Release Day! What pleasantly surprised you. What mildly disappointed you?

[Skippy]

Yeah. The impression I had of "seat covers" always made them seem like the frumpy, ill-fitting after-market ones I'm used to. These fit nice and tight to the underlying foam.

I really hope so. I've gone through half a dozen sets in my 95 XJ because they just get torn up. Seats or seat covers seem to be a wear item, and seat covers just never feel as good as the day you first sat behind the wheel.

After looking at a few videos and images I'm definitely seeing if I can order spares.

 

[B1050]

A part of me was disappointed that the longer range battery went away as I wanted more than 200 miles range. Another part of me is glad that I won't have to pay more as I knew the longer range option was going to cost more probably by a couple of thousand dollars at least.

 

[FlyHappy]

if that were the case, and we get the fog light kit with the extra bumper, they are gonna just throw the lights and bumpers in the bed of the truck and leave us with an extra bumper? how about wheels? they are just going to ship us wheels and tires unmounted?
iIf somebody orders a vehicle with all the bumpers and lights,i imagine they arent going to expect to pay a shop another thousand+ to have them installed. If that is the case, it goes back to what i was saying, why bother getting the aftermarket parts from slate in the first place.

maybe its a case by case basis. i dunno how much it would be to have a blank slate wrapped, but how much are you saving getting multiple layers and what not from them, then having a shop doing it, vs just bringing the truck to the shop and showing them the design? from my experience, a lot of shops dont like doing work when you supply the parts/materials, so then they charge extra to make up the lack of profit they would have made on the supplies.

I don't know exactly what every scenario entails, but I am confident that the prices listed are DIY oriented.

DIrectly from Slates website:

" Want the SUV kit, or a wrap? We’ll install them for you before we deliver your vehicle, for a little extra."

surely, you don't think they've listed the higher "installed pricing"? Right along side the price, there is a description of difficulty level and "time to accomplish".
Even the phrasing of "we'll install them for you" is suggestive of modifying an already built vehicle, not building according to your order.

wheels/tires are the one exception I can see as being possibly truly uniquely installed on the factory floor, but even those I think will be swapped after build, elsewhere. One cannot stress how much more efficient any factory is when it can build precisely one thing, exactly the same, over and over again. New CEO guy was being literal when he said, "we'll build one SKU".

if that isn't enough, we really should take Slate's own FAQ at it's word, under "How do I get my accessories installed?" :

You can choose how and where your accessories get installed:

• DIY: easily install accessories at home with Slate U, our library of video tutorials and helpful how-to content.
• Before delivery: get select accessories installed at the Slate delivery partner.
• At a service partner: buy accessories after delivery and get them installed at your local Slate service location.

Seems clear to me that new vehicle orders, with options, fall under the 2nd bullet point - "installed at the Slate delivery partner". The rumors of Carvana seem well-founded; not many other organizations can fulfill the need to deliver, perform titling ops, install auto gear in 48 states. and funny, they don't operate in Hawaii or Canada (where Slate doesn't sell).
No, if you pay for the optional installation of a bumper, Carvana will do it, and they won't toss the original bumper in your bed. They will likely have full control of all Slate distribution post factory, and stock/warehouse unused parts for damage replacement (that happens regularly in transport), even supplying parts to the "Repair Pal" partners.

 

[Mike]

Surprised me: the 205 range! I was going for 150 so this is a plus for me.

Mildly disappointment: The new off-road tires, this is personal preference but I like more the first ones.

Original:

New:

 

[DinoLord]

I don’t think the wrap is installed at $500. It’s part pricing only. To have it done would cost extra or you do it yourself. That’s how I understand all the accessories anyway.

Slate rep quoted saying installation will be under 500 for standard wrap (which also costs under $500).

 

[Shrink36s]

Slate rep quoted saying installation will be under 500 for standard wrap (which also costs under $500).

Install doesn’t not necessarily mean materials included.
Contact them and get an answer from them rather than some random person in a forum and argue.
I take it like this, from the beginning they have focused on DIY. They have said that parts can be bought and flatpack shipped to you, and for you to finish. They have also said you can use a partner to install for a fee.
They have also always said that off the line is one sku; the Blank Slate. Any additional accessories or parts are done after the fact.
I also relate all of this to the current car industry and dealer network. Many of the accessories you buy today are bought as the part, and the dealer puts it in before you take possession. Things like mud flaps, floor mats, door moldings, ceramic coatings, and so forth. Often the install is in the price because that’s how the system works with dealers. Sometimes they tell you it will be more to put on. I’ve had both experiences. This isn’t dealer network business as usual.
Would I like a wrap installed at $500? Hell yes. I don’t think that’s what is happening here. Contact Slate and prove me wrong. Nothing would make me happier.

 

[DinoLord]

Install doesn’t not necessarily mean materials included.
Contact them and get an answer from them rather than some random person in a forum and argue.
I take it like this, from the beginning they have focused on DIY. They have said that parts can be bought and flatpack shipped to you, and for you to finish. They have also said you can use a partner to install for a fee.
They have also always said that off the line is one sku; the Blank Slate. Any additional accessories or parts are done after the fact.
I also relate all of this to the current car industry and dealer network. Many of the accessories you buy today are bought as the part, and the dealer puts it in before you take possession. Things like mud flaps, floor mats, door moldings, ceramic coatings, and so forth. Often the install is in the price because that’s how the system works with dealers. Sometimes they tell you it will be more to put on. I’ve had both experiences. This isn’t dealer network business as usual.
Would I like a wrap installed at $500? Hell yes. I don’t think that’s what is happening here. Contact Slate and prove me wrong. Nothing would make me happier.

He was quoted as saying the wrap is <$500, and the install is <$500, totaling <$1000. In the TFL video, minute 49.

 

[Shrink36s]

He was quoted as saying the wrap is <$500, and the install is <$500, totaling <$1000. In the TFL video, minute 49.

Then you just made my point. It's just sub $1000 not $500 installed. Your initial statement is incomplete and gives the impression that it is $500 in total. Thank you.

 

[DinoLord]

Then you just made my point. It's just sub $1000 not $500 installed. Your initial statement is incomplete and gives the impression that it is $500 in total. Thank you.

Nowhere did I say that.

 

[ClayJar]

He was quoted as saying the wrap is <$500, and the install is <$500, totaling <$1000. In the TFL video, minute 49.

Specifically, that's from Mike Kelly the general manager of Slate's vehicle wraps business (introduced at 36:12) says "This is one of the exciting things about wraps, which is, we're going to offer installation for under $500." (49:10). And if you haven't watched every release day video and taken copious notes, that's in "The Fast Lane Truck" video, specifically:



And let's all be cool. We're all on the same page, even if Shrink36s took a little longer to parse things.

 

[DinoLord]

Specifically, that's from Mike Kelly the general manager of Slate's vehicle wraps business (introduced at 36:12) says "This is one of the exciting things about wraps, which is, we're going to offer installation for under $500." (49:10). And if you haven't watched every release day video and taken copious notes, that's in "The Fast Lane Truck" video, specifically:



And let's all be cool. We're all on the same page, even if Shrink36s took a little longer to parse things.

Thanks for linking

 

[ClayJar]

I suppose I should give my on-topic response for the thread...

• Base price: Pleasantly would've been surprised sans spoilers.
• Battery: Soooo many feelings. Happy for LFP, sad for slightly lower range than extended, glad for significantly higher range than standard, delighted for not having to pay for extended.
• Wraps: Completely custom pricing is way out of my league, so now I know I'd definitely get a stock color. Color I had in the builder is gone, but I really like one of the new ones I tried. Premium for the cool colors is reasonable, and if I wanted it preinstalled, that's not too bad.
• Spare Tire Carrier: Pleasantly surprised that you can now get it without the upgraded rear bumper! Big savings! Mildly disappointed that it says the spare is not included, and so far there seems to be nowhere in the configurator to add one.
• Tower Racks: Pleasantly surprised that there's now a (potentially very useful) crossbar between the towers. Mildly disappointed that there isn't pricing yet.
• Receiver Hitch: Pleasantly surprised that it's only $100. Mildly disappointed that there's nothing out yet on wiring (which surely has got to be there).
• General Configuration: Pleasantly surprised at how many options there are already. (Sooooo much T-rail!)

But all that pales in comparison to my most significant feeling about the whole day yesterday, which is (and please pardon what may seem like excessive typographical emphasis here -- I'm just trying to convey the full emotion of the thing)...

DELIVERY WINDOW COMING SOON?!?!?​

I understand that we're in the beginning and things are likely still in flux, and I'm willing to believe that they're doing the best they can. I'm even willing to believe that at least someone at Slate feels bad for leaving a bunch of their most enthusiastic first-out-of-the-gate fans hanging. Still, after weeks of waiting and looking forward to yesterday...

 

[Dorbiman]

if that were the case, and we get the fog light kit with the extra bumper, they are gonna just throw the lights and bumpers in the bed of the truck and leave us with an extra bumper? how about wheels? they are just going to ship us wheels and tires unmounted?
iIf somebody orders a vehicle with all the bumpers and lights,i imagine they arent going to expect to pay a shop another thousand+ to have them installed. If that is the case, it goes back to what i was saying, why bother getting the aftermarket parts from slate in the first place.

maybe its a case by case basis. i dunno how much it would be to have a blank slate wrapped, but how much are you saving getting multiple layers and what not from them, then having a shop doing it, vs just bringing the truck to the shop and showing them the design? from my experience, a lot of shops dont like doing work when you supply the parts/materials, so then they charge extra to make up the lack of profit they would have made on the supplies.

They have been EXTREMELY clear from the start that accessories are installed by the customer, unless the customer wants to pay to have it done at one of the partner RepairPal service centers. That's the whole thing behind Slate U, "We build it, You make it", etc etc

 

[Tom Sawyer]

This is something I hadn't seen before either. Good find!

More room for shrimp. Or lobster, clambakes or gumbo if you like.

 

[LevelHeaded]

They have been EXTREMELY clear from the start that accessories are installed by the customer, unless the customer wants to pay to have it done at one of the partner RepairPal service centers. That's the whole thing behind Slate U, "We build it, You make it", etc etc

Yes but they also very clearly stated in several of the videos I watched yesterday that there are a handful of accessories that are installed at the factory, at the end of the assembly line, if ordered up front. Such as:

SUV/Fastback
Wheel/tire upgrades
Maybe initial wrap?

They talk about how this is done at the very end, so production is exactly the same up until the very end for all vehicles. They also talk about how if you order these things _after_ your initial order, you’ll need to DIY or find an installer.