Not even sure that keeping the TBD status would have staved off the conspiracy theory hounds. The next comment after announcing that "TBD" = $2000 is that Tesla may as well have charged $10000 and that this was a trap to get those that committed to paying for a 60 kWh battery to essentially pay more, or to wring every dollar out of unsuspecting people who just want to drive electric. C'mon people! Despite my commitment to an 85 kWh battery, I'm not at all surprised that the charges are what they are. I am very pleased that the costs at the pump, so to speak, are completely simplifies, no codes, no cards, no passwords. Thats a big win for the Tesla planners, and a big win for us potential owners. I have been aware every step of the way that for those buying the 60 kWh battery, there WOULD be some charge, but not what the charge would be. So no real surprise here. I am surprised that Tesla decided to discount those that have already committed to the mid-battery (60 kWh) and its a pleasant surprise.
Not all kudos for Tesla, though. I don't think that Tesla worked out the best way to communicate issues to those with reservations, and I think the store consultants could be better utilized WRT contacting reservation holders in their "assigned areas" and filling them in via email on what is developing. Prices, options, production delays (releasing information to an extent that it doesn't harm the company). Perhaps that would please some of the masses. Some will find a fly in every ointment. Some don't really care and just want a well-engineered car that is fun to drive and electric.
I get that some people are stretching thin to buy this car. To them, I say, "you signed up to early!" With no clear sight picture, no clear target, you took your shot and fired the gun. Now you're mad that you've missed your target! Better to wait a year and see exactly what the costs will be, defined out for you if a $500 here or $1000 there price difference will mean yay or nay in getting the car. That is just too narrow of a window of opportunity for you, if the price changes completely knock you out of the market for this car, given that the price at this stage is a bit of a moving target...as expected. There are still prices for things that are as yet to be defined...
1. Cost of the connectivity. I fully expect conspiracy theories and disgust at that price announcement as people become enraged at having to pay "X" amount for 3G instead of LTE, or that they don't have to availability to use their favorite provider, or that the chosen provider doesn't work well in their area or provide family share plans or the like.
2. Cost of upgrades and improvements. Wanna see a thunderstorm? Wait for the announcement on how much ACC, opportunity consoles, retractable mirrors, proximity sensors, levitation, and warp hyperdrive will cost. Some will insist that it should all be free since their previous car came with it. Others won't really care, just glad the stuff is finally in production and can be retrofitted to their cars, if at all possible.
3. Cost of extended warranty plans and battery replacement warranties. Fun times ahead here, too.
I recommend that people operating on such narrow margins just wait on reserving, defer if you've reserved, or realize that the car you really want will cost more than you think at this point in the game.
We all have to query the logic that Tesla uses in their decision making. We equally must query the logic to our responses and decide if we are throwing the baby out with the bath water with every announcement.