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Tesla sold me a Lemon and called me to buy-back - HELP!

MP3Mike

Well-Known Member
Feb 1, 2016
14,978
31,851
Oregon
Ask for new car, any car of same or higher value. Dont take your cash back.

That likely isn't an option because his bank probably won't do a substitution of collateral. And they will likely call the loan due if they find out the title isn't a clear unbranded one. So he really needs to work with tesla to undo the sale.
 
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jrc0yne

Member
Jul 22, 2018
21
55
Jacksonville, FL
2/20 update:

After a few back and forth emails and phone calls, Tesla is offering to replace it with a new inventory Model S with no additional money out of pocket. I was also told that they will be handling all of the coordination with my financing bank to unwind the deal and reinstate a new loan at the same rate or better than I currently have. So now we are searching the new inventory listings to find the one we want. To throw one last wrench in the situation, the temporary registration on our current used vehicle has now expired and is unable to be renewed given the circumstances with the title so they are trying to coordinate a loaner vehicle until this is finally resolved. Thanks for everyone's input and hoping this all gets finalized smoothly!
 

MP3Mike

Well-Known Member
Feb 1, 2016
14,978
31,851
Oregon
2/20 update:

After a few back and forth emails and phone calls, Tesla is offering to replace it with a new inventory Model S with no additional money out of pocket. I was also told that they will be handling all of the coordination with my financing bank to unwind the deal and reinstate a new loan at the same rate or better than I currently have. So now we are searching the new inventory listings to find the one we want. To throw one last wrench in the situation, the temporary registration on our current used vehicle has now expired and is unable to be renewed given the circumstances with the title so they are trying to coordinate a loaner vehicle until this is finally resolved. Thanks for everyone's input and hoping this all gets finalized smoothly!

Glad to hear that Tesla is doing the right thing to resolve this for you!
 

Heatherraquel

New Member
Nov 24, 2018
2
1
Tustin
2/20 update:

After a few back and forth emails and phone calls, Tesla is offering to replace it with a new inventory Model S with no additional money out of pocket. I was also told that they will be handling all of the coordination with my financing bank to unwind the deal and reinstate a new loan at the same rate or better than I currently have. So now we are searching the new inventory listings to find the one we want. To throw one last wrench in the situation, the temporary registration on our current used vehicle has now expired and is unable to be renewed given the circumstances with the title so they are trying to coordinate a loaner vehicle until this is finally resolved. Thanks for everyone's input and hoping this all gets finalized smoothly!
Just curious, why was it a lemon and who did you contact. Thank you very much. God-bless you and yours.
 
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Andy7

Member
Dec 16, 2019
57
31
NJ
2/20 update:

After a few back and forth emails and phone calls, Tesla is offering to replace it with a new inventory Model S with no additional money out of pocket. I was also told that they will be handling all of the coordination with my financing bank to unwind the deal and reinstate a new loan at the same rate or better than I currently have. So now we are searching the new inventory listings to find the one we want. To throw one last wrench in the situation, the temporary registration on our current used vehicle has now expired and is unable to be renewed given the circumstances with the title so they are trying to coordinate a loaner vehicle until this is finally resolved. Thanks for everyone's input and hoping this all gets finalized smoothly!

Other than the inconvenience of a loaner, and your anxiety over this strange situation, it sounds like an amazingly good outcome for you! Tesla seems to be doing above what they need to do, which is very nice. Good luck with the new car.
 

Tardis5

Member
Dec 4, 2018
11
2
New jersey
2/20 update:

After a few back and forth emails and phone calls, Tesla is offering to replace it with a new inventory Model S with no additional money out of pocket. I was also told that they will be handling all of the coordination with my financing bank to unwind the deal and reinstate a new loan at the same rate or better than I currently have. So now we are searching the new inventory listings to find the one we want. To throw one last wrench in the situation, the temporary registration on our current used vehicle has now expired and is unable to be renewed given the circumstances with the title so they are trying to coordinate a loaner vehicle until this is finally resolved. Thanks for everyone's input and hoping this all gets finalized smoothly!
Tesla is great about buying back lemons in my experience. I bought a 2019 3 that would sporadically veer back into the original lane after starting to change lanes in autopilot. After 3 attempts to fix, they agreed to buy back. We would have been happy for a straight exchange, but they insisted on giving us our money back which we used to buy another new 3. Because they had lowered the price in the interim, we made approx $4,000 on deal.
 
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FloridaHeli

New Member
Feb 21, 2020
3
1
Jacksonville, Fl
jrc0yne,

Would really appreciate the email addresses and phone numbers and any names or titles that you used to get such a wonderful exchange.

Thanks in advance for any information you can share.
 

PJFW8

Red Menace may hurt me
May 29, 2015
383
274
Hendersonville, NC
Thanks for the responses! Yeah, Tesla called me and left a voicemail on Valentine's day when I was at dinner with my wife to tell me they need to unwind the deal. I thought this had to be some kind of mistake when listening later and called back immediately to confirm they have the correct car. I could barely process the situation on the phone given the circumstances as they were explaining to me. I have had no issues with the car and absolutely love it because it was in great condition cosmetically and was happy with the deal.

I will definitely be giving them every opportunity to make this right and really hope they do, but dang this has been upsetting. I will also recommend they not call on Valentine's day with this type of news in the future... geez!
You are not entitled to an "upgrade". At most they owe a full refund and any out of pocket expenses. Nevertheless, allow them to treat you well. The Tesla folks involved would likely want to help you step up! This could work well for you if you don't play the angry victim.
 

TSLA Pilot

Active Member
Mar 12, 2013
1,644
2,272
United States
2/20 update:

After a few back and forth emails and phone calls, Tesla is offering to replace it with a new inventory Model S with no additional money out of pocket. I was also told that they will be handling all of the coordination with my financing bank to unwind the deal and reinstate a new loan at the same rate or better than I currently have. So now we are searching the new inventory listings to find the one we want. To throw one last wrench in the situation, the temporary registration on our current used vehicle has now expired and is unable to be renewed given the circumstances with the title so they are trying to coordinate a loaner vehicle until this is finally resolved. Thanks for everyone's input and hoping this all gets finalized smoothly!

Frankly, this is the sort of things that make for a GREAT reputation.

Very, very glad it worked out so well for you and only hope Tesla continues this sort of behavior going forward!
 

jrc0yne

Member
Jul 22, 2018
21
55
Jacksonville, FL
I am happy to report that Tesla has gone above and beyond - this situation has been resolved! I took delivery of my brand new 2020 Model S last week!

I think I should change the title of this thread to "Tesla sold me a lemon and then made sweet sweet lemonade!"

IMG_20200314_142225.jpg
 

Iain

Member
Feb 5, 2020
147
219
Austin
Thanks for this thread. It’s good to see a company we are all a part of going above and beyond. They screwed up, took responsibility and made things right. Bravo!
 
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