For me, the difference I’m feeling between Tesla dropping the price, and a traditional manufacturer dropping the price, is that Tesla sells at a fixed price, where the traditional sells at a “suggested” price. I would be upset if I had ‘recently’ (whatever that means, say a week or two) purchased a Tesla, they dropped the fixed price, and didn’t allow for a refund. I would not be upset (well, maybe a little haha!!) if I found out the traditional car I bought had a bigger rebate attached a week after I bought it, or if my buddy who’s an expert negotiator, got it for less. I’d just chalk it up to the system and move on.
I think of it this way: Retailers like Best Buy, etc where haggling over a price isn’t done (i.e. they sell at a fixed price) all have some form of price protection. If you buy something for $450, and next week it goes on sale for $400, they will give you the difference. You have to ask for the difference, of course, but they will give it to you as long as it’s within a stated time (14 days, 30 days, etc). This seems perfectly normal, and if the difference is big enough, I’ve done this many times over the years.
However, buy at a jewelry store, where haggling is definitely expected (like at a traditional dealership), and you expect that the price you pay is only valid at that moment...it can go up or down after you leave for a variety of factors (your negotiating skill, the jewelers inventory, sales for the month, etc). This also seems perfectly normal. You ‘pays your money and takes your chance’ as they say haha!!
I think that Tesla should honor the new fixed price for those who just recently took delivery. How recent, I couldn’t say exactly, but within seven to ten days of delivery seems perfectly reasonable.
