This started so well. Then they stole $1,198 from me in the finance office. Beware of the tricks!
Here is the full story:
I had been looking for a Tesla S with a specific color and option combo, when one that matched my expectations came-up at apexcars.net. I contacted them and got prompt responses with pictures illustrating the things I wanted to know.
So I went to see the car. I was treated wonderfully, got all the time I wanted to check it out. There was no negotiating, but the price was reasonable and within kbb range. So I agreed to the purchase price, pending a test drive. Only then did I get to actually drive the car.
So far, so good.
Next was the finance office. There I learned that the car had been equipped with a tracking device "iTrax" for $1,699, and Express Code/Etch for $199 ($1,898 total). Those had not been mentioned to me before, and I didn't see any value in them. I said I don't want these items, but was told they could not be uninstalled. Not wanting to lose the car, I agreed while my blood quietly started to boil.
They had to reattach a door panel and detail the car, so we agreed that I would pick it up the next day.
Upon pick-up I brought-up the iTrax issue with the Manager, and explained that Tesla has vehicle tracking built into its app - so this extra device is completely worthless to me. They agreed to reduce the price to their "cost", which was supposedly $999. This was better than $1,699, but still a complete waste of money for zero value.
Another surprise was that there was only one key. I was told they always only have one key for the cars they sell. That's seriously weird and makes me wonder, if they always keep one in case they have to repossess the car.
They fixed a lose door panel, and there was a document that stated they checked the tire pressure. Yet, upon leaving the lot, I got an immediate low pressure warning for one of the wheels. The other three were below factory recommendation.
When I got home, I did some research on the Internet and found the iTrax device advertised for Golf Carts at $299. Wish I would have known that earlier. This web page also confirmed that it's just a box held-on by magnets. Since the Tesla has an aluminum body, this thing had nowhere to attach and just flew around in the glove box, making it easy to find and compare to the iTrax golf cart tracking device on the web.
I also did some research on the Express Code/Etching and found out that neither law enforcement nor insurances care about this, and there were no traces of etching on the car. That makes those $199 just as useless as the money wasted on the iTrax. In fact, I came to believe I have been charged for a (useless) service that hasn't even been performed on the car I purchased.
Unfortunately, my experience demonstrates that these guys are not nearly as honest and ethical as they pretend to be.
Too bad - it could have been so good!
So, before you go there, decide if you want to waste $1,898 on Express Code/Etching and iTrax that will NOT give you any insurance discounts later.
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Here is the full story:
I had been looking for a Tesla S with a specific color and option combo, when one that matched my expectations came-up at apexcars.net. I contacted them and got prompt responses with pictures illustrating the things I wanted to know.
So I went to see the car. I was treated wonderfully, got all the time I wanted to check it out. There was no negotiating, but the price was reasonable and within kbb range. So I agreed to the purchase price, pending a test drive. Only then did I get to actually drive the car.
So far, so good.
Next was the finance office. There I learned that the car had been equipped with a tracking device "iTrax" for $1,699, and Express Code/Etch for $199 ($1,898 total). Those had not been mentioned to me before, and I didn't see any value in them. I said I don't want these items, but was told they could not be uninstalled. Not wanting to lose the car, I agreed while my blood quietly started to boil.
They had to reattach a door panel and detail the car, so we agreed that I would pick it up the next day.
Upon pick-up I brought-up the iTrax issue with the Manager, and explained that Tesla has vehicle tracking built into its app - so this extra device is completely worthless to me. They agreed to reduce the price to their "cost", which was supposedly $999. This was better than $1,699, but still a complete waste of money for zero value.
Another surprise was that there was only one key. I was told they always only have one key for the cars they sell. That's seriously weird and makes me wonder, if they always keep one in case they have to repossess the car.
They fixed a lose door panel, and there was a document that stated they checked the tire pressure. Yet, upon leaving the lot, I got an immediate low pressure warning for one of the wheels. The other three were below factory recommendation.
When I got home, I did some research on the Internet and found the iTrax device advertised for Golf Carts at $299. Wish I would have known that earlier. This web page also confirmed that it's just a box held-on by magnets. Since the Tesla has an aluminum body, this thing had nowhere to attach and just flew around in the glove box, making it easy to find and compare to the iTrax golf cart tracking device on the web.
I also did some research on the Express Code/Etching and found out that neither law enforcement nor insurances care about this, and there were no traces of etching on the car. That makes those $199 just as useless as the money wasted on the iTrax. In fact, I came to believe I have been charged for a (useless) service that hasn't even been performed on the car I purchased.
Unfortunately, my experience demonstrates that these guys are not nearly as honest and ethical as they pretend to be.
Too bad - it could have been so good!
So, before you go there, decide if you want to waste $1,898 on Express Code/Etching and iTrax that will NOT give you any insurance discounts later.