Refreshed Used Tesla Ordering Process - Need Advice and Feedback..

[daverosen5]

I am still stunned beyond belief..

I spoke with a Tesla Used car advisor now regarding ordering a Used Model 3 and he told me on their new policies.

-They no longer provide pictures or let you know if there is anything wrong with the car before ordering.
-The deposit has now been raised from $100 to $500 and along with the delivery fee, which are not refundable if you were to say no on delivery day.

I have purchased a new M3 in the past and most recently a used MX, both from Tesla.
The MX came with a variety of cosmetic problems that I was ok with due to the pictures showing it ahead of time.
When I was taking delivery, the MX was a mess on the interior and I told them it's BS that they did any check at all before passing it to me. They said take it or leave it (Austin Pond Springs location).

To me, this is insanely un-incentivizing for someone to order a used car simply based on the two rendered Tesla 3D Model pictures and the standard ten specs they provide.

 

[PNWLeccy]

I am still stunned beyond belief..

I spoke with a Tesla Used car advisor now regarding ordering a Used Model 3 and he told me on their new policies.

-They no longer provide pictures or let you know if there is anything wrong with the car before ordering.
-The deposit has now been raised from $100 to $500 and along with the delivery fee, which are not refundable if you were to say no on delivery day.

I have purchased a new M3 in the past and most recently a used MX, both from Tesla.
The MX came with a variety of cosmetic problems that I was ok with due to the pictures showing it ahead of time.
When I was taking delivery, the MX was a mess on the interior and I told them it's BS that they did any check at all before passing it to me. They said take it or leave it (Austin Pond Springs location).

To me, this is insanely un-incentivizing for someone to order a used car simply based on the two rendered Tesla 3D Model pictures and the standard ten specs they provide.

I ordered used in 2019 and there was no delivery fee which effectively made it $1200 cheaper than buying new from that standpoint. Are you saying in addition to the $100 order fee, there is now an additional $500 delivery fee for used cars?

 

[jjrandorin]

I am still stunned beyond belief..

I spoke with a Tesla Used car advisor now regarding ordering a Used Model 3 and he told me on their new policies.

-They no longer provide pictures or let you know if there is anything wrong with the car before ordering.
-The deposit has now been raised from $100 to $500 and along with the delivery fee, which are not refundable if you were to say no on delivery day.

I have purchased a new M3 in the past and most recently a used MX, both from Tesla.
The MX came with a variety of cosmetic problems that I was ok with due to the pictures showing it ahead of time.
When I was taking delivery, the MX was a mess on the interior and I told them it's BS that they did any check at all before passing it to me. They said take it or leave it (Austin Pond Springs location).

To me, this is insanely un-incentivizing for someone to order a used car simply based on the two rendered Tesla 3D Model pictures and the standard ten specs they provide.

Your post says "need advice and feedback". What are you looking to get advice and feedback on? Whether we would buy a used tesla (or any used car) under those circumstances? If thats what you are looking for feedback on, my answer is "no, I wouldnt". You are probably right, they ARE dis incentivizing someone from buying a used car, they would rather sell you a new one.

You are also in Texas, and tesla doesnt sell cars in texas. they sell you a car in some other state and then DELIVER it to texas, because of your states laws. These policies you are talking about may (or may not) apply to other states where they can sell cars. I dont know.

I DO know that because of texas (and a few other state) laws that protect car dealers, they cant actually sell you the car in texas. They can deliver you one, but cant sell it to you, so they sell you the car in a neighboring state then ship it to you in texas (maybe why there are no refunds for delivery fees there).

I would be surprised if the fact you are in texas (and tesla has to skirt these laws there) is not a part of this.

 

[jjrandorin]

(moderator note: moved to model S forum by mistake. since I dont have rights here, requested it be moved to model 3 ordering subforum. No need to mention to OP they posted in wrong subforum as this is my mistake, not the OPs)

(edit: moderators of model S forum moved this to the correct location for me, so its in the correct place now)

 

[PNWLeccy]

You are also in Texas, and tesla doesnt sell cars in texas. they sell you a car in some other state and then DELIVER it to texas, because of your states laws. These policies you are talking about may (or may not) apply to other states where they can sell cars. I dont know.

Nice catch. I'm guessing that explains the delivery fee

 

[Sunshine Speed]

If you need FSD and want to save $10K : Order used from tesla website and take the risk of refusing delivery after seeing it in person.
If you don't need the $10K FSD : Then view all the photos and order Teslas from Shift (test drive first) or Carvana or Vroom (I think all 3 websites have 7-day return policy). Good luck to all!

 

[CapeOne]

Nice catch. I'm guessing that explains the delivery fee

If by "delivery fee" you are referring to the "transportation fee", that would apply to every state. It depends on where the car is located and being delivered e.g., if the car is in Illinois and being shipped to Massachusetts, the transportation fee may be $1k. The farther the distance, the higher the fee. It's similar to what places like CarMax or Carvana might charge to transport a car.

You could avoid the transportation fee if you are willing to go to the where the car is, accept delivery there, and then drive it home yourself.

 

[Yama95]

I had a nightmare experience trying to buy a used 2018 Model 3 w/ FSD. Showed up at scheduled delivery time and literally was called while waiting in line that car was not ready. Told me to come back an hour later. One hour later they have me the run around and said it may not be ready until the next day. To say was pissed was an understatement.

Finally, got someone to level with me and the car had a alive mouse in the engine compartment that had chewed through everything. If I had not demanded to know what the heck was going on, I may have eventually driven off with that car. No way I would purchase that car, ever! I also had to demand my non-refundable $500 deposit back, which they eventually did.

At the end of the day They were able to accommodate me that same day by selling me a new 2021 M3. I am extremely happy with my purchase, so not all was lost. But after having suffered this experience, no way I ever buy a used Tesla from Tesla again.

 

[daverosen5]

As of yesterday I have went through with the blind order.
The incentive of FSD was too hard to pass up, and I hope I will not get a banged up car at the end of the day.

 

[Jeff Davlt]

I would not buy a used Tesla with their current policies. It almost seems as if they are intentionally trying to not sell used vehicles.

 

[natman316]

yeah I had a similar experience, when waiting for my M3 order, I nearly picked an instock Demo model Y they had in stock instead but no pictures. No way I’d by a used/ demo car sight unseen.