Impressions by friends, online communities and acquaintances

[tubes]

Now that I've pre-ordered, I bring up the topic of Slate quite a bit. Maybe even evangelize a bit. Many of my in-life and on-line interactions are with retirees. For the most part, people have been middle of the road to the idea or downright cranky. This surprised me a little since there are a lot of retirees on this board, but of course we are self-selected.

What's been your experience?

I'll start with one group and then follow up with some later. Let me start with the group open to the Slate idea and product. I have a group of mostly retiree friends from the old company. They are highly tech aware. These are people who have done well in life. Of the group of 8 or so, 2 have Teslas, and both absolutely love FSD and are completely hooked on it. Slate is a pencil to their AI driven word-processor. The others have a mix of cars, with 2 having hybrids. All like creature comforts. It is ironic that the one guy complains bitterly about his Audi because it is a POS and always in the shop. The reason? Gadgets.

Overall, this group is interested in my Slate story and are intrigued. Call them middle-of-the-road in attitude on Slate. They want to see how it works for me first before recommending it to anyone in their family (who have less money than they do).

It is a great group because we have left and right leaning people and we all get along, meeting in person for lunch or coffee. Some are climate change warriors, some call it BS. But we talk and enjoy discussing topics we mostly agree on, while every now and then touching a third rail for sport. I really recommend that in life you don't just shut out mythical tribes. Your life is richer when you open up to everyone.

 

[RedJoker]

I only know one person who has even heard of the Slate. No one else that I've talked to about it is interested in it. To be fair, that's similar to most of my interests.

 

[EV Trek]

Most I have talked to are indifferent or just don’t care…
Once I actually get it I expect that will change.

 

[tubes]

I think my IRL friends knew about it because many of the follow the world of EVs.

My on-line acquaintances at "early-retirement.org" are pretty also indifferent and somewhat cold on it. This surprises me because they usually LBYM (live BELOW your means). However, there are a few users there who look like they will jump in. I expected to see more.

 

[tubes]

Now let me give you another online perspective. Bogleheads. Bogleheads are loosely an investment and lifestyle board. The name comes from Vanguard Investments founder. These people have very specific ideas about growing wealth. They are also sometimes the biggest pains in the ass I've ever seen online. They are so analytical it makes even my engineer's brain hurt. They also tend to be extremely wealthy, even though they don't know it. "I have $12M in the bank, I'm 60, can I retire?" I mean, like WTF dude!

I get tired participating there, but there are some really helpful users who are some of the smartest I've seen on the internet who are willing to help others. There's this one user called #cruncher who can figure out any financial math problem and wants to do it for you. But I digress.

Somebody "illegally" opened up a Slate EV thread. Bogleheads moderators are weird and they close threads if it is not "actionable." So someone wanted to shoot the breeze about Slate, and that's not allowed. But before it closed, there were some interesting discussions. If you want to see how a wealthy community that looks at everything from an investment viewpoint sees Slate, it makes for a good read. They bring up some good questions, especially considering markets, competition, funding, and so on. And since there are so many unknowns, I'd say they are indifferent in total with a decent degree interested or at least hoping for Slate's success. There are a few of us on that thread taking the plunge. I made a hurried appearance, I wish I wrote it better. But anyway, I hope Slate shakes up those stuffy analytics and pushes through the many valid concern points they bring up.

https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=472772

 

[Johnologue]

I have a small social circle, but friends I've talked about the Slate to seem pretty excited about it. I think I also mentioned it, with positive reception, to some older relatives (who were also relieved to learn not all the young people are into AI). I've also been meaning to spread the word online a bit, but haven't made much progress.

 

[ClayJar]

I suppose you could say I'm in the intersection of the Venn diagram where tech, education, the public sector, conservation, and recreation are all in play. I'm certainly not retired, but I have someone in my part of the org chart who was not yet born when I started working where I work now. That generally frames the scene.

I have quite a few people who are very much looking forward to me getting my hands on a Slate, and at least a few of them believe they would seriously consider getting one if they like mine up close and I review it favorably. One in particular won't be able to be in the market for a new Slate (which is still quite expensive compared to not buying a new vehicle), but they're very much hoping Slates sell well enough that they'll be able to find one on the used market in a couple years or so.

In my sphere, there isn't a single person who thinks it's a bad idea. The one motorhead (not at all in a bad way) who has had a Tesla, a Mazda RX-7 or two, various motorcycles, and so on isn't likely to get a Slate for himself and his young family, but even he thinks a Slate is something that should have already existed. The most common response around here is that a Slate truck would be a perfect second vehicle for any family and quite a nice primary vehicle if you don't do too, too much road tripping.

Of course, since Louisiana is still somewhere deep in the benthic zone of Club DWCS, it'll be a while before I get to show off a Slate and perhaps become a local Slate influencer (hehe... also eww), but hey, eventually I'll have one to use and show off.

 

[tubes]

Well said, ClayJar. We've said it before. Slate has one chance to do this right. If they do it right, and it gets excited owners out there, interest is going to skyrocket.

The first thing I'll do is call a lunch meeting with my friends and show it off. Of course, they are interested in it too and want to see it. Unlike grandbaby pictures my generation forces on each other.

 

[ClayJar]

The first thing I'll do is call a lunch meeting with my friends and show it off. Of course, they are interested in it too and want to see it. Unlike grandbaby pictures my generation forces on each other.

You know, it may be a bit expensive compared to a $500 single-color "basic" wrap, but what's the true worth of a Slate truck with a custom printed wrap covering it in grandbaby pictures? 🤣

 

[EV Trek]

On another note my Brother was totally Anti-EV in every respect, buying into every negative stereotype and FUD people spouted about EVs. For some reason when I started talking about the Slate to him his attitude started changing. I never expected him to put down $50 on a reservation and it surprised me, but what surprised me the most is when he went ahead and put his preorder in. Now he texts me every day with all sorts of EV questions. About what charger to buy, to yesterday how do you use public fast chargers.
Even Hard core EV haters can change with education on EVs.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

On another note my Brother was totally Anti-EV in every respect, buying into every negative stereotype and FUD people spouted about EVs. For some reason when I started talking about the Slate to him his attitude started changing. I never expected him to put down $50 on a reservation and it surprised me, but what surprised me the most is when he went ahead and put his preorder in. Now he texts me every day with all sorts of EV questions. About what charger to buy, to yesterday how do you use public fast chargers.
Even Hard core EV haters can change with education on EVs.

The fact that Slate is a small basic truck is making people you would never suspect interested in it. I have coworkers that called me slurs when they found out I had an electric car, but were excited when the Slate was announced. Guys that are still driving 90s chevy trucks are seriously considering a Slate. In many ways, Slate is competing more with used trucks than new EVs.

 

[LuMu14]

Im definitely the "Slate Influencer" of my group. My partner has started keeping track of how often I bring it up....whoops. But I have found that in person the reactions have been almost universally positive.

The types that would typically be pretty anti-EV have been the biggest surprise to me. Lots of Truck drivers really seem to get the appeal of a simple, no-fuss, cheap electric truck. I really think as more people learn about it, it will make waves in the used and small truck market.

I do find it interesting seeing some of the online reactions compared to what I see in person. It seems like theres a lot of anti-EV or tesla fanboy "propaganda" trying to make the slate look bad. Ive found its best to just look past it and focus on what I know: The Slate is going to be a good truck for me.

 

[sodamo]

On another note my Brother was totally Anti-EV in every respect, buying into every negative stereotype and FUD people spouted about EVs. For some reason when I started talking about the Slate to him his attitude started changing. I never expected him to put down $50 on a reservation and it surprised me, but what surprised me the most is when he went ahead and put his preorder in. Now he texts me every day with all sorts of EV questions. About what charger to buy, to yesterday how do you use public fast chargers.
Even Hard core EV haters can change with education on EVs.

I was pro BEV before Slate although I was favorable to hybrids. Since gaining some education I’m totally BEV and see much less value in hybrids.

 

[tubes]

I was the brother described above. Two things changed my mind.

1) More Telsa supercharger around.
2) Something affordable that isn't Leaf sized or Looks like a Model 3.

I don't hate Telsa, but their initial prices were ridiculous. And it is silly, but I want a damn turn signal stalk.

 

[Skippy]

I was the brother described above. Two things changed my mind.

1) More Telsa supercharger around.
2) Something affordable that isn't Leaf sized or Looks like a Model 3.

I don't hate Telsa, but their initial prices were ridiculous. And it is silly, but I want a damn turn signal stalk.

This is pretty much me as well. I don't buy expensive ANYTHING!