Factory Pick Up - Cost and what does it include?

[J Alynn]

Ver

But they are all part of the Imagination Making Forum so.......

Very well played!

 

[J Alynn]

So, I think I'm very much not the target market for the factory pickup. I live very far away (Seattle area of the PNW, about ~2850 miles or so away). And while I'm not afraid of a good road trip (we do 900 miles in 1 day a few times a year), the time/cost/effort of the trip + all the mileage on the vehicle just make it not something that I want to do.

So, there is that.

Then we come to "what would I want to have happen if I lived next door to the factory". This is theoretical, but, might be of some use.

But... I still think I'm not the sort of person who would want to come and do much of any of what has been discussed so far. I say this not as an attempt to throw water on the plans or discussion, but more as a "remember there are all types" and a "we don't want to scare anyone out there away" sort of thing.

1) it would have to be free. If I'm doing factory pickup, I had better be avoiding the destination fee, and the "getting it for cheaper" is likely one of the reasons I'm considering the pickup.

2) I couldn't care less about merch. So the presence/absence of a "Scout store" means literally nothing to me. Unless the bathroom is located at the back of the store, I likely wouldn't even bother walking in.

3) I know everyone talks about scout being "community" based, but I will say that anything that tries to "force" community is almost always an immediate turn-off for me. This will make me sound horrible, but, when I go buy a car, I'm not also out there trying to make friends. Sorrynotsorry.

This means that campfire events/programs, would almost certainly be skipped.

4) For food/events: Remember that not everyone drinks ( I don't). I cannot tell you how annoying it is when events assume that everyone there drinks/wants to drink, and where alcohol is part of the "package" or "experience". And to add insult to injury, if pricing of the event includes the drinks, I'm just heavily subsidizing those that do drink, which irks me, which means I'm very likely to skip on any events where it is "all inclusive" like this.

* One of my worst adult/corporate life experiences was going to a work event, which ended up being a "surprise" event at a vineyard. A complete waste of a day of my life (no career progression to be had rubbing shoulders with people who won't remember talking to you the next day).

So what would I do?

1) Make everything other than buying the car optional. Just let me pick up the car and peace out.

2) If you want to go on a tour, it should be free. Maybe make it self guided? Or maybe have two options, a self guided one (Tillamook cheese factory style), and a guided one (Boeing factory tour?). If there is food at the end, or a food court that you get a voucher for if you bought a vehicle (an "i got a golden ticket" style VIP experience where its all access ) might be ok too.

3) A Museum of old models that you could see/touch/sit in could be somewhat interesting, especially if you're attending with kids (I'm constantly explaining to my kids how vehicles/things used to be, and being able climb in and see the difference would be good methinks).

4) A capabilities tour, again, could be self guided. But something showing things like stats (approach/departure, ground clearance), with videos/demonstrations of a scout actually driving over/through something that used that spec, would help get peoples head around what they can do

5) If there is offroad course, it would also be nice if you got a "pass" to come and do it whenever you want. And if there were camping somewhere along the loop.

I’m not against those thoughts either the trick becomes staffing and managing everyone picking up. It’s one thing to say your vehicle will be X date as part of a full delivery experience. It’s another to want to walk the museum and grab a sandwich and realize you have to wait 2 months longer because other events are happening. I think offering a lot of different options becomes a scheduling and staffing nightmare. I’m sure something could be worked out or - you do it like cable company-your vehicle is now complete and available. Our delivery ambassadors are available M/T/R from 8am to 4pm and you do first come first served or maybe it’s online booking and you pick a 1-1/2 hour window. Then you can self tour museum, etc….
And not an assumption of your family but I would NEVER allow vehicles to be accessible to kids. Yours may be behaved and wanting to learn but too many people literally have animals for children that would destroy the vehicles. Shame it is that way but I’ve seen it too many times at various events. Kids running around like it’s a playground.
My thinking would be factory event is special, regional service/showrooms are the intermediate where you go and get all the time you need taking delivery and they offer you breakfast or sandwich from the cafe (seen in renderings). Then you have the option of doing local event deliveries so you can meet fellow fans (if you want) but that helps build regional scout groups.
Then final option is delivery to your door, take my car, give me the keys and get the hell off my property which many would probably prefer

 

[J Alynn]

This is exactly why I started the thread! Everyone is so different.

I really like the museum idea. I think they should have access to that and the Scout Supply store whether you are picking up a car or not.

And I didn’t even think about destination charge. For example, is there a destination charge for Rivians if you have them delivered and none if you pick one up?

I suspect that is part of how BMW subsidized theirs, but even at $5-$10 per car sold that gives BMW an experience that gets buyers talking. In our case I did the delivery. Had such great memories that 12 years later I paid for daughter to do their teen driving school. She loved it so much we’ve talked about going back in a few years and doing their adult driving experience together and that certainly helps pay back my first included experience.
When I did it we did X5 offroad, teen driving had them in X3-a kid asked why they didn’t get to drive the X5’s. I said because your parents may consider buying you an X3, they won’t buy you a X5. The instructor burst out laughing and said “what he said”. It’s all about the upsell and next experience
So a single guy takes delivery and brings a buddy-because it’s more fun. A year later the buddy buys a scout because of the experience. It’s a win-win and all about the marketing!

 

[Milesm22]

I really like the idea of a factory pickup option and drive home. A few things we have to consider… Production will probably happen in batches where a group of Travelers will come out then a group of Terra. Just for efficiency sake they will have to make them by group. Maybe a big load of harvesters then some pure EV’s…
Scout will also not be able to run this 7 days a week. My bet is most of us forum members will want to do some kind of factory tour but would we be willing to wait a week or 3-4 after our Scout is ready before we fly out and take delivery? (Probably not) and then you have to think about a window. Not many of us can drop everything at a weeks notice to plan this trip. Ideally we would have a 2-3 month prior notice so we can plan accordingly take off work (make a fake doctors note so we can escape the office) etc.
So theoretically they offer Tuesday/Thursday experiences, less demand on resources, more staff to get them rolling off the line and shipped out, I would like at least a half day/full day option. Maybe partner with someone like Under Canvas to put up a little set of glamping tents for people to pay and stay or have some recommended close hotels with special pricing and a shuttle option.
My idea scenario - fly in the night before. Have limited pickup groups sizes 20-30 owners taking delivery where a special forum/group is released a few weeks before hand so you can ‘meet’ the other future owners. Morning breakfast coffee (I volunteer to make breakfast tacos and I will be bringing my own tortillas from south texas). Factory tour, off road run through in demo scout, our scout reveal, spend some time with our new baby, lunch, optional off road course (with accompanied mountain of paperwork) in our Scout, time at the accessory store (maybe even a bay and some loaner tools to accessorize yourself). Followed by a dinner and sunset drive away.

This would need to have a cost, and I would gladly pay 250+ for the experience plus hotel. (That’s not a big % when you think of the cost of the vehicle)

 

[Milesm22]

Slightly off topic but I also like the idea of a Scout ‘road show’. Based on owner address data they could ship out deliveries in batches to specific cities that are closer to where we live (or other fun destinations) this would be an option to pick up your Scout, get some hands on experience with other new owners, and then have a shorter commute home. Plus it would drive interest for the non-scout owners (look at all those cool Scouts and cool people having fun… I need one mentality)

 

[Mousehunter]

Honestly - most of the options mentioned in this thread will be expensive, but perhaps they could become minor revenue centers and major marketing projects.

BGE has an interesting marketing method. They offer BGE events. People pay to go, but get taught how to use the product (and a few get to purchase demo products at a discount) - but the main thing is by learning to use the product, they learn to trust it - and they advertise, advertise, advertise afterwards.

So sure, Scout could do occasional workshop pickups at the factory. Hard to determine demand, so hard to determine frequency. They could probably also do Scout days at offroad parks - bring down a car carrier full of deliveries, and offer a few hours of training (and a weekend of community).

 

[J Alynn]

I really like the idea of a factory pickup option and drive home. A few things we have to consider… Production will probably happen in batches where a group of Travelers will come out then a group of Terra. Just for efficiency sake they will have to make them by group. Maybe a big load of harvesters then some pure EV’s…
Scout will also not be able to run this 7 days a week. My bet is most of us forum members will want to do some kind of factory tour but would we be willing to wait a week or 3-4 after our Scout is ready before we fly out and take delivery? (Probably not) and then you have to think about a window. Not many of us can drop everything at a weeks notice to plan this trip. Ideally we would have a 2-3 month prior notice so we can plan accordingly take off work (make a fake doctors note so we can escape the office) etc.
So theoretically they offer Tuesday/Thursday experiences, less demand on resources, more staff to get them rolling off the line and shipped out, I would like at least a half day/full day option. Maybe partner with someone like Under Canvas to put up a little set of glamping tents for people to pay and stay or have some recommended close hotels with special pricing and a shuttle option.
My idea scenario - fly in the night before. Have limited pickup groups sizes 20-30 owners taking delivery where a special forum/group is released a few weeks before hand so you can ‘meet’ the other future owners. Morning breakfast coffee (I volunteer to make breakfast tacos and I will be bringing my own tortillas from south texas). Factory tour, off road run through in demo scout, our scout reveal, spend some time with our new baby, lunch, optional off road course (with accompanied mountain of paperwork) in our Scout, time at the accessory store (maybe even a bay and some loaner tools to accessorize yourself). Followed by a dinner and sunset drive away.

This would need to have a cost, and I would gladly pay 250+ for the experience plus hotel. (That’s not a big % when you think of the cost of the vehicle)

I can get behind this. Probably because similar to my thinking but I agree-it needs to be a valid experience and a reasonable cost if fair. Hence paying for the overnight stay. I like the idea of a Thursday event because you take 2 days off work (or fake it like you said-mental health day for sure) then you have 3 days to trek home in your Scout. Maybe since we both said we like to cook-maybe breakfast is an experience where the guests help. At the reveal event one of the events I did was live fire cooking. Groups of 3 or 4 made apple crisp over open flame then they were all used as the dessert that night for the post reveal event dinner. Was cool because you got to talk with people and put you in the spirit of the outdoors. Maybe it’s fires and some traegers or Blackstone for eggs and potatoes (or grits in kettle over fire since it’s SC). I think it would be a cool experience. I think $250 for an overnight with guest would be fair. I still think you could offer the overnight and also just show up morning of for breakfast. Seems we are on a very similar page

 

[J Alynn]

Slightly off topic but I also like the idea of a Scout ‘road show’. Based on owner address data they could ship out deliveries in batches to specific cities that are closer to where we live (or other fun destinations) this would be an option to pick up your Scout, get some hands on experience with other new owners, and then have a shorter commute home. Plus it would drive interest for the non-scout owners (look at all those cool Scouts and cool people having fun… I need one mentality)

Great idea. I think a few years ago we had some similar discussions but great you brought it up again and would support the regional scout group concept

 

[J Alynn]

Honestly - most of the options mentioned in this thread will be expensive, but perhaps they could become minor revenue centers and major marketing projects.

BGE has an interesting marketing method. They offer BGE events. People pay to go, but get taught how to use the product (and a few get to purchase demo products at a discount) - but the main thing is by learning to use the product, they learn to trust it - and they advertise, advertise, advertise afterwards.

So sure, Scout could do occasional workshop pickups at the factory. Hard to determine demand, so hard to determine frequency. They could probably also do Scout days at offroad parks - bring down a car carrier full of deliveries, and offer a few hours of training (and a weekend of community).

The only trick with this is maintaining the Scout “image” from one event to the next. We’ve heard people say I was told “this or that” at one one the prototype events creating questions from viewers which reflects poorly over time if the info and experience isn’t consistent. Everything in this thread ultimately is Marketing so it has to repeat the same message and same experience but if they can pull it off it would be a good option

 

[Logan]

I’m not against those thoughts either the trick becomes staffing and managing everyone picking up. It’s one thing to say your vehicle will be X date as part of a full delivery experience. It’s another to want to walk the museum and grab a sandwich and realize you have to wait 2 months longer because other events are happening. I think offering a lot of different options becomes a scheduling and staffing nightmare. I’m sure something could be worked out or - you do it like cable company-your vehicle is now complete and available. Our delivery ambassadors are available M/T/R from 8am to 4pm and you do first come first served or maybe it’s online booking and you pick a 1-1/2 hour window. Then you can self tour museum, etc….
And not an assumption of your family but I would NEVER allow vehicles to be accessible to kids. Yours may be behaved and wanting to learn but too many people literally have animals for children that would destroy the vehicles. Shame it is that way but I’ve seen it too many times at various events. Kids running around like it’s a playground.
My thinking would be factory event is special, regional service/showrooms are the intermediate where you go and get all the time you need taking delivery and they offer you breakfast or sandwich from the cafe (seen in renderings). Then you have the option of doing local event deliveries so you can meet fellow fans (if you want) but that helps build regional scout groups.
Then final option is delivery to your door, take my car, give me the keys and get the hell off my property which many would probably prefer

No harm assumed, I get it. Some kids are crazy, some parents don’t care. It’s true. There could be some middle ground, with some children’s museum type exhibits (like a reproduction of an old dash mounted to the wall next to a new dash, a door/door panel from a scout 80 showing hand crank windows, etc). But those are just ideas.

The staffing/cost associated is actually one of the reasons I suggested the self guided tour. As it could be as simple as some glass windows along the factory wall, with some kiosks, plaques, or short videos explaining what is happening. No attendants/employees needed.

This is basically what happens if you take the tillamook cheese factory tour. You walk along seeing the production process from the other side of the production walls, and watch humans and robots make the product.

 

[J Alynn]

No harm assumed, I get it. Some kids are crazy, some parents don’t care. It’s true. There could be some middle ground, with some children’s museum type exhibits (like a reproduction of an old dash mounted to the wall next to a new dash, a door/door panel from a scout 80 showing hand crank windows, etc). But those are just ideas.

The staffing/cost associated is actually one of the reasons I suggested the self guided tour. As it could be as simple as some glass windows along the factory wall, with some kiosks, plaques, or short videos explaining what is happening. No attendants/employees needed.

This is basically what happens if you take the tillamook cheese factory tour. You walk along seeing the production process from the other side of the production walls, and watch humans and robots make the product.

Love the kids museum portion-that’s a cool idea. Maybe add some tech and have a screen in front of windshield so it looks like they are driving or some new and existing miniature front cabins so kids can “drive”

 

[cyure]

I really like the idea of a factory pickup option and drive home. A few things we have to consider… Production will probably happen in batches where a group of Travelers will come out then a group of Terra. Just for efficiency sake they will have to make them by group. Maybe a big load of harvesters then some pure EV’s…
Scout will also not be able to run this 7 days a week. My bet is most of us forum members will want to do some kind of factory tour but would we be willing to wait a week or 3-4 after our Scout is ready before we fly out and take delivery? (Probably not) and then you have to think about a window. Not many of us can drop everything at a weeks notice to plan this trip. Ideally we would have a 2-3 month prior notice so we can plan accordingly take off work (make a fake doctors note so we can escape the office) etc.
So theoretically they offer Tuesday/Thursday experiences, less demand on resources, more staff to get them rolling off the line and shipped out, I would like at least a half day/full day option. Maybe partner with someone like Under Canvas to put up a little set of glamping tents for people to pay and stay or have some recommended close hotels with special pricing and a shuttle option.
My idea scenario - fly in the night before. Have limited pickup groups sizes 20-30 owners taking delivery where a special forum/group is released a few weeks before hand so you can ‘meet’ the other future owners. Morning breakfast coffee (I volunteer to make breakfast tacos and I will be bringing my own tortillas from south texas). Factory tour, off road run through in demo scout, our scout reveal, spend some time with our new baby, lunch, optional off road course (with accompanied mountain of paperwork) in our Scout, time at the accessory store (maybe even a bay and some loaner tools to accessorize yourself). Followed by a dinner and sunset drive away.

This would need to have a cost, and I would gladly pay 250+ for the experience plus hotel. (That’s not a big % when you think of the cost of the vehicle)

Love the kids museum portion-that’s a cool idea. Maybe add some tech and have a screen in front of windshield so it looks like they are driving or some new and existing miniature front cabins so kids can “drive”

Oh I love that idea. Have stuff that’s either difficult to break or if they break it easy to fix. They love to push buttons and flip switches.

 

[robothero]

Just on the kids stuff, being an eastern PA resident when the kids were younger we went to the Crayola factory pretty frequently. One of the activities they had there was a "water works" where you sent a boat down a canal and learned how locks and levies worked. It was always a highlight and really interactive.

It would be kinda cool if there was something similar, maybe with some scout-looking car/truck toys and a bunch of "off road" obstacles they can go over with displays explaining how the car works to get past it.

Water Works

www.crayolaexperience.com