Rivian Needs a No Re-Sale Clause Now

[nc10]

But in my case if I go through with my order of the R1S without even seeing the color, interior space, test drive, etc. and find out the vehicle is too small for my family of five then I am for sure going to try and resell it. Rivian can't tell me that I can't....

The way I read the preorder agreement, Rivian is requiring that your intent is to buy the vehicle for your own use, not to immediately resell the vehicle. I believe your example of deciding to sell after purchase is something Rivian or most anyone else would not try to stop or blacklist someone for.

(Given Rivian's plans to try to control all revenue streams, it will be interesting to see how used Rivian sales actually work a few years from now)

Admittedly, Rivian can't really know intent in many cases, I'm assuming people are being honest when they made the preorder and purchase agreement for sake of discussion.

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[nc10]

Have these ever really been enforceable?

I agree, once the sale is made, don't see how can Rivian show/prove your original intent was always to resell. Seems unlikely to be enforced in "one off" cases.

Prob not realistic, perhaps someone made 20 reservations in Feb 2019, with the intent to resell at a profit. Rivian would likely recognize 20 vehicles going to the same location and disallow 19 of the 20 orders.

 

[Chris S]

The best way to enforce a ban on resale would be for Rivian to only lease the R1T/S for a 1 year term, w/ a fair buyout price specified at lease termination.

 

[fromSf]

I didn't go thru all five pages, I'm sorry if I'm repeating what already discussed.

Why should Rivian or anyone else care if the buyer sells immediately or after 1 year. I would say majority of the folks put the initial security deposit with intent to own and may be 5-10% would have placed deposit to flip. With recent price changes flipping % may increase, regardless it's up to the buyer what they do after the purchase.

My 2 cents... Rivian should put their efforts on improving communications, quality, service, charging network etc.

Just to be clear, I'm planning to keep it and desperately need a car ASAP.

 

[Blueassassin]

I'm not a fan of scalping but if I buy the truck it should be mine to do whatever i feel like to it. Including repair it myself.

 

[Fclmd]

This is ridiculous. If anyone wants to sell their preorder priced vehicle to anyone at any price, then good for them! The same for anyone who wants to buy such a vehicle. This transaction does not harm other people.
If I buy an object on sale and then sell it on Ebay for more than I paid, then good for me!

 

[timf]

The best way to enforce a ban on resale would be for Rivian to only lease the R1T/S for a 1 year term, w/ a fair buyout price specified at lease termination.

This would be a terrible idea, since you can't claim the tax credit on a lease.

 

[Chris S]

This would be a terrible idea, since you can't claim the tax credit on a lease.

You're right, I forgot about that. If Rivian was profitable, they could take the credit and pass it on to customers via a capitalized cost reduction, but they're not going to be profitable anytime soon.

 

[ironpig]

I still can't believe so many people are actually for giving up their normal ownership rights after spending almost 100k all in on a car. It's absolutely bizarre.

I bet there will be a Rivian on Bring a Trailer within a few months and we'll see that there is no enforcement to the resale clause. As it's insane to prevent someone from selling something they own free and clear.

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