After his divorce, he had to downsize from a house with a garage to an apartment with a much smaller parking space, and that’s when the Cybertruck was delivered.
Blaine Raddon, a resident of Salt Lake City, has a problem with his new Tesla Cybertruck. The vehicle doesn’t fit in the parking space at his new apartment, which he moved into after his separation. What started as a logistical issue has now turned into a legal nightmare as he encounters Tesla’s strict sales conditions for the Cybertruck.
Why this matters. Raddon’s case serves as evidence of the strict conditions that Tesla has imposed on Cybertruck owners. These conditions prohibit buyers from reselling the car during the first year. If they proceed to sell, they could face significant fines and be permanently barred from buying future Tesla vehicles.
The situation demonstrates the company’s lack of flexibility in dealing with a change in circumstances. When Raddon ordered the Cybertruck, he lived in a house with a garage. After his divorce, he moved to an apartment with a much smaller parking space.
New circumstances. When Tesla finally delivered Raddon's Cybertruck, the buyer's life changed. The huge vehicle, almost 19 feet long and slightly over 6.5 feet wide, didn’t fit in the parking space of his new home, which was more modest than his previous one.
Raddon asked the dealer if he could return the car, stating that it didn't fit in his new apartment. The response he got was a reminder of the contract he signed: If he sold it before the first year, he would have to pay a $50,000 penalty and wouldn't be able to buy a new Tesla ever again.
Raddon’s response. Raddon identifies himself as “rule-follower,” so he won’t appeal Tesla’s decision or take it to court. However, he has written a letter to the company detailing his situation, hoping that it'll reconsider its position.
Tesla’s conditions:
- Tesla’s Cybertruck purchase agreement includes a clause that prohibits the resale of the car during the first year after delivery.
- Tesla may consider exceptions for “unforeseen circumstances” on a case-by-case basis, and the company may repurchase the car with deductions applied.
- If the owner sells the car without permission, Tesla has the right to sue for $50,000 or the final sale price if higher, in addition to enforcing the resale prohibition.
- This clause was initially introduced in November 2023, then removed due to complaints, and finally quietly reintroduced a month later.
Final thoughts. Tesla’s measure aims to prevent speculation due to high demand for its cars, which currently outstrips its production capacity. However, the company’s reputation is on the line, with some people criticizing its lack of empathy in this situation.
Is it fair to force a buyer to keep a car that doesn't meet their needs? Or is Tesla simply enforcing its rules uniformly for everyone? In this case, it's a matter of opinion.
Image | Tesla
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