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They cant deliver to North Carolina because of dealership laws?

3085 Views 53 Replies 25 Participants Last post by RwunderTruck, 7 h ago

Bntexan

Discussion Starter · 29 d ago

I just got my April Delivery Window Estimate and it basically says they cant deliver to NC because "Current state-level dealer protection laws prohibit us from opening a Rivian Service Center in your state"
I see Rivians here in Charlotte, so how does this work? Tesla doesnt have a problem selling and delivering here.
Any ideas? This seems rediculous...

We’re writing to provide context on how regulatory restrictions in your state are impacting your Rivian delivery and why we are unable to provide you with a delivery window estimate at this time.

Current state-level dealer protection laws prohibit us from opening a Rivian Service Center in your state. Without an accessible Rivian Service Center, we are unable to provide you with the ownership experience you deserve and that we demand.

We are working with officials at various levels of your state government on changing these restrictions, but at this time we cannot provide timing on when we will be able to provide service operations near you.

How can I help?
If you would like to see these restrictions lifted, write to [email protected] sharing your name, address and a sentence explaining your support for allowing direct service in your state. Our public policy team compiles these emails and shares them with relevant lawmakers.

We’ll be sure to provide updates on our progress. Thank you for your support.

Tony Caravano
Head of Rivian Customer Engagement 

1 - 20 of 54 Posts

RIVIANNC

· #2 · 29 d ago

I got the same "Sorry-NOT-Sorry" email today.
I vented plenty about this on this forum already, but it is infuriating that up until last April (and through the "purchase agreement" stage), there were no issues w/ selling/delivering my R1S. Not until Oct. '22 (when we got put into "Processing Estimate Limbo") did our location become an issue.

So many problems w/ Rivian's approach ..

There are plenty of Rivians driving around Charlotte. How were they sold? delivered? serviced?
What happens if you move into a State or Region where there is no Rivian Sales/Service center? e.g. move from NY to NC?
What happens if someone in NC buys a used Rivian R1T or R1S ? .. "no service for you"???
In addition to Tesla (which may have gotten special treatment in our state), I was able to buy and receive a Lucid (w/ service centers farther away than the Rivian ones) and fully expect to have a Fisker Ocean One delivered this September (again, w/ no sales or service centers in my state).
Do I/we wait until a legislative session opts to cater to Rivian's requests .. and then wait another 2+ yrs for Rivian to build out a Sales/Service center? ... ridiculous!

no words to describe the disappointment at this point .. 2+ yrs and waiting .. at this pace, I'm likely to see my Hummer EV SUV before my R1S 🥴

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Reactions: 2

N8213

· #3 · 29 d ago

I got the same in South Carolina. Ultimately comes down to the fact that they can't have a service center here, and their mobile units are only going to feasibly cover a certain distance from the service center.

You can always put a different address in closer to a service center to take delivery, but you run the risk that if there are problems it would be on you to get the Rivian all the way to a service center.

Personally I'm going to chat with one of our state legislators - he happens to go to my church.

This is about political contributions. The existing dealership lobbyists in SC give political contributions to nearly every official to make sure these laws don't change. We need an electric car lobbyist to do the same thing from our side.

Interestingly - we are not talking about that much money here for bribes , I mean political contributions. The SC Dealer lobby only takes in $4 per car sold, across 270 dealerships.

So if each dealer sells 100 cars a month, probably a reasonable average, that's only $1.3M a year.

I'd happily pay another $1000 on my Rivian - just need another 1299 or so folks each year to make that happen.

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Reactions: 4

RITVT

· #4 · 29 d ago

Are you complaining about Rivian or the dealer laws in your state which must be altered to support their business model? If you are a "ramping business" like Rivian with pre-orders, you seek the path of least resistance for initial launch of course, and you work legislative channels in parallel to expand your reach and addressable market. Didn't Rivian go so far as to try negotiating terms for the new plant to be located in NC (which Georgie subsequently snared)? I think those attempts were met with hostility, most likely due to an embedded dealer lobby that likely fought tooth and nails to keep Rivian out. Makes no sense, just backwards ass old-boy policies that will hurt NC and its residents in more than one way one, and over the long term. This isn't isolated to the EV sector. PayPal pulled out of NC over shared bathroom use, lost 400 jobs and a 3.6MM facility in Charlotte. I'm not sure the angst here is appropriately directed. Seems like various forms of selections could be viewed as discriminatory, either against an electrification movement, or other. I think this will all change over time, but understand it does not solve anything on a personal level when wanting to buy a Rivian. Wouldn't hurt to pen letters to the statehouse.

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Reactions: 5

milescrowe1966

· #5 · 29 d ago

My understanding from the folks at the service center in Atlanta is that they are (or at least, were) doing deliveries to South and North Carolina. But they told me that when I did my test drive probably a year ago.

Reactions: 1

N8213

· #6 · 29 d ago

milescrowe1966 said:
My understanding from the folks at the service center in Atlanta is that they are (or at least, were) doing deliveries to South and North Carolina. But they told me that when I did my test drive probably a year ago.

they are, but only out to a certain distance.
Greenville, sc they will deliver to- only a 2-3 hour drive from Atlanta. Charleston- too far for them to effectively cover with mobile units.
I’m weighing using Greenville as my address and simply taking the risk that if there is a problem I have a heck of a tow bill.

=0=maxr1t=0=

· #7 · 29 d ago (Edited)

Get organized and lobby to change your state's regressive and protectionist laws.
Mind who you give your votes to. It matters in situations like this.
Is there a Native American reservation within range? This is how Tesla got around the laws of some states. Lobby Rivian to do the same.
There are plenty of angry/irritated people who took delivery despite being several hours away from nearest service center (before Rivian changed their policy to ensure better ownership experience). Everyday these people complain online about lack of service. If Rivian hadn't changed their policy, you would be one of them.

Reactions: 3

lefkonj

· #8 · 29 d ago

You can thank the dealer lobby for these stupid ancient rules.

Reactions: 5

j33pownr

· #9 · 29 d ago

Bntexan said:
I just got my April Delivery Window Estimate and it basically says they cant deliver to NC because "Current state-level dealer protection laws prohibit us from opening a Rivian Service Center in your state"
I see Rivians here in Charlotte, so how does this work? Tesla doesnt have a problem selling and delivering here.
Any ideas? This seems rediculous...

We’re writing to provide context on how regulatory restrictions in your state are impacting your Rivian delivery and why we are unable to provide you with a delivery window estimate at this time.

Current state-level dealer protection laws prohibit us from opening a Rivian Service Center in your state. Without an accessible Rivian Service Center, we are unable to provide you with the ownership experience you deserve and that we demand.

We are working with officials at various levels of your state government on changing these restrictions, but at this time we cannot provide timing on when we will be able to provide service operations near you.

How can I help?
If you would like to see these restrictions lifted, write to [email protected] sharing your name, address and a sentence explaining your support for allowing direct service in your state. Our public policy team compiles these emails and shares them with relevant lawmakers.

We’ll be sure to provide updates on our progress. Thank you for your support.

Tony Caravano
Head of Rivian Customer Engagement 

I took delivery in NC today. I had to wait 2 extra weeks due to scheduling but worth it to me.

MikesRivian

· #10 · 29 d ago

I got that same e-mail as Bntexan and Riviannc - I'm afraid this is absolutely another failing for Rivian, once more "Over promise & very underachievement" for me. I live in NC my order was November 2020 and I KNOW Rivian's have been delivered within a mile of my house and have seen loads of them on the road in the Raleigh/Triangle area of NC and also Charlotte where I visit regularly - so this makes zero sense to me. I have been in contact with my "Rivian Guide" since February and generally she has been responsive and was kinda implying July delivery for me. I have also been contacted to arrange a test Drive in Richmond , Virginia but only offered one or two days per month since March which I could not make. Was going to cancel this morning as I SIMPLY DON"T TRUST Rivian. Decided I'll wait but I will not give Rivian any money until I get assurances on repair & service response issues ... andRIVIAN will need to provide me with references from existing users - kinda common sense to me if you are having to pay $80K+ for a product. Not holding my breath...

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Reactions: 1

RIVIANNC

· #11 · 29 d ago

j33pownr said:
I took delivery in NC today. I had to wait 2 extra weeks due to scheduling but worth it to me.

Where in NC did you take delivery?

j33pownr

· #12 · 29 d ago

RIVIANNC said:
Where in NC did you take delivery?

Raleigh delivered from Richmond

Reactions: 1

Yossarian

· #13 · 28 d ago

North Carolina is one of nine states that both ban direct (non-dealer) sales and charge more in fees to register your EV. My home state (PA) makes it difficult to sell directly, but at least does not charge more in fees. Interestingly, a few years back, Tesla successfully lobbied to be allowed to set up service centers in PA. Since then, under intense lobbying from dealers, and I suspect Tesla as well, the Commonwealth has stated that there will be no additional exemptions.

That explains why Rivian is building the service centers for SE Pennsylvania in Trenton, NJ and Gaithersburg, MD. Folks in western PA will have to use the SC planned for Youngstown, OH. Those in the center of the state are pretty much SOL. This is of course, very shortsided and means simply that PA has moved jobs to neighboring states, more or less the Commonwealth cutting its nose (under prodding by lobbyists) to spite its face.

Reactions: 1

EVRider

· #14 · 28 d ago

MikesRivian said:
I got that same e-mail as Bntexan and Riviannc - I'm afraid this is absolutely another failing for Rivian, once more "Over promise & very underachievement" for me. I live in NC my order was November 2020 and I KNOW Rivian's have been delivered within a mile of my house and have seen loads of them on the road in the Raleigh/Triangle area of NC and also Charlotte where I visit regularly - so this makes zero sense to me. I have been in contact with my "Rivian Guide" since February and generally she has been responsive and was kinda implying July delivery for me. I have also been contacted to arrange a test Drive in Richmond , Virginia but only offered one or two days per month since March which I could not make. Was going to cancel this morning as I SIMPLY DON"T TRUST Rivian. Decided I'll wait but I will not give Rivian any money until I get assurances on repair & service response issues ... andRIVIAN will need to provide me with references from existing users - kinda common sense to me if you are having to pay $80K+ for a product. Not holding my breath...

You live in a state that doesn't want you to own a Rivian and you blame Rivian because they can't change the way your state does business? And then you want Rivian to provide you with "references" from people telling you everything is going to be alright?

Seems to me that things won't get any better if you do get a Rivian. You know you won't be able to service the vehicle easily. You've convinced yourself Rivian doesn't know how to do business and is untrustworthy. Just cancel your order now and save yourself the grief.

Reactions: 1

Khmccrocklin

· #15 · 28 d ago

I love posts from people like this. Yes it’s a Rivian problem and not it’s not a consumer problem. They are trying to sell. The consumer has plenty of options to buy…. More and more everyday. Rivian is losing on every truck they sell not the consumer. Either Rivian beats the competition to market or loses. Right now they are losing every day.

RITVT

· #16 · 28 d ago

Except for the backlog.

O. horridus

· #17 · 28 d ago

Khmccrocklin said:
I love posts from people like this. Yes it’s a Rivian problem and not it’s not a consumer problem. They are trying to sell.

From people like what? You didn't quote anyone so who are you talking about?

Regardless, no one has said it's not a problem FOR Rivian. Even Rivian has been saying that for years. Rivian disclosed this issue with 8 states in their S-1 filing in advance of the IPO in 2021, and has been involved in legislation and lawsuits trying to address this situation and get it changed. Rivian has been trying different strategies to get around these restrictions. Rivian even tried for a while last year to just go ahead and deliver and try to support those vehicles from hundreds of miles away. They stopped doing that because that didn't work - customers weren't happy about it and Rivian was spending excessive amounts trying to provide service from a distance. Anyone who has paid any attention at all should already know about this problem which affects all direct-sales EV manufacturers - in NC it's been going on for 10 years and even Tesla had to fight to get exemptions back then.

However, most people in this thread, including the original poster, are blaming the problem ON Rivian. Which is wrong - Rivian is being hurt just as much as the consumer. Rivian didn't cause the problem. It is NOT a problem of Rivian's making. These laws are hurting every manufacturer with a direct sales model. Even Tesla, although Tesla got grandfathered in many states so does not have to play by the same rules as Rivian. Even Lucid, which was mentioned above, is suing some states to get these restrictions overturned. Fisker, also mentioned above, is getting around restrictions by opening dealerships and putting a middle-man in the mix to siphon off part of the purchase price and to give you that sweet sweet dealership markup and experience.

All these things are public information and well-known - blaming Rivian and implying Rivian is lying about this is just ignorant.

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Khmccrocklin

· #18 · 28 d ago

Gosh, you sure get fired up. It quite simple. It’s a barrier to market entry. Maybe you didn’t go to business school or are a tool paid to run interference for Rivian.
This is a Rivian problem they have known about for years. They have failed to perform in many states. It’s just that simple. If Tesla can have a service center just a mile from me but Rivian can’t or didn’t figure it out? “Come on man.”

RITVT

· #19 · 27 d ago

Yeah, I guess you could just throw up your hands, wave the white flag and give up when you see a barrier to entry! Or, you could do what every other business or start-up does and start knocking down obstacles. Maybe instead of business school, you should just watch a few movies for inspiration and quit with the short selling. I would recommend Maverick Top Gun to start. Really entertaining. And quite a few barriers in the way of the objective. Free advice. No charge! LOL.

Joelster

· #20 · 27 d ago

MikesRivian said:
I got that same e-mail as Bntexan and Riviannc - I'm afraid this is absolutely another failing for Rivian, once more "Over promise & very underachievement" for me. I live in NC my order was November 2020 and I KNOW Rivian's have been delivered within a mile of my house and have seen loads of them on the road in the Raleigh/Triangle area of NC and also Charlotte where I visit regularly - so this makes zero sense to me. I have been in contact with my "Rivian Guide" since February and generally she has been responsive and was kinda implying July delivery for me. I have also been contacted to arrange a test Drive in Richmond , Virginia but only offered one or two days per month since March which I could not make. Was going to cancel this morning as I SIMPLY DON"T TRUST Rivian. Decided I'll wait but I will not give Rivian any money until I get assurances on repair & service response issues ... andRIVIAN will need to provide me with references from existing users - kinda common sense to me if you are having to pay $80K+ for a product. Not holding my breath...

Don’t blame Rivian. It has already been stated in this thread but this is an issue with the state’s dealership lobby.

Reactions: 2

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