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Should we picket dealerships?

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nwdiver

Well-Known Member
Feb 17, 2013
9,398
14,603
United States
With all the anti-Tesla action like in New Jersey would it be a good idea to start picketing dealerships that are members of the state dealer association? We could co-ordinate and single out one dealer and picket their lot every Saturday until they quit the dealer association or the association stopped attacking Tesla. We probably can't hurt ICE sales but we can hurt one dealer and send a message...
 
Doesn't seem likely to have any effect--in most states, there's no dispute pending. If you live in a state where Tesla's status is not "green light", then it's probably more effective use of your time to contact your state representative, state senator, and chairs of the appropriate committees.
 
I think a much better idea if you want to do something - and you are in New Jersey or Texas or one of those states that has prevented Tesla from selling cars and can only have galleries is to go hang around at the Tesla gallery and offer your assistance to customers.
"The law prevents him from discussing pricing and assisting you with purchasing the car - but I am a happy owner and there is no law that prevents me from helping you. I'll help explain any pricing questions and show you how to order on the website." Tell them which options you chose and how happy you are with your car. If so inclined, you could even offer people rides in your car - I'm not going to go so far as suggesting you let them drive it.
 
I think a much better idea if you want to do something - and you are in New Jersey or Texas or one of those states that has prevented Tesla from selling cars and can only have galleries is to go hang around at the Tesla gallery and offer your assistance to customers.
"The law prevents him from discussing pricing and assisting you with purchasing the car - but I am a happy owner and there is no law that prevents me from helping you. I'll help explain any pricing questions and show you how to order on the website." Tell them which options you chose and how happy you are with your car. If so inclined, you could even offer people rides in your car - I'm not going to go so far as suggesting you let them drive it.
I've done this in Texas to good effect. First I introduced myself to the store employees. They would then introduce me to potential buyers, and we'd talk turkey about pricing and options. Purely citizen to citizen, of course; I didn't benefit financially in any way. Just killing time at the Houston Galleria.
 
I think a much better idea if you want to do something - and you are in New Jersey or Texas or one of those states that has prevented Tesla from selling cars and can only have galleries is to go hang around at the Tesla gallery and offer your assistance to customers.
"The law prevents him from discussing pricing and assisting you with purchasing the car - but I am a happy owner and there is no law that prevents me from helping you. I'll help explain any pricing questions and show you how to order on the website." Tell them which options you chose and how happy you are with your car. If so inclined, you could even offer people rides in your car - I'm not going to go so far as suggesting you let them drive it.
I've done this a few times in Austin such as during test drive events. Once as I was walking into the gallery I heard a product specialist facing away from me say "I can't answer that question" and then as she saw me pass by she added without missing a beat "but he can!"
 
It's probably more effective to do all you can to influence your state legislators and to explain to them that dealer protection statutes are anachronistic and anti-competitive and would violate federal antitrust law but for the state action doctrine. If such statutes existed for all retailers, there would be no Amazon or other online businesses.