Lurkers of Aptera HQ

[1E 1721]

I would find it very difficult to believe that there is not an Aptera company presence lurking in these boards. That said, wouldn't you think that all of the doubt and frustration being expressed herin would be known at company headquarters? And still no words of comfort. If the level of sympathy and understanding is what it is now when they need people to want their product. Imagine what things may be like after people finally hopefully get there hands on them and have any problems. I for one am preparing myself to have to take care of repairs etc on my own if needed. I wouldn't want to be someone with no mechanical/electrical abilities.

[KarenRei]

Originally Posted by 1E 1721

I would find it very difficult to believe that there is not an Aptera company presence lurking in these boards.

There is. It's well known. Every so often, we're reminded of it humorously, such as when one person at an Aptera showing asked them a question I had brought up several times, and they began their response with, "Tell Karen ..."

That said, wouldn't you think that all of the doubt and frustration being expressed herin would be known at company headquarters?

It is.

And still no words of comfort.

You'll get them soon enough.

[John Mammoth]

I have to agree with 1E. We know that company folks are reading the website. Therefore they must also know that the level of frustration is rising everyday. Obviously, from the lack of participation on this site, the number one fans of this vehicle are losing faith. It is childishly simple to put together and distribute a letter to the reservation holders. I would be amazed if it took more than 20 minuets. The fact that they have not done so is more than a little ominous. Do they not care that it is we who will get them through the first year of production? Do they not know that we tell our friends, neighbors and anyone that will listen about the little EV in So Cal that's going to revolutionize personal transportation? Are they unaware that we stick up for, and answer questions about Aptera on chat boards, discussion threads, blogs and comment sections? Karen, you more than anyone should be pulling a salary from these guys right now. I'm surprised they haven't offered you a job.

I take some comfort that in the opaque era of Aptera news we've had one really notable exception. That was Jay driving one around and giving us great footage of the little (but wide) guy on the freeway. I continue to spread the word and wait for the production intent version of the Typ 2 to appear. I still think I could be driving mine by the end of next year, which is just fine by me.

[KarenRei]

Originally Posted by John Mammoth

It is childishly simple to put together and distribute a letter to the reservation holders. I would be amazed if it took more than 20 minuets.

Hey, that's not fair. It took Franz Schubert a long time to write 20 minuets.

http://imslp.org/wiki/20_Minuets,_D.41_(Schubert,_Franz)

The fact that they have not done so is more than a little ominous. Do they not care that it is we who will get them through the first year of production?

IMHO, interest in the vehicle is not a problem for them. Keeping competitors in the dark and not exposing themselves to liability is. They'll release info on whatever schedule they deem most appropriate. Standard practice for a lot of startups.

It's unfortunate for us, of course.

Karen, you more than anyone should be pulling a salary from these guys right now. I'm surprised they haven't offered you a job.

Heh, I appreciate the sentiment, but their software needs are limited.

[Kekoa#433]

Originally Posted by John Mammoth

I have to agree with 1E. We know that company folks are reading the website. Therefore they must also know that the level of frustration is rising everyday. Obviously, from the lack of participation on this site, the number one fans of this vehicle are losing faith. It is childishly simple to put together and distribute a letter to the reservation holders. I would be amazed if it took more than 20 minuets. The fact that they have not done so is more than a little ominous.

Well as you have stated and we all know that at least a few of the company folks are reading the website. Since the letter may take to long how about someone from the company taking a minute to sign up on this forum and posting about how things are going.

I would think that the people that are looking the most forward to the Aptera are located on this forum in some form. So they could save the trouble of having to deal with the email problems of the past and just post directly to the forum.

If everything is going well with the Aptera timetable then there should be nothing to hide. If anything you would want to tell everyone just how well things are going. But if things are not going exactly to plan let us know. We are all adults here and can handle difficult truths. Most of us have had to deal with the year delay of the Aptera and yet we still hang in there. I think over the time this forum has been going we have come to the conclusion that no matter how great we think the Aptera is going to be its also going to be a difficult road to production.

If there is another zero hour announcement about delaying the Aptera I think it may end up being the final straw for quite a few people. But if there is continued communication maybe some of that backlash can possibly be averted. At least then people will feel like they have been part of the process.

[jstdadd]

Originally Posted by Kekoa#433

Well as you have stated and we all know that at least a few of the company folks are reading the website. Since the letter may take to long how about someone from the company taking a minute to sign up on this forum and posting about how things are going.

Aptera has their own forum. This is a public forum. Announcing something valuable in this forum, rather than through their own avenues (newsletter, website, public announcement) would just be silly.

[Kekoa#433]

Originally Posted by jstdadd

Aptera has their own forum. This is a public forum. Announcing something valuable in this forum, rather than through their own avenues (newsletter, website, public announcement) would just be silly.

What is silly is the lack of information on anything that is happening with the company as the deadline approaches and everyone is looking for answers.

[Anthony]

Look guys. Relax. Sit back and watch TV or something while the guys at Aptera work their buns off. I have worked on cutting edge projects before and it's always the same. Everyone always asking me, "How long will it take?" or "How fantastic will it be?" I don't want to answer because I don't know. It has never been done before. But they force me to make a some sort of wild a-- guess. What really really really burns my hide is when the time estimate comes and goes, they get made at me. As if I have don't something wrong. They just sit on their hand complaining while I'm working like a dog. Eventually, the product is finished and everything is wonderful. Everyone forgets about the long wait the second the product hits the market. But I just hate the months, weeks, and then days just before.
PLEASE DON'T DO THAT TO APTERA!
They are possible creating the most import invention of 2010. Given them some space. Let them do it right and don't force them to make estimates that are just going to be wrong anyone. They don't know how long it will take and they don't know what decisions they are going to make in the future.

I'm telling you now. They are going to slip on their delivery dates. And there are going to be technical problems with the car. And the car is not going to be exactly as you wanted it. And it's going to cost more than you thought it would. But all of that will just fly from your head when they hand the keys to you for your first test drive. None of that will mater at that moment. You're only thought will be, "I want one!"

[paddler13]

Anthony, you took the words right out of my mouth. This constant insistence on getting stroked by Aptera is pretty humorous. They are working at their product, it is their product, and it will be done when it is done. I'd be more worried if there were an Aptera rep in here every other day stroking bruised egos and making ridiculous promises or answering ridiculous demands just to keep someone happy while putting the company in a bind to meet all those promises and satisfy all those demands.

No product is ever perfect, no product ever does everything some citizen wants it to do. That doesn't make it a bad product or the company a bad company.

[Aptera#1434]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Look guys. Relax. Sit back and watch TV or something while the guys at Aptera work their buns off. I have worked on cutting edge projects before and it's always the same. Everyone always asking me, "How long will it take?" or "How fantastic will it be?" I don't want to answer because I don't know. It has never been done before. But they force me to make a some sort of wild a-- guess. What really really really burns my hide is when the time estimate comes and goes, they get made at me. As if I have don't something wrong. They just sit on their hand complaining while I'm working like a dog. Eventually, the product is finished and everything is wonderful. Everyone forgets about the long wait the second the product hits the market. But I just hate the months, weeks, and then days just before.
PLEASE DON'T DO THAT TO APTERA!
They are possible creating the most import invention of 2010. Given them some space. Let them do it right and don't force them to make estimates that are just going to be wrong anyone. They don't know how long it will take and they don't know what decisions they are going to make in the future.

I'm telling you now. They are going to slip on their delivery dates. And there are going to be technical problems with the car. And the car is not going to be exactly as you wanted it. And it's going to cost more than you thought it would. But all of that will just fly from your head when they hand the keys to you for your first test drive. None of that will mater at that moment. You're only thought will be, "I want one!"

Anthony- you say 2010?! Do you have some news? I thought the vehicle was slated for 2009?