Anyone else planning road trip in 150m hops, from factory delivery?

[Doctors Do Little]

"Oh my, it's half past a freckle!"

Maybe my dream of driving through Yellowstone is not completely dead. If I can pick it up NEAR Warsaw, and the destination charge is lower than West Coast, then maybe....

I’m not sure about you western folk, but I’m very confident that we GA Q2 folk could rent a party bus for 12-16 and drive the 500 ish miles up….then parade back down through KY, TN and GA again. Now THAT would be 😎

 

[Rocks]

I'm just wondering where the hub closest to me is. I'll probably rent a truck and flat trailer from u-haul and go fetch it.

Looking at a map, the there's only two choo-choo lines that come close to me. Union Pacific through Vegas and BNSF through Kingman. They converge in Barstow. So if I had to guess with no other info, my guess is Barstow for the SW.

 

[Cubicle23]

Is picking up from the factory even an option?

Slate has this up. If picking up from actual factory really is a no go. Then the Carvana/Amazon/FedEx whatever they decide to use for deliveries can bring it to me at a local spot. Quick ride to the factory, picture at the sign out front and plan is back on track.

 

[Cubicle23]

Wouldn't that cost more than just paying a delivery fee?

Yes, yes it would. AND I fully expect to pay a destination and/or delivery fee anyway. Saving $ is not the point.

 

[Johnologue]

I believe this refers to picking it up from regional distribution centers, not the factory. There may be a distribution center relatively close to the factory, though.

Edit: Also, consider that Slate is getting address info. They're likely planning to distribute accordingly.

 

[KevinRS]

"Oh my, it's half past a freckle!"

Maybe my dream of driving through Yellowstone is not completely dead. If I can pick it up NEAR Warsaw, and the destination charge is lower than West Coast, then maybe....

Destination fee will be a flat $1450 as revealed today no matter where you pick it up in the continental US. That is how destination fees work. Delivery fee will be on top of that.
I'd expect there to be locations in or near(50 mile range max) Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and similar high selling cities in other states, in Q1. Somewhere like Barstow is just too far for most people I'd think.

 

[Cubicle23]

Is picking up from the factory even an option?

 

[Cubicle23]

I can't remember where I read it, probably on this forum, maybe elsewhere too, that there would not be any pickup at the factory. That is not an option.
This was discussed HERE

 

[Matrix Girl]

I've heard Indiana has a law against direct sales from the factory.
I do not know how Tesla gets around such laws, but I do not think you can just go to Warsaw and pick up your Slate.

I live 2 hours and 22 minutes from Warsaw, Indiana. I called Slate months ago and broached the possibility of taking delivery of my Slate at the plant in Warsaw and was told that it would NOT be possible to do that. It is a shame because I was looking forward to the road trip and my ICE driving but "intrigued by Slate" friend was all excited to drive me down to share the experience and to see the plant.

I was really bummed to hear that and didn't even bother to get the gory details about why they would not allow factory pick-ups by customers.

 

[AZFox]

I was really bummed to hear that and didn't even bother to get the gory details about why they would not allow factory pick-ups by customers.

IIRC someone from Slate did mention that the reason is because they are focusing on getting Blank Slates built for the time being.

 

[KevinRS]

Just maybe if there is enough interest they will start offering factory pickup, at some point after launch, but any kind of tour would mean they have to dedicate floor space to "safe tour path" probably a hallway built with windows in it to be able to see the floor with no risk to the visitors.

 

[FlyHappy]

I live 2 hours and 22 minutes from Warsaw, Indiana. I called Slate months ago and broached the possibility of taking delivery of my Slate at the plant in Warsaw and was told that it would NOT be possible to do that. It is a shame because I was looking forward to the road trip and my ICE driving but "intrigued by Slate" friend was all excited to drive me down to share the experience and to see the plant.

I was really bummed to hear that and didn't even bother to get the gory details about why they would not allow factory pick-ups by customers.

the answer is because it takes dedicated staff, and thus cost to perform things like vehicle closing functions (includes titling, registration, financing, etc). Go look at any dealership -there are specific people who can do this, most cannot.

Warsaw is a factory, and not a delivery center. It just isn't staffed for that, just like the vast majority of auto factories.

 

[sodamo]

I believe this refers to picking it up from regional distribution centers, not the factory. There may be a distribution center relatively close to the factory, though.

Edit: Also, consider that Slate is getting address info. They're likely planning to distribute accordingly.

When preorders convert to orders address for delivery and registration will be required.

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

My guess would be they will deliver to the certified repair shops. That way you could have addons done right there. Perhaps before pickup. Factory pickup would be too disruptive while they are still in ramp up phase.

 

[FlyHappy]

My guess would be they will deliver to the certified repair shops. That way you could have addons done right there. Perhaps before pickup. Factory pickup would be too disruptive while they are still in ramp up phase.

Doubtful.
Shop owners arent interested in being storage sites or assuming (even percieved) liability for brand new vehicles.