{"id":248578,"date":"2023-12-14T20:49:17","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T20:49:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/?p=248578"},"modified":"2023-12-14T20:49:17","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T20:49:17","slug":"tesla-requests-1000-early-access-deposit-to-confirm-cybertruck-orders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/electric-cars\/tesla-requests-1000-early-access-deposit-to-confirm-cybertruck-orders\/","title":{"rendered":"Tesla Requests $1,000 'Early Access Deposit' To Confirm Cybertruck Orders"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than 1 million people paid $100 each to reserve a Tesla Cybertruck, CEO Elon Musk announced on the Q3 earnings call in October. But now, it looks as though Tesla has begun the operation of weeding out <\/span>Cybertruck reservation holders who are not serious about buying the electric truck by introducing a $1,000 “early access deposit.” In other words, if you really want that Cybertruck you reserved, you now owe Elon Musk a grand. <\/span><\/p>\n

Starting yesterday, Tesla Cybertruck reservation holders who have been “invited” by the company to configure their vehicle and proceed with their order have discovered that besides having to pay a higher fully refundable reservation fee of $250 (from which the initial $100 fee is deducted), they also have to put down a non-refundable $1,000 deposit.<\/p>\n

<\/svg><\/span>Get Fully Charged<\/h3>\n

The Cybertruck’s controversial rollout continues<\/p>\n

The Cybertruck is Tesla’s wildest debut yet, but it’s also been delayed for years and is much more expensive than announced in 2019. How will reservation-holders and fans respond to this latest request for $1,000?<\/p>\n

Thankfully, the amount will be deducted from the purchase price upon final payment, as seen in the screenshots posted by reservation holders online and shared by Sawyer Merritt, Cybertruck Owners Club<\/em>, and others.<\/p>\n

However, if the customer changes their mind and cancels the order, they will lose the $1,000 deposit, which is a high enough sum for most people to regret losing.<\/p>\n

Introducing a $1,000 deposit fee may seem excessive at first glance, but when you factor in the price of the Cybertruck, it’s not actually a large amount of money for people who are serious about buying the truck.<\/p>\n

It will be interesting to see how many of these potential customers will actually follow through and commit to purchasing a Cybertruck\u2014especially as prices have gone up by $20,000 for the base RWD model and $30,000 for the Cybertruck All-Wheel Drive and Cyberbeast tri-motor flagship compared to the original pricing announced four years ago.<\/p>\n

This will also allow Tesla to see how big the actual demand for the Cybertruck is and make production plans and adjustments accordingly. Introducing a $1,000 early access deposit also enables the EV maker to ship the first batch of Cybertrucks to people who are the most excited to get them.<\/p>\n

Of course, some reservation holders vented their frustration at the introduction of the $1,000 fee on social media, noting that having waited four years for the Cybertruck is a pretty strong indication that they’re interested in buying it. Some also complained that paying Tesla another interest-free loan besides the reservation fee doesn’t seem that fair.<\/p>\n

What’s your take on this? A solid deal, or another squeeze-out play from Musk? <\/p>\n