Sam Altman Demands Refund for $50,000 Tesla Roadster Deposit
▼ Summary
– Elon Musk announced the Tesla Roadster 2.0 in 2017 with ambitious features like cold gas thrusters and 620 miles of range, but it has not materialized.
– Many customers who placed hefty deposits for the Roadster have grown tired of waiting and are seeking refunds.
– Sam Altman, who placed a $45,000 deposit in 2018, found that the email address for preorder inquiries had been deleted when he requested a refund.
– Other customers, like streamer Marques Brownlee, have had to resort to calling Tesla directly to recover their deposits after facing difficulties.
– Online forums and communities have formed where people share strategies for getting Tesla to return their Roadster deposit money.
It appears that even prominent tech leaders are encountering difficulties when attempting to reclaim deposits for Tesla’s long-promised Roadster 2.0. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, recently revealed on social media that he is seeking a refund for the $45,000 he paid back in 2018 to reserve the vehicle. His experience highlights a growing frustration among early reservation holders who feel the futuristic electric car may never materialize.
When the next-generation Roadster was first announced years ago, it captured imaginations with its ambitious specifications. Tesla touted features like a groundbreaking 620-mile driving range, Formula 1-rivaling acceleration, and even a system incorporating cold gas thrusters. For many, these bold claims justified placing a substantial deposit to secure an early build slot.
However, as the years have passed without a production model appearing, patience has worn thin for numerous customers. The situation has created a community of disappointed reservation holders sharing advice on how to navigate the refund process. Altman’s own attempt hit a snag when he discovered the dedicated pre-order email address was no longer active.
He is not alone in this predicament. Popular tech reviewer Marques Brownlee previously documented his own lengthy effort to recover a similar deposit, which ultimately required making direct phone contact with the company. Online forums are filled with comparable stories from individuals who placed their faith, and their funds, in a vehicle that remains unavailable for purchase.
This scenario underscores the challenges consumers can face when dealing with pre-orders for highly anticipated but delayed products. While Tesla has a history of eventually delivering on its automotive promises, the extended timeline for the Roadster has tested the loyalty of its supporter base. For now, many are left wondering if their investment was more of an interest-free loan than a guarantee of receiving a revolutionary new car.
(Source: Ars Technica)