Rivian Lied to me!!! Are there others??

[Scottyftlaud]

After a long wait, I was finally given vehicle delivery information, a vin number, etc, for a R1T delivery in mid September. I obtained financing, insurance, and came that close to selling my present pick up. So with delivery scheduled within days, I received a phone call (and email) from my "guide" saying the delivery vehicle had been involved in an "accident" and the Rivian truck, my ordered vehicle, damaged beyond repair. Talk about a shock! I was that close to receiving my new truck. I was promised an expedited replacement off the line. So while surprised, and annoyed, one has to accept that "things happen" and the wait continues. So fast forward to the present. Many texts, even phone calls, and there has been no replacement R1T. Even a call yesterday to my 3rd guide assigned, and they can not find information, only a vague delivery time period, now December. So wondering what was going on, and without a real answer, I did a Car Fax request based on the vin number of my original promised vehicle from September. Imagine my surprise to find that the R1T promised to me, has been purchased, and titled in Florida, in October. WHAT???? They sold my supposedly destroyed vehicle??? I was lied to!! Shady!!! I have contacted Rivian (as best I can through their customer service) for answers. I'm disgusted, and wondering how many others have had transactions cancelled similar to my experience. I can only assume, unfortunately, Rivian sold the truck for more of a profit. My pre order goes back several years, and prices have gone up for newer pre orders. I looked at the Ford, and while its a very nice truck, the range is very low.

Update. 11/16 Rivian lead has been in touch and told me the yes, the vehicle that was assigned to me, and supposedly damaged, has in fact been repaired, and sold to another individual. So with that, she was very apologetic and said somehow I had been lost in the system and should have had a replacement vehicle long ago. And once again, they are going to expedite a replacement vehicle, and even gave me a new Vin number of a truck coming off assembly, and assigned to me. We will see.

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[evhelphub]

I don't know. Is it possible that it could have been "sold" and registered as a fleet vehicle, a test vehicle, a private company tear down/benchmark vehicle, a loaner, etc.?

If they were going to do what you are suggesting, why would they waste the time to assign you a VIN? Wouldn't they just sell it to the other buyer in the first place?

Personally, I think Rivian wants to fulfill of as many pre March orders as possible, so that they can show significant margin growth in 2023, which should help the stock stay afloat during more challenging economic times.

I don't think they are purposely selling vehicles to the higher margin right now at least not as the main priority. I know they have sold some (those who live close to a delivery center or in Illinois) but I think the majority of the orders going out are pre March right now.

 

[COdogman]

I’m sorry that happened to you. Is it possible the truck was purchased and titled as Salvage in FL? Rivian probably isn’t going to keep it and fix it themselves…it’s more cost effective to them to sell it cheap and move on.

 

[obfuscurity]

Alternatively, never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence. It's entirely possible that a mistake was been made and the left hand doesn't know what the right hand was doing.

(although I think the salvage sale is the far more likely explanation)

 

[Count Orlok]

when did you place your preorder?

it would not surprise me that one part of Rivian had no idea what another part was doing and that yes indeed "you're" vehicle was sold to someone else. This company has almost no clue what it is doing when it comes to consumer relations.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

After a long wait, I was finally given vehicle delivery information, a vin number, etc, for a R1T delivery in mid September. I obtained financing, insurance, and came that close to selling my present pick up. So with delivery scheduled within days, I received a phone call (and email) from my "guide" saying the delivery vehicle had been involved in an "accident" and the Rivian truck, my ordered vehicle, damaged beyond repair. Talk about a shock! I was that close to receiving my new truck. I was promised an expedited replacement off the line. So while surprised, and annoyed, one has to accept that "things happen" and the wait continues. So fast forward to the present. Many texts, even phone calls, and there has been no replacement R1T. Even a call yesterday to my 3rd guide assigned, and they can not find information, only a vague delivery time period, now December. So wondering what was going on, and without a real answer, I did a Car Fax request based on the vin number of my original promised vehicle from September. Imagine my surprise to find that the R1T promised to me, has been purchased, and titled in Florida, in October. WHAT???? They sold my supposedly destroyed vehicle??? I was lied to!! Shady!!! I have contacted Rivian (as best I can through their customer service) for answers. I'm disgusted, and wondering how many others have had transactions cancelled similar to my experience. I can only assume, unfortunately, Rivian sold the truck for more of a profit. My pre order goes back several years, and prices have gone up for newer pre orders. So to the legal experts out there, are there any avenues I can pursue?? Ford may get my business. This is a very shady business practice.

IIRC Florida is one of the many states where salvaged vehicles get their titled washed, Im sorry. Let me rephrase.

One of the states that allows a totaled vehicle to be restored and obtain a new clear title.

This may not be the case..or it may.

 

[Count Orlok]

Florida is one of the many states where salvaged vehicles get their titled washed, Im sorry. Let me rephrase.

One of the states that allows a totaled vehicle to be restored and obtain a new title.

This may not be the case..or it may.

the OP should reveal the VIN to help folks avoid this vehicle on the secondary market...

 

[Scottyftlaud]

I don't know. Is it possible that it could have been "sold" and registered as a fleet vehicle, a test vehicle, a private company tear down/benchmark vehicle, a loaner, etc.?

If they were going to do what you are suggesting, why would they waste the time to assign you a VIN? Wouldn't they just sell it to the other buyer in the first place?

Personally, I think Rivian wants to fulfill of as many pre March orders as possible, so that they can show significant margin growth in 2023, which should help the stock stay afloat during more challenging economic times.

I don't think they are purposely selling vehicles to the higher margin right now at least not as the main priority. I know they have sold some (those who live close to a delivery center or in Illinois) but I think the majority of the orders going out are pre March right now.

I am waiting to hear from Rivian. I'm just mad posting at the moment.

 

[COdogman]

IIRC Florida is one of the many states where salvaged vehicles get their titled washed, Im sorry. Let me rephrase.

One of the states that allows a totaled vehicle to be restored and obtain a new clear title.

This may not be the case..or it may.

 

[Riviot]

the OP should reveal the VIN to help folks avoid this vehicle on the secondary market...

Post or PM me the VIN and I'll check the auction houses ?

 

[jarross]

Alternatively, never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence.

I haven't heard Hanlons razor quoted so appropriately in a long while. Made me smile, thank you!

 

[johstacy]

After a long wait, I was finally given vehicle delivery information, a vin number, etc, for a R1T delivery in mid September. I obtained financing, insurance, and came that close to selling my present pick up. So with delivery scheduled within days, I received a phone call (and email) from my "guide" saying the delivery vehicle had been involved in an "accident" and the Rivian truck, my ordered vehicle, damaged beyond repair. Talk about a shock! I was that close to receiving my new truck. I was promised an expedited replacement off the line. So while surprised, and annoyed, one has to accept that "things happen" and the wait continues. So fast forward to the present. Many texts, even phone calls, and there has been no replacement R1T. Even a call yesterday to my 3rd guide assigned, and they can not find information, only a vague delivery time period, now December. So wondering what was going on, and without a real answer, I did a Car Fax request based on the vin number of my original promised vehicle from September. Imagine my surprise to find that the R1T promised to me, has been purchased, and titled in Florida, in October. WHAT???? They sold my supposedly destroyed vehicle??? I was lied to!! Shady!!! I have contacted Rivian (as best I can through their customer service) for answers. I'm disgusted, and wondering how many others have had transactions cancelled similar to my experience. I can only assume, unfortunately, Rivian sold the truck for more of a profit. My pre order goes back several years, and prices have gone up for newer pre orders. So to the legal experts out there, are there any avenues I can pursue?? Ford may get my business. This is a very shady business practice.

Does the title show the vehicle as totaled? Was the vehicle sold via auction? You can find totaled Rivian's on auction sites up for sale right now

 

[goldburger]

wouldn't the carfax he got say the truck was titled as salvage? it does seem like they "accidentally" gave him a vin and tried to back out of it. super weird... keep us updated how they respond!

 

[Madsen203]

I would think if insurance company “bought it” it wouldn’t be titled as salvaged until it was repaired and put back on the road. So it could very well be purchased with clean title by the parent insurance company.

 

[jjswan33]

I would think if insurance company “bought it” it wouldn’t be titled as salvaged until it was repaired and put back on the road. So it could very well be purchased with clean title by the parent insurance company.

If so I doubt that the insurance company would have titled it in Florida in this case.

I know we all have a affinity for defending Rivian but the most likely explanation is that Rivian screwed up, unfortunate that they didn't own their mistake and make it right.

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