I wrote a fairly detailed review on my CPO buying experience on reddit, but here’s sort of another review from my day-to-day experience so far. Hopefully it provides some insight on those of you looking at purchasing a CPO to help save you some time and hassle when dealing with Tesla. Unfortunately, it’s a bit of a mess and you really have to be the one to make sure you’re getting what you need. I’ll continue to update this until I have everything resolved.
1 Dec – Initial down payment made. Also sold my vehicle expecting to fly out to San Francisco, CA, to pick up the vehicle in a few days as the website clearly states the vehicle must be picked up within 7 days.
3 Dec – Contacted by an Inside Delivery Advisor and notified I could have the vehicle shipped to the nearest delivery center from me. Apparently they brought back shipping this week. I also mentioned that my physical/mailing address would be different than where I’m going to have the vehicle registered.
4 Dec – Notified that the DMV team would be sending me a self-registration packet to my physical/mailing address after I took delivery of the vehicle. Also asked about an expected delivery date and was told one could not be given because “this move takes planning”.
9 Dec – Received a text message saying the car would be ready for pick up on 9am, 12 Dec. Contacted the Inside Delivery Advisor to clarify some information on how I would be paying for the vehicle and was told to disregard the text message since it was incorrect.
10 Dec – Asked if there’s any updates on the delivery of the vehicle in terms of would I be waiting days, weeks or months. Needed some information since my wife and I were just down to one car and considering getting a rental vehicle. Notified that I could get the vehicle as early as 13 Dec, which I accepted.
11 Dec – Noticed two new photos uploaded to Dropbox page showing several scratches on front fascia. Checked meta data on images to see they were taken on 5 Dec. Contacted the Used Vehicle Sales Advisor. He called me and said he wasn’t sure what they would be able to do and that he would have to speak with his manager. He mentioned I could move my deposit to another vehicle if I didn’t want this one.
12 Dec – Used Vehicle Sales Advisor left a voicemail stating he spoke with his manager and I would be able to take the Model S to the service center after I took delivery to have the front fascia piece replaced at no cost.
13 Dec – Received an email from a Delivery Experience Specialist confirming the delivery of the vehicle and some other information that was incorrect. The email stated the vehicle would be registered at my mailing/physical address (not the case) and that I’d need a cashier’s check for the remaining balance I’m not financing. I emailed him back and the response I got was the self-registration packet would be mailed to my mailing/physical address so I could register it my state of residence and that I could actually do an AHC payment via the Tesla website.
14 Dec – Model S delivered two hours passed scheduled time but I was notified by the delivery agent prior that it would be delayed. Noticed three rock chips in windshield, lower left trim on front bumper scrapped and small but deep “cuts” in the rear bumper, all of which were not disclosed in the photos. According to the delivery agent, anything not disclosed in the photos would be repaired by the service center. Also realized the mobile charging cable was missing. Delivery agent contacted the local service center and said I could stop by and pick one up, which I did the same day. Also asked the service center about the repairs to which they look at me like I’m crazy and basically said “we can’t just randomly fix stuff, you have to coordinate that through whoever sold you the car”.
15 Dec – Text message sent to the used card sales agent asking about how to get the damages that were not disclosed fixed. Also called and left a voice mail. Never received a response.
17 Dec – Emailed the Delivery Experience Specialist asking if the self-registration packet has been mailed out yet and to confirm if it would include the title, since I’ll be having a friend register it for me. I also tried calling. Never received a response.
18 Dec – Realized the Model S should come with two key fobs but I only received one. Text message sent to the delivery agent who dropped off the vehicle asking if she knew where the second one was. Also tried calling. Never received a response. Also stopped by a police officer because I didn’t have a rear license plate. Pointed him to the temporary tag on the front windshield and he just mentioned that was strange as he usually sees temporary tags on the rear license plate.
19 Dec – Called the local service center and was told I would have to call a different number. Called that number and was told it only comes with one key fob. I kept pressing the issue because I was certain the Model S comes with two key fobs new and confirmed with several folks who purchased CPOs that they received two as well. The guy I spoke with talked to his manager and he said it only comes with one and mentioned I could purchase another one if I wanted and reminded me the Tesla app can act as an additional key fob (seriously?). Confirmed with several more CPO owners that they received two key fobs.
20 Dec – I called the same number again and was speaking with someone different. This person said I would have to talk with the Inside Delivery Advisor that I was originally working with, so she emailed her with me cc’d on the email mentioning that I only received one key fob.
21 Dec – Received an email from the Inside Delivery Advisor stating a due bill was created for a second key fob and I could go to the service center to pick it up. Also inquired about getting the damages repaired and asked about any updates on the self-registration packet. I stop by the service center and was told I would have to make an appointment because it takes about 45 minutes. There were some openings the next day so I made an appointment. Also received an email response from the Inside Delivery Advisor asking for photos of all the damages.
22 Dec – Arrived at the service center for my appointment. Explained it was a CPO I just picked up but I only received one key fob, so this one they’re adding would be the second. After about 45 minutes, it was complete but when I got home, I realized they simply paired the new key fob but didn’t delete the previous missing key fob, so now I have key fob 1 and key fob 3 paired to the vehicle meaning the missing key fob 2 still has full access. Also realized there was still a safety recall that was never accomplished so I scheduled an appointment on 2 Jan to have the recall done. It’s a repair performed by the mobile repair ranger. I also asked him about re-pairing the key fobs and he mentioned that should be no problem.
26 Dec – Received an email stating a due bill would be created to have the rear bumper fixed. Additional photos of the rock chips were requested and I was told the front fascia scratches could not be repaired because the damage was disclosed prior to taking delivery of the vehicle. I dug up my previous conversations with the Used Vehicle Sales Advisor and sent the voicemail recordings. She emailed the Used Vehicle Sales Advisor asking if he could confirm everything I was saying. Used Vehicle Sales Advisor emails me saying he would contact me tomorrow.
27 Dec – Used Card Sales Agent contacted me and said there was some confusion and that the front fascia piece would in fact be replaced. Something about having to wait on his estimator to be able to create me an appointment, so he will contact me next week. Emailed and called the Inside Delivery Advisor asking about the temporary tag extension because they expire in a couple days. Notified that I should receive both the self-registration packet and temporary tag extension in the mail tomorrow. Asked for a tracking number which I received. Noticed it was being sent to the state where the vehicle would be registered and not my mailing/physical address and let the Inside Delivery Advisor know. She said the issue was corrected and that I would be receiving them Saturday now. Asked if it would be the same tracking number and if any more information was available on the windshield repair. No response.
28 Dec – Emailed the Inside Delivery Advisor to let her know the self-registration packet and temporary tag extension were still going to the wrong state (out for delivery in that state). I was told the DMV team actually sent me a new self-registration packet and temporary tag extension. I asked how this was possible since I assumed the self-registration packet includes the vehicle title since that’s needed to register the vehicle. I was informed that there was some miscommunication and that they were actually only sending me new temporary tags and the self-registration packet has not gone out yet. Asked if she could confirm if the self-registration packet actually has the title, no answer to that question and never received a tracking number for the new temporary tags.
29 Dec – Waited around all day for the temporary tags to come in because I wasn’t sure if the package needed to be signed for and I didn’t have a tracking number. No package showed up and my temporary tags are now expired.
30 Dec – Email sent to the Inside Delivery Advisor…
1 Dec – Initial down payment made. Also sold my vehicle expecting to fly out to San Francisco, CA, to pick up the vehicle in a few days as the website clearly states the vehicle must be picked up within 7 days.
3 Dec – Contacted by an Inside Delivery Advisor and notified I could have the vehicle shipped to the nearest delivery center from me. Apparently they brought back shipping this week. I also mentioned that my physical/mailing address would be different than where I’m going to have the vehicle registered.
4 Dec – Notified that the DMV team would be sending me a self-registration packet to my physical/mailing address after I took delivery of the vehicle. Also asked about an expected delivery date and was told one could not be given because “this move takes planning”.
9 Dec – Received a text message saying the car would be ready for pick up on 9am, 12 Dec. Contacted the Inside Delivery Advisor to clarify some information on how I would be paying for the vehicle and was told to disregard the text message since it was incorrect.
10 Dec – Asked if there’s any updates on the delivery of the vehicle in terms of would I be waiting days, weeks or months. Needed some information since my wife and I were just down to one car and considering getting a rental vehicle. Notified that I could get the vehicle as early as 13 Dec, which I accepted.
11 Dec – Noticed two new photos uploaded to Dropbox page showing several scratches on front fascia. Checked meta data on images to see they were taken on 5 Dec. Contacted the Used Vehicle Sales Advisor. He called me and said he wasn’t sure what they would be able to do and that he would have to speak with his manager. He mentioned I could move my deposit to another vehicle if I didn’t want this one.
12 Dec – Used Vehicle Sales Advisor left a voicemail stating he spoke with his manager and I would be able to take the Model S to the service center after I took delivery to have the front fascia piece replaced at no cost.
13 Dec – Received an email from a Delivery Experience Specialist confirming the delivery of the vehicle and some other information that was incorrect. The email stated the vehicle would be registered at my mailing/physical address (not the case) and that I’d need a cashier’s check for the remaining balance I’m not financing. I emailed him back and the response I got was the self-registration packet would be mailed to my mailing/physical address so I could register it my state of residence and that I could actually do an AHC payment via the Tesla website.
14 Dec – Model S delivered two hours passed scheduled time but I was notified by the delivery agent prior that it would be delayed. Noticed three rock chips in windshield, lower left trim on front bumper scrapped and small but deep “cuts” in the rear bumper, all of which were not disclosed in the photos. According to the delivery agent, anything not disclosed in the photos would be repaired by the service center. Also realized the mobile charging cable was missing. Delivery agent contacted the local service center and said I could stop by and pick one up, which I did the same day. Also asked the service center about the repairs to which they look at me like I’m crazy and basically said “we can’t just randomly fix stuff, you have to coordinate that through whoever sold you the car”.
15 Dec – Text message sent to the used card sales agent asking about how to get the damages that were not disclosed fixed. Also called and left a voice mail. Never received a response.
17 Dec – Emailed the Delivery Experience Specialist asking if the self-registration packet has been mailed out yet and to confirm if it would include the title, since I’ll be having a friend register it for me. I also tried calling. Never received a response.
18 Dec – Realized the Model S should come with two key fobs but I only received one. Text message sent to the delivery agent who dropped off the vehicle asking if she knew where the second one was. Also tried calling. Never received a response. Also stopped by a police officer because I didn’t have a rear license plate. Pointed him to the temporary tag on the front windshield and he just mentioned that was strange as he usually sees temporary tags on the rear license plate.
19 Dec – Called the local service center and was told I would have to call a different number. Called that number and was told it only comes with one key fob. I kept pressing the issue because I was certain the Model S comes with two key fobs new and confirmed with several folks who purchased CPOs that they received two as well. The guy I spoke with talked to his manager and he said it only comes with one and mentioned I could purchase another one if I wanted and reminded me the Tesla app can act as an additional key fob (seriously?). Confirmed with several more CPO owners that they received two key fobs.
20 Dec – I called the same number again and was speaking with someone different. This person said I would have to talk with the Inside Delivery Advisor that I was originally working with, so she emailed her with me cc’d on the email mentioning that I only received one key fob.
21 Dec – Received an email from the Inside Delivery Advisor stating a due bill was created for a second key fob and I could go to the service center to pick it up. Also inquired about getting the damages repaired and asked about any updates on the self-registration packet. I stop by the service center and was told I would have to make an appointment because it takes about 45 minutes. There were some openings the next day so I made an appointment. Also received an email response from the Inside Delivery Advisor asking for photos of all the damages.
22 Dec – Arrived at the service center for my appointment. Explained it was a CPO I just picked up but I only received one key fob, so this one they’re adding would be the second. After about 45 minutes, it was complete but when I got home, I realized they simply paired the new key fob but didn’t delete the previous missing key fob, so now I have key fob 1 and key fob 3 paired to the vehicle meaning the missing key fob 2 still has full access. Also realized there was still a safety recall that was never accomplished so I scheduled an appointment on 2 Jan to have the recall done. It’s a repair performed by the mobile repair ranger. I also asked him about re-pairing the key fobs and he mentioned that should be no problem.
26 Dec – Received an email stating a due bill would be created to have the rear bumper fixed. Additional photos of the rock chips were requested and I was told the front fascia scratches could not be repaired because the damage was disclosed prior to taking delivery of the vehicle. I dug up my previous conversations with the Used Vehicle Sales Advisor and sent the voicemail recordings. She emailed the Used Vehicle Sales Advisor asking if he could confirm everything I was saying. Used Vehicle Sales Advisor emails me saying he would contact me tomorrow.
27 Dec – Used Card Sales Agent contacted me and said there was some confusion and that the front fascia piece would in fact be replaced. Something about having to wait on his estimator to be able to create me an appointment, so he will contact me next week. Emailed and called the Inside Delivery Advisor asking about the temporary tag extension because they expire in a couple days. Notified that I should receive both the self-registration packet and temporary tag extension in the mail tomorrow. Asked for a tracking number which I received. Noticed it was being sent to the state where the vehicle would be registered and not my mailing/physical address and let the Inside Delivery Advisor know. She said the issue was corrected and that I would be receiving them Saturday now. Asked if it would be the same tracking number and if any more information was available on the windshield repair. No response.
28 Dec – Emailed the Inside Delivery Advisor to let her know the self-registration packet and temporary tag extension were still going to the wrong state (out for delivery in that state). I was told the DMV team actually sent me a new self-registration packet and temporary tag extension. I asked how this was possible since I assumed the self-registration packet includes the vehicle title since that’s needed to register the vehicle. I was informed that there was some miscommunication and that they were actually only sending me new temporary tags and the self-registration packet has not gone out yet. Asked if she could confirm if the self-registration packet actually has the title, no answer to that question and never received a tracking number for the new temporary tags.
29 Dec – Waited around all day for the temporary tags to come in because I wasn’t sure if the package needed to be signed for and I didn’t have a tracking number. No package showed up and my temporary tags are now expired.
30 Dec – Email sent to the Inside Delivery Advisor…
