Paywall features

[Thavin4]

In seeing a recent trend of manufacturers using subscription models to lock certain features remotely behind a paywall, what are your thoughts on whether Scout Motors will enter the fray with its own model of paywall-features? Would that deter you from purchase? It seems more and more companies these days are treating customers as a method of squeezing out every penny and treating their purchases not as ownership any longer (e.g. Ford, Playstation, etc.).

 

[cyure]

In seeing a recent trend of manufacturers using subscription models to lock certain features remotely behind a paywall, what are your thoughts on whether Scout Motors will enter the fray with its own model of paywall-features? Would that deter you from purchase? It seems more and more companies these days are treating customers as a method of squeezing out every penny and treating their purchases not as ownership any longer (e.g. Ford, Playstation, etc.).

Oh it won’t deter me but would for sure annoy me. I’m okay with a small monthly fee for digital features (I don’t know what else to call them) after a few years for free of course.

However, if I have to pay for installed hardware, such as heated seats I am going to be more than annoyed. Absolutely no way.

 

[R1TVT]

Its all about optionality and value for me.

What is something worth? And if it is something like WiFi, and you don't want or need it, AND you can delete it without losing other features, then great. If the Terra had a reasonable subscription price for WiFi and it was bundled with other features that I found valuable, then great too. Scout should not be subsidizing optional ongoing fees for buyers (that they would need to pay for themselves) if they are to be a viable concern (beyond perhaps an introductory term, or for subset of early adopters) - if they did, that would be bad business.

 

[maynard]

I will not join the pay continually for your vehicle club. If there is a "lifetime" one-time cost (like Tivo originally offered) then I would probably consider it. But fees for features I already paid for - nope. I get things like internet connectivity and onstar or related features, but I can simply reject those features because I have a phone, and if going off grid, out of cell range, I will use a sat-phone and hand-held GPS.

 

[strider]

As @maynard said, I am fine with subscriptions that cost Scout money (like cell/satellite connectivity). I am not fine with subscriptions that do not (ie BMW's famous seat heater subscription). If they follow BMW's path I absolutely will not buy a Scout.

It would be nice if they allowed the car to be a Wi-Fi client when moving (Teslas shut off Wi-Fi when moving so you cannot use your phone hotspot to provide connectivity to the car). Unless the price is ridiculous (Tesla charges $99/year which I think is fine) I will pay for a connectivity subscription - I just don't want to bother with hot-spotting my phone all the time. Also, I would expect satellite connectivity to be more expensive.

 

[Thavin4]

Oh it won’t deter me but would for sure annoy me. I’m okay with a small monthly fee for digital features (I don’t know what else to call them) after a few years for free of course.

However, if I have to pay for installed hardware, such as heated seats I am going to be more than annoyed. Absolutely no way.

you mean like BMW?? yeah I agree

 

[Gottesacker]

I’m in agreement here with basically everyone else. Things like Cell connectivity are one thing, but don’t dare make things like opening the cabana roof or seat heaters a paid subscription. That would absolutely keep me from purchasing.

 

[speedrye]

I’m in agreement here with basically everyone else. Things like Cell connectivity are one thing, but don’t dare make things like opening the cabana roof or seat heaters a paid subscription. That would absolutely keep me from purchasing.

Now we know the real reason they're transitioning to electronic door releases. They'll be behind a paywall before long and they can't do that with mechanical door handles. Don't pay the $12.99/mo? No access to your car.

 

[maynard]

Now we know the real reason they're transitioning to electronic door releases. They'll be behind a paywall before long and they can't do that with mechanical door handles. Don't pay the $12.99/mo? No access to your car.

touble-maker...

 

[J Alynn]

Now we know the real reason they're transitioning to electronic door releases. They'll be behind a paywall before long and they can't do that with mechanical door handles. Don't pay the $12.99/mo? No access to your car.

I’m imagining someone hacking electronic doors and locking someone’s dog or child in the car and demanding a Venmo payment. It’s that kind of week-don’t judge me

 

[cyure]

I’m imagining someone hacking electronic doors and locking someone’s dog or child in the car and demanding a Venmo payment. It’s that kind of week-don’t judge me

What is happening where you are?

 

[Thavin4]

Now we know the real reason they're transitioning to electronic door releases. They'll be behind a paywall before long and they can't do that with mechanical door handles. Don't pay the $12.99/mo? No access to your car.

That's my concern is once you get it, over-the-air update and now paywall locked. $50 fee to adjust seats as the car is only registered to 1 owner!

 

[speedrye]

What is happening where you are?

The customer is always wrong, and while it is his job to fix that, it's tiring. I could be projecting, but I suspect I'm right.

 

[Crazychicken563]

IIRC BMW recently did a Spiderman movie promo in the infotainment too...

Subscription heated seats, ads in cars, insane where the industry is headed. I pray Scout doesn't fall for any of these short term profit but long term brand damage traps.

 

[J Alynn]

The customer is always wrong, and while it is his job to fix that, it's tiring. I could be projecting, but I suspect I'm right.

NAILED IT! It’s job security but it’s the nonsense of it all. And not only are they “wrong” when they want to change it, they don’t feel like they should pay for it. It’s the industry because housing is SO expensive right now. But I digress!

 

[J Alynn]

IIRC BMW recently did a Spiderman movie promo in the infotainment too...

Subscription heated seats, ads in cars, insane where the industry is headed. I pray Scout doesn't fall for any of these short term profit but long term brand damage traps.

That nuts. At least it’s not targeted demographics ads but I’m sure it’s headed that direction

 

[Gottesacker]

That nuts. At least it’s not targeted demographics ads but I’m sure it’s headed that direction

Considering almost everyone hooks their phone up to the car, I'm sure it is if they allow that. That's just disgusting to get ads in your car...

 

[Mousehunter]

Subscriptions can make sense when there is an ongoing expense to using the feature. Otherwise, they only make sense to the accounting department. While I hate to say it - if self driving requires constant connection to a massive AI farm that has to be powered, updated, and maintained - I can hate the subscription model, but understand while it is used. When it is applied to heated seating, I can just hate the company that does it. That said, I can also hate the company that sold me a feature, then stops maintaining it - leaving me with an expensive brick or landfill material.