Gotta agree with Tribal here. But I think we're talking about more than just lack of service from a bait and switch standpoint.
Just purchased a 2016 Model X. Drove my family down to Chicago from Petoskey (whew..) and we had an awful experience, sort of like an apple store but with un-helped and disgruntled customers wandering around (I mean, we're only taking 10 or so) while scared (or annoyed) helpers flit in and out of 'employee only' areas avoiding eye contact, and having to interface with people. I'm the type that will maintain a super-nice demeanor so at not to burn any bridges, and help myself to be helped. Even so - didn't seem to matter.
After about an hour of "your server will be right with you" from various people that we all but tackled to even get someone to look directly at us, our delivery adviser appeared. I won't call him out by name, but he was exasperated that we even wanted to check the vehicle out, and even more so when we had questions about the quality issues. He'd go back into the service center (out back for a smoke?) and tell us "they Said no" at various times when we asked about things to be fixed. The whole feeling of Tesla at this point is - hey we're doing you a favor by even letting you buy one.
I get the leap of faith. I get the vision of sustainable transport. Car has a couple dents that weren't in the pictures. Scrapes that weren't in the pictures, A rip in the seat fabric that wasn't in the pictures. The list goes on. Our purchase-adviser assured us that Tesla would fix anything that wasn't in the pictures. Test drive this specific vehicle you want? No. Tesla Vehicle Records? No. Why not? [Insert evangelistic speech about the power of Elon's vision, and support of its' customers - who join the Tesla Family, and are forever taken care of] Truth discovered: We don't want you to hear the rods knocking when you step on the Accelerator.
The vehicle appears very sharp, red 2016 P100DL MX, black 22" wheels etc., after we poked and prodded -- got rejected on several (ostensibly quite legitimate) requests for repair or even promise of repair - we were told - hey, its' under warranty, and they'll come to you! (Ranger). I asked about Ranger service, and he made some joke like "You mean lone Ranger? That's a comic. We don't do Ranger anything." Perhaps I got the terminology wrong, but really - I mean - that's just not necessary. My family (including a 4 year old that had been so good for several hours at this location that it may have factored into my decision to just purchase it to get the hell out of there) was tired and cranky, and yes maybe I should have pulled out - but we'd all been so excited to pick it up, and it really was, after all, a cool vehicle - our advisor kept repeating anything wrong - they'll fix it under warranty - what's to lose?
I had wanted a Tesla for as long as I'd heard they made an SUV so we finally decided to pull the trigger. I had bought the car based on three things mainly:
1. Excellent 4Year/50K Mile warranty on a used vehicle
2. Ranger service! Won't that be great.
3. EV's can largely be fixed by OTA updates.
You know how it goes - don't really know what's wrong until you drive it a few days. The list of issues with the vehicle is long and distinguished. Our purchase advisor has gone silent. The Tesla App where we are supposed to select Ranger service apparently no longer allows this. Made an appointment anyway, still haven't received a call 10 days later so I can plead for a truck-roll. Our delivery person "Here, just call me!" won't return calls - I reached out to a local Tesla group I found online (our of desperation) and we have a meet up nearby this Saturday where hopefully I will get some phone numbers, contact names that are responsive etc.
I don't doubt I'll have to somehow get myself down to Toledo for for most of these issues, but it would be really nice to know that someone from Tesla actually gives a rip now that we've purchased the vehicle. I know I'm to blame for falling into the WOW.. TESLA! Gottahavit. pit, but man if they didn't just confirm our fears rather than allay them by clamming up right when we need help.
List of issues includes the dreaded Acceleration Shudder, 2nd row seats motor(s) dying along with horrible squealing as they move forward, general cabin/wheel vibration etc etc., (if anyone wants to know for some reason - morbid curiosity or otherwise, I can provide a complete list).
Anyway Tribal - I feel your frustration, even after just purchasing my vehicle, living in Michigan - / lack of a service center in say, Grand Rapids, Lansing, or even Traverse City (right, I know).
Just purchased a 2016 Model X. Drove my family down to Chicago from Petoskey (whew..) and we had an awful experience, sort of like an apple store but with un-helped and disgruntled customers wandering around (I mean, we're only taking 10 or so) while scared (or annoyed) helpers flit in and out of 'employee only' areas avoiding eye contact, and having to interface with people. I'm the type that will maintain a super-nice demeanor so at not to burn any bridges, and help myself to be helped. Even so - didn't seem to matter.
After about an hour of "your server will be right with you" from various people that we all but tackled to even get someone to look directly at us, our delivery adviser appeared. I won't call him out by name, but he was exasperated that we even wanted to check the vehicle out, and even more so when we had questions about the quality issues. He'd go back into the service center (out back for a smoke?) and tell us "they Said no" at various times when we asked about things to be fixed. The whole feeling of Tesla at this point is - hey we're doing you a favor by even letting you buy one.
I get the leap of faith. I get the vision of sustainable transport. Car has a couple dents that weren't in the pictures. Scrapes that weren't in the pictures, A rip in the seat fabric that wasn't in the pictures. The list goes on. Our purchase-adviser assured us that Tesla would fix anything that wasn't in the pictures. Test drive this specific vehicle you want? No. Tesla Vehicle Records? No. Why not? [Insert evangelistic speech about the power of Elon's vision, and support of its' customers - who join the Tesla Family, and are forever taken care of] Truth discovered: We don't want you to hear the rods knocking when you step on the Accelerator.
The vehicle appears very sharp, red 2016 P100DL MX, black 22" wheels etc., after we poked and prodded -- got rejected on several (ostensibly quite legitimate) requests for repair or even promise of repair - we were told - hey, its' under warranty, and they'll come to you! (Ranger). I asked about Ranger service, and he made some joke like "You mean lone Ranger? That's a comic. We don't do Ranger anything." Perhaps I got the terminology wrong, but really - I mean - that's just not necessary. My family (including a 4 year old that had been so good for several hours at this location that it may have factored into my decision to just purchase it to get the hell out of there) was tired and cranky, and yes maybe I should have pulled out - but we'd all been so excited to pick it up, and it really was, after all, a cool vehicle - our advisor kept repeating anything wrong - they'll fix it under warranty - what's to lose?
I had wanted a Tesla for as long as I'd heard they made an SUV so we finally decided to pull the trigger. I had bought the car based on three things mainly:
1. Excellent 4Year/50K Mile warranty on a used vehicle
2. Ranger service! Won't that be great.
3. EV's can largely be fixed by OTA updates.
You know how it goes - don't really know what's wrong until you drive it a few days. The list of issues with the vehicle is long and distinguished. Our purchase advisor has gone silent. The Tesla App where we are supposed to select Ranger service apparently no longer allows this. Made an appointment anyway, still haven't received a call 10 days later so I can plead for a truck-roll. Our delivery person "Here, just call me!" won't return calls - I reached out to a local Tesla group I found online (our of desperation) and we have a meet up nearby this Saturday where hopefully I will get some phone numbers, contact names that are responsive etc.
I don't doubt I'll have to somehow get myself down to Toledo for for most of these issues, but it would be really nice to know that someone from Tesla actually gives a rip now that we've purchased the vehicle. I know I'm to blame for falling into the WOW.. TESLA! Gottahavit. pit, but man if they didn't just confirm our fears rather than allay them by clamming up right when we need help.
List of issues includes the dreaded Acceleration Shudder, 2nd row seats motor(s) dying along with horrible squealing as they move forward, general cabin/wheel vibration etc etc., (if anyone wants to know for some reason - morbid curiosity or otherwise, I can provide a complete list).
Anyway Tribal - I feel your frustration, even after just purchasing my vehicle, living in Michigan - / lack of a service center in say, Grand Rapids, Lansing, or even Traverse City (right, I know).
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