Trade-In Value Changed – Hoping Rivian Will Make This Right

[ljubitel]

For a while now, I was toying with the idea of replacing my 2023 R1T Quad with an R1T Tri. We’ve put a lot of miles and memories on our R1T, and we still love the truck. That’s what makes this trade-in experience sting a bit.

Here’s what happened:

• July 8: Got a trade-in estimate of $56,080, valid until Aug 8.
• On Aug 8, an LA Silver R1T finally showed up in the R1 Shop. I scheduled a call with a sales rep, but they never called.
• I called (833) RIVIAN 0 number, and while on hold, I noticed my trade-in offer had disappeared. I requested another one, and it came out $3,720 short. Mind you, my first offer should still have been valid.
• Aug 8: When I finally got a hold of a Rivian rep, they confirmed over the phone that if I placed a deposit that day, the original trade-in offer would be honored. We did exactly that.
• A week later: We were told the higher number only applied if delivery was completed by Aug 8 — a condition never mentioned, and honestly not possible.

Now we’re left with a lower value or a refund of our deposit. It leaves a bad taste in our mouths, especially after being told otherwise.

We love the truck, and we want to stay with Rivian — but this kind of handling makes it hard to trust. Has anyone else run into this? Did Rivian step up for you after escalation?

Posting this here because I know @Rivian team members read the forums, and I’m hoping they’ll take a closer look at how situations like this are handled.

(Adding a couple of adventure shots of our R1T — because this is why we still want to keep the journey going.)

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[nyckkr]

Happened to us too, trade-in value quoted got reduced by $7k for a R1S 2023 Quad Large (22K miles) incidentally also on Aug 8. Making us ponder - if trade in values are falling that much……

 

[NeedSumCoffee]

Trade in value is only good until the day it’s actually traded in. Even then, there’s always a disclaimer that it’s only an estimate and subject to change.

 

[Great Gatsby]

I can't believe they'd be willing to lose a sale over $3,720. I hope you are able to get this resolved.

 

[nyckkr]

Trade in value is only good until the day it’s actually traded in. Even then, there’s always a disclaimer that it’s only an estimate and subject to change.

Trade-in value is locked in for the period quoted and miles variance quoted. Rivian has no disclaimer in their quotes. Also, typically trade-in value is locked in when the order is placed (the quote is silent on this), else the system breaks down as the trade-in quote cannot be relied on.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Trade-in is good until you fill out the sales contract, not necessarily delivery. Rivian doesn't provide the contract immediately or open your account immediately when you pick up a shop truck. I think there is enough blame to go around to all parties in this situation. I can understand why Rivian's trade-in value is good for the date stated until the contract is signed. I also appreciate your point of view, as you are making the purchase on the 8th with a shop truck.

I'm not sure what the answer is, but if you had found a truck sooner rather than waiting until the last minute, you wouldn't be in this mess. You also wouldn't be in this mess if Rivian had communicated more clearly what the last day of validity for the quote means. If I were Rivian, I would probably give you some compensation, maybe not the whole difference in trade value, but something. Perhaps some gear shop stuff or a free upgrade. Whether or not that would be enough for you isn't something I could answer, but I'd probably be happy with it as the situation would partially be my fault if I were in your shoes.

 

[ljubitel]

Trade in value is only good until the day it’s actually traded in. Even then, there’s always a disclaimer that it’s only an estimate and subject to change.

This is not clearly stated in the trade-in offer:

Place an order and apply your trade-in estimate to your financing or lease offer during purchase. Use this email address when placing a Rivian order — we’ve got your estimate saved in our system.

The only chance one can use such offer is if there is a truck one wants locally, otherwise there is a little chance to get it before the offer expires. What good is such an offer if one can't count on it and it has such volatility?
I would definitely prefer if I was able to get it the same day, instead now I don't use my truck because it might exceed the limit in the offer and then there is always the risk for the new one not to come on time and loose even more value. How is this ok?

 

[emoore]

This is not clearly stated in the trade-in offer:

The only chance one can use such offer is if there is a truck one wants locally, otherwise there is a little chance to get it before the offer expires. What good is such an offer if one can't count on it and it has such volatility?
I would definitely prefer if I was able to get it the same day, instead now I don't use my truck because it might exceed the limit in the offer and then there is always the risk for the new one not to come on time and loose even more value. How is this ok?

Maybe I don’t know the current process but why not wait until you find a truck you want and then initiate the trade in process?

 

[ljubitel]

Maybe I don’t know the current process but why not wait until you find a truck you want and then initiate the trade in process?

I got a quote to see how it will match my budget. I also initially started by looking into a lease, but it turned out the price comes exactly the same as purchasing, even after the 14k incentive. LA Silver is not an abundant color in the R1 shop and as it happened it popped up on the last day of my trade-in offer.

 

[emoore]

I got a quote to see how it will match my budget. I also initially started by looking into a lease, but it turned out the price comes exactly the same as purchasing, even after the 14k incentive. LA Silver is not an abundant color in the R1 shop and as it happened it popped up on the last day of my trade-in offer.

Understand that it would be good for a quote but not surprised the value changed after a month.

 

[Zorg]

Rivian low balls trade ins

 

[NeedSumCoffee]

This is not clearly stated in the trade-in offer:

I mean… it is a “trade in estimate”. Clearly it means it is an estimate of how much you’ll get for trading in your vehicle. It is pretty much a given that you need to trade in your trade in before the estimate expires. If you still own it the day the offer expires, you clearly didn’t trade it in. Not sure that the obvious needs to expressly be stated.

 

[ljubitel]

I mean… it is a “trade in estimate”. Clearly it means it is an estimate of how much you’ll get for trading in your vehicle. It is pretty much a given that you need to trade in your trade in before the estimate expires. If you still own it the day the offer expires, you clearly didn’t trade it in. Not sure that the obvious needs to expressly be stated.

It would make sense if the price change is reasonable. But loosing 10% in a month in my case and 20% in nyckkr's case seems ridiculous. Don't forget I didn't choose to wait for weeks for delivery either. I know the delivery will take longer but so does Rivian. It only makes sense in exchange for me patiently waiting for the delivery, Rivian to offer some stability. Of course reasonable depreciation for the trade-in is to be expected, but the key word here is reasonable.

 

[shrink]

Sorry you're dealing with this. By contrast, I actually got my trade in value INCREASED. I told my sales rep I marked "good" condition on the estimate but I thought my R1T that was traded in was in "excellent" condition since it had a full PPF wrap and ceramic and that the underlying paint was like new.

This is all I see on my trade in estimate email:

"*This estimate is valid for 30 days or 1,000 miles, and as long as your car stays in the stated condition. It is based on the information you have provided being true and accurate. Offer is subject to adjustment after photos are reviewed."

Reach out to your sales rep to discuss. If you don't have one, I can put you in touch with mine. He was great.

 

[windblowlc]

I mean… it is a “trade in estimate”. Clearly it means it is an estimate of how much you’ll get for trading in your vehicle. It is pretty much a given that you need to trade in your trade in before the estimate expires. If you still own it the day the offer expires, you clearly didn’t trade it in. Not sure that the obvious needs to expressly be stated.

It is an estimate because it's based on the stated condition of the vehicle. If the condition is as stated then the estimate is a true value one when you put in a purchase order. There a reason the estimate is saved in the system and applied to the purchase order. Whether it's still in your possession past the estimate window is irrelevant because the stipulation is not in the contract. Ask me how I know.

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