Preordered and now having second thoughts...anyone else?

[Trace26]

Great plan.

For those who get tips or overtime, you could theoretically ask Accounting to reduce your Fed withholding (w4) for the amount taxes on the OT/tips (presuming you make under the correct income, etc).

Theoretically, you retain those overpayments and put them in your own account vs floating Uncle Sam an interest free loan…check with IRS site for rules.

I always tell people if you're getting a big refund, you're doing it wrong.

 

[ClayJar]

I always tell people if you're getting a big refund, you're doing it wrong.

I know some people who have a hard time with the marshmallow test, yet they're self-aware enough to know their weakness. For them, a zero-interest savings account that they get one withdrawal from every year is a way they can save without being able to "well, just this once..." all the money out of it.

Are their better ways to save? Sure. Is a zero-interest savings account that you cannot withdraw from early a tool that you shouldn't need but that could help someone start to develop discipline in spite of themselves? Well, I mean, sure, I guess.

As for me, I've been on a "no big hobby purchases" moratorium since reservations opened up. I really want to add a UV laser to my shop (to complement the CNC router, two diode lasers, MOPA fiber laser, CO2 galvo laser, and CO2 cabinet laser), but I'm just going to have to wait. I should have a very significant chunk ready to go when the time comes.

Of course, then a lightning strike made about a $3k hit on my house this month... At least I could do all the repairs myself (kinda like a Slate?), although at this point I really don't want to get back on the roof yet again in this Louisiana summer heat.

 

[Wmc8520]

I reserved on Day 1 and had a delivery date for Jan-Mar 27. Going to hold off for now as it says if I don't place my additional $250 down, my reservation will move to Apr-Jun27. This would only be a second vehicle for picking up things too large for our SUV. The annual mileage we drive, excluding vacations or family visits is less than 5K per yr. so even with $4 gas we only spend $1000 annually that we wouldn't pay IF we used the Slate for all those miles.

 

[TomFrank]

I reserved on 5/10/25 and got a Q2 delivery window. A recent email from Slate stated a Q3 window if I didn't convert to pre-order. I asked Slate if Q3 was good until October 24, that is, a new 3 month window. I got a wishy-washy answer. Basically, not necessarily 3 month windows moving forward. Obviously they're waiting to see the conversion rates and go from there. Me too. A 3 month delay won't kill me and could possibly prevent some early teething problems. I couldn't even sit in the one I saw at the Philly Zoo event. I'm still super stoked though.

 

[Moe]

FWIW, I was assured by email on 12 July, if I, with no reservation, pre-ordered that day, my delivery would not be earlier than Q4 2027 (which is what I wanted). Aside from financial reasons, that will give me nine months of watching others’ experiences and how Slate (and RepairPal) handle problems, if any.

 

[sodamo]

I’ve been saving in dribs and drabs since reserving and will have enough cash for Jan-Mar delivery, but am also a bit curious re financing. With the new deduction rules is there a benefit of a short term finance v
and leaving cash in decent interest savings account? But another concern for me it Is Title, my name vs Bank as this will impact my delivery. Of course an alternative might be to refinance after delivery.

 

[slate808]

I reserved on the first day. I preordered on the first day. I was in the Delivery Coming Soon club until today. My delivery window is now Jul - Sept 2027. I will get my Slate more than 2 years after my reservation date. I live in Hawai’i so I understand the logistics of getting something here. So I have plenty time for second thoughts.

 

[Wmc8520]

Cancelled my reservation Today. $20k was my threshold and while I still waited, I came to the conclusion that since it wasn't really a need, wasn't worth the extra $5000 to me.

 

[stEVe]

Cancelled my reservation Today. $20k was my threshold and while I still waited, I came to the conclusion that since it wasn't really a need, wasn't worth the extra $5000 to me.

Sounds like the right decision for you based on your current situation.

 

[Slatester89]

Cancelled my reservation Today. $20k was my threshold and while I still waited, I came to the conclusion that since it wasn't really a need, wasn't worth the extra $5000 to me.

Why wait until now? You knew $20k wasn't gonna work when the fed rebate ended in June. You knew it was never gonna be $20k even before that because of destination plus TTL. Your cost wasn't going to be $20k, long before your reservation... thousands more than $20k. Just like mine is thousands more than $25k because of destination and TTL.

i don't get it. Was $20k a "threshold" or not?

b.

 

[Wmc8520]

$20k wasn't the Threshold, it was just the anticipated bottom line plus taxes and destination although I would have picked up in Warsaw if that option was available. Initially, it was to see if Slate could bring down the price from the est. 27.5K which they did do but they only offset about 1/3 of the "fed credit" that went away. Since I only had $50 in the game, there was no rush to cancel thus the wait until now. Bottom line, as a second vehicle, for less than 100 mi/mo. use per mo. I will keep the money invested and most likely earn more than the gas in my 03 Olds Aurora with 40k miles on it uses. Thanks for asking.

 

[EVfun]

I reserved on the first day. I preordered on the first day. I was in the Delivery Coming Soon club until today. My delivery window is now Jul - Sept 2027. I will get my Slate more than 2 years after my reservation date. I live in Hawai’i so I understand the logistics of getting something here. So I have plenty time for second thoughts.

Ouch! Does that mean they will be setting up delivery to Hawaii? At least according to some initial reports, Slate didn't have a delivery plan for Hawaii.

If we are trying to look at this to get some idea how many preorders Slate has, I placed my reservation June 17, 2026 and my preorder June 29, 2026, and have a April to June 2027 delivery window in the Seattle area. Based on this I'd guess that all the reservations that converted by the initial deadline represent a number of vehicles they believe they can complete by the end of the second quarter of 2027. Delivery issues due to state laws, low area sales, or an ocean in the way, may unfortunately cause some later deliveries.

 

[Moe]

Unfortunately, it looks like Preorder Delivery Tracking List isn’t being updated when delivery quarters are assigned.

 

[tubes]

Unfortunately, it looks like Preorder Delivery Tracking List isn’t being updated when delivery quarters are assigned.

People need to submit the change request form on that page.

 

[slate808]

Slate will be delivering to Hawai’i. They have confirmed this to me in phone conversations and emails. Exactly when is not known. I did look at flying up to the mainland to take delivery there but decided against that because I don’t want to be personally liable if something goes wrong with the shipping. I purchased my Ram through a dealership in WA and they handled the shipping and it turned out fine after the carrier lost track of my Ram at the port in CA and one morning it was located onboard a ship docked in Honolulu harbor. Something about a mixup with the ship’s cargo manifest. Anyway, I would like my Slate as soon as possible and I have indicated to Slate that I am willing to accept a December 2026 delivery although my account still shows Jul-Sept 2027. I look forward to the Slate emails telling me to finalize my build and arrange my payment.