No ventilated seats as promised

[ACExpress]

Just took delivery of my S60D. I was all set to go and inspected the exterior and interior before I signed the papers and remitted payment. Then it occurred to me that I should check the seats to make sure they were the perforated/ventilated variety.

Nope...solid tan leather. Unfortunately I was up against a work meeting I had to attend and had already signed the documentation (admittedly, didn't notice until after I signed). Because my trade was now their car and I was also in a hurry, I didn't think I had any choice in the moment but to take delivery.

I brought it up to the delivery specialist (Ray), and he talked about how they were only available for a short time, yada yada. I specifically purchased the upgrades package for the seats, as I didn't care about the other inclusions. I had expressed this info to the owner advisor after my order was placed (1/12/17) but before it was confirmed. I would have left off the package or removed it within 7 days if the seats were not going to be ventilated. I communicated this to the owner advisor, and I have a text from him on 1/16/17, "confirming your car will have the ventilated seats unless you request the non-ventilated seats."

At this point, what recourse do I have? It was a $3500 package I wouldn't have purchased, although I'd rather just have the seats as promised. Needless to say, I left with the car but actually feeling angry instead of jubilant (and in a hurry, but that's my own fault). I intend to escalate as much as it takes to either get it fixed or get $3500 back. Should I work back through the delivery specialist's manager, the owner advisor's management (different locations), or someone else via corporate?

Thanks in advance.

 

[JamShady]

And I have the opposite problem... my car is coming with ventilated seats, but I actually would have preferred non-perforated due to kids on the way, but was told it was a mandatory configuration if I chose the PUP

 

[Zaphod]

Does your purchase documents and option information at time of purchase show ventilated seats to be included? If so, I think it should be pretty cut and dry that you should have the ventilated seats. I forget when the ventilated seats were discontinued. You do have text confirmation but not sure how binding that really is.

I doubt you could get the $3500 back as there are other parts of the package that you did get. What does your owner advisor say? I would continue working up the chain as needed to get resolution one way or the other.

 

[ACExpress]

Does your purchase documents and option information at time of purchase show ventilated seats to be included? If so, I think it should be pretty cut and dry that you should have the ventilated seats. I forget when the ventilated seats were discontinued. You do have text confirmation but not sure how binding that really is.

I doubt you could get the $3500 back as there are other parts of the package that you did get. What does your owner advisor say? I would continue working up the chain as needed to get resolution one way or the other.

The documents I have do not show the breakout of the PUP, as it's listed as a single line item. The seats were discontinued the night I ordered (1/12/17), but it's unclear when exactly they disappeared. That's why I was seeking clarification from the OA the following 7 days.

I was told the OA will reach out to me, but I'll give him a call shortly.

 

[mikevbf]

I have the holy seats (sorry for the pun). Due to fire/emergency regulations, the rear window is designed to shatter in the event of an accident. This actually happened to my Tesla. The problem with the perforated seats is the glass gets in holes. The body shop had to pull my rear seats to get all the shards of glass out. Unfortunately, the way the seats are designed removing the seats destroys the bolts which are often back ordered and in my case ended up delaying the fix of my Tesla by about 3 weeks. This type of situation or durability might be why they removed this as part of the PUP. I know this does not give you your 3.5k back, but at least you did not pay 3.5k AND have these or other issues to deal with down the line.

 

[gabeincal]

I have the holy seats (sorry for the pun). Due to fire/emergency regulations, the rear window is designed to shatter in the event of an accident. This actually happened to my Tesla. The problem with the perforated seats is the glass gets in holes. The body shop had to pull my rear seats to get all the shards of glass out. Unfortunately, the way the seats are designed removing the seats destroys the bolts which are often back ordered and in my case ended up delaying the fix of my Tesla by about 3 weeks. This type of situation or durability might be why they removed this as part of the PUP. I know this does not give you your 3.5k back, but at least you did not pay 3.5k AND have these or other issues to deal with down the line.

Brilliant...

 

[jeffro01]

Just took delivery of my S60D. I was all set to go and inspected the exterior and interior before I signed the papers and remitted payment. Then it occurred to me that I should check the seats to make sure they were the perforated/ventilated variety.

Nope...solid tan leather. Unfortunately I was up against a work meeting I had to attend and had already signed the documentation (admittedly, didn't notice until after I signed). Because my trade was now their car and I was also in a hurry, I didn't think I had any choice in the moment but to take delivery.

I brought it up to the delivery specialist (Ray), and he talked about how they were only available for a short time, yada yada. I specifically purchased the upgrades package for the seats, as I didn't care about the other inclusions. I had expressed this info to the owner advisor after my order was placed (1/12/17) but before it was confirmed. I would have left off the package or removed it within 7 days if the seats were not going to be ventilated. I communicated this to the owner advisor, and I have a text from him on 1/16/17, "confirming your car will have the ventilated seats unless you request the non-ventilated seats."

At this point, what recourse do I have? It was a $3500 package I wouldn't have purchased, although I'd rather just have the seats as promised. Needless to say, I left with the car but actually feeling angry instead of jubilant (and in a hurry, but that's my own fault). I intend to escalate as much as it takes to either get it fixed or get $3500 back. Should I work back through the delivery specialist's manager, the owner advisor's management (different locations), or someone else via corporate?

Thanks in advance.

For starters don't give up. If you thought you were purchasing a car with this option and the option is on your MVPA then don't let Tesla walk on this. Unfortunately given Tesla's current state of affairs overall, you're going to have to be extremely diligent to get what you want or just compensation in lieu of...

Jeff

 

[mbhforum]

I have the holy seats (sorry for the pun). Due to fire/emergency regulations, the rear window is designed to shatter in the event of an accident. This actually happened to my Tesla. The problem with the perforated seats is the glass gets in holes. The body shop had to pull my rear seats to get all the shards of glass out. Unfortunately, the way the seats are designed removing the seats destroys the bolts which are often back ordered and in my case ended up delaying the fix of my Tesla by about 3 weeks. This type of situation or durability might be why they removed this as part of the PUP. I know this does not give you your 3.5k back, but at least you did not pay 3.5k AND have these or other issues to deal with down the line.

Wouldn't this be an issue with other vehicles also?

 

[mikevbf]

Wouldn't this be an issue with other vehicles also?

If you do NOT have holes in your seats, then glass shards do NOT get in those holes that create body shop problems. Is that more clear?

 

[mbhforum]

If you do NOT have holes in your seats, then glass shards do NOT get in those holes that create body shop problems. Is that more clear?

Sorry I meant other car manufacturers. They make ventilated seats. Don't they have the same challenge?

 

[ACExpress]

For starters don't give up. If you thought you were purchasing a car with this option and the option is on your MVPA then don't let Tesla walk on this. Unfortunately given Tesla's current state of affairs overall, you're going to have to be extremely diligent to get what you want or just compensation in lieu of...

Jeff

I will be persistent. I called the OA I'd worked with, and he was apologetic and asked for 24 hours for him to research on how they might be able to remedy. I'm not the type to be a jerk or MF the guy, but I will be persistent to make sure they fulfill what was agreed upon and confirmed in writing.

 

[mikevbf]

Sorry I meant other car manufacturers. They make ventilated seats. Don't they have the same challenge?

Tesla is still small relative to other manufacturers. As such, they have less resources to throw at problems especially when you consider that those resources are also spread over non automotive aspects of the business. Because of this, I theorize Tesla is starting to learn how to simplify and thus reduce strain on their limited resources ie. less options on cars, designing for manufacturing, and getting rid of options that create maintenance issues. I would guess in hindsight, Tesla wishes it had never made a vehicle with falcon doors, definitely a maintenance liability.

 

[bob_p]

Based on the comments on the perforated seats - you may actually have an upgrade by not having them. The ventilated seats don't seem to work very well (and really aren't needed because of the ability to pre-cool using the smartphone app) - and some people have reported increased wear with the seats.

You might have a good argument to get something from Tesla, if you ordered the PUP when the perforated seats were listed, and they didn't inform you the seats wouldn't be perforated. Though the relative value of the perforated seats will be much lower than $3500, so you shouldn't expect much in compensation for not notifying you of the change in your order.

 

[Super_Popular]

I love my ventilated seats, one of the best features.

 

[ACExpress]

Based on the comments on the perforated seats - you may actually have an upgrade by not having them. The ventilated seats don't seem to work very well (and really aren't needed because of the ability to pre-cool using the smartphone app) - and some people have reported increased wear with the seats.

You might have a good argument to get something from Tesla, if you ordered the PUP when the perforated seats were listed, and they didn't inform you the seats wouldn't be perforated. Though the relative value of the perforated seats will be much lower than $3500, so you shouldn't expect much in compensation for not notifying you of the change in your order.

I was well aware of the complaints of ventilated seats. For 8 months of the year, I'm trying to mitigate swamp ass while driving, and the perforated/ventilated seats would provide some relief. Quite simply, I wouldn't have ordered PUP without them. I made it abundantly clear to the OA this was the case.

The car is great otherwise. I'm irritated the oversight/miscommunication has put a damper on an otherwise exciting day.

 

[Spatters805]

The ventilated/perforated seats were discontinued sometime between Jan 1 and Jan 15. I ordered a MS on 12/31 and another on Jan 15. One has it and the other does not. I was told that the seats were discontinued by the time I ordered the second one.

There is an article on Teslarati.com that goes over the issues with Ventilated seats (too many complaints about poor air circulation). If you were pushing for ventilated/perforated seats because of the ventilation then there is a chance you may have been disappointed, although that doesn't seem to be the case with everyone.

Best of luck in resolving this issue.

 

[K-MTG]

I would rather have solid tan seats as the perforation don't offer any ventilation benefits.

 

[calisnow]

If you do NOT have holes in your seats, then glass shards do NOT get in those holes that create body shop problems. Is that more clear?

I think what he meant was that ventilated seats exist on many other cars and glass-shards-in-holes does not seem to be enough of an industry-wide problem to stop building them. It's only Tesla. I think they stopped building them because probably some improved version is on the way.

 

[calisnow]

I would rather have solid tan seats as the perforation don't offer any ventilation benefits.

In theory the suction creates a vacuum or at least reduces the atmospheric pressure behind your back - which increase the evaporation rate of water particles in shirt fabric due to sweat.

 

[calisnow]

Based on the comments on the perforated seats - you may actually have an upgrade by not having them. The ventilated seats don't seem to work very well (and really aren't needed because of the ability to pre-cool using the smartphone app) - and some people have reported increased wear with the seats.

You might have a good argument to get something from Tesla, if you ordered the PUP when the perforated seats were listed, and they didn't inform you the seats wouldn't be perforated. Though the relative value of the perforated seats will be much lower than $3500, so you shouldn't expect much in compensation for not notifying you of the change in your order.

Despite pre-cooling, my back gets sweaty on long drives in the summer when pressed against solid leather. Ventilation helps.