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.
newbie here. I think it would be fun to go on the off road course in vintage Scouts too. That would be awesome!
