Ton of Inventory

[Kichwas]

@dd564: on the benefit of doubt side the last year has seen dozens of attempts by Wall Street short sellers to claim all the car sales are fake news, tesla is hiding the cars on lots over in Area 54, or selling them to dealers (Tesla doesn’t sell to dealers at all, period, btw. It is actually stuck in lawsuits and lobbying state governments over this very point). Etc...

So... most here have a lot if good reason to be suspicious of this entire thread. I am not sure, I think Electroman was actually trying to make fun if the thread by posting one of the old short seller claims about dealers...

If this is genuine...

Then you’re just seeing deliveries arrive. Tesla hands the cars over in appointments. When I git my car it was part of a day full of deliveries and the lot was full of cars while the waiting room was full of people and “delivery specialists” were handing over the cars to each of us.

Those hand overs involve the usual steps of paperwork, plus some training on using a very different kind if car. So they do it in batches of people or special home deliveries, etc.

And as quarters end, they ramp this up.

On January 1st, the tax credit for getting an EV cuts in half, so there is a desperate attempt by both buyers and Tesla right now to get as many cars as possible resolved in the next few days. Extra full lots are to be expected.

I ordered my car by visiting a Tesla lot the day before Q3 ended. I walked onto a lot full of cars... But I couldn’t buy that day as I had to wait for by old diesel to be bought back by VW.

I went back 2 days later to talk to them and put down the first of my downpayment and the lot was empty... they had even cleared out the floor model for test drives and we had to wait a bit for another test drive car to arrive... (I am close to the factory or that would have been a delay of “come back another day”).

 

[FlyinLow]

5. Not to offend anyone or come off as trollish, but what do most Tesla owners do for a living. Are most of you independently wealthy? I knew someone who had one. She and her husband bought it a year or two ago. Both professionals, both well paid, high earners with million dollar home. Someone down my street has one. Single guy, no kids, They appear to be awesome cars, but it's not a ROI decision to purchase one, is it? I actually bought a house for less than what a Tesla costs.

Many Tesla owners are hard working people who saved up, gave up two cars to share one, made sacrifices and stretched finances to drive a Tesla.

Some people rent out their cars on Touro and pay next to nothing out of pocket, while sharing, they get to drive a Tesla.

Where there’s a will there’s a way. Some have quit smoking, traded in an old car and used savings as a down payment.

A few got a second part time job just to pay for their Tesla.

I bought a used Model S at half price. I pay 1/3 the amount I was paying in gas driving a Civic. Insurance is a tad more. My ROI is excellent so far and I really enjoy driving my Tesla. I’ll keep mine well past the day I pay it off and save by charging with solar eventually. Solar by itself has a 7-10 year break even point for single family homes that need a large system.

If you want a Tesla and you are able to work, you can get one. In a year or two used Model 3s will be reasonably priced, and Model S made in ‘12 or ‘13 will be in the $20k to low 30k price range...some already are....but they sell quickly.

 

[Canuck]

Interesting thread since we recently got back from a week in Minnesota and my wife and I didn't see one Tesla (or Leaf) while we were there, mostly spent in Rochester.

 

[brianman]

3. Car prices are determined by the parent company and cars are ordered. There are used Teslas that can be bought. There is an occasional car that a person doesn’t buy, but it often gets delivered to the state anyway in case someone else wants it, since some people would rather “have it now.”

Which are the parent and child companies in this description?

 

[doctoxics]

My wife and I took delivery of our second Model 3 on the last day of the third quarter in Bellevue, WA. It wasn't ready at the appointed time so we thought we would tour the off-site parking lot we heard about from one of the Tesla Owner's Club members that was on site assisting the delivery personel. I was blown away! It was in the parking lot of a closed Sears store and there were Model S, Model X and (especially) Model 3's as far as the eye could see. Packed like sardines. You could freely roam around and check them out but there were two Tesla security guys cruising around in a Model S to keep away anyone with bad intentions. There were also a number of new Tesla on the move back to the delivery center. It was like a living, breathing organism. There were also trucks there unloading more Teslas and a couple of empty car carrier tractor trailers.

The security guys knew the drill and could tell we were looking for our new "baby" and asked us for the VIN #. Then he called back to the delivery center and confirmed that our car was being prepped and we could go pick it up. At the delivery center were people from two states away (Montana) and also from Idaho picking up their new Teslas. It was an absolute madhouse.

Obviously, Tesla won't sell every last one by the end of the year but they want to make sure they have the right configurations in the right locations. Also, if daily production is continueing to increase, it's possible they are making them faster than they can deliver them. They are still not sending any overseas and they probably want full lots here in the US before they start shipping to Europe. Because overseas sales result in a delay of revenue recognition of 3-6 weeks. So it would be a blunder to not have enough stock in the USA to cover continuing demand while other cars were on ships crossing the ocean.

When supercharging at the Rocklin, CA store, I am amazed at how every available space is occupied by new Tesla cars. Elon has said that Tesla will be trying to sell every car they have, including store cars, to maximize the number of customers receiving the full Federal tax incentive. Likely that after the new year, Tesla lots will be empty.

 

[doctoxics]

5. Not to offend anyone or come off as trollish, but what do most Tesla owners do for a living. Are most of you independently wealthy? I knew someone who had one. She and her husband bought it a year or two ago. Both professionals, both well paid, high earners with million dollar home. Someone down my street has one. Single guy, no kids, They appear to be awesome cars, but it's not a ROI decision to purchase one, is it? I actually bought a house for less than what a Tesla costs.

After following Tesla for 6 years, I was finally able to barely afford the payment (~$1,600/month) for a Model X. The joy I get from owning and driving this car far exceeds any pain from the financial restrictions the monthly payment requires. Many others have reported similar situations on this forum.

 

[Leeclanual]

After following Tesla for 6 years, I was finally able to barely afford the payment (~$1,600/month) for a Model X. The joy I get from owning and driving this car far exceeds any pain from the financial restrictions the monthly payment requires. Many others have reported similar situations on this forum.

That is definitely a lot of dough... but you have to drive something right ?

Enjoy... YOLO

 

[mattjs33]

Just a tip to the hard liners: You might want to try being a little less "douchey" to newcomers asking a legitimate question. Not everyone who asks a fair question is a short seller with ulterior motives. Some of you are quite a paranoid lot.

Pretty sure Tesla has proven its case by now.

 

[StealthP3D]

Just a tip to the hard liners: You might want to try being a little less "douchey" to newcomers asking a legitimate question. Not everyone who asks a fair question is a short seller with ulterior motives. Some of you are quite a paranoid lot.

Wow! I'm stunned at your comment. I had to review the entire three pages of posts in this thread to see what I missed.

Apparently nothing. Therefore I rate your post the most "douchey" one of the lot. It's well established that Tesla's success threatens many people with financial interests that would be damaged in proportion to Tesla's success and that many of them regularly try to create public impressions, not based on truth, that might dissuade people from sending their money Tesla's way. Tesla detractors are not necessarily short-sellers and I don't think there is anything wrong with short selling. But the problem lies with people who are trying to create a false impression to further their financial (or philosophical) leanings. They might have oil royalties that are only worth money if oil stays above $65/barrel or interest in a traditional dealership. Or they just might hate the idea of government subsidies or EV's in general. It doesn't matter why these people spread FUD and lies, but there is nothing wrong with correcting it. You can't always tell whether someone is simply ignorant of what's going on or purposefully trying to create a false impression. There's nothing wrong with asking what peoples motives are (because we don't always know).

Of course, it's getting harder and harder to spread FUD and disparage the company as more and more people take delivery and find out what stellar cars they make and how much fun they are to drive and Tesla shows profitability. But many still try. That's a fact. I think people have every right to ask what the OP's motives were. To question that right takes away from free and open discourse.

 

[Magellan55]

Not to offend anyone or come off as trollish, but what do most Tesla owners do for a living. Are most of you independently wealthy? I knew someone who had one. She and her husband bought it a year or two ago. Both professionals, both well paid, high earners with million dollar home. Someone down my street has one. Single guy, no kids, They appear to be awesome cars, but it's not a ROI decision to purchase one, is it? I actually bought a house for less than what a Tesla costs.

That might have been true when it was just S/X with a $75K starting price. But now you can get a Model 3 for $46K. Lop off $7500 tax rebate (dropping to $3750 in a few weeks, but >100k people got theirs already), and about $10K over 10 years in gas savings over a Honda Accord or similar vehicle, and suddenly the "independently wealthy" image vaporizes. And that doesn't count the savings in oil changes, spark plugs, brake jobs, timing belts, etc. ROI? Absolutely.

 

[dd564]

I drove by the lot today, and as many of you said would happen, it seems to be clearing out substantially. From what was overflowing just a few days ago, it appears the lot is maybe 60% full at this point.

Thanks for sharing info about the Tesla supply chain delivery model.

 

[MXWing]

How does one explain all the unsold 3’s in this lot then? Tesla is doomed.

 

[jboy210]

Not to offend anyone or come off as trollish, but what do most Tesla owners do for a living. Are most of you independently wealthy? I knew someone who had one. She and her husband bought it a year or two ago. Both professionals, both well paid, high earners with million dollar home. Someone down my street has one. Single guy, no kids, They appear to be awesome cars, but it's not a ROI decision to purchase one, is it? I actually bought a house for less than what a Tesla costs.

It is a matter of perspective. BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Infinity, etc all sell most of their cars for over $45,000 and BMW and Mercedes have model that start at over $120,000. Do you think the same thing about someone who owns one of those brands?

My guess is that most buyers of these brands have worked hard to get educated and/or perhaps their own businesses, etc. They are successful in what they do, work hard, and reward themselves with affordable luxuries such as a nice car.

FWIW, I started working by sweeping floors and cleaning restrooms in a store at age 13. My wife and I still work 60 hour weeks in our 60s, but for ourselves.

 

[ReddyLeaf]

Interesting thread since we recently got back from a week in Minnesota and my wife and I didn't see one Tesla (or Leaf) while we were there, mostly spent in Rochester.

Well, I know for a fact that there are several there. I was there visiting them the past two summers with my 70D.

 

[S'toon]

Interesting thread since we recently got back from a week in Minnesota and my wife and I didn't see one Tesla (or Leaf) while we were there, mostly spent in Rochester.

Oh, hey! I have an aunt in Rochester.

 

[ReddyLeaf]

I drove by the lot today, and as many of you said would happen, it seems to be clearing out substantially. From what was overflowing just a few days ago, it appears the lot is maybe 60% full at this point.

Thanks for sharing info about the Tesla supply chain delivery model.

Welcome to the forum and thanks for the pictures and intel. Stop by your nearest supercharger next summer on a sunny Saturday and talk up some owners. Most are willing to answer all your questions. Not everyone is ready for an EV just yet, but some day everyone will drive/ride in them. Personally, I paid less than $10,000 for my Tesla. I just put that money in the stock market, $100/wk, starting in 1992, and then continued driving the only gas car I’ve ever bought. I’ve wanted an EV since 1986, and only endured gasoline on an as-needed basis. Most years I put more miles on my bicycle than the car, unless there was a West coast road trip.

 

[JeffreyY]

For those looking for a last minute P3, there is a demo one available here in Honolulu for immediate delivery.

It is a long range Performance Model 3 with

Pearl White paint
Black and White Interior
Peformance Pack
20” Wheels
Performance Brakes
Performance Pedal Set
Carbon Fiber Spoiler
Premium Interior
Enhanced Autopilot
FSD can be added

$68,080
Minus $5200 Showroom DIscount
Minus $7500 Federal Tax credit as it's available for immediate delivery

PM if you want contact info

 

[hacer]

Which are the parent and child companies in this description?

In some cases there is no parent/child company, but in others it is beneficial for Tesla to create a local wholly-owned business for the purpose of selling or leasing cars because of various state laws and licencing requirements. In these cases, Tesla Inc. would be the "parent" company, while the owned company would be the child.

Register Your Business Online | Maryland.gov is an example of a child company used in Maryland for leasing new Tesla vehicles. It is a child company of the parent Register Your Business Online | Maryland.gov

Here is an example of a child company in Virginia Business Entity Details

Here is a child company in New York NYS DMV - Find DMV-Regulated Facilities - Search by Facility Number or By Facility Group and Location

 

[Electroman]

Then there's Electroman.

Ya.. that Electroman dude.. I don't get him or is it her.

 

[Electroman]

Not to offend anyone or come off as trollish, but what do most Tesla owners do for a living. Are most of you independently wealthy?

I can afford to put down payment and pay monthly mortgage for a half million dollar home. It is an asset that (mostly) appreciates, and I believe I get value for my money living in a nicer neighborhood with good schools.

I cannot afford to and do not have disposable income to throw away money on a $50k gas car when a 25k Honda or Camry is far more reliable and can satisfy my driving needs.

I can afford a $60k Tesla because AP (and practically free electric fuel) is a life saver for me for my stressful commute.