Is Slate teasing me with a pick-up delivery option?

[ValkorTheOptimistic]

I got another confirmation message from Slate with a few more ordering details.
Step three: pick-up?

I suppose it could mean pick up from a hub, but I want to drive it home 2/3 the way across the country.

 

[Skippy]

Possibly? I thought about it because it sounds like a fun way to get acquainted with a new vehicle. But seeing as I've never owned an EV and only driven my sister in law's twice, I'm thinking I should just have it delivered...

 

[GrizzlysGhost]

Some folks are guessing "pick up" means at, say, your nearest Carvana delivery center (or however they get the car to your basic area). Delivery might mean "delivered to your house."

 

[Skippy]

Some folks are guessing "pick up" means at, say, your nearest Carvana delivery center (or however they get the car to your basic area). Delivery might mean "delivered to your house."

Fair point. Being the cheapskate I am, I'll bum a ride to wherever the delivery center is.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Fair point. Being the cheapskate I am, I'll bum a ride to wherever the delivery center is.

Greyhound?

 

[kvermeer]

Greyhound?

I actually looked into this, Hoosier Transport goes right through Warsaw:

I can take the train or bus from GR to Kalamazoo and then it's like a $5 bus fare.

 

[Skippy]

Greyhound?

I guess I should correct that statement. I'll bum a ride to the "local to me delivery center"

 

[PNWEng]

Some folks are guessing "pick up" means at, say, your nearest Carvana delivery center (or however they get the car to your basic area). Delivery might mean "delivered to your house."

It does. Here's from the Slate FAQ:

 

[kvermeer]

Slate has [made] picking up your Slate friction free in most areas.

For an additional fee, your Slate can be dropped off right at your door.

Friction free is not synonymous with financially free. And "additional" implies a first fee to which something can be added.

I'm ...Dutch? ...shopping for lowest cost new pickup on the market which is somehow also the lowest cost new EV on the market as well? ...a cheapskate? ...let's go with "frugal":

I'm frugal, I'd endure a lot of friction to avoid a $1500 destination charge, but I don't have a lot of hope that will be possible.

 

[The Weatherman]

Friction free is not synonymous with financially free. And "additional" implies a first fee to which something can be added.

I'm ...Dutch? ...shopping for lowest cost new pickup on the market which is somehow also the lowest cost new EV on the market as well? ...a cheapskate? ...let's go with "frugal":

I'm frugal, I'd endure a lot of friction to avoid a $1500 destination charge, but I don't have a lot of hope that will be possible.

You absolutely will not avoid the Destination Fee. You might avoid the additional home delivery fee.

 

[EV Trek]

Closest Carvana delivery center to me is in Hendersonville NC 88 miles away, they also have one in Knoxville Tn about 100 miles away. Since the one in Knoxville is in the same state, I think I would prefer to go there, if Carvana handles the delivery.

 

[tubes]

Wouldn't it be hilarious if Slate announced this fall that they are using Navi or A1 Auto Transport as their logistics partner?

 

[dragondroptv]

I live 4 hours from the Warsaw plant. I was hoping to ride down with the wife and then drive it back. It would take one stop at a super charger. I would be able to get a good test of the truck and find any manufacturing issues. I could turn around if its something major. Plus bonus I'll get 4 hours away from the wife.

 

[ack154]

I live 4 hours from the Warsaw plant. I was hoping to ride down with the wife and then drive it back. It would take one stop at a super charger. I would be able to get a good test of the truck and find any manufacturing issues. I could turn around if its something major. Plus bonus I'll get 4 hours away from the wife.

I'm 600 miles away and I was still hoping I'd be able to pick it at the factory. I've got more than enough airline miles and other points to cover it. Google says it's about an 8 hour drive, so a few charging stops along the way back. Even if I flew down one day, picked up that afternoon and drove home early the next morning (or take an overnight stop), it would be worth the trip for the experience alone (with or without my wife).

 

[dragondroptv]

One thing I'd love to see is Factory Pickup become more than just picking up a truck—make it an event.

Imagine arriving at the factory and spending the day with other new owners:

• Take a factory tour and see how the trucks are built.
• Walk through a showroom with every configuration and accessory on display. I'm ordering a Blank Slate, but I'd love to see an SUV conversion, open-air setup, and other accessories in person before making future purchases.
• Stop by a Slate merchandise store for shirts, hats, and other gear.
• Have accessory experts available to answer questions and demonstrate installations.
• Pick up your truck with a quick orientation from the team.
• Finish the day in a designated parking area where new owners can tailgate, check out each other's trucks, swap ideas, and meet members of the community.

For many of us, this isn't just buying another vehicle—it's joining a community. A factory pickup experience would make delivery something people look forward to and would probably sell more accessories, since seeing them in person is often what convinces someone to buy.

I'd gladly drive farther and make a weekend out of it if pickup looked something like this.

I'd also return if that had an annual event like Slate Factory Days where owners can return, view new accessories, test drive new configurations, food truck, etc.