VW aren’t going to threaten Tesla at this rate…

[Heres Johnny]

off_again said:

You raise an interesting point. I think we are beyond the 'early adopter' phase with Tesla, but clearly there are other factors at play. Its going to be interesting to see what happens going forward. Early buyers were prepared to overlook small issues and problems, because they were buying into what they thought was the future. As more and more 'normal' buyers join their ranks, I think that basic stuff like this will become more and more important. Your average buyer of a new car wont accept simple functionality issues. Their previous VW, BMW, Mercedes, Kia, hell even Citroen have cracked the basic stuff. And spinning it as a 'feature' is going to pass less and less. How Tesla chooses to deal with this is going to be the interesting part. Do they go 'mainstream' and risk their rabid fans blowback? Or do they continue to chart a course that causes the average buyer issues? MMmm, interesting.

And yes, Apple - expensive trendy pieces of hipster crap, right? My wife lost an Airpod Pro bud, ordered a new one - arrived the next day! Daughter dropped her iPad Pro in the pool (yes, I know, it raises the question of HOW?). Raised a ticket on the Applecare+ service and had a brand new one delivered in 3 days. Powered it on, entered in a password and it restored everything in 30 minutes. Cool. Does Google or Samsung offer the same thing? Actually yes. Its not the same thing by any stretch, but consumers expect a high level of service and its simple things that Tesla (and others) are falling down on at the moment. It should 'just work' and that means repairs, updates, fixes and services - we demand and expect better.

The thing you describe was articulated in a general technology challenge called ‘crossing the chasm’. Early adopters and innovators seek different things compared to the early majority. Read the synopsis and Tesla is playing out as it describes - the book was written 30 years ago. There’s nothing new with what Tesla are doing in terms of roadmap. It’s just the subject matter (cars) that’s different.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossing_the_Chasm

[off_again]

SWoll said:

You might want to point out just how much Applecare+ costs in addition to the purchase price of the item. Or the excess charges for each claim? Or the limitations on the number of claims in a 12 month period?

It's a great service I agree, but then it should be for the price.

Ah, yeah, US costs and suspect that its more in other markets. $129 on the iPad Pro for two years, which on a $999 device, is pretty good. Two claims of 'accidental damage' per year (like dropping the stupid thing in the pool! And this isnt the first time, she dropped her phone in last year!!!) and a $49 excess on a claim.

Other claims (and support) are not subject to the limitations of claims - thats just a catch all if you drop it, spill coffee on it or what ever.

Its pretty much in line with other insurance / service options, but I merely used it as an example of a service option and how it should be easy, simple and straightforward. As consumers, we expect to have the option to go this route and it should be simple.

[greggy50]

JonChalk said:

https://twitter.com/bertelschmitt/status/148372067...

Not interested in a pro/anti VW/Tesla discussion (though will inevitably end up in one), but if this is true, then there’s little hope of VW (or anyone else materially chip-constrained) making a dent in Tesla’s sales this year.