Tech
Elon Musk Resolves Outstanding Bill For California Bakery Amid Tesla Order Dispute
(CTN News) – A California bakery, which found itself in the midst of a financial quandary after Tesla abruptly canceled an order amounting to thousands of dollars, has announced that the outstanding bill has finally been settled.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk Resolves Bakery Dispute After Media Spotlight
The resolution came about after billionaire Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, intervened to rectify the situation following widespread media attention.
The bakery in question, Giving Pies, situated in San Jose, Central California, and owned by Voahangy Rasetarinera, revealed on its Instagram account five days prior that Tesla had pulled out of a substantial order for 4,000 mini pies.
Subsequently, in an email correspondence with The Guardian on Monday, Rasetarinera affirmed, “Tesla has just reimbursed the $2,000 that I had incurred in expenses for supplies and orders which I had to reject in order to accommodate the Tesla order.”
This settlement materialized after Musk addressed the matter on X, previously known as Twitter, pledging, “Just got wind of this. I will ensure that the bakery is compensated appropriately.”
The resolution underscores the impact of social media and the power of public discourse in holding corporations accountable for their actions, while also highlighting the significance of timely intervention from influential figures like Musk in rectifying disputes and ensuring fair treatment for small businesses.
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The situation unfolded when Rasetarinera’s bakery received a sudden order for 2,000 pies from Tesla on Valentine’s Day—a lucrative deal amounting to $6,000 for the small business, as reported by KTVU.
However, Tesla swiftly escalated the order to 4,000 pies before ultimately reneging on the agreement without making any payment, Rasetarinera disclosed.
In her Instagram post, Rasetarinera detailed the extensive efforts required to fulfill Tesla’s order, including the rejection of other lucrative Black History Month catering requests, the procurement of additional supplies, and the preparation of her staff for an intensive production schedule—all without compensation.
She expressed her frustration, emphasizing Tesla’s apparent prioritization of convenience over accountability, which she believed disregarded the livelihoods of small business owners like herself.
Rasetarinera lamented the vulnerability faced by small businesses in their dealings with larger corporations, highlighting the challenges of upholding commitments and delivering quality service while being subject to decisions made in distant corporate boardrooms.
The incident garnered widespread attention from the media, leading to an outpouring of support for Giving Pies both locally and globally, according to reports from NBC Bay Area.
This morning I stopped by @TheGivingPies to buy a blackberry pie — and the line was wrapped around the block! It’s inspiring to see our community come together to support Voahangy and her small business after a big order recently fell through. Stop by The Giving Pies at 569 W… pic.twitter.com/iLrWmVjS4j
— Mayor Matt Mahan (@MattMahanSJ) February 25, 2024
Over the weekend, the bakery saw a surge in customers, with hundreds lining up to purchase pies. Rasetarinera expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response, describing herself as “blown away.”
Reflecting on the experience in her initial Instagram post, Rasetarinera found a silver lining in the ordeal, seeing it as an opportunity to contemplate her journey as a business owner.
“As I reflect on this ordeal, I am reminded of the resilience and determination that have propelled me forward as a Black woman entrepreneur,” she remarked.
“While Tesla’s actions may have caused temporary setbacks, they will not deter me from pursuing my passion and serving my community with integrity and pride.”
