Blaine Raddon, a resident of Salt Lake City, has a dilemma with his brand new Tesla Cybertruck: the car does not fit in the parking space of his apartment, which he has just moved into after his separation. What seemed like a logistical problem is now a legal nightmare when faced with Tesla’s restrictive sales conditions for this model.
Because it is important. Raddon’s case highlights the draconian clauses that Tesla has imposed on buyers of its Cybertruck, preventing them from reselling the car during the first year, under the threat of significant fines and permanent bans as buyers.
This situation reflects the company’s lack of flexibility in the face of an unforeseen circumstance: when Blaine reserved the Cybertruck he lived in a house with a garage. When she got divorced he moved to an apartment with a much tighter parking space.
The details. When Blaine received the Cybertruck, his life had changed. The enormous car, six meters long and almost two and a half wide, did not fit in the square of his new home, more modest than the previous one.
Raddon asked the dealer to return the pickup, claiming that he did not adjust to his new circumstances. The response he got was a reminder of the contract he signed: if he sells it before the first year he has to pay a fine of $50,000 and will not be able to buy a new Tesla again.
The answer. The man defines himself as “someone who follows the rules”, so he will not appeal Tesla’s decision or take it to justice. Of course, he has written a letter to the company explaining his situation in detail, in the hope that it will reconsider his position.
Tesla’s conditions.
- The Cybertruck purchase agreement includes a specific clause that prohibits the resale of the car during the first year from delivery.
- Tesla only contemplates exceptions for “unforeseen circumstances” to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The company could then buy back the car, but applying deductions.
- If the owner sells it without permission, Tesla would sue him for $50,000 or the final sales price if higher, in addition to the aforementioned veto.
- This clause was introduced in November 2023, then removed over complaints… and finally quietly reintroduced a month later.
Reflection. Tesla’s measure is aimed at preventing speculation regarding a car that is much more in demand than what the company is capable of producing in this first phase in the market. But his reputation is at stake in a case called for empathy.
It is up to each individual to think to what extent it is reasonable to force a buyer to keep a car that does not meet their unexpected vital needs. Or if all Tesla does is enforce its rules for everyone equally.
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Featured image | tesla
