A new video sheds light on the dirty tactics car salespeople use to sell vehicles for an unreasonable profit. The interaction shows a dealer haggling with a buyer to buy a Cybertruck for $230,000 in breach of Tesla’s contract.
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Tesla is often praised for leading the world’s transition away from internal combustion vehicles. The EV maker is also considered a pioneer in the self-driving space and energy storage market.
The EV maker is also seen as a leader in vehicle software as the first company to offer over-the-air updates that improve a vehicle after purchase.
These are all wonderful things; however, among the flurry of improvements Tesla introduced to the automotive world, one of the company’s most radical changes to the industry, doesn't get that much attention.
Tesla is the first large automaker to completely eliminate the dealership model and sell its cars primarily online.
Due to the company’s online and direct-to-customer approach, the EV maker offers constant vehicle prices across the board.
When buying a Tesla, there is no haggling, no pressure from a salesperson, and no dirty tactics. Simply look at the prices online and purchase your vehicle with a few clicks.
This transparent approach to sales is one of the biggest reasons that Tesla customers see the company in high regard.
Tesla’s direct-to-customer model has served the company well; however, now that the company has grown in size and started delivering the Cybertruck, Tesla vehicles are beginning to pop up at third-party dealerships.
This fact is especially true for the Cybertruck since there is huge demand for the all-electric truck; however, Tesla has yet to ramp up production sufficiently to address the market.
Naturally, the mismatch between supply and demand opens an opportunity for people looking to buy a Cybertruck from Tesla and flip it for a profit on the secondary market.
To stop these actors, when purchasing a Cybertruck, Tesla makes new owners sign an agreement stating they will not sell their trucks for at least a year after purchase or that Tesla might sue them for above $50,000.
This clause has stopped the rampant proliferation of Cybertruck flippers; however, despite Tesla’s warnings, some people have still chosen to sell their trucks on the secondary market.
And this is exactly what one dealership is attempting to do. In a video documented by an NFL player who went out to purchase a Cybertruck, we see a car salesperson trying to flip a Cybertruck for over $100,000 in profit.
This is objectionable on its own; however, during the video, we also see the dirty tactics dealers use to confuse their customers. The car salesman uses pressure tactics, quotes multiple prices in quick succession, and engages in other behaviors that blemish the car buying experience.
The interaction between the two men was a good reminder of how stress-free Tesla’s direct-to-consumer online sales approach is compared to the dealership model of legacy automakers.
Lately, much has been said about how other automakers are catching up to Tesla; however, the video reminds us that Tesla has fundamental and structural advantages that will be difficult for other automakers to replicate.
Currently, this is all the information we’ve regarding Cybertruck sales in the secondary market; however, we’ll be sure to keep you posted once we learn more about the issue. Until then, visit our site, torquenews.com/Tesla, regularly for the latest updates.
So, what do you think? Surprised to see a dealership asking $230,000 for a Cybertruck? Also, what do you make of the sales tactics employed by the car salesman during the video? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
For more information, check out: Tesla Cybertruck Owners are Outfitting Their Trucks with 3D Printed Door Handles to Avoid Putting Fingerprint Blemishes on the Stainless Steel Exoskeleton
Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and The evolution of the EV space on a daily basis for several years. He covers everything about Tesla, from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.
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