Tesla Charges Some Buyers Twice for the Same Car
» Posted May 3, 2021 • Resources | Share This Post
Sticker shock is going to a whole new level for some Tesla buyers. They were recently left fighting for refunds after they said they were double-billed for their cars.
CNBC spoke with three Tesla buyers in Southern California who were ensnared in Tesla’s double-dip. The men “were gobsmacked to find the company had charged them twice, taking tens of thousands of dollars from their bank accounts without authorization or warning, then giving them a frustrating runaround when they sought refunds,” the news outlet reports.
For Tesla customers, the extra charges can range from $37,000 to $71,000 or more. That is not to mention potential bank overdraft fees and credit card interest if those bills are not paid.
Several buyers reported headaches trying to get the company to reverse the double charges. CNBC reported in April that the company had refunded the money and tossed in a $200 Tesla store credit.
“Anything reasonable done quickly would have been completely fine,” Tom Slattery, a Tesla buyer who was charged twice for his car, told CNBC. “But I’ve learned that Tesla’s culture is that they care about the stock price and not customers.”
How Tesla Owners Can Protect Themselves
The double-billing debacle should not exactly inspire confidence in the company for Tesla owners.
The botched billing comes as investigators continue to look into a string of fatal accidents involving the Tesla Autopilot function. That includes a pair of crashes in Florida, as well as a 2018 crash in which a Tesla sport utility vehicle driver reportedly using the semi-autonomous system was killed when the car collided with a freeway barrier near Redwood City.
Whether it is a Tesla or any other type of car, vehicle owners in California should be aware of their rights under the state lemon law.
The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act requires car manufacturers to perform a variety of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces a manufacturer to buy back - or, in some cases, replace - vehicles that the company refuses or is unable to fix.
How a California Lemon Law Lawyer Can Help
If you have been stuck with a defective vehicle in the Golden State, a California lemon law lawyer can help you understand your rights and weigh your options.
At the Bickel Sannipoli APC, we have successfully represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases in Southern California and across the state. We help the people we represent hold car manufacturers accountable and get the compensation they deserve.
Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law lawyer today.
