out. So, the fact that I was unable to change from silver 21" wheels to grey within 2 days of finalizing is tough to stomach. The argument against is that once the order is set, they've already committed parts, supplies, etc. So, if that's the case, why are many of our cars being delivered with items due (spoiler and parcel shelf in my case). If the car is entering the line, the parts should be there to complete it. Wasn't that in our binding contract (to have our cars delivered as ordered)? You can't have it both ways (and yes, I understand that TM will make good on the items due with time...but nobody will tell me when or how). Disclaimer: I'm told the parcel shelf is being redesigned, which is why they aren't being sent out. If the car hasn't entered production and you want to alter it, why not implement a change order system and charge a fee (how about $100) for the cost of altering the paperwork and having a runner confirm with the factory that the change is in effect? The reality is that none of us truly know the process and all of this is just opinion...not sure I understand the visceral and antagonistic responses in this thread. None of us are 100% right on this...it's just the different expectations that we all have.
By the way...I love my car. The experience just needs some fine tuning for this level of product.
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