Will our configs be locked now?

[godfodder0901]

What type of gear is and is not available? What's the plan for getting it to you later?

Not official (yet) and may just apply to me, but a couple big ticket items. I'm supposed to get first crack at them when they hit the Gear Shop. Unknown how the pricing will turn out.

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[AxelR]

I don't want to pay more no matter what. I want the company to be successful, not just as an investor but because I want them to be around to service my Rivian and provide OTA updates 5+ years down the line. If me paying a few extra thousand dollars for a couple of non-critical options will help them with that, then why shouldn't I express my openness to doing so?

This isn't some Moroccan street vendor negotiation where all that matters is the price and your relationship with them ends upon completion of the transaction. As customers we need Rivian to survive and be in good financial health to get the best out of our vehicles in the long term. Not being able to see that perspective is frankly myopic.

Agreed. But by now you must have realized that a ~20% price increase roll back for dozens of thousands of pre-orders doesn’t really affect the viability of the Company.
Don’t misunderstand me, I want them to succeed as well.
Glad to read you’ve travelled the world so few people take the time to do so.

 

[AxelR]

As anybody asked if we can still switch to the Max Pack?

Answered my own question. CS confirmed that it is possible and old pricing will be honored. Delivery would be pushed back to 2023.

 

[Deacon]

I wonder how this is going to work. I can’t see us being allowed to switch to options that now cost more. In the past I’ve played with my config several times a week, luckily I had recently settled on my config and didn’t have something I wasn’t sure about.

Anyone worried they are going to be locked into a config they were just trying on in the Rivian dressing room?

I'm good with my config.

 

[SASSquatch]

I didn't end up changing my configuration or pulling my reservation because the magnitude of ineptitude that lead to the decision to raise prices up to 20% on your most dedicated and committed reservation holders and supporters necessitated some type of course correction.

That said, I went to the configurator without signing in and played around to see how I could get down to a more palatable number. If I were you, and you still wanted your RIVIAN at your old configuration, I would hurry the hell up and change your configuration to what you want and make some decisions.

Nothing creates urgency or enables decisiveness like the threat of a 20% price hike...

 

[Gshenderson]

There's a reason a lot of corporate jet sales take place in SC.

And RVs and luxury cars in MT. I once heard there are more luxury cars and RVs registered in MT than there are residents of the state. 0% sales tax, and a whole sub-industry of attorneys willing to set up an obfuscated LLC for you for less than $500.

 

[Max]

I still wish they would be more concrete on what the off road package does. Like show an example of the normal battery protection vs the off road protection.

This has nothing to do with off-road package and is just my free therapy session so you don't have to read it but I need to type it somewhere. It may as well be here.

After what has happened in the past few days, their communication regarding off-road package is the least of my concern. Rivian seem disoriented and in trouble. I just found out my five seater selection does not exist long after they "delivered" two R1Ss. RJs email seemed just a damage control for the short term problem to start the bleeding (of custommers). In coming weeks and months they will have to figure out how to deal with the problems they already have. So far we have seen only two solutions when they face a problem: Delays and price increase. I haveno doubt there will be more problems in 2022. My window is 2023. If they get most of the people back in which I suspect they will and they have to face more problems in 22 which I suspect they will due to Geo political issues and other unforeseen events, there will be more delays which makes their inflation issues even worse. So I will try to keep my enthusiasm in check for my window, pricing and what I will actually end up with.

To be honest with you when I cancelled the reservation, that was kind of a relief. Because I was thinking, I will just go out and get something I can get now instead of dealing with all the uncertainties that come with these reservations. It is just too taxing on time and attention and I don't have the discipline to shut it off.

RJ kept using the word mistake. I am very curious what he meant by that. I think this and all the other communication problems Rivian has had is from lack of sense of empathy. They just can't and have no interest in seeing the relationship from our point of view. Even when clearly there is a financial reason to be curious what we think and what we are interested in. I am also curious what he meant by learning. Is it learning how to fake empathy while trying to take another crack at getting that $15-$20K in a smarter way? I know it all sounds very cynical but that is the mood I am in right now.

OOPS, my invisible shrink just told me my time is up.

 

[Scoiatael]

This has nothing to do with off-road package and is just my free therapy session so you don't have to read it but I need to type it somewhere. It may as well be here.

After what has happened in the past few days, their communication regarding off-road package is the least of my concern. Rivian seem disoriented and in trouble. I just found out my five seater selection does not exist long after they "delivered" two R1Ss. RJs email seemed just a damage control for the short term problem to start the bleeding (of custommers). In coming weeks and months they will have to figure out how to deal with the problems they already have. So far we have seen only two solutions when they face a problem: Delays and price increase. I haveno doubt there will be more problems in 2022. My window is 2023. If they get most of the people back in which I suspect they will and they have to face more problems in 22 which I suspect they will due to Geo political issues and other unforeseen events, there will be more delays which makes their inflation issues even worse. So I will try to keep my enthusiasm in check for my window, pricing and what I will actually end up with.

To be honest with you when I cancelled the reservation, that was kind of a relief. Because I was thinking, I will just go out and get something I can get now instead of dealing with all the uncertainties that come with these reservations. It is just too taxing on time and attention and I don't have the discipline to shut it off.

RJ kept using the word mistake. I am very curious what he meant by that. I think this and all the other communication problems Rivian has had is from lack of sense of empathy. They just can't and have no interest in seeing the relationship from our point of view. Even when clearly there is a financial reason to be curious what we think and what we are interested in. I am also curious what he meant by learning. Is it learning how to fake empathy while trying to take another crack at getting that $15-$20K in a smarter way? I know it all sounds very cynical but that is the mood I am in right now.

OOPS, my invisible shrink just told me my time is up.

You aren't going to be the only person questioning whether or not to get back in or not, especially considering what you said about 5 seater vs 7 seater. Rivian is going to have to make decisions to streamline the production process, and that sounds like one of them. If you felt relief with the cancelation, you should probably just get another vehicle, and see what the EV market looks like for full sized SUVs in a couple years. Maybe Rivian will have their act together and the R1S will be available more quickly. Also Ford and GM will most certainly be releasing a full sized SUV at some point in the next few years. I'm still hoping to move forward with my F150 Lightning purchase, and am just keeping the R1T as a backup plan just in case the dealership tries something. If by some miracle I get offered an R1T before July, then I'd have to make a tough decision.

 

[Sully151]

I am still stuck between the truck and the SUV. I have a pros and cons list going for both. Hopefully I can switch if I change my mind.

 

[mgc0216]

I interested in how they handle this.

In my case, I swapped to an LE R1T and removed accessories that I was going to purchase to get the price around what I was going to pay for my LE R1S - but if we're rolling back the pricing, I'd like to swap back into the R1S.

However, if they said - no bueno, you can't do that I'd be bummed, but I'd live with it because honestly I'm torn between the two

 

[sevengroove]

Agreed. But by now you must have realized that a ~20% price increase roll back for dozens of thousands of ore-orders doesn’t really affect the viability of the Company.
Don’y misunderstand me, I want them to succeed as well.
Glad to read you’ve travelled the world so few people take the time to do so.

I hear you, and agree that fulfilling these orders at the original price isn’t going to bankrupt the company. It’s just that they might seek to “add value for shareholders” some other way … and I hope that doesn’t come at the expense of a good experience down the line with software, servicing etc.

Hah yes I definitely like to travel! Morocco is one of my favorite destinations, will definitely try and make it back there at some point.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Not really. They just need to reverse the changes to Launch Editions, then add a Legacy Adventure and Legacy Explorer package with the old pricing. Anyone who ordered before March 1st is on the Legacy configs, anyone after uses the new config with the new pricing.

the “early backer” model of kickstarter, basically.

 

[Swilly]

Yeah, I was configured for 5-seat version. I'm very slightly disappointed since I won't ever use the 3rd row and would rather have the extra bit of cargo space, but it's not a big deal. If simplifying to just a 7-seat version saves them money and helps them ramp production faster, then it's a small sacrifice for me to make.

I'm also glad for the tow hooks now being standard -- assuming they don't reverse that decision for those of us on "legacy" pricing. I don't need the extra shielding for $2k, but tow hooks might come in handy. I would even be willing to accept a $500 increase in the price of the Adventure trim for including those now -- speaking of ways they could have increased prices some without going all in like they did . . .

ETA: I hope they give us the chance to change interior and exterior color and wheel without moving to the new costs. I'm currently configured for Forest Green, Forest Edge, and the "bright AT" wheels. I had been meaning to change at least the wheels, and I'd really like to see the colors in person before I have to commit.

For those that are disappointed about the loss of the 5 seater, one consolation is resale value. Most people that are going to be looking at buying a R1S used will want the 3rd row version. Also, 3rd row allows you to seat 5 and carry long objects such as skis, assembled fishing rods, etc. It’s really nice to have so many seating arrangement options even if only transporting 4-5 people and without gear.

 

[Friscorays]

The only thing I still might potentially want to change is paint color. If the tow hooks are included with the adventure package or can be added without the additional underbody protection, I would view that as a very positive bonus.

 

[p3ck]

And RVs and luxury cars in MT. I once heard there are more luxury cars and RVs registered in MT than there are residents of the state. 0% sales tax, and a whole sub-industry of attorneys willing to set up an obfuscated LLC for you for less than $500.

I don't know about other states but here in Massachusetts if you get pulled over and your registration doesn't match your license that will trigger a red flag. They will ask you why and if you have moved to Mass you need to re-register your car here. Although now that I think about it, I suppose you still get around the sales tax then..

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