I still don't see how Tesla has any right to deny me simple delivery of a prize I legitimately earned.
They're not denying you anything. The rules are extremely clear. Awards are not transferrable. Their game, their rules. The award includes installation, which is probably for legal reasons, they don't want to just drop-ship a PW2 and hope you get it installed correctly. And they're probably insisting on the installations to enforce the non-transferability of the units, so people don't go selling/scalping them for more than they're worth. It's a policy that makes sense to me.
What's their response to people who are moving in the near future and don't want them installed at their current residence, but also aren't moving before the prizes expire?
Their response is "ok, we'll give you $5,500 credit for a future purchase," which, IMO, is a generous alternative offered. They do not have to offer that, they could just say "install the powerwalls, or don't, we don't care."
And the "prizes expiring"? What's that about? I'm in the process of moving also. We haven't closed on the new house yet, and Tesla said they are patient and will wait for me to get settled and close on the house before scheduling installation (since I need to own the house where it's being installed). There are lots of people (and countries) in line that can use the PW2s before I need them. If you're worried about some "expiration", then just talk to them about waiting. They'll wait. Nothing is going to "expire."
If worst comes to worst, I'll just do the site survey (haven't been contacted about that yet) at my wife's uncle's house in NY and then come up with some reason why they can't be installed right now once they actually show up with the PW2s.
I really don't think that's going to work. The Tesla Energy crews will be there to do the installation. You have to sign off on all sorts of documents. If it's not your house, or your wife's house, I don't think you'll fool them because it's your wife's uncle's house. The documents and permits have to match up.
And if you try to block them in any way, I seriously doubt they're going to just say "ok, we'll just leave these here, bye!" They'll be really pissed off, too. Do you understand how the installation works? After the site-survey, they will draw up design and engineering specifications, which you have to approve. Once they know the detailed plan, they'll schedule an install visit. They will install cutoff switches, conduit, a backup gateway, more conduit, and tie it into your existing panel. The last thing they do is hook up the batteries. So either you're going to stop them from touching the property altogether when they arrive (work you already approved), or you'll block them from installing the battery after they've done all the other work. I wouldn't want to be around the crew in that case. It's not going to be pretty. Now what you might be able to do (if you can even get the install done at the uncle's house) is let them complete the install, then call your own contractor to undo it all and pull out the battery. But that seems like a colossal waste. You then have to transport the batteries and associated hardware somewhere else, and pay for another installation. By the way, you know these weigh 270 pounds each? Look into shipping costs for that.
I will get my prizes one way or another, and I will do with them as I please. This is beyond ridiculous from Tesla's end.
Entitled much? It's not at all ridiculous. This is the prize. This is their game, and they make the rules. They'll offer you an alternative (credit) if you can't install the PW2s. I don't think you're going succeed by trying to trick or manipulate them into submission to get what you want. If you don't like the rules, then don't play the game.
I too had three PW2s sold hoping they could be delivered to wherever I specified. Turns out they are following their own rules and not allowing transfers. Ok, I'll take the credit offered instead. I had to refund the last PW2 deposit this morning.
I might install one PW2 and keep credit for the others towards our Model 3. But at least I have that option.
The entire referral program is a huge 'thank you' from Tesla for helping them promote and sell cars. We all should be happy and grateful it exists at all. I don't understand your attitude of "I'll get what I think I deserve, no matter what!"