Seven and a half years is a long time to wait for a car—especially in tech years. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says he tried to cancel his next‑gen Tesla Roadster reservation and get his $50,000 deposit refunded, and he’s finding out what many reservation holders already have: it can be a grind.
Backstory: Tesla unveiled the “new” Roadster in 2017, collecting $50,000 deposits (and $250,000 for the Founders Series). Elon Musk said production would start in 2020. It didn’t. Each year since, Musk has said “next year”—and here we are. Meanwhile, some reservation holders report a tough path to refunds. Tech reviewer Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) recently shared his own challenges getting money back.
Altman, a self‑described supercar fan who reserved in 2018, posted on X: “I really was excited for the car! And I understand delays. But 7.5 years has felt like a long time to wait.” His post racked up more than 5 million views.
Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO and high‑profile EV buyer. Says he tried to cancel his Roadster reservation and get a $50,000 refund, Highlights years‑long delays and refund headaches some customers report, Unbuilt since its 2017 reveal; production repeatedly pushed. Musk says an updated Roadster demo is coming “before year‑end” (he’s said similar before).
| Year | What Tesla said | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Roadster revealed; 50k/50k/250k deposits taken | Reservations open |
| 2018–2019 | Development continues | Reservation holders wait |
| 2020 | Production target | Missed |
| 2021–2024 | “Next year” updates | More delays |
| 2025 | Musk teases demo “before year‑end” | Demo not yet held at time of writing |
We’ve all waited on a preorder that kept slipping. Seven-plus years is a whole chapter of life—new job, new city, maybe a new kid. $50,000 (or $250,000 for Founders) is not a token “place in line.” That’s meaningful capital sitting in limbo for years. The car promised outrageous performance and a moonshot for Tesla superfans. Expectations were sky‑high.
Multiple reservation holders have told that getting deposits returned can be slow and manual, requiring back‑and‑forth with support. Some eventually received refunds, others said communication lagged. Tesla’s policies and timelines aren’t publicly detailed in depth. He says he tried to cancel and get refunded; his post suggests he’s now navigating the process.
Musk has again teased a public demonstration of an updated Roadster “before the end of the year.” Tesla watchers have heard this refrain before, so consider it a “wait and see.” If a demo happens—and shows production‑ready hardware—that could reset expectations. If not, pressure from high‑profile customers will only grow.
After years of shifting timelines, buyers want concrete milestones, not just teases. In seven years, the EV landscape exploded—Plaid, Taycan, e‑Tron GT, Rimac, and more. Some early Roadster fans moved on. It’s not just about specs. People feel attached to the idea of the car they reserved—and let down when the dream keeps drifting.
If you’re a Roadster reservation holder
- Check your paperwork: Find your original reservation agreement and any updates from Tesla.
- Use official channels: Contact Tesla support through your account portal; log all communications.
- Be patient but persistent: Others report success after escalations—document dates and names.
- Consider alternatives: With today’s EVs, you might already find the performance you wanted (and then some).
Altman’s viral post puts a spotlight back on Tesla’s most long‑delayed product. It also underscores a broader lesson for the EV era: moonshots are inspiring, but delivery (and good customer service) is what keeps loyalty. If Tesla pulls off a credible Roadster demo soon, it could change the narrative. If not, more big‑name cancellations may follow.
Sam Altman’s refund saga is a reminder that hype has a shelf life. The next‑gen Tesla Roadster still has fans—and the promise to wow when it finally shows up—but seven‑plus years is testing patience, even for true believers. For now, reservation holders are watching the calendar, and Tesla’s next move will speak louder than any teaser.
Source- Yahoo Finance
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