Cancel Your Tesla Order: Step-by-Step Online & Phone Guide
Tesla vehicles have gained immense popularity recently, with the sleek electric-powered models offering high-tech features and impressive performance. However, in some cases, you may find yourself needing to cancel your Tesla order due to a change in circumstances or preferences.
So can you cancel a Tesla order? Yes, it is possible to cancel a Tesla order under certain conditions, though there are important considerations to keep in mind regarding deposits, customizations, wait times for a new order, and more.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover:
- An overview of Tesla’s cancellation policies
- The process for cancelling your Tesla order online or via phone
- Key impacts and factors to evaluate before cancelling
- Frequently asked questions about cancelling Tesla orders
- Helpful tips for navigating the cancellation process
Understanding Tesla’s flexible cancellation policy and properly executing the steps to cancel can ensure you receive the maximum refund available and avoid complications. Let’s dive in!
Overview of Tesla Cancellation Policies
When seeking to cancel your Tesla order, your first step should be reviewing their cancellation policies. This will clarify:
- Any deposits – Tesla requires a $250 order fee when you first place an order, which is non-refundable if you later cancel
- Timeframes – The cancellation process can take up to 30 days to finalize
- Refund eligibility – Refund timelines and which payment types qualify for reimbursement after cancelling
You can reference the cancellations section on Tesla’s support site for specifics based on your region.
It’s also worth noting that in the past, Tesla offered more flexible policies but changed their rules around 2019 regarding order fee refunds and return grace periods after increasing demand. So be sure to consult current guidance.
When Can You Cancel a Tesla Order?
Many customers are curious just how late in the ordering process they can cancel their Tesla order. Here is an overview:
- Before production – Orders can be cancelled any time before your Tesla enters the production phase at the factory. Once manufacturing your specific vehicle starts, it is too late to cancel.
- After VIN assignment – Even if your car has received a Vehicle Identification Number, indicating it is further along, you can still submit a cancellation until delivery day.
- After delivery scheduled – Similarly, if you have arranged a delivery date and location, a cancellation can still be completed right up until you take possession of the car.
- Day before delivery – As long as you have not taken ownership of the Tesla, cancellations remain a possibility with certain fees applied.
Checking your Tesla account’s order status and estimated timeline is the best way to determine where you stand if considering cancelling.
Step-By-Step Guide to Canceling Online
If you decide cancelling your Tesla order is the right path after reviewing the policy details and your order timeline, here is how to cancel your Tesla order through their online system:
Step 1: Log Into Your Tesla Account
The first step is accessing your Tesla account which you set up when you initially placed the order. You can log in on Tesla’s website or through their convenient mobile app for iOS or Android.
Step 2: Navigate to Order Details
After signing in, select the “Manage” tab, then locate the Order History/Details section. This will display your pending order with the selected vehicle specifications listed. Click into the specific order to manage it.
Step 3: Select Cancel Order
Once viewing details on your order, you should see an option to “Cancel Order”. Select this to initialize starting the Tesla cancellation process.
Step 4: Choose Reason for Cancellation
The cancellation page will first prompt you to choose from a list of reasons for why you are choosing to cancel your Tesla order:
- Changed Mind
- Financial Reasons
- Prefer Different Trim
- Delays Too Long
- Other priorities
While optional, providing your reason helps Tesla gather valuable feedback to continue improving their vehicles and ordering process.
Step 5: Confirm Cancellation
After selecting your cancellation reason, Tesla will request you confirm that you wish to proceed with cancelling. Carefully review before giving final confirmation, as once requested the cancellation will be processing going forward.
Step 6: Wait for Notification
Per Tesla’s cancellation policies, it can take up to 30 days for the full cancellation procedures to complete on their side, issuing refunds as applicable and releasing your order. Expect an email confirmation once everything is finalized.
And that covers how to cancel your Tesla order directly through their account system online! Next let’s discuss cancelling via an alternative method…
Canceling A Tesla Order via Phone Call
In some cases contacting Tesla support directly may be preferred or if you encounter any issues with the online process. Here are the steps to cancel a Tesla order over the phone:
Contact Tesla Support
You can reach a Tesla representative by calling their general customer support line at:1 (888) 518-3752
Wait times may vary based on call volume, so having your complete order details handy while on hold is recommended so all pertinent information is readily available to reference.
Provide Order Details
Once connected with a Tesla agent, first confirm your identity by sharing details like:
- Full name on order
- Tesla account email
- Order number
- VIN (if assigned)
Having these quick references will help pull up and verify your pending order.
Request Cancellation
After accessing your Tesla order, explicitly request to the representative that you would like to cancel the order if that remains your intent.
Confirm Cancellation Decision
As with the online process, the agent will request your confirmation that you wish to proceed with cancellation before taking any action on the order.
At that stage the Tesla representative can submit the system request to cancel on your behalf as long as before taking delivery. Refunds would follow a similar 30 day timeline to those outlined from online cancellations depending on original payment method used.
What Happens After Cancelling a Tesla Order?
After completing Tesla’s cancellation process either online or via phone, there are a few key things that potentially occur:
Order Fee is Retained
First, Tesla will retain the standard $250 order fee as noted in their policy. Unless specific exceptions are made in unique cases, this deposit is non-refundable regardless of when or why cancellation happens.
Refunds Take 15-30 Days
If you had financed a portion of your Tesla order or made installments beyond the order fee, expect refunds back to your original payment method within 15-30 days after cancellation completes. Timelines vary slightly by payment type per Tesla’s site details.
So in summary – the order fee will not be returned but any other amounts should reconcile per the company’s cancellation policy within approximately one month.
Key Impacts to Consider Before Cancelling
While Tesla does offer flexibility to cancel orders, even just before delivery day, it can still represent a major change with some key impacts to consider:
Losing Custom Vehicle Configuration
If you decide to order another Tesla later, keep in mind you will be starting from scratch on selecting model variants, upgrades, colors and other customizations. Your previous preferences will not carry over.
Potential Delivery Delays
Especially if ordering a popular trim level, cancelling could greatly impact delivery timing when reserving another Tesla down the road based on latest demand.
Pricing/Availability Changes Over Time
Tesla is continuously making minorUpdates to their models so pricing and included features for a given version can fluctuate between order cycles. The same configuration may cost more for your next order.
Weigh factors like possibly losing out on tax credits that phase out over time and the hassle of restarting financing should you need those elements before moving forward with cancellation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here we cover quick answers to some other common queries around cancelling Tesla orders:
Can you transfer your Tesla reservation to someone else?
No, officially Tesla reservations or orders cannot be transferred to another party. The order would need to be cancelled and a new reservation made under the correct account.
How late can you cancel a Tesla order?
Cancellations can occur up until the day before delivery as long as you have not taken ownership of the Tesla vehicle.
Does Tesla offer any grace period for returns after delivery?
Unfortunately Tesla no longer offers an official return period. Once delivery occurs, the transaction is considered completed from their side.
For additional FAQs, Tesla provides an extensive support section on their website.
The Bottom Lines: Cancelling Your Tesla Order
Cancelling your Tesla order is certainly possible but does represent restarting the customization and buying process so is not advised lightly. Here are the key takeaways:
- Tesla allows cancelling orders up until the day before vehicle delivery
- $250 order fee is always non-refundable however
- Online cancellation easiest through Tesla account
- Funds beyond deposit refunded in 15-30 days
- Customizations and wait times reset with new order
Be strategic in evaluating your motivations for cancelling before moving forward. With hundreds of pages of agony and praises regarding Tesla orders, they clearly prompt strong opinions and emotions on both sides!
Hopefully this guide served you well demystifying what to expect should cancelling your Tesla order be the best decision for your personal situation. Please share any other tips or questions in the comments below!
