Delivery to your home no matter where you live (confirms Slate Auto)

[lgerger]

Slate Auto confirmed to my question about home delivery no matter where you live:

No matter where you live, we’ve got you covered. ​

I have a friend in Barrow, Alaska. How about that? I used to live in Alaska and they are often the exception to the rule about US delivery availability. What about Hawaii? They need to be careful when they say these things, unless they are prepared to actually meet it. Which if true is great. It will cost money to deliver.

 

[The Weatherman]

As have I on anything that is either out or warranty or massively modified (so, basically everything I've owned) - but I would hazard to guess a new EV is likely to have some mfgr. service requirements that may preclude casual owner maintenance. There's a number of manufacturers that won't service your vehicle if you've not faithfully used them for maintenance.

I have zero exposure to EV mechanicals, so I don't even know if I can still do brakes. Short of that, and keeping things greased I have no idea what is typical "home maintenance" on an EV.

Nope. Only service that is scheduled is fluid checks and tire rotations and cabin filter change. At least until you hit something like 80-100,000 for motor cooling oil is changed.

 

[GeoLogic]

I concur with other statements regarding it costing extra, a lot extra, for home delivery. I’ve shipped my own cars before, and I know what it costs. So I’m willing to go to some regional distribution location if it’ll save me sub $1000 or more, assuming that’s even going to be an option at all. But what I don’t personally need is a dealer— I too do all of my own auto work, and don’t need to speak to anyone in sales, parts, or service trying to sell me something— That’s a dealers only job except for warranty work. So they can right bugger off.

The high voltage manual is going to be lamentably difficult to acquire, because Slate will be trying to cover their liability asses therefrom. But all service manuals I will acquire, one way or another. The other pisser is you know everything is going to be digital, only. One thing I love about all of my vehicles is they’re old enough to acquire nice, clear, tactile, PRINTED manuals. You know, on PAPER.

Thanks for nothing, Mazda. <Wife 2023 Mazda CX-9>

 

[lgerger]

I too do all of my own auto work, and don’t need to speak to anyone in sales, parts, or service trying to sell me something— That’s a dealers only job except for warranty work. So they can right bugger off.

This is what I'm looking forward to with Slate U.

 

[GeoLogic]

Entirely with you on that, Igerger. Am sorry you must contend with Tesla, an organization that is hostile toward right to repair in the most egregious terms, and who makes it difficult/impossible for technical minded individuals to perform their own superior and money-saving work.

That’s another reason I harbor interest in Slate, in their thus far professed willingness to ethically support our right to repair our own damn things. <Cough> <Cough> <John Deere>

 

[lgerger]

Am sorry you must contend with Tesla, an organization that is hostile toward right to repair in the most egregious terms, and who makes it difficult/impossible for technical minded individuals to perform their own superior and money-saving work.

Respectfully, I don't share your views on Tesla. I've had my Model Y since June 2020, and it's been spectacular. I don't put right to repair as much of a priority as others, perhaps, but despite all the nightmare stories, my experiences with service have been stellar. I am no fanboy, and I'm also a very busy working professional, and have no time to do my own repairs. And I would add to that - what repairs? I've had zero mechanical malfunctions in 65K miles. Tires, washer fluid, cabin filter, and wiper blades are all I can think of that's been done to it. Other than tire replacement, I've done it myself. OG brakes.

Back when I was young (many moons ago), I loved working on my own car. Back when there were no computers in it. Now, I grant you, they're full of CPUs and a bit of a black box. So I can see why you're thrilled at Slate U and their technically-minded friendliness.

 

[slateya]

I concur with other statements regarding it costing extra, a lot extra, for home delivery. I’ve shipped my own cars before, and I know what it costs. So I’m willing to go to some regional distribution location if it’ll save me sub $1000 or more, assuming that’s even going to be an option at all. But what I don’t personally need is a dealer— I too do all of my own auto work, and don’t need to speak to anyone in sales, parts, or service trying to sell me something— That’s a dealers only job except for warranty work. So they can right bugger off.

The high voltage manual is going to be lamentably difficult to acquire, because Slate will be trying to cover their liability asses therefrom. But all service manuals I will acquire, one way or another. The other pisser is you know everything is going to be digital, only. One thing I love about all of my vehicles is they’re old enough to acquire nice, clear, tactile, PRINTED manuals. You know, on PAPER.

Thanks for nothing, Mazda. <Wife 2023 Mazda CX-9>

I too look forward to the day. The full manual is posted here, some other forum, or out in the wild Internet. It will happen.

I I understand the lawyer liability dance that must be played. They can play their part and we will play ours.

“Qualified individual”. Some of us have worked or still work in industries that deal with working on equipment that is energized, stored energy potential, and hazardous.

Electric cars with batteries are not that different from working on industrial power systems, battery backup, solar, and power generation.

There are DIYers that can do all things EV repair safely.

Now we’re way off topic from home delivery.😀

 

[YDR37]

I have a friend in Barrow, Alaska. How about that? I used to live in Alaska and they are often the exception to the rule about US delivery availability. What about Hawaii? They need to be careful when they say these things, unless they are prepared to actually meet it. Which if true is great. It will cost money to deliver.

The Slate FAQs state:

The Slate and Slate accessories will only be available for purchase in the continental United States, for now.

So when they say "No matter where you live, we've got you covered", they actually mean: "No matter where you live within the Lower 48, we've got you covered." If you live elsewhere, you apparently won't be able to purchase.

Also, the FAQs don't promise free home delivery. They state:

Slate has partnered with a national logistics and distribution partner making picking up your Slate friction free in most areas. For an additional fee, your Slate can be dropped off right at your door.

This is not totally clear, but it implies that delivery to your general vicinity is provided in "most areas" -- however, you'll have to pay extra to get delivery right to your door.

 

[lgerger]

the FAQs don't promise free home delivery.

That much was always obvious to me. There's no such thing as free delivery. The logistics costs are enormous.

I agree that most people will have it delivered to a central location and pick them up. I know of a lot of Amazon fulfillment centers...just sayin'