My delivery day is coming up so I went the Tesla service center that is less than a mile from my house to discuss the process. I was shocked to hear that the SA will not unlock the car to inspect the interior and test drive until I accept the car.
Is this normal? If so why?
Sadly, yes, it's "normal".
Tesla SC's are perennially under staffed, have not been scaled for sales and service growth, and they have delivery quotas to hit. They are mostly decent folks, but they are doing what they have to do to survive.
Thus, there is no PDI (pre delivery inspection and prep), no formalities beyond - sign here, pickup your two key cards, any questions, off you go, next.
(hypothetically speaking); what if I accept the car, get it unlocked and find a major issue(s). Am I SOL and have to rely on Tesla to make repairs or can I “un-accept“ the car? If so, then what?
Then you schedule post-delivery repair appointment on your own time, and Tesla get to report a successfully delivery and collect cash from the bank.
On the plus side, Tesla will pay for the repairs. But only on the condition that you accept delivery upfront with all the faults, minor or major.
Here’s a crazy thought. How about the Tesla delivery center actually complete a PDI (Pre delivery inspection) on a $50,000 and up vehicle?
That would be awesome, but that would make them a proper car company.
PDI implies desire to find and remedy problems. It slows down the delivery process at OEM/dealer's expense for customer's benefit.
Who would want that? Not Tesla!
As long as there are order delivery wait times (demand > supply), this situation is unlikely to improve.
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