▲ Tesla Cybertruck Used-Car Import Story (Source: Gwigom)

Korean YouTuber Gwigom, known for his home appliance reviews, has shared a cautionary tale about buying a Tesla Cybertruck through overseas import — and how the decision turned into an unexpectedly expensive mistake.

In his recent video titled “The Cybertruck Import That Went Terribly Wrong,” Gwigom revealed that he imported a used Cybertruck from the United States to Korea, hoping to be among the first to showcase the futuristic pickup. However, the result, as he put it, was a complete failure.

#Timing Trouble: Just Two Weeks Too Early

Gwigom decided to purchase a Cybertruck to help transport large appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators for his YouTube channel. His SUV simply couldn’t handle the weight and space demands, and the Cybertruck seemed like the perfect solution.

▲ Tesla Cybertruck Used-Car Import Story (Source: Gwigom)

At that time, Tesla had not yet officially launched the Cybertruck in Korea. Confident that the Korean debut would take months, Gwigom went ahead with an independent import.

But timing proved disastrous. His truck arrived at the Port of Long Beach, Los Angeles, on August 26, and just three days later, on August 29, Tesla officially announced the first phase of Cybertruck sales in Korea.

In hindsight, the gap between his purchase and the official announcement was barely two weeks. “If I had just waited a little longer, I could’ve bought a brand-new one directly in Korea,” he lamented.

▲ Tesla Cybertruck Used-Car Import Story (Source: Gwigom)

#Damage During Shipping

Air shipping would have cost about 200 million KRW (≈$145,000 USD), so Gwigom opted for sea freight to save money. That decision, however, backfired.

During the month-long voyage across the Pacific Ocean, the Cybertruck’s rear panel was dented after sustaining an impact inside its shipping container. Before that, the truck had already traveled 4,000 kilometers across the U.S. — from its original owner in Massachusetts to the West Coast for shipment.

“The transportation route was so long and complicated that I couldn’t predict the risks,” Gwigom explained. “In the end, trying to save on delivery costs ended up costing me more.”

▲ Tesla Cybertruck Used-Car Import Story (Source: Gwigom)

#A Used Car More Expensive Than a New One

In total, Gwigom spent 148 million KRW (≈$107,000 USD), including vehicle and shipping costs. Ironically, that’s 3 million KRW more than the official Korean retail price of a brand-new Cybertruck (145 million KRW).

“I ended up paying more for a used truck — and it came damaged,” he said. “My pride in pioneering the import process turned into regret.”

▲ Tesla Cybertruck Used-Car Import Story (Source: Gwigom)

#A Lesson in Patience

Gwigom’s experience serves as a warning to consumers tempted by overseas imports, especially for high-demand vehicles like the Cybertruck.

When an official launch is imminent, waiting a few more weeks can save both money and frustration.

“I missed the chance to buy a brand-new Cybertruck in Korea by just two weeks. I paid more for a used one — and now I have to deal with the damage.”

Reporter Janghoon Lee (auto@thedrive.co.kr)

[ⓒ 더드라이브(TheDrive). 무단전재-재배포 금지]