SAN JOSE, Calif. – A small business owner in Northern California is facing a significant loss after Tesla abruptly canceled a substantial order of mini pies. Voahangy Rasetarinera, the owner of Giving Pies in San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood, prides herself on handcrafting each pie in small batches, with the bakery catering to major corporations like Apple, Google, and Intuit.
On Valentine’s Day, Rasetarinera received a last-minute order from Tesla for 2,000 pies, with half to be delivered on Tuesday and the other half on Thursday. Despite agreeing to the order, the bakery encountered delays in payment from Tesla, leading to frustration and financial strain for Rasetarinera.
After numerous attempts to follow up on the payment, Rasetarinera finally received a call from Tesla at 9 p.m. on Thursday. The company expressed regret for the delayed payment and asked to double the order to 4,000 pies, putting pressure on the bakery to meet the increased demand on short notice.
Despite the bakery’s willingness to accommodate the expanded order, continuous delays in payment from Tesla resulted in further complications for Rasetarinera. After reaching out multiple times without success, Tesla eventually informed her via text that they no longer required the order, leaving the small business owner in a difficult position.
Having already invested in resources for the order, including ingredients, boxes, and stickers, Rasetarinera faced financial strain and disappointment. However, after sharing her experience on social media, Tesla reached out to attempt to rectify the situation by offering two events on March 6 and 7. While Rasetarinera is hopeful for a resolution, she remains cautious as she awaits confirmation from the company.
Despite attempts to contact Tesla for comment, no response has been received as of Thursday night. The incident highlights the challenges faced by small businesses dealing with larger corporations and the importance of timely and transparent communication in business transactions.