Photo: @kjoule11 via X, autoevolution
Tesla Cybertruck is projected to become one the most popular new vehicles launched in generations. If people trying to sell their reservations on eBay are an indication, Tesla's electric pickup will be flipped like crazy on the used-car market. Still, is it a good idea to jump the queue and buy an early reservation?
New cars had become a hot commodity after the pandemic when supply chains snapped, and carmakers couldn't produce enough to quench the demand. This led to outrageous markups and people flipping their new cars for huge profits. People were so desperate to buy a car that even older vehicles sold for more than their MSRP when they were new. The situation is set to repeat itself in 2024, as the UAW strike causes more production disruptions.
Regardless of the strike's consequences, the demand for Tesla Cybertruck is projected to shatter all records. There are more than two million reservations placed for the pickup, and the production ramp will undoubtedly be slow in the first year of production. This means that even early reservation holders will have to wait a long time before they get to drive their Cybertruck. Some have lost their patience and are considering other options.
At least some of them are trying to profit from this situation. It's almost certain that many early reservation holders have entered the fray intending to flip the truck on the grey market later. Still, some people don't want to wait that long and are already selling their reservations. According to Teslarati, which broke the story, several reservation holders auctioned off their place in line on eBay, asking between $5,000 and $10,000 for their reservations.
The trend is on the rise, as there are now seven Cybertruck reservations auctioned off on eBay. Some have already received bids between $3,700 and $5,850, although others are willing to sell for $5,000 "or best offer." It's unclear whether Tesla set conditions to prevent people from making money from their reservations, but there's a good chance that buying a reservation might leave you high and dry.
Tesla could easily cancel the reservations of those auctioning off their place in the queue if it wants to. And there's a good chance it will try and stop these practices, considering Tesla's commitment to ensuring a fair reservation process for everyone. In this case, you could find yourself in the unpleasant position of paying for something you'll never get.
A better solution is to wait for Cybertruck deliveries and buy one from those selling their pickups. Sure, it will be much more expensive, but at least you get something for your money. Some voices demand even this to be stopped by mandating a minimum ownership period in the sale contract. Although this is unusual, it's not unprecedented. Ford did this with the GT supercar, whose owners were forced to wait two years before being allowed to sell it.
Not all of them obeyed the contract, but there were consequences, and Tesla could borrow a page from Ford's book with the Cybertruck. Otherwise, 2024 will see the wildest car auctions in history, with Cybertrucks selling for crazy money. We've seen it recently when a low-VIN Cybertruck fetched $400,000 at the Petersen Gala auction. This is only a primer of what will happen when the first units are delivered.
Regardless of the strike's consequences, the demand for Tesla Cybertruck is projected to shatter all records. There are more than two million reservations placed for the pickup, and the production ramp will undoubtedly be slow in the first year of production. This means that even early reservation holders will have to wait a long time before they get to drive their Cybertruck. Some have lost their patience and are considering other options.
At least some of them are trying to profit from this situation. It's almost certain that many early reservation holders have entered the fray intending to flip the truck on the grey market later. Still, some people don't want to wait that long and are already selling their reservations. According to Teslarati, which broke the story, several reservation holders auctioned off their place in line on eBay, asking between $5,000 and $10,000 for their reservations.
The trend is on the rise, as there are now seven Cybertruck reservations auctioned off on eBay. Some have already received bids between $3,700 and $5,850, although others are willing to sell for $5,000 "or best offer." It's unclear whether Tesla set conditions to prevent people from making money from their reservations, but there's a good chance that buying a reservation might leave you high and dry.
Tesla could easily cancel the reservations of those auctioning off their place in the queue if it wants to. And there's a good chance it will try and stop these practices, considering Tesla's commitment to ensuring a fair reservation process for everyone. In this case, you could find yourself in the unpleasant position of paying for something you'll never get.
A better solution is to wait for Cybertruck deliveries and buy one from those selling their pickups. Sure, it will be much more expensive, but at least you get something for your money. Some voices demand even this to be stopped by mandating a minimum ownership period in the sale contract. Although this is unusual, it's not unprecedented. Ford did this with the GT supercar, whose owners were forced to wait two years before being allowed to sell it.
Not all of them obeyed the contract, but there were consequences, and Tesla could borrow a page from Ford's book with the Cybertruck. Otherwise, 2024 will see the wildest car auctions in history, with Cybertrucks selling for crazy money. We've seen it recently when a low-VIN Cybertruck fetched $400,000 at the Petersen Gala auction. This is only a primer of what will happen when the first units are delivered.
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