Tesla is selling direct. Amazon (like carOrder.com and others before them) is attempting to compete directly with the existing intermediaries. Different regulations.

It really isn't that bad if you're in an area with a few dealers. Call each and say "This is what I want, this is the price I know it can be sold at. I don't have time for other options, and if you try to sell me any or haggle on price I'll go somewhere else. When can you have this model with these options available for me to come pickup?" Took me five dealers and I had to drive 45 minutes to get the car from the non-asshole dealer. Easy!

My last car buying experience was easy. I just called dealerships and told them what I was buying and when and had them bid against each other for my business.

Ended up getting a great price below invoice and only had to call six dealerships and visit one.

I can't imagine an online only dealership being able to compete on cost.

I don't believe the delivery cost was passed to the customer.

They also needed to send someone physically to the dealership to negotiate and get the vehicle. And get a truck there to drive the car where it was going. These costs aren't negligible and would need to be passed to the customer. I think the key one is actually going to the dealership to negotiate and get the vehicle.