Roughly a month ago, my wife and I decided that a p3d would be our car of choice. We both commute a lot, approx., 40-50 miles/day. We drove to our nearest tesla dealership and drove a SR+, and a P3D, along with a Model S. After the test drive, we were both quote on quote, sold, ordered white on white P3D, FSD. The tesla specialist said we'd likely take delivery in approximately two weeks, maybe three weeks tops, much less get a VIN number in a week. We walked out feeling super excited, and would be delighted. We both prepped ourselves for the long anticipated wait, waiting maybe two weeks tops. Time slowly passed by, each day waiting for updates. Both of us losing our patience little by little, we both need a vehicle ASAP for travel/commute purposes. After so much of what's going on with the whole process, it's sad to say, I cannot justifiably give my hard earned $$ to a company that lacks proper communication through the whole buying process (website still says 2 weeks delivery), and leaves their customers way out of the loop after ordering. It saddens me (I know they're a growing company, with growing pain) having to cancel my order, but we feel maybe in a few years when A. They have a better more realistic approach to order to delivery, and B. quality control (we've read the quality issues), we'll reconsider. Thanks and I'll still lurk around the forums.
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Why I cancelled my P3D
- Thread starter polycarbon
- Start date
Yeah, the lack of communications post order/pre delivery is a major issue. Totally frustrated me. Seriously, a major issue, but once you get the car...
Wife and I are currently looking for somethings that's readily available. We want fuel a fuel efficient hybrid leaning on a Honda Accord Hybrid for the time being.
Keep in mind a used one cost 1/3rd the price of the performance model 3. Obviously huge difference in performance, etc. But I don't know, im just a bit sad by all this waiting with lack of communication. Even the specialist has no true idea on whats going on.
The price difference "new" vs used is robust. P3D used are priced 1-2k lower than new, meaning you get a used one with higher mileage, more wear and tear, for the same price as new (factoring in the 1800 tax rebate). Doesn't make sense.
The waiting can be tough. I waited about 6 weeks for mine. If you go back into the waiting rooms you will see that some people waited over 8 weeks when they ordered at the beginning of the quarter. Tesla seems to be starting production for the farthest shipments at the start of the quarter (Europe and Asia), and then east coast, mid-west, west coast. That way they have more control over shipment delays to make quarterly numbers.
Honestly I was getting frustrated with them, luckily I was in a position with another car where I could wait it out. Now that I have it, I am so glad I waited. It has transformed my commute (45 miles each way). If you look at the long view - savings on gas, basically zero maintenance, car improvements from updates, etc. I think it is worth the wait if you can figure out a long term rental for now. Just my 2 cents.
Edit: Talking about my LRAWD, not P3D, but you get the picture
Uncle Paul
Well-Known Member
It is normal for Tesla to go radio silent between getting order, and having the car ready for delivery. They do no back and forth chit chat like normal dealerships do.
This is a much more efficient way to run a company, but not warm and fuzzy for a customer.
An alternative is to contact a delivery specialist. See if they have something on the ground that you would like to buy. They can then match you up with an existing VIN and give you a more specific delivery date.
Things are much easier now than before. I waited 1 1/2 years for my Model X to arrive after placing my pre-order and configuration. While not optimum, the end result has been life altering. Lots of amazing trips, new friends, great Tesla events etc.
Website is just a guesstimate. Delivery always depends on the specific configuration you select. Just a different paint or interior color can make a significant difference in your delivery date.
They even had a special sale at the end of last quarter, where if they could not get your car delivered by Sept. 30 they would upgrade your car to better wheels or premium colors at no cost, just to get you delivered by EOQ.
They try really hard to get the cars into customers hands as quickly as possible, but getting one to you in two weeks means they have to find one with your configuration, already made or coming down the line. Need to transport it to you in Minnesota, even if the roads are snow covered.
In other words...if you really want a Tesla, you need to be patient and allow their system to work, behind the scenes.
Thousand of customers work this out every week. It is the Tesla way.
This is a much more efficient way to run a company, but not warm and fuzzy for a customer.
An alternative is to contact a delivery specialist. See if they have something on the ground that you would like to buy. They can then match you up with an existing VIN and give you a more specific delivery date.
Things are much easier now than before. I waited 1 1/2 years for my Model X to arrive after placing my pre-order and configuration. While not optimum, the end result has been life altering. Lots of amazing trips, new friends, great Tesla events etc.
Website is just a guesstimate. Delivery always depends on the specific configuration you select. Just a different paint or interior color can make a significant difference in your delivery date.
They even had a special sale at the end of last quarter, where if they could not get your car delivered by Sept. 30 they would upgrade your car to better wheels or premium colors at no cost, just to get you delivered by EOQ.
They try really hard to get the cars into customers hands as quickly as possible, but getting one to you in two weeks means they have to find one with your configuration, already made or coming down the line. Need to transport it to you in Minnesota, even if the roads are snow covered.
In other words...if you really want a Tesla, you need to be patient and allow their system to work, behind the scenes.
Thousand of customers work this out every week. It is the Tesla way.
The frustration with buying a Tesla is definitely front loaded. If you can endure the ordering, payment, and delivery frustrations, you'll be rewarded with one of the most amazing cars you'll ever own. Purchasers who expect the buying experience to be, say, what they would have at their local Lexus dealer, with constant communication, chilled wine, a back rub, and flawless execution will be sadly disappointed. Tesla isn't like a car dealer in that respect.
I understand OP's frustration, but I hate to see people miss out on an amazing ownership experience just because Tesla is still perfecting the order and delivery process.
I understand OP's frustration, but I hate to see people miss out on an amazing ownership experience just because Tesla is still perfecting the order and delivery process.
I'll add you are seeing a very small amount of quality problems.
99%+ don't lurk on forums or post if nothing is wrong, so what you see isn't really a true representation. A car detailer I use said the quality problems were coming in waves and at this stage they are largely sorted now.
I agree with the frustration waiting. I wish they had a better way of communicating with customers on order status. On the plus side, there is nothing even remotely comparable on the market so I'd say it's worth the wait! I waited for over a year with radio silence! It was very frustrating to see people who ordered after me to see them take delivery first... Not sure of that makes you feel any better, haha
99%+ don't lurk on forums or post if nothing is wrong, so what you see isn't really a true representation. A car detailer I use said the quality problems were coming in waves and at this stage they are largely sorted now.
I agree with the frustration waiting. I wish they had a better way of communicating with customers on order status. On the plus side, there is nothing even remotely comparable on the market so I'd say it's worth the wait! I waited for over a year with radio silence! It was very frustrating to see people who ordered after me to see them take delivery first... Not sure of that makes you feel any better, haha
Tesla loads up inventory for US sales during the final month of each quarter. During the first two months they are catching up on their international orders. It takes some patience but it’s worth the wait. Don’t buy a car you don’t really want just because the order and delivery process is not ideal. You’re going to be driving your next car for years and the delivery process will be forgotten a week after you pick up your car.
gilscales
Banned
Well some of us waited over 2 years so no sympathy here, haha!, I will say that after getting used to driving a model 3 and having to drive just about anything else (ICE loaners) ALL other cars seem antiquated and i'm really shocked at how much so vs. the razor sharp handling and high tech simplified layout of the 3.
@polycarbon,
Tesla follows a quarterly production calendar. Buyers get their car by the end of the quarter regardless of when they order. Right now Tesla is making cars for Europe and Asia/Pacific. Because all cars need to be delivered by the end of December, they make cars for furthest away locations at the beginning of the quarter. Around 15 November, they will finish with international orders and they will continue with North America orders. Again they will start with furthest away destinations meaning that production between 15-30 November will be for Canada and East Coast. Naturally, it will take time to deliver those cars. Therefore, regardless of what model you order or where you live or the date you placed your order, you are most likely to take delivery in the last month of the quarter. In this case, that would be December. The two weeks estimate you saw on the website is completely incorrect 90% of the time. Unless they had some leftover cars from Q3, it was very unlikely that your car would be delivered before December.
What Tesla is doing is very simple, they want to deliver all cars within the same quarter the car was produced in. Therefore transit times are very important. For example, the time from the Fremont Factory to delivery is 6 days on average for California but it's 45 days for Europe. Therefore each quarter production starts with international orders and ends with California orders and the rest is somewhere in between.
For Minnesota, I think somewhere between 25 Nov - 5 Dec 2019 is the most likely production time for this quarter. Add two weeks for delivery.
Tesla follows a quarterly production calendar. Buyers get their car by the end of the quarter regardless of when they order. Right now Tesla is making cars for Europe and Asia/Pacific. Because all cars need to be delivered by the end of December, they make cars for furthest away locations at the beginning of the quarter. Around 15 November, they will finish with international orders and they will continue with North America orders. Again they will start with furthest away destinations meaning that production between 15-30 November will be for Canada and East Coast. Naturally, it will take time to deliver those cars. Therefore, regardless of what model you order or where you live or the date you placed your order, you are most likely to take delivery in the last month of the quarter. In this case, that would be December. The two weeks estimate you saw on the website is completely incorrect 90% of the time. Unless they had some leftover cars from Q3, it was very unlikely that your car would be delivered before December.
What Tesla is doing is very simple, they want to deliver all cars within the same quarter the car was produced in. Therefore transit times are very important. For example, the time from the Fremont Factory to delivery is 6 days on average for California but it's 45 days for Europe. Therefore each quarter production starts with international orders and ends with California orders and the rest is somewhere in between.
For Minnesota, I think somewhere between 25 Nov - 5 Dec 2019 is the most likely production time for this quarter. Add two weeks for delivery.
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A Tesla cannot be your only car. This is pretty obvious.
gilscales
Banned
Unless you have 2 Tesla's!
Currently I only have one
But I am hoping to trade in my diesel truck for the new Tesla pickup
jonquiljo
Active Member
Sorry to hear of your predicament. This is precisely what I expected with this latest “delay” of N American sales. People have deadlines to meet, cars to trade, loans that have limited terms. Tesla is considering none of that.
I just got an e-mail back from a local delivery Manager. I was given December as well - again! Why has Tesla done such a sharp turn at the end of the year? It’s just going to create chaos and many cancellations.
Sure, waiting for a car is difficult, but Tesla isn’t even making that easy. The mixed signals from different people doesn't even make sense. The least Tesla could do is take that “2-3 weeks” off the website. A little respect for it’s customers goes a long way. I’ll keep on waiting, but I am able to wait. Not everyone has the circumstances to do so.
Based on the timing of this post, it looks like you got caught at the End of Quarter (EOQ) rush. Tesla is notorious for pushing Sales at the EOQ and Sales employees are very busy at this time. If you waited until now, I bet you would have a better experience. If you want to give it another shot, go to the MN Tesla Owners Facebook group and ask for local OA recommendations as well.
The dark abyss of nothingness has swallowed yet another one.
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