Lease return difficulties

[Jiminga]

When Lucid hired BofA to handle their lease financing, it was like placing a solid diamond bracelet around the snout of a pig. They simply shouldn't be seen within a hundred yards of each other, and never should the two meet. My future with Lucid depends on how my lease turn in goes.

 

[kort6776]

My future with Lucid depends on how my lease turn in goes.

agreed, I am in that same boat.

 

[HC_79]

When Lucid hired BofA to handle their lease financing, it was like placing a solid diamond bracelet around the snout of a pig. They simply shouldn't be seen within a hundred yards of each other, and never should the two meet. My future with Lucid depends on how my lease turn in goes.

They may have not had any choice. You see how hard it appears to be for them to secure parts the same rule probably applies to financing \ leasing. They're the new kid on the block with many companies probably seeing them as too risky. They're probably also under a contract with BoA where they simply can't just walk away even if they could find someone to back them for financing \ leasing.

If they could even walk away, the best bet for them would be to convince the PIF to spawn Lucid Financial Services division under it's umbrella but the volume of cars probably isn't worth the investment to spin up a whole financial arm let alone all the potential legalities involved etc. so this is where we're at.

 

[fisheral]

Lucid needs to step in and at least agree to cover some of the more outrageous "damage" claims, especially because their own description of excess wear was basically fraudulent.

 

[HC_79]

Lucid needs to step in and at least agree to cover some of the more outrageous "damage" claims, especially because their own description of excess wear was basically fraudulent.

Yeah, that's between Lucid and BoA. All I know is Lucid is definitely aware of the situation so who knows, discussions could be happening behind closed doors already. Regardless, it does seem like they've done a deal with the devil though.

 

[JoshG]

I posted elsewhere on the forum, but for those watching this topic, I appealed the ridiculous "gouge" determination on my wheel as the only thing they could find to charge me for (picture shown again here for context).

The answer came back today from Management at Lucid Finance regarding my appeal, from "Demetrius". (NOTE that that Demetrius does NOT work for BofA nor for the lease inspection company, he's an employee of Lucid Financial). Any guesses?

DENIED - the claim stands, they say the photo backs up their appeal denial. Demetrius claims he pushed his managers hard to remove that but says his hands are tied and the decision is made and 100% final: Pay the $200 or it will be sent to collections. I pointed out that this type of "damage" is NOT spelled out as being an item in Lucid's own definition of excess wear and tear. He didn't care. Pay or a debt collector will come get it from you.

Great way to treat a 2-time Air Touring customer plus Gravity reservation holder with 24,000 referral points (referred THREE buyers, actual friends/relatives not randos buying from my signature referral code.)

Obviously it's a pretty trivial amount of money, and I'll pay it as I really don't have any choice, but it speaks to Lucid's treatment of its customers, and a stark warning to anyone leasing from Lucid Financial that you should expect hundreds to thousands of dollars of nitpicky "blemishes" they will charge you for, whether or not it was specifically outlined as areas where excess wear-and-tear can be assessed. It's a big "f-you" from Lucid to me, in my view.

Severe brand damage to them at least for me, and maybe for others that I am now telling about my turn-in experience and my treatment by Lucid Financial Services.

 

[dchesrown]

I posted elsewhere on the forum, but for those watching this topic, I appealed the ridiculous "gouge" determination on my wheel as the only thing they could find to charge me for (picture shown again here for context).
View attachment 30662

View attachment 30663
The answer came back today from Management at Lucid Finance regarding my appeal, from "Demetrius". (NOTE that that Demetrius does NOT work for BofA nor for the lease inspection company, he's an employee of Lucid Financial). Any guesses?

DENIED - the claim stands, they say the photo backs up their appeal denial. Demetrius claims he pushed his managers hard to remove that but says his hands are tied and the decision is made and 100% final: Pay the $200 or it will be sent to collections. I pointed out that this type of "damage" is NOT spelled out as being an item in Lucid's own definition of excess wear and tear. He didn't care. Pay or a debt collector will come get it from you.

Great way to treat a 2-time Air Touring customer plus Gravity reservation holder with 24,000 referral points (referred THREE buyers, actual friends/relatives not randos buying from my signature referral code.)

Obviously it's a pretty trivial amount of money, and I'll pay it as I really don't have any choice, but it speaks to Lucid's treatment of its customers, and a stark warning to anyone leasing from Lucid Financial that you should expect hundreds to thousands of dollars of nitpicky "blemishes" they will charge you for, whether or not it was specifically outlined as areas where excess wear-and-tear can be assessed. It's a big "f-you" from Lucid to me, in my view.

Severe brand damage to them at least for me, and maybe for others that I am now telling about my turn-in experience and my treatment by Lucid Financial Services.

I wish I had not leased a Lucid. I am dreading the turn in.

 

[kort6776]

Obviously it's a pretty trivial amount of money, and I'll pay it as I really don't have any choice, but it speaks to Lucid's treatment of its customers, and a stark warning to anyone leasing from Lucid Financial that you should expect hundreds to thousands of dollars of nitpicky "blemishes" they will charge you for, whether or not it was specifically outlined as areas where excess wear-and-tear can be assessed. It's a big "f-you" from Lucid to me, in my view.

Severe brand damage to them at least for me, and maybe for others that I am now telling about my turn-in experience and my treatment by Lucid Financial Services.

this ongoing problem needs wider coverage, the many complaints voiced here need to get out to the many EV sites. maybe some bad PR will get them to tone down their actions.

 

[HC_79]

this ongoing problem needs wider coverage, the many complaints voiced here need to get out to the many EV sites. maybe some bad PR will get them to tone down their actions.

With the aggressive leasing deals Lucid has been doing over the last 6 to 8 months, if they don’t get a handle on this I can see a potential PR nightmare for them. They’ve probably got 18 months to figure it out though.

I’m all for “you break it, you buy it” but these issues being reported seem very, very petty to ding people over. Retaining a customer is going to give Lucid more money in the long run than quibbling over $200. If they want to build brand awareness having one time owners flee after an unreasonable lease invoice does more harm to Lucid than the person who went to another brand who’s more fair when it comes to leasing turn ins.

Definitely going to be a “watch this space”over the coming months

 

[jbawden]

Technically speaking, I guess we are responsible for the damage to the rims and glass chips while the car is in our care. But is it reasonable to expect after 3 years and 36k miles that the car is going to be 100% free of any defect?

We have put our money where our mouth is and invested in Lucid, but to be honest my wife isn't too pleased with the UI. Getting a $1500 bill at turn in (assuming she gouges the 2 remaining rims free of defects and gets more rock chips in the glass) she will loose her mind and completely write off the brand. Maybe someone at B of A is rooting for this outcome??

 

[marsarbu]

It's fair to assume that Lucid had no idea how poorly BoA will handle this. Now that THEY KNOW about it, let's see how they will make it right.

 

[fisheral]

It's fair to assume that Lucid had no idea how poorly BoA will handle this. Now that THEY KNOW about it, let's see how they will make it right.

If they make it right.

 

[fisheral]

this ongoing problem needs wider coverage, the many complaints voiced here need to get out to the many EV sites. maybe some bad PR will get them to tone down their actions.

Do you know where to send it? I'd be willing to spearhead that.

 

[kort6776]

With the aggressive leasing deals Lucid has been doing over the last 6 to 8 months, if they don’t get a handle on this I can see a potential PR nightmare for them. They’ve probably got 18 months to figure it out though.

I’m all for “you break it, you buy it” but these issues being reported seem very, very petty to ding people over. Retaining a customer is going to give Lucid more money in the long run than quibbling over $200. If they want to build brand awareness having one time owners flee after an unreasonable lease invoice does more harm to Lucid than the person who went to another brand who’s more fair when it comes to leasing turn ins.

Definitely going to be a “watch this space”over the coming months

I have been leasing cars for more than 40 years and other than having to actually buy a couple of them because the excess miles charges were so costly I have never ever had an issue with wear and tear charges. Lucid needs to create their own financing arm and they need to get B of A to end their heavy handed ways of doing business, this can turn into a PR nightmare for lucid. not only will it affect people like me who was considering taking another lucid to replace the one that is going back to them, which I have dropped from consideration because of this issue, it can influence new customers as well. lucid is selling a premium car and they need to offer a premium experience, Tesla lost their way and I was an OG tesla guy, I owned 3 of them and because of their issues caused by their rapid growth I would never buy another car from tesla. Lucid is now dead to me.

 

[kort6776]

Do you know where to send it? I'd be willing to spearhead that.

there are many enthusiast websites where the return woes can be posted, giving lucid a black eye is the only weapon other than a class action lawsuit.

 

[kort6776]

Technically speaking, I guess we are responsible for the damage to the rims and glass chips while the car is in our care. But is it reasonable to expect after 3 years and 36k miles that the car is going to be 100% free of any defect?

We have put our money where our mouth is and invested in Lucid, but to be honest my wife isn't too pleased with the UI. Getting a $1500 bill at turn in (assuming she gouges the 2 remaining rims free of defects and gets more rock chips in the glass) she will loose her mind and completely write off the brand. Maybe someone at B of A is rooting for this outcome??

not according to the lucid return policy page on their website.

 

[marsarbu]

If they make it right.

Common sense says they will. But it won't be quick, so there will be pain for the the current ex-owners and probably for the next 12 months or so. It's part of the "early adopter" experience. Early adopter doesn't mean that the only issues you'll face are software related, or fit and finish. You will also have a poor experience with the operational side of the business as well, including the last step of returning the car.

My lease goes up in 1 yr. I got the small claim court number on speed dial

 

[JoshG]

It's fair to assume that Lucid had no idea how poorly BoA will handle this. Now that THEY KNOW about it, let's see how they will make it right.

Unfortuantely, we know the answer already. I appealed my terrible treatment and unfair charges to Lucid Financial, NOT BofA. Lucid management ("Demetrius") offered to take my appeal, and he called back in 5 days with the answer: "Management at Lucid reviewed this... Denied... photos prove the case, you now must pay or we turn this over to collections". And I've leased TWO $100k+ Lucids, have a current order for a Gravity, (actually just now cancelled as a result of this), and 24,000 referral points for 3 verified true referrals i made to friends and 2 relatives.
I'm done with them unless they address the terrible issues with BofA and their internal Lucid Financial people.
Issues with my car have been understandable, and there are some great people at Lucid, but Lucid Financial is an embarassment and they've turned me from avid supporter and repeat purchaser to detractor who now will look elsewhere for my electric SUV purchase.

 

[JoshG]

My lease goes up in 1 yr. I got the small claim court number on speed dial

Hadn't considered this, but maybe I should. It's not the $200 I'm out... it's insignificant in the actual amount. It's the principle and in getting management at Lucid to pay attention to what's happening here.

 

[marsarbu]

Unfortuantely, we know the answer already. I appealed my terrible treatment and unfair charges to Lucid Financial, NOT BofA. Lucid management ("Demetrius") offered to take my appeal, and he called back in 5 days with the answer: "Management at Lucid reviewed this... Denied... photos prove the case, you now must pay or we turn this over to collections". And I've leased TWO $100k+ Lucids, have a current order for a Gravity, (actually just now cancelled as a result of this), and 24,000 referral points for 3 verified true referrals i made to friends and 2 relatives.
I'm done with them unless they address the terrible issues with BofA and their internal Lucid Financial people.
Issues with my car have been understandable, and there are some great people at Lucid, but Lucid Financial is an embarassment and they've turned me from avid supporter and repeat purchaser to detractor who now will look elsewhere for my electric SUV purchase.

I hear you. Unfortunately these things don't get traction until it becomes a problem, that is, until it's painful or loud enough that an Executive starts paying attention. It needs to get escalated and, eventually, someone will do something about it. But it's a long way to the top.

An easy way to expedite this is to bring the media attention to this thread. There are lots of hungry journalists waiting for some red meat like this.

Obviously, I do not recommend nor condone such a thing. But it is an option for those who are pissed off enough.