Tesla vs car dealer experience

[mzpolo]

What y'all are describing is the difference between ordering a car that is being built to order in small quantities still (and batched depending on options) and buying a car off the lot. It has nothing to do with direct sales vs, dealers.

Sorry. No. If you buy a car off the lot... would there be any reason to wonder when you might get your car?

 

[SSD420]

There's a special place in hell for the lying cheats at traditional dealerships. Hope to never need to visit one again

Buying my current Totoya Camry SE was hell!

The sales rep wouldn't acknowledge that my wife was even in the room. When he said the decision should all be the man's and ignore her, I got up and left. But then was stuck there another hour trying to get my drivers licence back.

I did end up getting a Camry but I ended up going to three different dealerships.

 

[Leodoc]

I think the difference is that when you order from Ford and they tell you 6-8 weeks, there's a pretty good chance that after 6-8 weeks, regardless of how opaque the process may be, you end up getting your car. I'm at 18 weeks with no updates as to when the car might be done or what phase it is in. Ford tells you how long it is going to take, something Tesla tried to do with "Early 2016", "Mid 2016", and "Late 2016" for different models and options, but now most people's delivery specialists are reluctant to give them any date at all, understandably after many false expectations were set and missed with people's delivery dates. My MyTesla page still shows the car as being delivered in March. How much will I trust the information on this page in the future? You also mention "a rather large list of buyers in front of you" as well as "delivery of your car is dependent on the configuration you choose" as factors in the timing of receiving one's car - logically these would make sense, however the cars seem to be delivered in a much more haphazard fashion, with vehicles ordered later with options that supposedly would be produced later being delivered earlier in many cases.

Expectations indeed - I don't even really care what expectations Tesla sets, as long as they stick to them. That way the customers can calibrate their expectations from there.

Obviously, once production started things did not go as planned, which meant that Tesla was not going to meet the expectations they had set. Instead of communicating about the problems and re-setting people's expectations, most DSs just stonewalled.

I think this is perfectly stated. *slow clap*

 

[evanevery]

Tesla seems to be missing the fact that you're a customer once you place your order - not just after you take delivery of your car.

I've always ordered my vehicles exactly the way I want them. Never bought one "off the rack". I've ordered several BMW's and even my most recent GM ordering experience was FAR superior to this... (BMW REALLY values you as a customer from the start!)

 

[Monkey]

Not sure what to say to those who are getting the feeling Tesla doesn't value them as a customer. I've had nothing but great interactions from the moment I placed my Model X order in January. Within 4 hours after the order confirmed, I already had an introductory email from my DS and he's proactively checked in with me every couple weeks since then. Yes, the process has been somewhat mysterious and yes it's been frustrating not knowing when I'll get the car. I do know that as of yesterday it was in paint and we're hoping to take delivery by the end of the month. I'm on my second DS now, due to the other pursuing educational goals and serving a different role with Tesla, I guess, but the new guy also called to introduce himself and give me the latest update.

Once the Model X production issues are sorted, ordering from Tesla should be a breeze with a reasonable 6 to 8 week order to delivery time frame just as they have had with the Model S for some time now. And like most other car makers.

I don't have any complaints about Tesla's process here. I think a bit more communication in regards to Model X production status or a better overall view would be welcome. OTOH, they can't risk too much transparency in the face of twitchy investors. I think those having truly bad experiences are the unlucky few with non-communicative Delivery Specialists. And that is unfortunate.

 

[digicool]

I don't have any complaints about Tesla's process here. I think a bit more communication in regards to Model X production status or a better overall view would be welcome. OTOH, they can't risk too much transparency in the face of twitchy investors. I think those having truly bad experiences are the unlucky few with non-communicative Delivery Specialists. And that is unfortunate.

Agree that better communication will certainly help alleviate anxious customers. The auto industry has definitely set a standard for luxury car buying. Even though Tesla cars are priced above the most common luxury cars, they are not necessarily catering to the same customer segment and more importantly very small portion of the cost of the car is spent on sales / customer service people. So its only reasonable that we are not getting the best in the form of "communication".

Before committing my Model X order, I test drove a BMW X5 and Audi Q7. I had to push the BMW sales guy to give me a test drive because I mentioned I cared about 7 seats. At Audi, I cant find anyone to talk to eventhough I had an appointment for a test drive. So its not like the other "luxury" car buying experiences are any great either. Although I do have to mention that these were in Bellevue where there is no shortage of luxury car dealerships including one for Rolls Royce, Bentley and Lambo.

 

[evanevery]

Not sure what to say to those who are getting the feeling Tesla doesn't value them as a customer...

So you're NOT reading these forums?

 

[dutchinchicago]

Got a reply from my DS today. Feeling all warm and fuzzy again about Tesla. Vin 4936 - 90D - no premium - Chicago should be delivered mid to end of June.