My 2025 Tesla Cybertruck Ordering Experience Was a Nightmare, It Was So Bad, I Canceled My Order and Asked For a Refund

A Tesla Cybertruck buyer has a warning for potential Cybertruck buyers.

Chuong Nguyen, on the Tesla Cybertruck Owner's Facebook page, says his Cybertruck order from St. Petersburg, FL, was a nightmare. Tesla staff lied about transferring fees, charging him double. Despite a substantial down payment, the loan process stalled. The St. Petersburg store was unprofessional, repeatedly hanging up on him. 

"I'm canceling and demanding a full refund," he says.

Imagine the hum of the Cybertruck after he took a test drive. It was a dream that had consumed Chuong for months. His first order, placed with eager anticipation, was merely a prelude to the absolute nightmare. 

"Re-order for 0% APR!" Tesla told him. 

The Tesla staff at the St. Petersburg, FL, location had said, promising a seamless transfer of his initial $250 non-refundable fee. A lie, he soon discovered, as his bank statement reflected another $250 vanished, bringing his "order fees" now to $500.

Frustration simmered, but the allure of the Cybertruck was strong. He diligently submitted every requested document, including his business's merchant statement, and assured it was all they needed. 

Two days later, the digital demands continued – more documents and more hoops to jump through. 

Chuong, ready to put down over 50% of the vehicle's cost, watched in disbelief as the loan process dragged into its second week with no answers, no updates, and just a digital void. 

Every other dealership he'd spoken to had promised approval in ten minutes.

The real test of his patience came with the phone calls. He dialed the St. Petersburg store, hoping for clarity, but instead, he was met with the muffled chatter of employees in the background. 

Then, without warning, a click. Hung up. Not a dropped call, but a deliberate disconnection, he says. This wasn't a one-off; it happened repeatedly. 

The nightmare continues. 

Chuong wanted to switch Tesla dealers but couldn't. Tesla's automated customer service system, designed for efficiency, became his tormentor. Based on his ZIP code, every attempt to reach out was rerouted directly back to the very store that had mastered the art of the hang-up. 

He was trapped in a loop of unhelpfulness and unprofessionalism.

The dream of the Cybertruck had soured and was overshadowed by a process that was slow, unprofessional, and profoundly disrespectful. 

Chuong finally requested a complete cancellation and a refund of his $500. The experience had been a nightmare, and if Tesla didn't rectify it, he vowed to take his complaints further, determined to ensure no one else endured such a disheartening journey.

Chuong says, "Here is my experience with Tesla. Be careful before you order." 

I want to share my experience with Tesla in case anyone else is considering ordering from Tesla — especially from the St. Petersburg, FL location.

This was my second Cybertruck order. The first one was canceled because Tesla staff told me to re-order to qualify for their "0% APR promotion" in June. 

They stated that the $250 non-refundable fee from the first order would be transferred to the new one. That was a lie — I got charged again, so now I've paid a total of $500 in order fees.

I submitted all the paperwork they requested, including my merchant statement from my business, and was told that was all they needed. However, two days later, they asked for additional documents. I'm putting down more than 50% of the purchase price, and yet this loan process has dragged on for over a week. No answers. No updates. 

Meanwhile, every other dealership I spoke with said they could get me approved in 10 minutes.

I also tried calling the Tesla store in St. Petersburg, FL, and they were honestly the most unprofessional team I've dealt with. They put me on hold for over 30 minutes.

I could hear them talking in the background, and then they just hung up the phone. This happened more than once. It wasn't a dropped call. They didn't want to help.

What makes it worse is Tesla's customer service phone system automatically transfers your call based on ZIP code, so every time I call, I get sent right back to the same store that keeps hanging up on me.

I've now asked Tesla to cancel my order and refund the full $500, as this whole experience has been a nightmare. It's been slow, unprofessional, and disrespectful. And if they don't fix it, I'll file formal complaints and take it further.

I am sharing this in case anyone plans to order through Tesla, so you know what you're getting into.

What should Tesla Cybertruck customers do in this situation, like Chuong experienced?

1. Communicate Directly and Escalate (within Tesla):

Try to resolve the issue with the staff member's manager. If you had a negative interaction with a specific representative, request to speak with their supervisor.

Utilize Tesla's official communication channels.

Contact Customer Support: You can reach the Tesla Customer Support team by calling (877) 798-3752, available Monday through Saturday, 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM PT.

Email Tesla: You can also send a written notice detailing your concerns and desired resolution to [email protected].

Use the Tesla App/Account: Some issues, such as questions about Cybertruck orders, can be addressed through your Tesla account, as indicated on the Tesla support page. Look for options like "Need More Help" within the Help menu.

Escalate within Your Tesla Account: Tesla previously offered an "Escalate this concern for executive review" feature within the MyTesla account, according to InsideEVs. Check if this option is still available in your account. 

2. Document Everything:

Keep records of your communications with Tesla staff. This includes dates, times, names of staff members, and details of the interactions. If you communicate in writing (via email or online), save copies for your records.

If you speak on the phone, take careful notes. If possible, ask if you can record the conversation, suggests fairshake.com. 

3. Explore External Dispute Resolution and Consumer Protection:

File a complaint with consumer protection agencies. If you're unable to resolve the issue directly with Tesla, consider filing a complaint with your state's Attorney General, consumer protection office, or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Consider arbitration or legal action. In some situations, depending on the specifics of the issue and the laws in your jurisdiction, you may have recourse through a dispute settlement program (like the one mentioned in the California Department of Consumer Affairs disclosure) or by pursuing legal remedies such as small claims court. 

Conclusion:

For Chuong, the entire Tesla ordering experience was disappointing, leading him to question his decision to purchase a Cybertruck from Tesla. 

However, not all Tesla Cybertruck buyers are unhappy with the ordering process. Most buyers have had a good experience.

Johnny Duncan says, “I ordered two Teslas, one Model X Plaid and a Cybertruck, and both times, it was easy and flawless. I Did 100% of the order online from the Tesla website and took delivery each time within a few days.”

Have you recently ordered a Tesla Cybertruck or another Tesla model?

What was your experience? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my Tesla Cybertruck story: Tesla Owner Says, “Charging My Cybertruck Is Unfair, There’s No Line, No Pump, Or Wasted Time. Every Morning, My Truck Is Already Full While I Slept

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl