Test drive before accepting delivery?

[tvisdog]

Has anyone requested to test drive their car before taking delivery? If so, was it an issue?

It seems like most people report signing papers and then driving their car. I've never bought a car without test driving it first and can't imagine signing and handing them a check based only on a visual inspection.

 

[Bebop]

That doesn’t exists with Tesla.

It’s the same thing like buying something off amazon without trying it first. You just buy it.

The warranty is great. So if you discover any nuances you can simply schedule an appointment at the service center.

 

[Troy916]

I was allowed to drive my car over to the service department to install wheel locks. Before handing over my checks and signing anything.
Though that was back on July 23rd, 2018 when paperwork was behind.

 

[Uncle Paul]

Think this is normal for most new vehicles. Usually you can drive a new car if it is on the lot, but if it is something you ordered you normally need to pay and sign documents before driving it off the lot.

Same with Tesla. Normal proceedure is to pay and sign before getting the keys.

 

[tvisdog]

That doesn’t exists with Tesla.

It’s the same thing like buying something off amazon without trying it first. You just buy it.

The warranty is great. So if you discover any nuances you can simply schedule an appointment at the service center.

I can return things I buy on Amazon for a full refund. It’s not the same thing.

 

[Uncle Paul]

You can't return a car you bought on Amazon...

 

[MP3Mike]

I can return things I buy on Amazon for a full refund. It’s not the same thing.

What do you mean? Tesla has said you have 2 days to return the car for a full refund.

 

[tvisdog]

What do you mean? Tesla has said you have 2 days to return the car for a full refund.

No they haven't. Elon Musk said that in a tweet to one individual person. The agreement you sign when you accept the car says otherwise.

 

[tvisdog]

You can't return a car you bought on Amazon...

Can you point me to the $60,000 cars on Amazon?

 

[beachbum77]

That doesn’t exists with Tesla.

It’s the same thing like buying something off amazon without trying it first. You just buy it.

The warranty is great. So if you discover any nuances you can simply schedule an appointment at the service center.

Except things on Amazon don't cost $50,000+ and you can easily return items to Amazon for a full refund. Also you can easily get your sales tax refunded. Once your car tax is sent to the state, good luck getting it back. So insist on a test drive in YOUR car. Tesla needs to learn how to deal with mass-market buyers, versus gung-ho "oh please sell me a car" fan boys. Their "wake-up" call is coming.

 

[MP3Mike]

No they haven't. Elon Musk said that in a tweet to one individual person. The agreement you sign when you accept the car says otherwise.

Actually it was not from Elon, it was in an email that they sent out:

 

[tvisdog]

Actually it was not from Elon, it was in an email that they sent out:

View attachment 334993

I stand corrected. I hadn't seen that and did not receive that email; thanks for pointing it out. I'll be curious to see whether the language in the agreement contradicts that, but if not then I'd be comfortable signing without driving.

 

[Uncle Paul]

Drop Mic...

 

[beachbum77]

Actually it was not from Elon, it was in an email that they sent out:

View attachment 334993

Mike, the confusion people are having is does it apply to all purchases or just home deliveries? I have not seen a clear answer from Tesla, and not everyone has received this email.

 

[fnce_prof]

Tesla needs to learn how to deal with mass-market buyers, versus gung-ho "oh please sell me a car" fan boys. Their "wake-up" call is coming.

Not just mass-market buyers but also buyers in the premium car segment. At least based on my experience Tesla's delivery experience is completely and utterly trash compared to their competitors (let's face it they are competing with the BBA boys). This is what you get from the European competitors (I did the European factory delivery with a C63 AMG--comparable price to the higher trim model 3). Completely night and day from the experience I had in Cleveland yesterday ("your $60000 model 3 is mass produced. Live with it.")

Oh yeah, with MB you DO get to test drive it--for 15 days in Europe! They even pay for the gas and all the insurance. Then if you are satisfied they load the car up in a port that you choose and pay to ship it back to your dealer back home.

 

[beachbum77]

Not just mass-market buyers but also buyers in the premium car segment. At least based on my experience Tesla's delivery experience is completely and utterly trash compared to their competitors (let's face it they are competing with the BBA boys). This is what you get from the European competitors (I did the European factory delivery with a C63 AMG--comparable price to the higher trim model 3). Completely night and day from the experience I had in Cleveland yesterday.

In my almost 30 years in the car business, I have never seen things like what is being reported on these delivery threads.

The Harvard Business Review is full of researched examples of explosive growth shown to have demolished companies. Hopefully, Tesla will not be the latest victim of its own success.

 

[Tam]

...email...

I have never got that email but that I like the refundable tryout for 2 days!

It sounds very reasonable, especially there have been concerns about quality assurance.

It seems to be specifically applicable for home delivery.

I wonder whether that policy is good when owners pick one up at a delivery hub.

 

[TT97]

Can you point me to the $60,000 cars on Amazon?

Here you go...

https://www.amazon.com/Maisto-1967-...1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536965720&sr=8-21&keywords=car

It's a little more than $60k. There are only three left so hurry and buy!!!! (and no delivery charge)

 

[cwerdna]

Actually it was not from Elon, it was in an email that they sent out:

View attachment 334993

I can confirm I received the exact same email from Tesla. Looks like it was sent out Sept 12, 2018 at ~12:04 am. I also had not heard of the policy: "We are highly confident that you will feel great about your purchase, which is why you can always return it within two days for a full refund." until that day.

Email subject line was: "Updates: Paint Options and Free Supercharging".

 

[cwerdna]

Not just mass-market buyers but also buyers in the premium car segment. At least based on my experience Tesla's delivery experience is completely and utterly trash compared to their competitors (let's face it they are competing with the BBA boys). This is what you get from the European competitors (I did the European factory delivery with a C63 AMG--comparable price to the higher trim model 3). Completely night and day from the experience I had in Cleveland yesterday ("your $60000 model 3 is mass produced. Live with it.")

Oh yeah, with MB you DO get to test drive it--for 15 days in Europe! They even pay for the gas and all the insurance. Then if you are satisfied they load the car up in a port that you choose and pay to ship it back to your dealer back home.

And, for comparison, there's BMW European Delivery - BMW USA. I've never owned nor leased a BMW but I've seen documentaries about BMW which included a brief look at the European delivery experience. And, I've been inside BMW Welt in Munich, seen the vehicles lined up inside for delivery and taken the factory tour across the street.