Delivery Cancelled by Rivian

[sbonder]

Ordered 2026 R1S and 5 minutes before arriving at the delivery I got a call cancelling it. They say they noticed a problem with the vehicle and want it fixed before giving it to me. They were perfectly nice and gave me a loaner since I’d driven an hour. While I’m not happy and slightly concerned, I am now getting a hard press from the sales person to switch vehicles because the repair may take some time. They are trying to push me to a color and interior I don’t want and offering a $3k discount. But, it is THE SAME discount that they are offering on that vehicle as a promotion to everybody. And, because the white interior they are trying to push me toward is more expensive, the end result is that the vehicle with discount costs exactly the same as my original order.
At a traditional car dealer I’d insist on a real discount or just walk and go elsewhere. What, if any, actual discount could I negotiate for this with Rivian? Any experience? I expected my car this past Friday and now it might be weeks before I have one. I’m guessing they will want the loaner back before then, but not sure.
Just looking for some experience/data points.

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[Dark-Fx]

They are trying to push you into a sale before the end of the quarter, which means tomorrow is the last day. I'd want to get it in writing that they'll still include whatever discounts you're getting on the car you want once the quarter ends.

 

[VSG]

If you want to keep your original configuration, just keep it. They are offering you an alternative configuration which costs the same and which they can get to you immediately, vs some indefinite wait to address the issue in your vehicle. Meanwhile you have a loaner. And they're not going to claw that back from you. Not what you hoped for, but would you rather they had just delivered the car with known problems?

If you want a further discount, the only way to get one is to ask. Tell them yes you want the alternative configuration IF they can knock x off the price. What is it worth to you? But I think after the end of the month they will have much less flexibility. Purchases aren't really subject to negotiation, but in a case like this they do have some room for concessions when there's a problem.

 

[NY_Rob]

Stuff happens, it can be as simple as someone scratched it while transporting it or it could be something more serious and they're waiting for parts?

As mentioned by @VSG, you don't have much leverage because it's not like they filed the Title with your state DMV yet. If you don't want your original vehicle, it just gets repaired and goes back in to stock. It's not like a dealer has to pay the manufacturer to floor plan it on their lot.

You probably won't get a price adjustment on your original vehicle, you might be able to get some free accessories out of it or better wheels/premium paint on a replacement vehicle?

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