Probably a dumb question. If there are lead times on ordered cars, why are there inventory cars floating around? I went to order a car, and saw one in inventory that was a match, available for immediate delivery. The SC rep said it’s in Charlotte but not at the SC. Any chance it’s a rejected or damaged car that’s being repaired? I would think they would have to disclose that to sell it as new?
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What Are Inventory Cars? vs Ordered?
- Thread starter Midpack
- Start date
Tam
Well-Known Member
If you go to Tesla.com/used, you then can select the filter for 2 kinds of "inventory"
New
Used
If you chose New, you then click on "Details" that shows you what "New" means:
New
Demo
Tesla doesn't tell you why it's new and not used or demo but it's been sitting in inventory while there's a wait. You just have to guess.
Depends on the amount of damage (so no, they dont automatically have to disclose a car is repaired before being sold, unless its over X,XXX of damage).
Not easily, no. You can ask a Tesla salesperson, but then you have to believe what they tell you. Even knowing it was a rejected car doesnt actually mean the car is a dud, there could be various reasons why someone doesnt take delivery, and not all of them are because the car is actually a bowl of problems.
Right now, Tesla is producing more than they are selling.
I went to the closest Houston delivery center Tuesday. Online, they had listed 5 inventory cars available, one of each color in the MYLR version with my specifics. When I arrived, there were over 200 new vehicles on the lot. I asked a Tesla delivery manager why so many. She said about half were just waiting for buyer to complete process and temp tags to be gotten. The other half were available for purchase (inventory cars).
She told me that Tesla is trying to stock each delivery center with available inventory units for those buyers who were in a hurry or were time restricted in some other way. Otherwise, delivery of an ordered unit may take 2-6 weeks, depending on transport time.
I can't vouch for her accuracy, but that's her story.
I went to the closest Houston delivery center Tuesday. Online, they had listed 5 inventory cars available, one of each color in the MYLR version with my specifics. When I arrived, there were over 200 new vehicles on the lot. I asked a Tesla delivery manager why so many. She said about half were just waiting for buyer to complete process and temp tags to be gotten. The other half were available for purchase (inventory cars).
She told me that Tesla is trying to stock each delivery center with available inventory units for those buyers who were in a hurry or were time restricted in some other way. Otherwise, delivery of an ordered unit may take 2-6 weeks, depending on transport time.
I can't vouch for her accuracy, but that's her story.
OrbiterTI4
Member
Funny how I ordered an inventory vehicle located in Houston and the delivery keeps getting delayed by Tesla so the scheduled date is now 2 weeks after the order date.
Strange. I ordered inventory unit on Tuesday 11-14-23 and picked it up in League City Saturday 11-18-23. They had a dozen or more just like it on the lot. Mine was MYLR silver, 5 seat, black interior, 19" wheels.
Pickup went well, very laid back. No flaws or scratches in paint, panel gaps all looked good. So far so good.
Just a note. Starting last Friday, Tesla is now required to collect taxes and registration fees and do the registration for the buyer, just like a dealer. I guess some people weren't doing it on their own and the State was missing out on some fees and taxes. I paid for the car on Wednesday through a wire transfer from my bank. On Friday, I had to do another wire for the taxes and fees. Okay by me, saves me a trip to the tax office.
FWIW since I started this thread. I did buy an inventory car and it was not a reject or damaged car at all. When I asked them the history, they said it's across the street in our overflow lot (actually across and a couple blocks away). I went and looked at it and it still had all its plastic and in transit dirt, so it hadn't been rejected or damaged thankfully. Ordered on 11/15 and took delivery 11/18 - sweet!
OrbiterTI4
Member
That is exactly the configuration of an inventory MY (supposedly from the LC location) I ordered on Wed08Nov, scheduled for earliest available delivery of Mon13Nov.
Jump ahead multiple delays for multiple reasons. I paid the remaining balance in-app on Tue14Nov for a Fri17Nov delivery. Overnight Thursday, the MVPA updated to include the as-noted sales tax and registration costs and the cost was added back as a remaining payment in the app.
The CU policy for Telsa loans was to collect the tax&title costs from the buyer handle registration themselves, so the necessary communication between CU and Tesla about the change in process occurred too late in the day for delivery to occur. New earliest delivery date from Tesla was Wed22Nov.
The wait continues.
Simple, just ask your Service Advisor for the most reliable answer.
There are discounts in my area now too, I missed that by a week, but you never know with Tesla pricing. Odds are prices will continue to fall a little until Juniper now (Oct 24?) unless the economy roars back which seems unlikely? I’m OK with ONLY saving $23.5K (price reductions and $7500 tax credit) versus buying this time last year and got a better car in many respects (HW4)…
Even if you can't switch, you can just cancel the first order and order the inventory one. You'll lose $250 to save $2,000.
zoomer0056
Active Member
Seems to me, if you haven't paid anything more than the deposit your not obligated to wait for your order. That deposit though is for an ordered car. Switching probably is not possible on paper. But to cancel and buy an inventory is better than a switch as you'll buy at the lower price. Just cancel and buy, done. It won't hurt to ask Tesla, it would be uncharacteristic of Tesla to provide affirmation that "switching " will save you money.
Well, I canceled the order and with a SA on the line to confirm things, ordered an Inventory car for $1,800 less. AND of course when I opened the app minutes later to double check everything, it showed the higher original price! So frustrating. I did take screen shots of the right price, so let’s see if Tesla corrects the error.
zoomer0056
Active Member
Good thing you took screen shots. You gotta be your own advocate with Tesla. Bring up the price with the SA.
It is normal for Tesla to want to clear the shelves prior to EOY. They produce vehicles in batches and often no customer is attached.
A month ago they began to produce like crazy for US deliveries. Anything unsold is kept at the factory, or shipped to delivery centers.
Now, much of the production will be going to fulfull oversease orders. Tesla will be fulfilling orders from current stock if possible, as they need to fill back up their oversease deliveries in time for 1st Quarter 2024.
When you place your order, you need to wait until you get matched. Might be right away, might take a while, considering your individual configuration. A conversation with your delivery specialist might often get you a discounted price, if you time it right.
Not unusual for US to experience challenging weather conditions this time of year. Trains and trucks can be delayed due to heavy storms, snow, etc. Tesla has sophisticated fullfillment systems, that try to optimize deliveries, and often individual deliveries can be fluid.
In summary, normal for Tesla to have large stocks near EOQ. Even more EOY.
If you order too late to get delivered this year, often your delivery will be moved to February 2024 or even later. This is when local factories begin to refill their stocks.
Due to the new Federal Rebate rules, it makes sense that Tesla will get a ton of orders in for January delivery, as customers can get the immediate rebates. This could complicate things even more.
A month ago they began to produce like crazy for US deliveries. Anything unsold is kept at the factory, or shipped to delivery centers.
Now, much of the production will be going to fulfull oversease orders. Tesla will be fulfilling orders from current stock if possible, as they need to fill back up their oversease deliveries in time for 1st Quarter 2024.
When you place your order, you need to wait until you get matched. Might be right away, might take a while, considering your individual configuration. A conversation with your delivery specialist might often get you a discounted price, if you time it right.
Not unusual for US to experience challenging weather conditions this time of year. Trains and trucks can be delayed due to heavy storms, snow, etc. Tesla has sophisticated fullfillment systems, that try to optimize deliveries, and often individual deliveries can be fluid.
In summary, normal for Tesla to have large stocks near EOQ. Even more EOY.
If you order too late to get delivered this year, often your delivery will be moved to February 2024 or even later. This is when local factories begin to refill their stocks.
Due to the new Federal Rebate rules, it makes sense that Tesla will get a ton of orders in for January delivery, as customers can get the immediate rebates. This could complicate things even more.
I'm a fool. Today's inventory price was $3,000 less for the Model Y RWD so I cancelled my order again (now down $500 in deposits!). Again, I took screen shots of the new $41,900 inventory price but when I put down the $250 order cost and checked the app, it said the price was $44,900! Tesla's online system is screwed up. Buyer beware! I hope JJ, the SA, can clear things up.
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