Hi, i need help! I really want a sony reader and I live in Australia, and as you may know it is not available in Australia. I went to B&H photo to buy it because it was the only one that could do international shipping but when it went to verify my Visa card it said 'could not verify card' and so i can't buy it :( and suggestions or does anyone know of any other places to buy it? I'd really love to buy a Reader,

thanks,
Chris

EDIT: I just bought a reader off ebay :D now i just have wait for it to come.....in total it cost me $420 US (AUD$503) for the reader and the shipping...i don't think i got any credit with it.

You could buy one from eBay and pay by PayPal. That's what I did, and it all went very smoothly. Select a seller with a good reputation and you'll be safe enough.

I looked at ebay but there were only about 5 there, most were USD$400+ one was $370 but thats the cheapest i could find...and i work at McDonalds, I'm not made of money! lol

Retail on the Reader is US$350, you won't really find it much cheaper than that. Also, considering you're in Australia, you'll have to make sure the seller ships internationally (and it'll either cost a lot or take forever to get to you).

I found a few (already complete) where the Reader sold for under $350, so just keep an eye out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-eReader-PRS-500_W0QQitemZ140105762154QQihZ004QQcategoryZ88752Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-Sony-PRS-500-Portable-e-Book-Reader_W0QQitemZ160105247693QQihZ006QQcategoryZ887 52QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-Ebook-Reader-PRS-500_W0QQitemZ290104776368QQihZ019QQcategoryZ88752Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

But what I want to know is why do so many people try to sell the Sony for more then I can buy it for from Sony or Borders?

They probably buy the Reader for $350 from an area with a good supply of them and hope to resell for a small profit to someone in an area where they are scarce.

I did a favor for someone on this board and shipped one international to Switzerland. I bought it at a local store for $350 and paid 6% tax. The packing material and shipping and insurance was like $40 if I remember right. Plus paypal fees which were around $17. So add that all up and you get around $430 without adding anything for your time. eBay "commercial" sellers can probably avoid the 6% sales tax that a normal guy like me has to pay, but still, you can see why they cost more than the $350 for which you can go to the store and pick one up.

Perhaps because 95% of the world's population can't buy it from Sony or Borders? Don't forget that the Reader is currently only officially sold in the US, although a UK launch is strongly rumoured for June or so this year.

but still, you can see why they cost more than the $350 for which you can go to the store and pick one up.

I ended up paying the equivalent of US$630 for mine, taking into account all the charges for shipping, import duties, VAT, etc etc etc.

Worth every penny :grin:.

B&H is a great store and they sell internationally. I suggest you send them an e-mail and ask how to order it.

Keep in mind that you will not be able to buy books online from the Sony Connect Store, that only takes US credit cards.

LBalsam

Keep in mind that you will not be able to buy books online from the Sony Connect Store, that only takes US credit cards.


But there are ways around that, such as Connect Gift Certificates, which a number of forum members here, such as Leaping Gnome, very kindly offer to buy for non-US members.

There are lots of other sources of books, too, other than Connect!

B&H is a great store and they sell internationally. I suggest you send them an e-mail and ask how to order it.

Keep in mind that you will not be able to buy books online from the Sony Connect Store, that only takes US credit cards.

LBalsam

I would suggest to go one more step further and call them.
When I called them just to verify whether they ship the reader to the UK and I told them that I am going to order it via their website, they said that it would be more convenient for me and for them if I ordered over the phone, because there are problems with credit cards sometimes etc.
I am 99% positive that if you call them you will be able to place an order. Be prepared they are going to ask you for a copy of your credit card - both sides. You may send the copies either via fax, or by special verification email they can give you. I don't have a fax at home, so I just made digi pics of my card and sent them :)

One site I worked with suggested that credit card numbers be sent in several emails -- one with the odd digits, one with the even digits, and one with the other info. I got my stuff and no one has since used the card except me so I guess it worked.

I like the concept of sending pictures of the numbers.

I ended up paying the equivalent of US$630 for mine, taking into account all the charges for shipping, import duties, VAT, etc etc etc.

Worth every penny :grin:.
Wow, that's quite a premium you had to pay Harry! And I am very glad you got the Reader for all the great books I got thanks to you. ;)

I ended up paying the equivalent of US$630 for mine, taking into account all the charges for shipping, import duties, VAT, etc etc etc.

Worth every penny :grin:.

$630 WOW.

Let's see how much it cost me...

$350 - reader
$42 - shipping
£47~$85 tax

total: $477

HarryT did you include the special wooden case for $350 into this sum? :)

Well after that I spent $52 nephite pouch, $22 prs-light01, $35 verilux light and when sony starts to sell the reader in the UK probably $60 for leather cover. All together...a lot :)

The main reason mine was so expensive was that I bought it back in the "old days" when there was a long delay in buying them from Sony, so they were selling on eBay for considerably above retail price - I paid $450 for mine. That, plus shipping, and all the import duties and taxes is why it added up to so much.

I've absoutely no regrets - as I said, I consider it to be worth every penny.

I've absoutely no regrets - as I said, I consider it to be worth every penny.

I completely understand what you are saying. When I was buying it on bhphotovideo I also though that I pay much more (shipping/taxes) than it is going to cost in the UK when they sell it. I went for it anyway and I do not regret at all. It worth every penny as you say.

glitchu1 found his reader on ebay. I was too late.

I have a brand new one for sale with very interesting extras. Send me a pm.

When you wonder why people would ask for more than what the reader is worth, there is a very important factor to consider. Taxes. For example, here in Canada, I have to pay $127.29CAD for duties and taxes, that's about $100.00USD. Be assured I will not ask it for the one I offer. I'll tell you all about it in a pm.

When I was buying it on bhphotovideo I also though that I pay much more (shipping/taxes) than it is going to cost in the UK when they sell it.
I wouldn't bet on that. For example, compare the prices of the Sony PlayStation 3 (60GB version) on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk - $599.99 (about £310) and £424.99 respectively.

If Sony do the usual "£ for $" equivalent pricing and charge £349 for it in the UK, then I'm considerably ahead even having paid $630, since £349 is currently more than $700 :grin:.

I just cannot believe they are going to do it!
Then who knows? They overpriced PS3...so most likely they can do it with the reader as well :uhoh2:

I'm in NZ and got mine to be marked as a "gift" and paid no tax, making my total cost including shipping $370 which I thought was pretty good.

As others have said, make sure you say you reside in the US in the Connect store and you get $50 worth of books. Easy-peasy.

Beware of the 'marked as gift'. I found out the hard way that there is a maximum of $60.00 allowed that is deducted, here in Canada. You have to pay taxes on the rest and duties for import. That bill comes from the shipping company about two months later.

But what I want to know is why do so many people try to sell the Sony for more then I can buy it for from Sony or Borders?



Hi to all. I have been trying to buy a sony reader for 2 days now. I finally got to borders.com and nowhere,nowhere ,is there any mention of the elusive sony reader. I have also gone to hbphotovidio.com and spent all day yesterday trying to buy the sony reader. This site must be the most complex site on the web. I am going to have to ring them on Monday in NY from AU, as there is a problem with their visa verification ? When will this reader be available in Australia?

I'm in NZ and got mine to be marked as a "gift" and paid no tax, making my total cost including shipping $370 which I thought was pretty good.

As others have said, make sure you say you reside in the US in the Connect store and you get $50 worth of books. Easy-peasy.

ea[COLOR=Orange]sy-peasy, you have got to be joking! Where is the gift link in Connect are you able to help me with a direct link page. I too live down under and it is impossable to get the bl....... sony reader.

Thanks

ea[COLOR=Orange]sy-peasy, you have got to be joking! Where is the gift link in Connect are you able to help me with a direct link page. I too live down under and it is impossable to get the bl....... sony reader.

Thanks
When you first loaded up the connect software, did you say that you lived in the states? If you didn't then it wont work.

There isn't a direct link to provide you with - its in the reader software. From memory you log into the connect store through the reader software, click on "my account" or similar, then register your device under "manage devices", when it does that, it puts $50 in your credit account.

Edit: Sorry, didnt read you post above your last one. So you don't have a reader yet? Cause you need one in order to get the credit. I got my reader from this guy:
Ebay Link (http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZusashop24) He will flex on price if you give him a good offer, then the shipping was $25usd.

Beware of the 'marked as gift'. I found out the hard way that there is a maximum of $60.00 allowed that is deducted, here in Canada. You have to pay taxes on the rest and duties for import. That bill comes from the shipping company about two months later.
Its very hit and miss in my country with customs. The official rule is anything valued over $400 local currency gets hauled up by customs, but reality is my hit rate for getting something through without paying taxes is well over 75%. I think they're more concerned with the importation of drugs than techie geeky gadgets :P