R1T repurchase and replacement - what to expect?

[godfodder0901]

WA isn't the only state with a lemon law. If the purchase was in IL then you would fall under Illinois's lemon law.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2341&ChapterID=67

That's true, good catch. For some reason I had it in my head that the IL Lemon Law only protected IL residents, but I don't see that exception. It does, however, limit the claim period to 12 months (or 12,000 miles) leaving OP out in the cold anyway.

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[Riviot]

WA isn't the only state with a lemon law. If the purchase was in IL then you would fall under Illinois's lemon law.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2341&ChapterID=67

You're lucky they're even considering it @MailmanOdd , you're outside the statutory period.

"Statutory warranty period" means the period of one year or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first after the date of the delivery of a new vehicle to the consumer who purchased or leased it.

 

[Riviot]

That's true, good catch. For some reason I had it in my head that the IL Lemon Law only protected IL residents, but I don't see that exception. It does, however, limit the claim period to 12 months (or 12,000 miles) leaving OP out in the cold anyway.

 

[sub]

I feel that I should be made whole (vehicle replaced, equivalent loan terms or financial compensation). Is this unreasonable?

To me it sounds like you are more than being "made whole', even with the higher interest rate.

Between your Rivian and the loners how many miles did you drive? About 15,000 would be pretty typical for 14 months so I'm going to assume that number for now. They are going to replace it with a brand new vehicle, so you got that year/15,000 miles for free.

How much is 14 months and 15,000 miles behind the wheel of a Rivian worth? There are various ways to calculate that, but I doubt any would come up with a number that is less than what you are going to spend on a slightly higher interest rate.

 

[MailmanOdd]

To me it sounds like you are more than being "made whole', even with the higher interest rate.

Between your Rivian and the loners how many miles did you drive? About 15,000 would be pretty typical for 14 months so I'm going to assume that number for now. They are going to replace it with a brand new vehicle, so you got that year/15,000 miles for free.

How much is 14 months and 15,000 miles behind the wheel of a Rivian worth? There are various ways to calculate that, but I doubt any would come up with a number that is less than what you are going to spend on a slightly higher interest rate.

I’m actually not sure if they are just replacing it. The support person mentioned the vehicle being a “trade in” so not sure if it’s valued as a used vehicle.

Again, I posted this here because I had questions not answers

 

[sub]

That's true, good catch. For some reason I had it in my head that the IL Lemon Law only protected IL residents, but I don't see that exception. It does, however, limit the claim period to 12 months (or 12,000 miles) leaving OP out in the cold anyway.

No, the IL law requires that the defects occur within then 12mo/12,000 miles but does not require that the claim be made within that period.

You have 18 months to file your claim under the IL law.

(815 ILCS 380/6) (from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 1206)
Sec. 6. Any action brought under this Act shall be commenced within eighteen months following the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle to the consumer.
(Source: P.A. 83-768.)

 

[sub]

I’m actually not sure if they are just replacing it. The support person mentioned the vehicle being a “trade in” so not sure if it’s valued as a used vehicle.

Again, I posted this here because I had questions not answers

Under the IL law, they can deduct the value of driving the vehicle for a year from the refund.

the manufacturer shall either provide the consumer with a new vehicle of like model line, if available, or otherwise a comparable motor vehicle as a replacement, or accept the return of the vehicle from the consumer and refund to the consumer the full purchase price or lease cost of the new vehicle, including all collateral charges, less a reasonable allowance for consumer use of the vehicle.

So they would not have to give it a full MSRP value if they don't want to. If they do offer you an even swap, I would very much view this as a win even with higher interest rates.

 

[godfodder0901]

No, the IL law requires that the defects occur within then 12mo/12,000 miles but does not require that the claim be made within that period.

You have 18 months to file your claim under the IL law.

Huh. The IL AG is putting out some bum dope:

Preserving Your Claim Lemon Law claims cannot be initiated directly through the dealer. Many consumers have lost their Lemon Law remedy because they waited longer than 12 months from the purchase date, the time period in which Lemon Law complaints must be filed, all the while believing they were proceeding under the Lemon Law through their dealer.

 

[MailmanOdd]

Under the IL law, they can deduct the value of driving the vehicle for a year from the refund.



So they would not have to give it a full MSRP value if they don't want to. If they do offer you an even swap, I would very much view this as a win even with higher interest rates.

Oh yes, absolutely understand and in agreement about the mileage on the current vehicle and it being a year old. Even if they are depreciating the value for this, I definitely still view that as a win so I’m with you here.

 

[Frisbee]

Rivian’s process for dealing with defective vehicles is a disaster. I was told there is a “Committee” who is responsible for processing these problems. My first vehicle was a cash sale with trade in. It took me three months to get Rivian to even acknowledge my request to return the vehicle let alone act on it. Then to actually receive the replacement vehicle was another couple of months. Because of various other factors Rivian was supposed to refund me around $900. Having not received the refund check a month after receiving the new vehicle I reached out to Rivian. The refund was never submitted for payment. Another month went by before I received the check. All I can say is be the”squeaky wheel” and don’t be afraid to be forceful. By the way, don’t take it out on the Rivian Guides. They have no control over any of this. They just pass the information along.

 

[MailmanOdd]

Rivian’s process for dealing with defective vehicles is a disaster. I was told there is a “Committee” who is responsible for processing these problems. My first vehicle was a cash sale with trade in. It took me three months to get Rivian to even acknowledge my request to return the vehicle let alone act on it. Then to actually receive the replacement vehicle was another couple of months. Because of various other factors Rivian was supposed to refund me around $900. Having not received the refund check a month after receiving the new vehicle I reached out to Rivian. The refund was never submitted for payment. Another month went by before I received the check. All I can say is be the”squeaky wheel” and don’t be afraid to be forceful. By the way, don’t take it out on the Rivian Guides. They have no control over any of this. They just pass the information along.

Thanks, this is exactly the info I was looking for. +1 on not taking it out on the guide (I have not been). It took 4 weeks to get "committee" approval, and now a few weeks after that I don't have clarity on all the remaining steps. I have a call with my guide today and hope to get details.

Did you have to repurchase the vehicle? Did they eat the cost of the sales tax, registration, etc? I get maybe not getting the same value of the vehicle due to deprecation, but paying tax and registration again is a bridge too far.

 

[MailmanOdd]

They matched me a VIN today and told me 3-5 weeks for it to arrive. Looks like the price is going to basically be a wash, so I'll just end up getting a loan for the new amount. I may see if they can include the tint/ceramic coat refund in the vehicle price so I can get a lower loan.

 

[WhisperPickle]

It sounds like Rivian has gone above and beyond in buying back the vehicle/satisfying the loan plus compensating you for tint/ceramic/whatever.
It’s unreasonable for you to expect them to provide a loan with the same terms, do whatever with the tonneau cover, provide you a new version of the same vehicle (especially when you had use of your vehicle and aren’t returning it to them new).

They are taking shockingly good care of you - I’d be happy with what you are getting.

 

[MailmanOdd]

In a cruel twist of fate, I was supposed to take delivery of the replacement today. Apparently, it was backed into something at the service center and damaged yesterday.

 

[R1Serenity]

not sure if this helps now but my replacement Vehicle Took 4+ months once they confirmed they would repurchase. Everybody's situation is different, I actually only ever drove my original car something like 12 miles and glad they took care of me. I was given a loaner to use for several months while a new car was being built. My new R1S, I have had it for 5 months and haven't put in a single service ticket to date...*knock on wood*.

Small Refund check came 3-4 weeks after new vehicle picked up. The repurchase price (treated as a trade in) was basically everything I paid for the car in the first place and the new config was a little cheaper without the underbody shield.

Nothing but absolute gratitude to Rivian for making it right for me but the process is slow and largely unknown. There is a committee that reviews every buyback/replacement request. These people work in the background and you just don't know what's going to happen. The guides didn't really know much and given I had a loaner to use, I didn't really push them to get me into a new vehicle ASAP, either.

Sorry the new one has some cosmetic damage - hopefully you have a loaner to keep using in the interim. Amazing vehicle and customer service, they are doing it the right way, especially for the ones who have been supporting the company from the beginning.

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