2023-07-16 07:04:36
Romuald still remembers the time when Tesla rolled out the red carpet for the delivery of the first Model S. Today, he testifies to two rather mind-blowing misadventures which already make him hope for an interesting offer from the competition. It was for a Model X and its brand new Model S Plaid.
Not an ordinary customer
If the testimony of our reader is so interesting, it is because he has a very strong bond of heart with the brand’s electric cars: ” I have been a customer since 2014. I started with a Tesla Model S 85. Since then I have also had this model in P90, P100, Performance Raven and Plaid ».
In total, for his travel needs, he bought 12 Teslas in 9 years: “ Including 3 Model 3, 2 Model Y and 2 Model X. I must have exceeded 400,000 km in all with them, including 120,000 km with the P90 which I kept for 6 years. I’m really happy with these cars in use. And I really like this brand ».
Romuald drives a lot, for his professional needs in particular. He has also shown himself up to now as a true ambassador for these cars: ” In terms of performance, autonomy and prices, they are the best offers on the market. I convinced a lot of people around me. My mother-in-law drives a Tesla, my father-in-law too, as well as friends ».
Red carpet
During our interview, Romuald mentioned this red carpet that was unfolding in front of the first customers receiving their Model S in France. I myself was able to see this exceptional welcome in September 2013, when the brand received guests at Villa Maillot, in the sixteenth arrondissement of Paris.
« When I received my Model S 85 in 2014, the team had taken a photo, had requested my testimony to put it online on their site. I had my little stand, and the car was sheltered under a blanket ».
Two years later, that spirit was still there: “ The Model S had just been restyled. That’s why I switched to the P90. Delivery was then made to the Gennevilliers service center. We were called back on the phone to ask if everything was fine, how we found the car. The spirit was really cool back then ».
It’s not like that anymore? ” No. The process can of course go well. But taking delivery of a Tesla, even at more than 130,000 euros, can be a real disaster. I have thus experienced two unfortunate situations ».
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Model X
The delivery of Romuald’s second Model X starts in a fairly classic way: ” I was contacted to proceed quickly to the payment, because I had to come quickly to collect my car. But once the payment was made, I had no further news from the salesperson. So I called following a few days ».
First cold shower: They tell me my Model X is still in Baltimore. My interlocutor did not understand why I had been told that he had already arrived at the Center de Paris Est, in Bailly. I demanded that a solution be found. So I was assigned another Model X. An appointment was set for a Friday at 2:00 p.m. ».
Nothing will go as planned: When I arrive, the registration is not done. So I have to wait an hour. Once I have it, I can finally insure the vehicle. And there begins a long wait. The delivery person was not even aware of my arrival ».
The situation takes a funny turn
Another disappointment following a long time without news: ” Around 5:00 p.m., I am told that my car will not be able to be delivered to me because a mirror was broken during the preparation. I am offered to pay for a taxi to Chambourcy, another delivery point on the opposite side of Paris. It’s regarding picking up another car that I’ll have on loan for 4 days ».
In front of a telephone which remains silent, Romuald calls: I think I’m dreaming when I hear that the Model X I’m waiting for is finally up to standard for the Middle East, but not for Europe. How did they manage to register it in France for me? ».
New troubleshooting: I then had a Model S available for 3 weeks. In the end, I received the Model X which was in Baltimore the previous month. The front number plate was mounted upside down, which was quickly rectified by a thankfully pleasant technician. There was also an error on my invoice, with an overpayment of 8,000 euros ».
A bargain on a Model S Plaid
If we can regret having to live exceptionally chaotic delivery, what to think when the episode is renewed, in worse, some time later. Also, it was not a low-end, but a Model S Plaid.
« Normally, such a model should have been given to Bailly, but the appointment had been given to me at Valenton for 3:30 p.m. on Friday, June 30, 2023. The last day of a quarter is never a good date at Tesla where everyone is overwhelmed ».
Why was the appointment in this case fixed like this, only two days before? ” Originally, I had ordered a Model S Plaid in ultra red, with a beige interior and a classic steering wheel. Later, I noticed in the stocks on the Internet a very good price readjustment on a copy which differed from what I wanted only by the Yoke steering wheel. The offer was only valid until June 30, 2023. Hence this appointment which had to be placed imperatively within two days ».
Car not found on the site
When Romuald arrived at Valenton, as with the Model X Plaid, the registration had not yet been communicated to him: “ I had to make three calls to Bailly. We received the information an hour and a half later. Which allowed me to ensure it quickly behind ».
Scalded cat…: “ As is the practice at Tesla, they wanted me to sign the delivery note before I might see the car. This time, I didn’t give in. It was pointed out to me that the site was to deliver 500 cars that day, and that if everyone did like me, it would not be manageable. I didn’t give in anymore ».
At first the car cannot be found: It did not appear on their app. The reason I was then given was that it must have been in hibernation mode, as it had been there for over a month. The meeting had been fixed since the previous Wednesday: the car might have been prepared before my arrival. What would have avoided this situation “. It will once more take an hour and a half for the Model S Plaid ordered to be located.
Not a pretty sight
A new car, especially at 130,000 euros, we expect to find it gleaming: “ She was very dirty. I demanded that it be washed. There is still a minimum of attention to pay for a car of this price. I was asked for an hour wait for this. Then I was told that the car wouldn’t charge. A technician had to come and unblock the situation. Which ended up only taking 30 minutes. There was really enough to freak out! ».
When delivery is possible… well… theoretically, new unpleasant surprises greet the faithful Teslaist: “ The 2 bumpers are scratched, there is a stitching defect on the vegetable leather dashboard, and the battery has only 3% charge. Not even enough to reach the nearest Supercharger ».
New episode of freaking out: “ Faced with my insistence on having more energy in the pack, I was sent to a nearby provider who has a terminal allowing me to regain 70 kilometers of autonomy per hour. In the end, we leave Valenton at 10:30 p.m., 7 hours following our arrival. ».
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Very unhappy
The steps taken by Romuald remain without follow-up: “ I had taken care to have the faults noted on the spot. I sent three messages to the salesperson who handled the sale: No response! I also sent a ticket to the service center: No response either! I have the impression of a total lack of professionalism and respect for the client ».
Several days later, our reader is still bitter: We talk a lot in the press regarding the volume of sales at Tesla, but never behind the scenes. The Internet and social networks, however, testify to cases of sharply rising dissatisfaction on the part of the owners of the brand’s vehicles. Cars are great, but Tesla France clearly doesn’t have enough infrastructure or staff to keep up with the surge in demand ».
What he wants to say today is that the electrics of the American manufacturer ” remain excellent and always above the competition “, and ” if the latter manages to propose an offer that is at least equivalent », il « would no longer go to Tesla ».
The ball is in Tesla France’s court
What Romuald expects from the manufacturer’s network are already two things concerning his Model S Plaid: ” I want my car to be brought back into line with what is expected of a new car. The defect on the dashboard and the scratches on both bumpers must disappear ».
He also hopes for a commercial gesture: “ It might for example be free recharging on Superchargers. I know that Tesla personnel are subject to a very strict internal policy, but that does not prevent the small gestures of apology which must, in principle, be granted ».
More generally, for the quality of service, he calls ” Tesla France to open new establishments and hire staff. The role of the network is not only to buy cars and then tell its customers: ‘Fix it up!’ ».‘
Automobile Propre and I would like to thank Romuald very much for his testimony and the speed with which he responded positively to our request.
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