Reserved a used ‘22 M3 LR for $500 deposit. Wanted FSD and seemed like the most cost effective way to get it without taking the $12k hit on a new model (also, can’t order a M3 LR right now). I live in NC, but changed my delivery location to Austin as this brought the delivery fee from $2000 to $0. One of my best friends lives there and there are cheap flights there from where I live, figured I could make delivery into a little adventure to see him and make my way home for a few days supercharging. The best laid plans…once I started doing the delivery paperwork, I come to find out I cannot register the vehicle in my home state with delivery in Texas. I understand why this might not be possible when buying a new vehicle from the manufacturer and the issues with this for new vehicles I’ve read about in Texas, but I don’t understand why this would be true for a used car. Wouldn’t Tesla just be a “used car dealer” like any other, or even considered “an individual” for sale purposes of a used car? Anyway, guess not. So, I was playing around in the app and put my buddy’s address in for place of registration and it worked! But then I determined, I can’t edit it anymore once it’s been accepted. Clearly, I can’t register the car to my friend’s address. I’m also not super keen on paying $2000 for transport when I don’t mind the travel/adventure. It also appears when I check other used cars on teslas website that appear to originate in TX, I could have them delivered to Knoxville, TN, actually closer than the service center in Charlotte, NC, for only $1000. I haven’t yet been assigned a delivery agent person, so just wondering how to navigate this once they get in touch with me. I would argue it was an honest mistake. The car is already way above my comfort zone price wise, so would consider another model and let the $500 go if I can’t work this out. Let me know what you think…
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Unusual Delivery Situation [resolved]
- Thread starter Tippytj2
- Start date
blackT3$!@
2021 LR Model 3
Don't buy the car. Purchase a vehicle you are more comfortable with price wise.
Texted with delivery specialist yesterday. Apparently, Texas laws apply to used cars too:
“Tesla cannot complete out-of-state registrations for deliveries in the State of Texas, due to Texas state laws. To proceed with delivery, we would need to change your delivery location to North Carolina.” Also, I can’t take delivery in Knoxville (closest SC and $1000 cheaper transport fee) because “Unfortunately, since North Carolina requires a state inspection prior to delivery, you would need to take delivery in North Carolina.”
It all sounds pretty bogus to me, and mostly like a way to skim more off the top, especially on a used vehicle. I should be able to drive a temp tag from any state into NC with bill of sale and title, get the car inspected once here, then go to the DMV for registration. I asked if there is anything else I can do on this front; including trailering the car home to NC without temp tag/inspection and dealing with it here as long as I have the title and bill of sale, but I haven't heard back yet…I know it seems like splitting hairs a little on such an expensive vehicle, but I’m already “Tesla Stretching” to get this car, and even just a couple thousand more bucks really changes the equation.
“Tesla cannot complete out-of-state registrations for deliveries in the State of Texas, due to Texas state laws. To proceed with delivery, we would need to change your delivery location to North Carolina.” Also, I can’t take delivery in Knoxville (closest SC and $1000 cheaper transport fee) because “Unfortunately, since North Carolina requires a state inspection prior to delivery, you would need to take delivery in North Carolina.”
It all sounds pretty bogus to me, and mostly like a way to skim more off the top, especially on a used vehicle. I should be able to drive a temp tag from any state into NC with bill of sale and title, get the car inspected once here, then go to the DMV for registration. I asked if there is anything else I can do on this front; including trailering the car home to NC without temp tag/inspection and dealing with it here as long as I have the title and bill of sale, but I haven't heard back yet…I know it seems like splitting hairs a little on such an expensive vehicle, but I’m already “Tesla Stretching” to get this car, and even just a couple thousand more bucks really changes the equation.
This ^. This whole thing sounds a little strange and way too much work to save 2k. If 2k is going to make or break you this might not be the car for you at this time.
codenameku
Member
Honestly, even if you have to go pick it up and then tow it back... Think of the costs of:
1- rental for tow hitch or truck
2- price of gas to drive it that far
3- time invested
If I only had the option to take delivery by paying for it to be shipped, it would be better imo to do that than try to do this workaround. Time is money my friend!
1- rental for tow hitch or truck
2- price of gas to drive it that far
3- time invested
If I only had the option to take delivery by paying for it to be shipped, it would be better imo to do that than try to do this workaround. Time is money my friend!
codenameku
Member
Also... I live right next to the Fremont factory.... I still had to pay 1200$ destination fee. Don't know how you swinging a 0
I did as you say. Actually found exactly what I wanted at my budget somehow this morning instead of “Tesla stretching” on this one. The SA this evening was amazing and even refunded me my original deposit because they hadn’t yet transported or done work on it and I was buying a different vehicle from them, so all’s well that ends well! Given all the negative stuff I’ve read about Tesla customer service, I was fully prepared for them to demand me pay the transport fee on the original one, but instead I was pleasantly surprised! Also, Texas is weird.
FWIW, and I know most Tesla buyers aren’t penny pinchers like me, I happened to be awake at 5am this morning when I was looking at other used models available and the one I wanted popped up. I refreshed the screen after a few minutes and they literally reduced the price by $300. I had to buy it, it was a sign. Also, creepy…
FWIW, and I know most Tesla buyers aren’t penny pinchers like me, I happened to be awake at 5am this morning when I was looking at other used models available and the one I wanted popped up. I refreshed the screen after a few minutes and they literally reduced the price by $300. I had to buy it, it was a sign. Also, creepy…
Fascinatingly, it’s only $500 from Jacksonville, FL to Charlotte, NC, which is 500miles. Also, that it’s twice as much from Austin to Charlotte ($2000) as Austin to Knoxville ($1000), which are both over 1000mi from eachother. Maybe difference is this is a used car vs new?
codenameku
Member
Hmm could be. Didn't think their destination/delivery fee would change between used/new. Food for thought for sure!
Yeah, I was going to turn it into an adventure to see a good friend in Austin. Also, have access to a truck, so only would have needed a car transporter from Uhaul for a couple hundred bucks. I’m weird.
its used vs new. A company has to charge the same destination fee for all new cars (even if you pick up from the factory). Used vehicles its not a destination fee, its a shipping fee. Sounds the same but its not.
Edit: - edited the second sentence as it was supposed to read "USED" vehicles its not a destination fee, its a shipping fee". It reads as I intended now.
It's used.
Destination fee a fixed price for all new cars whether it is delivered next to the factory or in Miami on the opposite side of the country.
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