Preorder questions? We can help! (email June 1)

[sodamo]

Conversely, brains are funny things and the sunk cost fallacy is strong.

Putting up a refundable $50 is easy, spending $250 is small enough for a lot of people to risk even sight unseen, but come December when it's time to either throw away the $300 you're already in for or sign on the dotted line for another ~$25k, a lot of people will be persuaded by the fact that they already have that reservation in.

Believe that will be when the preorder converts to an order, likely before Dec. anyone concerned they might lose that money should either preorder accepting that as fact or just wait until they have the info they need to make that decision. Not Slate’s role to cater individual whims. If conversion of the existing reservations fall short, I’m sure they will adjust, but gotta start somewhere.

 

[kvermeer]

Not Slate’s role to cater [to] individual whims.

I'm not suggesting Slate should act differently, I'm saying this is a reason why the smart folks in Slate's marketing department designed the reservation/pre-order process the way they have: to maximize sales.

 

[SparkYellow]

There is a long road ahead of us, some of us will be whining, groaning, and throwing tantrums. 😂 I love that there will be enough contents on this forum to keep me entertained.

 

[sodamo]

I'm not suggesting Slate should act differently, I'm saying this is a reason why the smart folks in Slate's marketing department designed the reservation/pre-order process the way they have: to maximize sales.

I agree. But there are a few on here that might not.

 

[lusilver]

Anyone know definitively (not just an opinion) as to how hard it will be to re-upholster the seats if you'd like a much lighter color like tan or light gray that isn't as hot in the sun / sunny states? I realize there are covers, but personally I hate covers since they shift around and don't look like they belong. Something like this image that Gemini generated.

 

[sodamo]

Anyone know definitively (not just an opinion) as to how hard it will be to re-upholster the seats if you'd like a much lighter color like tan or light gray that isn't as hot in the sun / sunny states? I realize there are covers, but personally I hate covers since they shift around and don't look like they belong. Something like this image that Gemini generated.

Could you expand on your definition of “definitively”?

 

[MIDgrid]

I just asked this question on Slate Chat: After paying for my assigned delivery date, will I be able to express a preference for an earlier delivery date if one becomes available?

Answer: I truly do not know just yet. We will have a lot more detail at the end of the month.

 

[Shrink36s]

Anyone know definitively (not just an opinion) as to how hard it will be to re-upholster the seats if you'd like a much lighter color like tan or light gray that isn't as hot in the sun / sunny states? I realize there are covers, but personally I hate covers since they shift around and don't look like they belong. Something like this image that Gemini generated.

I had a couch once that was designed for covers. It wasn't like the aftermarket covers you're thinking of, but a very form fitting, very snug, cover that was part of the design of the couch. I would hope that the covers offered from Slate are more in line with that kind of design.

That said, I can't tell you the exact cost, though i can say, it isn't cheap. My step dad had to get an old Mustang done, and it was quite a hefty penny, and that was 20-years ago.

 

[sodamo]

I just asked this question on Slate Chat: After paying for my assigned delivery date, will I be able to express a preference for an earlier delivery date if one becomes available?

Answer: I truly do not know just yet. We will have a lot more detail at the end of the month.

I’d guess if not in 1st delivery group most everyone at least be open to being offer to move up. More a question of how Slate might handle the declinations. Next reservation for that area?

 

[thespacecowboy]

Anyone know definitively (not just an opinion) as to how hard it will be to re-upholster the seats if you'd like a much lighter color like tan or light gray that isn't as hot in the sun / sunny states? I realize there are covers, but personally I hate covers since they shift around and don't look like they belong. Something like this image that Gemini generated.

I had the interior door panels, package tray, and both bench seats in my 64 Dodge Dart reupholstered in 2021 or 2022. It certainly wasn’t cheap, I think around $2-2.5k for the whole thing, but I’d need to find the invoice to confirm that.

Admittedly that was a lot more material than would be needed to do two seats and maybe a center console and the arm rests for the Slate, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes out to be less than that.

 

[lusilver]

Could you expand on your definition of “definitively”?

Thanks and I meant input from someone who has experience with reupholstering (Thespacecowboy covered this - thank you!) and/or who knows what the seat construction is or how the Slate upholstery will be assembled. As opposed to some guesses.

 

[sodamo]

Thanks and I meant input from someone who has experience with reupholstering (Thespacecowboy covered this - thank you!) and/or who knows what the seat construction is or how the Slate upholstery will be assembled. As opposed to some guesses.

Might have to adjust your expectations,
#1 - OK
#2&3 - i seriously doubt a Slate engineer will answer, anyone else would be just a guess as to my knowledge no one has one.

 

[KevinRS]

The number of Slates going to the same area will most likely effect the day you will get one. One thousand going to Dallas will have priority to three going to Little Town, IN, no matter who reserved first.

I doubt they will be dealing with 1000 to one city in early batches. If your town only has 3 reservations, sure, they probably won't have a pickup center in that town, but if you are within 100 miles or so of a bigger city, they may offer that.

They could do something like look at the reservations, bin together the locations to reasonable distances, and step through them until there are a truckload worth at a location where whoever they have contracted for fulfillment has or can rent a location, even if it's just a parking lot. Bam, that's a delivery window to fill.
If you are really worried that being in the middle of nowhere means you won't get a truck until quite late, they might do curbside deliveries at greater ranges from fulfillment than the driving range of the Slate if you pay for that.

 

[sodamo]

Sure hope they take an area approach. About 99.999% sure my home area isn’t being considered, but reasonably sure greater LA is so I am using that address. I do not expect delivery to that residential address, but I do hope it’s an area for delivery preorder and I can fine tune when my preorder converts to paid order, likely at additional charge. Worst case I do take delivery and drive to where it needs to be. I would have to think metropolitan areas will not be limited to city limits. But wouldn’t be first time I’m off.

 

[The Dude]

What if you ordered 2. Do you then have to buy them the same time?