Looks like I can't edit the original post so here is the full timeline and thoughts:
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Since the CPO buying experience seems to vary wildly on any TSLA forums, I'd figure I add my data points for review later whether good or bad. I'll update this thread as I get updates and/or contact instigated by myself or TSLA.
5/1 22:00 EDT - Placed deposit for MS85 in Boston for shipment to NY. Immediately received Thank You email.
5/2 10:41 EDT - Received call from CPO Advisor as well as email. Appears to a canned initial message along with introducing the DS. Also included is the delivery estimate of 3-6 weeks which puts it between the weeks of 5/23-6/13.
5/2 12:03 EDT - I replied to the CPO Advisor's email indicating that I will be out of country from May 19-29 so pickup during those dates are not possible.
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5/3 ~11:00 EDT - Received message from DS indicating that the SC I selected is not his and referred me to my preferred SC DS
5/3 ~12:45 EDT - Received message CPO Advisor regarding financing and insurance I asked in previous message
5/4 ~17:00 EDT - Received message from new DS verifying receipt of my travel plans and next contact will be when vehicle begins next milestone
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5/5 ~10:00 EDT - Received message from DS indicating there is nothing else required on my end, and will update once something comes across
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5/10 ~10:00 EDT - Received message from DS that refurbishment has begun at another location and will be shipped to my local SC after completion as well as seeing about getting a more definitive date. He relayed that it should be fairly quick once the refurbishment is complete whereas the local SC should only need to detail, inspect and register the vehicle. Once that date is provided, I'll start the loan app and get insurance.
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5/15 ~12:30 EDT - Contacted DS to see if there was an update on refurbishment and tentative delivery
5/15 ~13:30 EDT - Received message back from DS that he will look into it
5/15 ~14:15 EDT - Received message from DS that the "team" says pickup is still around 3 weeks away.
5/15 ~15:00 EDT - Asked for refurbishment report and battery test while it's still be prepped
5/15 ~15:30 EDT - Applied for financing via Tesla to see what offer is out there
5/15 ~18:00 EDT - Received approval from one lender: 2.49%; Requested to check other lenders/offers
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5/25 14:30 EDT - messaged DS on any updates
5/25 15:00 EDT - received acknowledgement from DS to follow up
5/25 16:00 EDT - received message from DS that the refurb team are still awaiting parts/components from California, while at the same time saying that should still be ready in original timeframe (deadline 6/13)
5/25 20:00 EDT - messaged DS on what are the parts and components that are being replaced/refurbed
5/26 09:00 EDT - message DS and advisor that I need the MV agreement/PO for my loan provider
5/26 16:30 EDT - received message from DS that he'll send over EOD
5/26 16:40 EDT - received message from DS with the agreement/PO
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5/30 17:00EDT - messaged DS regarding how my final payment will look like and for update on when and what refurbishment parts are needed
5/30 18:00EDT - received message from DS that those details will be received after refurbishment completion by an SC an hour away from my pickup SC
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5/31 06:00 EDT - Messaged DS to see if the refurbishment actually started 3 weeks ago as initially indicated or if still waiting for parts arrivals.
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5/31 17:00 EDT - Received message from DS with tentative delivery week of 6/12 (maybe sooner)
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6/7 ~13:00 EDT - Messaged DS for update
6/7 ~13:30 EDT - Received message from DS that car still is with the other SC so "tentatively" next week (over estimate)
6/7 ~14:00 EDT - Message DS again for what is being components is/will be refurb'd
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6/7 ~17:30 EDT - Received message from DS indicating that s/he won't have any knowledge of refurbishment until it's complete, they pointed me to the pre-owned doc again.
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6/14 14:04 EDT - sent message to DS for an update and informed that it's past the delivery estimate
6/14 14:14 EDT - received message from DS indicating refurb should complete tomorrow to be delivered to local SC by EOW; acknowledging tardiness and offer to bridge gap
6/14 14:40 EDT - sent message to DS inquiring about turnaround after delivery to local SC; as well as counteroffer to bridge the gap
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6/14 ~18:00 EDT - received message from DS to schedule delivery date for mid next week
6/15 ~09:30 EDT - sent message to DS to schedule for June 24
6/15 ~12:00 EDT - received message from DS confirming delivery scheduled for June 24 12:00PM
6/15 ~16:30 EDT - received refurb checklist from DS
6/15 ~18:00 EDT - sent messsage to DS inquiring about checklist; there appears to be some discrepancies
6/15 ~19:00 EDT - received message from DS that he'll look into it
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6/17 13:50 EDT - received [automated] message that "Your Tesla Paperwork is ready!"
6/17 13:54 EDT - received [automated] message about "Paying for your Tesla"
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6/19 16:37 EDT - sent message to DS for update on the checklist discrepancy; 4/4 tasks completed
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6/20 20:12 EDT - sent message to DS again about checklist, battery test and status of car
6/20 20:32 EDT - received message from DS indicating he sent another request to the Milford SC regarding the checklist
6/20 20:40 EDT - sent message to DS asking if car has arrived at Mt. Kisco SC
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6/21 ~10:30 EDT - received message from DS that car was at local SC
6/21 ~11:30 EDT - received requested refurb checklist of what was actually repaired/replaced; though it did have a date of 6/21?!?
6/21 ~13:30 EDT - sent message to DS regarding registration
6/21 ~13:45 EDT - received message from DS confirming
6/21 ~17:00 EDT - sent message to DS relaying my experience with NYS DMV
6/21 ~18:45 EDT - received message from DS confirming
6/21 ~21:00 EDT - sent message to DS to notify if anything comes up between now and delivery
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6/23 ~17:00 EDT - received message from DS confirming delivery for 6/24 and final payment
6/23 ~17:15 EDT - sent message to DS confirming pickup; asked a couple more questions about refurbishment
6/23 ~17:45 EDT - received message from DS with answers to questions
6/23 ~18:00 EDT - sent message to DS regarding annual service and battery test
6/23 ~18:30 EDT - received message from DS with answers to questions
6/23 ~20:15 EDT - sent message to DS asking questions about couple more items
6/23 ~20:30 EDT - received partial answer from DS and to look into it more
6/24 ~09:15 EDT - sent message to DS to see if he can get alignment specs
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6/24 ~12:00 EDT - Delivery appointment; inspection and walk-thru
6/24 ~13:00 EDT - Sign papers
6/24 ~13:30 EDT - Install music USB, loaded "I Got U" - Duke Dumont, drove off!
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So now that I've finally taken delivery of the car, this is a synopsis of my experience. Note that my entire process was completed online, via email for documentation purposes aside from the VM left by the CPO advisor after the deposit. Here are my thoughts:
Process: The process looks good on paper. There is a leap of faith as it's different from the traditional used car shopping process. The onus is really on the buyer to do a thorough inspection on pickup and get as much information as possible. Though the latter can be difficult (see Communication).
Communication: The communication of information really needs to be worked on. This may be a symptom of internal communication issues at Tesla. While my CPO advisor and DS were quick to respond, there wasn't much concrete information/answers until near the delivery date. It then becomes a mad scramble to ingest and digest as much as possible.
Financing/Insurance: If you're financing, I'd wait until you get a pretty firm delivery date, unless you have less than stellar credit. The initial delivery estimate and any estimate in between don't hold much water. Same goes for insurance. I would have paid for more than a month of insurance with no car had I put it in place after an early estimate for delivery. Though I may have been able to work that out with the carrier, it's basically you pay and have can have insurance same day with most carriers nowadays anyways.
Delivery: The delivery was good. Most of the time was spent with me doing inspection and walk-thru. No rush. Once completed, the paperwork part was pretty efficient and enjoyable for a process that basically parts you with a good chunk of change. A couple of signatures and that was it.
Refurbishment: The car is in very good condition for the year and mileage (if that makes difference with EVs). A couple of nicks and scratches but expected. Definitely get the refurbishment checklist ahead of time and ask for the pre-refurb checklist to see what was worked on. The first checklist they sent me was the post-refurb checklist which passed everything. Ask the DS to find out to get clarification on any/all of the items on the checklist that were worked on.
What Tesla could have done/do better: As mentioned, I think the process from a high level is good. The communication with good information really needs a lot of work. Estimates also needs a lot of work. While this appears to be downstream effects, this really needs to improve. It can't/shouldn't be attributed to teething pains anymore. SpaceX can countdown/deploy equipment to the second. I think if the communication of real information and delivery estimate is more in-line with what could be reality, there'd be a lot less noise. Also, from what I can infer, there seems to possibly be a shortage of parts and service centers. While the latter may be due to state by state regulations, the former needs to get addressed.
What I could have done better: I should have been more prepared/pro-active once I received the refurbishment checklist. Rattling off questions last minute was not the best way to get everything answered. I prolly could have spent a few extra cycles on that beforehand.
What a ride! (pun intended). All in all from deposit to delivery was 54 days. Though, 2 of those days were at my doing since I was out of town and couldn't pickup earlier.
Thanks to all for reading/following and adding your datapoints. Hopefully, future new Tesla CPO buyers will find this useful.
