? RJ's Letter -- Making it Right -- REVERSING THE PRICE CHANGE FOR PREORDER HOLDERS

[kurtlikevonnegut]

Here’s to all the people who cancelled! We owe you one!

In the immortal words of The Wolf: "Let's not all start sucking each other's dicks yet"

We don't know exactly what caused the reversal, but it likely was myriad factors. Order cancellations were likely a factor, but they certainly weren't the only one.

Sponsored

 

[ex0de]

Here’s to all the people who cancelled! We owe you one!

? Power to the people. Patiently waiting for the: "email in the next few days with more detail".

 

[cody]

Me yesterday:

Me today:

 

[Friscorays]

....I was going to hold my order until contacted by a guide and then cancel. I still might if they don't make the R1S as a five seater

If you go to the configure site for the R1S now the only interior option is the three color schemes so I don't see the 5 seater happening. My guess is the few takers for it were not worth the expense and complication of trying to manufacture the two variants.

 

[dsps70]

One consolation of this mishap is that now our preorders are insulated against inflation and against any further price increases even if your vehicles won’t be delivered till 2023’-24’. After this PR disaster, followed by the email apology from company founder stating our pricing is essentially fixed… it’s near impossible now for Rivian to backtrack again and increase pricing moving forward on preorders before 3/1. Add in the build in equity bc of the 20% price increase on new orders … rarely If ever does a vehicle appreciates after purchase.

Then we have to weigh all this against the lost of trust in this company— are the intangibles in place for Rivian to be a formidable business moving forward? Or, should we be acknowledging ‘the canary in the coal mine’.

 

[rraj2k81]

Just got off the phone with CS to re-instate my pre-order.

This might come as more surprising.

If you have cancelled your pre-order, the refund has already been processed, and if you want to be re-instated, you are not expected to pay the deposit.

This could potentially change once they figure things out.
But for everyone who cancelled, we are getting a free pre-order. !

Your order and line in the order will be re-instated. They are still working on the process and will be reaching out over the next few days with the next steps.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

This could potentially change once they figure things out.
But for everyone who cancelled, we are getting a free pre-order. !

Not really. The $1,000 is applied as a credit to the order when you finalize. So if Rivian doesn't ask you to repay the deposit, then expect not to see that credit when you finalize. You'll end up paying the same, overall.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Can we please acknowledge that there is a difference between making a mistake and "incompetence" or described another way "not being prepared for the level of responsibility"?

I understand what you are saying; people must be allowed to make mistakes and grow from them. There is no other way. But at the higher levels of any endeavor there must be people that make a smaller number of smaller mistakes. There are reasons that people usually start at a somewhat lower level and progress over time in most things. And yes, I know that there are glowing exceptions.

Again, I agree, much damage is done by a culture that seeks to find a scapegoat. Even more damage is done by putting someone in a role that they really are not prepared for and expecting because they are bright, etc. that everything will be ok.

There are rightfully different expectations for the mechanic of the bi-plane which can recover from many mistakes than there is for the maintenance crew of the space shuttle.

The same holds true for the arts. Mistakes must be made at early stages of development. As time goes on, you would expect fewer and smaller mistakes.

The point is that at some level, in virtually all "work", their is a hierarchy of excellence.

Agreed.

 

[Mcdubjr]

Just got off the phone with CS to re-instate my pre-order.

This might come as more surprising.

If you have cancelled your pre-order, the refund has already been processed, and if you want to be re-instated, you are not expected to pay the deposit.

This could potentially change once they figure things out.
But for everyone who cancelled, we are getting a free pre-order. !

Your order and line in the order will be re-instated. They are still working on the process and will be reaching out over the next few days with the next steps.

Was just going to post that I saw the same posted on Rivian stories… Wow!

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Weird how Polestar did so well with Android Automotive, but Volvo didn't.

Despite how related they are, I think the average buyers of each brand are quite different and what they will accept as normal or tolerate is also different.

 

[kizamybute']

Good job to all those that cancelled. That's how Rivian knew we meant business. Happy to see them reverse course. They still have to re-earn trust. Stock will take a short term hit, but now maybe they can recover. 71,000 orders in 4 years is good, but not great. They need all of them and then a bunch more. Still going to be a tough sell at the new price point for new buyers, but at least they'll be able to still roll out to 71,000 happy customers to build their brand. Even at a loss per vehicle, will positively affect their long term results. Glad they wised up.

 

[koersontap]

I had the same question. I really just wanted 5 seats, not 7. Hauling stuff is better than hauling people. Stuff doesn't tell me how to drive.

I've got a wife that'll happily tell you how wrong you are, too.

 

[rraj2k81]

Not really. The $1,000 is applied as a credit to the order when you finalize. So if Rivian doesn't ask you to repay the deposit, then expect not to see that credit when you finalize. You'll end up paying the same, overall.

I agree it's not free per 'say. But it's not 1000USD | 1500 CAD that is tied to an interest free loan, till whenever we get the vehicle.

 

[SANZC02]

Not sure about the tough sale moving forward, the 2 motor version will be at a lower price point with still decent specs. This is still the higher priced flagship, if they get a second factory going with the R2 at a more mass market price especially if it is laid out in form factors people want/need they will be in a good position to roll forward.

A lot of things still need to click together between now and then but I’m keeping my stock for the long haul.

 

[Max]

Just got off the phone with CS to re-instate my pre-order.

This might come as more surprising.

If you have cancelled your pre-order, the refund has already been processed, and if you want to be re-instated, you are not expected to pay the deposit.

This could potentially change once they figure things out.
But for everyone who cancelled, we are getting a free pre-order. !

Your order and line in the order will be re-instated. They are still working on the process and will be reaching out over the next few days with the next steps.

That is how it was with Ford. I changed my dealer, Got my deposit back but still have a reservation.

Sponsored