Delivery at store or service center?

[PattyChuck]

I wonder how payment would work if they could deliver to your house sooner than the service center. Would you pay when you pick it up regardless of where you pick it up?

Kevin, have you talked to anyone in the Chicago Service Center about this yet? I got the feeling when I was communicating with someone there that all the cars destined for (at least) the Chicagoland area, even if you selected home delivery, go through the Chicago Service Center. In my specific case, I asked how my car would be delivered, and it was indicated that the car would be shipped to the Grand Ave Service Center, cleaned up, and then trailered to my home the following day.

 

[bbmertz]

I told them I would take delivery at Costa Mesa up to December 27 or factory if it is between December 28-31. I suppose this means we are doomed to wait until the end of the month. Maybe we will be the last one delivered this year! Anyway a little New Year's vacation to the Bay area sounds like fun.

I too said that I would be willing to take delivery at the factory (on 12/27) if it would ensure that I received the car before year-end, rather than waiting until the car arrives at the Santa Monica service center. Hopefully we'll get more information regarding the likely/fastest delivery location next week...

 

[kendallpb]

I got the exact same story from my Product Specialist (Julia). She was super nice on the phone and when I inquired about store pickup to maximize flexibility she said that they can only do the early delivery (12/15/ - 12/31) for me by shipping directly to my home.

Ah, I just looked and this is what the guy I've been e-mailing with (and had one phone call with) is -- a Product Specialist! Duh, it's in his signature. Thanks @nrcooled and @ClearwaterbchSteve for mentioning that term.

(And yeah that was pretty much what I was told--this early December stuff means direct ship--but since it was said less strongly to me, I thought there was wiggle room when there really wasn't.)

- - - Updated - - -

Remember that when Tesla says "at home" they're really saying "someplace other than a Tesla facility." I took delivery of mine today at my office, which went off perfectly. Based on my experience today, though, I'd caution that you choose a place with EV charging very nearby--my car had <10 miles of range when it came off the truck. (Fortunately, we have 5 Chargepoint chargers at my office.)

Ouch! Thanks for the warning. I'm taking delivery very near home, and I'm trusting that my HPWC will be installed by them, but I have been nervous about getting a car and not having charging capability at home even. ;-)

- - - Updated - - -

I wonder how payment would work if they could deliver to your house sooner than the service center. Would you pay when you pick it up regardless of where you pick it up?

I'm getting my car via direct ship and I have to complete the sale ahead of time...some kinda weird "well kinda buying in CA technically" thing that is weird/confusing but ultimately, I'll pay Maryland tax and Andy confirmed yesterday that they'll register it in Maryland. But at least in my case (direct ship, no DS on-site), no, I have to pay beforehand.

- - - Updated - - -

I asked how my car would be delivered, and it was indicated that the car would be shipped to the Grand Ave Service Center, cleaned up, and then trailered to my home the following day.

Lucky! I guess my car will come to me grungy since it's a direct ship. ;-(

 

[PattyChuck]

Lucky! I guess my car will come to me grungy since it's a direct ship. ;-(

I remember reading on someone else's direct-ship delivery post that one of their due bill items was a detailing, so maybe you're not completely out of luck!

 

[sandwood]

Kendallpb - the Tesla rep I spoke to said the same thing: that they will contact me for payment in full after the car is off the production line but before it is shipped. I wasn't all that comfortable with that, but the rep tried to reassure me that they would take care of me if the car was scratched or damaged in anyway after leaving the plant. The legal responsibility, however, lies with the transport company until the car reaches you and you sign for it.

The rep also told me that it was very possible that I would get the VIN number and the car would be finished in December (and that I would therefore pay in December), but the car might not reach me until the first week of January. They are playing this a little loose, juggling production and deliveries, but I'm ok with that to the extent that they are trying to get customers' cars out as quickly as possible.

nrcooled: I am production # 7955. I'd say it's likely our cars will arrive on the same truck!

 

[kendallpb]

I remember reading on someone else's direct-ship delivery post that one of their due bill items was a detailing, so maybe you're not completely out of luck!

:-D Sounds good. I wanted to ask the DC store where they do detailing anyway; someone suggested that on another thread (not for this reason, just to find a good place that Tesla thinks can handle it ;-).

- - - Updated - - -

Kendallpb - the Tesla rep I spoke to said the same thing: that they will contact me for payment in full after the car is off the production line but before it is shipped. I wasn't all that comfortable with that, but the rep tried to reassure me that they would take care of me if the car was scratched or damaged in anyway after leaving the plant. The legal responsibility, however, lies with the transport company until the car reaches you and you sign for it.

The rep also told me that it was very possible that I would get the VIN number and the car would be finished in December (and that I would therefore pay in December), but the car might not reach me until the first week of January. They are playing this a little loose, juggling production and deliveries, but I'm ok with that to the extent that they are trying to get customers' cars out as quickly as possible.

I agree and that's basically my feeling too. Good point re. the transport company being responsible. I haven't heard of any major issues there aside from cars not arriving 100% clean looking. ;-) And some folks are getting a DS delivery but still right off the 18-wheeler I think, so it's similar to that, I suppose, except the pay-before-receipt part and possible pay-December/receive-January.

 

[nrcooled]

I agree and that's basically my feeling too. Good point re. the transport company being responsible. I haven't heard of any major issues there aside from cars not arriving 100% clean looking. ;-) And some folks are getting a DS delivery but still right off the 18-wheeler I think, so it's similar to that, I suppose, except the pay-before-receipt part and possible pay-December/receive-January.

I think this is how we can acutally claim the tax credit on the 2012 tax year. Since the car is being given to "our agent" (the thrid party shipping company) and registration will be handled prior to shipment we will have officially taken reciept of the vehicle.

Disclaimer: I don't want to derail this thread to the tax conversation.

On-topic: @kendallpb @sandwood I think we are all going to get our cars in the same shipment on the first or second week of January. I can't imagine they will be shipping that many cars to the east coast separately.

 

[kendallpb]

@kendallpb @sandwood I think we are all going to get our cars in the same shipment on the first or second week of January. I can't imagine they will be shipping that many cars to the east coast separately.

Heh, we're in DC, NoVA, and MD . . . joint delivery? Kidding (mostly) but I wonder if anyone's done that before?!?!?! ;-) I'm sure it'd be a pain to coordinate, but I think you're right--possible or even likely that our cars will ship together.

 

[dailydriver]

Kevin, have you talked to anyone in the Chicago Service Center about this yet? I got the feeling when I was communicating with someone there that all the cars destined for (at least) the Chicagoland area, even if you selected home delivery, go through the Chicago Service Center. In my specific case, I asked how my car would be delivered, and it was indicated that the car would be shipped to the Grand Ave Service Center, cleaned up, and then trailered to my home the following day.

That is correct. My car was delivered to my office via trailer after going through the Service Center.

 

[kevincwelch]

Kevin, have you talked to anyone in the Chicago Service Center about this yet? I got the feeling when I was communicating with someone there that all the cars destined for (at least) the Chicagoland area, even if you selected home delivery, go through the Chicago Service Center. In my specific case, I asked how my car would be delivered, and it was indicated that the car would be shipped to the Grand Ave Service Center, cleaned up, and then trailered to my home the following day.

I haven't called and discussed the matter with anyone yet, as I have not even finalized my order.

I just don't want 1 of those huge 18 wheelers to pull up in front of my house. For some reason I'm feeling very self conscious about that.

I would much prefer the single trailer or picking it up directly at the service center.

Sent via Tapatalk.

 

[dsm363]

I haven't called and discussed the matter with anyone yet, as I have not even finalized my order.

I just don't want 1 of those huge 18 wheelers to pull up in front of my house. For some reason I'm feeling very self conscious about that.

I would much prefer the single trailer or picking it up directly at the service center.

Sent via Tapatalk.

They will deliver it (almost) anywhere you want. For me, the driver delivered my car in a big 18 wheeler. He asked the delivery specialist if he could drop it off at a local high school parking lot a few blocks away which was fine with me. I'm sure the driver would much rather deliver it to somewhere wide open instead of having to navigate residential streets so you'd be doing them a favor if that was your preference anyway.

 

[Robert.Boston]

@dsm363: exactly. My driver was clearly nervous about delivering to a Back Bay address, but was openly grateful to find (as I knew he would) an entire city block of open curb. Like you, @kevincwelch, I absolutely didn't want to take delivery at home, which is tucked into a working-class neighborhood. Picking it up at the premier office space in New England, though, was fun.

 

[kendallpb]

@dsm363 & @Robert.Boston, this gives me hope; Tesla's making me figure out a good spot, but hopefully when we get close, the driver will have his/her own ideas...I'm paranoid about picking someplace and having it turn into a nightmare for the driver!

 

[Robert.Boston]

These trucks are big, and they need an area behind them about as long as the truck itself:

 

[dsm363]

@dsm363 & @Robert.Boston, this gives me hope; Tesla's making me figure out a good spot, but hopefully when we get close, the driver will have his/her own ideas...I'm paranoid about picking someplace and having it turn into a nightmare for the driver!

The drivers seem to scope out the area and offer their pick. I was called by my DS back when they could still come to Texas and asked if the local high school parking lot would work. I would think any decent sized parking lot would work. Maybe a large shopping mall might work if it happens in the morning when less cars are there. Good luck.

 

[lolachampcar]

I was planning on the Dania Beach store but the process has been moved to home delivery. The reason for the change was so that Tela could deliver on MSO (Manufacturer's Statement of Origin) allowing me to do the tax, tag and title work myself. This will allow me to reap the sales tax credit for my trade in.

 

[kendallpb]

These trucks are big, and they need an area behind them about as long as the truck itself:

Yowza, I hadn't really thought about that! The little strip mall near me won't do, but there's a larger mall that will. Thanks.

- - - Updated - - -

The drivers seem to scope out the area and offer their pick. I was called by my DS back when they could still come to Texas and asked if the local high school parking lot would work. I would think any decent sized parking lot would work. Maybe a large shopping mall might work if it happens in the morning when less cars are there. Good luck.

That's good to hear, and thanks!

There's a decent-sized mall near me--nothing huge, but it has some less-used parts of the parking around it that would probably work.

 

[olanmills]

I'm taking delivery at the Seattle service center (I would have preferred the Bellevue store, but they can't do pick ups at the mall apparently).

My neighborhood isn't really good for a truck. I thought about having it delivered at my parent's house, but they're in the middle of moving, and not knowing the exact timing, I didn't know which address to choose.

And anyways, after thinking about it, I'm glad I'm picking up at the service center because it will avoid a spectacle. That's not really my style.