I ordered my first Tesla incorrectly. I had a referral code from a fellow Louisiana owner. I ordered through the website and not thru the link. I attempted to get Tesla's assistance to manually enter the code. I also had typo's in the registration info. After two weeks of no help from Tesla (I had a VIN assigned and was preparing for delivery), I cancelled my order. I waited for my refund - and then re-ordered the same Tesla.
I read on this forum about some of the defects on new Tesla's. This combined with the fact that I am taking delivery by truck led me to decide to inspect the vehicle in Houston prior to shipment.
Our ordered car arrived at the delivery center in Houston, Texas. I found an awesome three page checklist that came in real handy, loaded wifie in the car for a ten hour 600 mile (five hour 300+ one way) mile trip from NOLA to Houston. I did not want to risk accepting a car off the truck and then find out I needed to return it - or have work completed on it 300 miles away.
The car had some paint blemishes (mostly on the front bumper). Everything else was acceptable. The delivery guy told us it was unusual for buyers to inspect prior to shipment, but was happy to oblige our request. I ignored the blemishes because I have never been able to maintain a flawless front bumper during normal driving/parking.
This process was not an easy experience for us. The delivery problem is really caused by Louisiana state laws (the law bans direct-to-consumer sales). We own Tesla stock and will soon be Tesla owners. I am excited and motivated to own this car. The only minor problem which caused an additional two week delay was that we could not change registration info or add a referral code.
I hope that soon Tesla's buying experience can be made easier so that buyers less motivated than me will not be turned off of the process.
I read on this forum about some of the defects on new Tesla's. This combined with the fact that I am taking delivery by truck led me to decide to inspect the vehicle in Houston prior to shipment.
Our ordered car arrived at the delivery center in Houston, Texas. I found an awesome three page checklist that came in real handy, loaded wifie in the car for a ten hour 600 mile (five hour 300+ one way) mile trip from NOLA to Houston. I did not want to risk accepting a car off the truck and then find out I needed to return it - or have work completed on it 300 miles away.
The car had some paint blemishes (mostly on the front bumper). Everything else was acceptable. The delivery guy told us it was unusual for buyers to inspect prior to shipment, but was happy to oblige our request. I ignored the blemishes because I have never been able to maintain a flawless front bumper during normal driving/parking.
This process was not an easy experience for us. The delivery problem is really caused by Louisiana state laws (the law bans direct-to-consumer sales). We own Tesla stock and will soon be Tesla owners. I am excited and motivated to own this car. The only minor problem which caused an additional two week delay was that we could not change registration info or add a referral code.
I hope that soon Tesla's buying experience can be made easier so that buyers less motivated than me will not be turned off of the process.
