I don't have any problem with him charging a fee for people to drive his model 3. That's his right, so I think you misunderstood. My point made was that I don't think it's some noble or altruistic gesture worthy of praise and thanks when someone is doing it for money (which again, I dont disagree with him for doing). I thought it sounded funny to thank him and praise him. Maybe that's just me. It's a business however...your description of him seems to indicate you don't realise what he's actually doing. let me help, having read his google docs page:
From the 'sign up'
- "Our events are not officially sponsored, endorsed or approved by tesla"
- "If you are selected for a test drive you will be informed AT THE EVENT"
- "We want to give test drives at all of our stops. However on rare occasions we will be unable to provide any test drives"
- "TEST DRIVES WILL BE PRIORITIZED BY OFFER AMOUNT"
This is not some guy who happens to be out and offers up his car to someone to check it out. This is an auction for test drives, similar to a short term Turo rental. He's advertising his business here, like Turo would (and doing so without being a forum sponsor). Are people thanking and praising other vendors for offering to sell them stuff at the highest price?
For the record I turn my car over to other people regularly to see what it's about as it's so different to what most people are used to. I would say I've lent my car out or let 20 different people drive my car in the 13 months I've been a Model S owner. I charged none of them. I would just feel weird about taking their money. Last time I did this was Sunday, lending to a local business person I dealt with who asked me about it and said he was thinking about buying one. I offered to trade cars with him for the day, but he just took it for a test drive instead as he was too busy to take advantage of it.
I don't think it's a big deal as these are just cars, just possessions. No I would never ask for money for it after offering it. I would also never offer it to random strangers over the internet so this isn't really comparable although I did once let a total stranger I'd known for 10 minutes drive my Model S at a car meet with me in the passenger seat. If I had a model S and put it on Turo sure thing people can drive it for money. Again, I have no problem with that aspect.
Maybe I've got it wrong, and if so, I apologize.