Amazon has cut the price of its Kindle reader (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FI73MA/102-7019002-9145731?ie=UTF8&tag=mobileread-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000FI73MA) to $359 from $399. Must have happened at midnight PDT. Was $40 more just a few hours ago. I guess the 6 month "new" factor has worn off. :>

Amazon honored some sort of low-price agreement, so recent purchasers might be due for a refund.

And: Happy shopping, everyone who's been holding out.

Usually I'm a day late and dollar short. This time I'm early and out $40.

If only there was Sprint wireless service out were I live. That, combined with this price cut, could be enough temptation for me to make the switch from Sony.

I you bought your Kindle recently from Amazon, I think Amazon honors low-price matching for 30 days or something similar. Why not contact them and ask them to match their current price?

Hmm, I wonder if sales have dropped off now that the book-nerds have burned through their initial stock and now few are buying.

Just speculation, but really, when do companies really make such large price cuts on relatively new items unless the sales are slowing?

Maybe Kindle II is coming out soon. Hopefully it is a bit less fugly!

I doubt they're ready to launch a new device so soon. I would expect to see a new version either late November, or else mid-2009. The product cycle on e-book readers doesn't seem to be crazy-competitive like that for cell phones, pda's, laptops, and mp3 players. Fewer people read. :< Used books are still cheap. :>

I would imagine it's just `the new wore off' and Amazon discounts everything in the end.

Or the people who really wanted them already got one, and now they aim for more of the mass-market. I suspect this price drop will generate news stories and a whole new sales push to those who wouldn't budge at $400. (Remember the Iphone? :>)

I recently poked around the FCC site to see if there was anything new from Amazon. It seems they filed for approval of some small hardware changes but no signs of Kindle 2 so far.

Dang. Just my luck, of course. My Kindle shipped on 4/17, so I'm out of their 30-day price protection window. I must admit I'm not "in love" with my Kindle, and it might go to eBay eventually since the convenience isn't making up for its original cost (and with the iPhone App store around the corner, I'm hearing rumors that there will be a book reader app for the iPhone and I've got my fingers crossed that OTA downloads will be a part of that)...

I received mine on 4/23 but I put in a request for a partial refund or gift card equal to $50 anyway. You never know unless you try. :)

I wonder if someone knew this was coming because this thread was bumped yesterday in the Amazon forums.

http://www.amazon.com/Amazons-Price-Match-Policy/forum/FxBVKST06PWP9B/Tx1ZYF1RPX6S3DB/1/ref=cm_cd_ef_tft_tp?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B000FI73MA

Initial post: Nov 25, 2007 12:51 PM PST
Last edited by the author on Nov 25, 2007 12:52 PM PST
D. Kang says:
If a product that amazon sells directly drops in price within 30 days, they will refund you the difference if you email them. However Amazon has a well known reputation for issuing price matches well beyond the 30 days. On several occassions i recieved partial refunds well after 3 months. And one occasion after 6 months.

This is most likely a product life cycle price reduction. The early adopters paid the highest price and now the price starts to drop. We saw the same type of pricing with electronic calculators and Polaroid cameras in they hay days.

Hmm, I wonder if sales have dropped off now that the book-nerds have burned through their initial stock and now few are buying.

Just speculation, but really, when do companies really make such large price cuts on relatively new items unless the sales are slowing?

Apple iPhone ring any bells - sales of it were not slowing and they lowered the price $200 :eek:. $40 seems small in comparison. I think it's a simple case of 6+ months passing and the Kindle is not "new" anymore.

Having had mine since 11/20, I don't begrudge Amazon the $40, and I hope this moves the price to more mass-market levels.

Glad to see it! But I agree that this is just what happens with products, the prices go down. The product has been very successful which may also account for the price drop (more being made, price goes down.)

There is already an ebook reader on the iphone... It works okay, but it's just not something I want to read on. Also, I can't imagine much in the way of book selection unless the book reader comes from Apple itself and they get behind it.

Or if we all get lucky and Amazon starts selling ebooks for other devices... (Fat chance!)

Or if we all get lucky and Amazon starts selling ebooks for other devices... (Fat chance!)

It would be cool if they did. Maybe charge extra ($1?) for the conversion which would have to go through Amazon. The more books sold, the better for Amazon.

I recently poked around the FCC site to see if there was anything new from Amazon. It seems they filed for approval of some small hardware changes but no signs of Kindle 2 so far.

There was not really a great deal of warning before the Cybook appeared with some hardware changes...
Mind you, price hasn't changed...
So much for competition pricing...

I you bought your Kindle recently from Amazon, I think Amazon honors low-price matching for 30 days or something similar. Why not contact them and ask them to match their current price?

I placed my order for the Kindle on Friday the 23rd(of May) and I used the Amazon customer support option of having them call you right away. They called and I explained the situation, but then the support guy told me that all Kindle issues are dealt by the Kindle division of Amazon.

I thought "Oh boy here we go", but the standard customer service rep forwarded my concern to the Kindle department and I just received an e-mail saying that they are going to credit my card for the full $40. It was an extremely easy process, so anyone that purchased a Kindle in the past month should call and ask for the price difference.

Since I just bought my Kindle last week, I put in a request for a $40 refund per their price guarantee. I'll let you know how it goes. I don't expect there to be any problem.

BOb

It would be cool if they did. Maybe charge extra ($1?) for the conversion which would have to go through Amazon. The more books sold, the better for Amazon.

Well, it depends on what business model Amazon is pursuing. Apple showed that they can dominate the market with the iTunes store only working on their product. Admittedly, the DRM thing for itunes is moving around a little but that is largely dictated by the publishers and book publishers have traditionally been far less experimental than music companies.

So if Amazon just wants to sell books... yes, it could be a good thing. If Amazon wants to control the hardware and sell books that's a different issue. Of course, the DRM schemes used by various ebook companies is often proprietary as well.. they'd have to go along with it as well. Would Sony be willing to drop their store to allow their devices to use the store? I dunno.

But here's hoping!

Probably starting to stack up in the warehouse

Hmm, I wonder if sales have dropped off now that the book-nerds have burned through their initial stock and now few are buying.

Just speculation, but really, when do companies really make such large price cuts on relatively new items unless the sales are slowing?

I suspect it was planned and in line with the fact that currently they have them in stock. I think the lack of stock kept the price up. It is standard for the price to come down irregardless of the sales if a company has stock. I didn't hear anybody making this claim when Apple iPhones dropped.

Dale

I too am surprized at the timing of this discount. I made it by one day. Called customer service and my credit is in the works.

Sony did the same thing with the 500 a few weeks prior to unvailing the 505. Is Amazon folowing suit?:chinscratch:

Update: I just got off the phone with Amazon. Amazon is using 30 days from the ship date not the date received (which makes no sense to me) as the window. My Kindle was shipped on 4/21 and they will NOT give me the $40 refund.

I'm not happy about not getting the refund but I'm still happy with my Kindle.

It is typical for Amazon to give a discount off the "list" price for items that remain in stock. The Kindle is a little different, since they make it, so the equivalent is to reduce the list price. I assume the price will continue to drop over time if sales level off at the current price.

I received mine on 4/23 but I put in a request for a partial refund or gift card equal to $50 anyway. You never know unless you try. :)



This is true - I've sent an email to their customer service, so we'll see what happens... :)

Glad to see it! But I agree that this is just what happens with products, the prices go down. The product has been very successful which may also account for the price drop (more being made, price goes down.)

There is already an ebook reader on the iphone... It works okay, but it's just not something I want to read on. Also, I can't imagine much in the way of book selection unless the book reader comes from Apple itself and they get behind it.


Yes - technology prices do indeed go down. I've been a tech geek for long enough to have experienced this many times. I will say that the iPhone price drop was the most extreme one I've ever experienced, though, and I did take advantage of the $100 store credit Apple offered to early adopters afterward...

I only tried one of the book readers on my jailbroken iPhone (which is currently up on eBay - I prefer the stability of my locked iPhone instead) and didn't really like it. I read somewhere that Mobipocket is planning an ebook reader application for the iPhone, and if OTA downloads are part of that, I'm in, and my Kindle is going on eBay!

I'd also prefer to see Amazon books available for other devices... I'm not really interested in the Kindle, I like reading on my iPaq, and to me, a $40 reduction on a $400 reader is a joke, anyway.

Amazon really should create a reader for their eBooks that works on your computer and then open up their eBooks to everyone.

Amazon really should create a reader for their eBooks that works on your computer and then open up their eBooks to everyone.

The Kindle does connect to a computer, but I do agree with you on opening up their ebooks. I would be willing to pay a little more for non-DRM encumbered files.

The Kindle does connect to a computer, but I do agree with you on opening up their ebooks. I would be willing to pay a little more for non-DRM encumbered files.

Yes, it connects to a computer, but there is no reader software for the PC/Mac on which you can read Kindle purchased books.

BOb

Amazon really should create a reader for their eBooks that works on your computer ....

But why?:blink:

The whole idea of the Kindle (and all of the e-readers) is portability, mirroring the paper book reading experience and using the eInk techonology to free us (e-book readers) from having to sit and stare at computer screens even more than we already do.

Reading e-books on a computer screen, especially for pleasure, would seem like a step back to me, not forward.:chinscratch:

Yes, it connects to a computer, but there is no reader software for the PC/Mac on which you can read Kindle purchased books.

BOb

Oh, I see what he meant now. Well, that would only be beneficial if Amazon releases books that are DRM free, even if you had a .azw reader program the files are locked to each specific Kindle.

But why?:blink:

The whole idea of the Kindle (and all of the e-readers) is portability, mirroring the paper book reading experience and using the eInk techonology to free us (e-book readers) from having to sit and stare at computer screens even more than we already do.

Reading e-books on a computer screen, especially for pleasure, would seem like a step back to me, not forward.:chinscratch:

Well, the scenario that often presents itself to me is that I am at work, during lunch or an unscheduled break, and I want to read but my Reader is nowhere near me (if I am in between meetings, for example) or I don't want to whip it out (the Reader) and attract attention. It would be great to have the book on the computer and start reading.

Amazon really should create a reader for their eBooks that works on your computer and then open up their eBooks to everyone.
As close as it is to the format, it seems like there would be no technical reason why they couldn't just add support to the Mobipocket Reader software.

Just got a reply from Amazon customer service - no refund for me since I'm out of the 30-day price protection window. :( (I'm not mad - their policy is clearly stated but I thought I'd give it a shot anyway.)

Oh, I see what he meant now. Well, that would only be beneficial if Amazon releases books that are DRM free, even if you had a .azw reader program the files are locked to each specific Kindle.

Or the software could be registered just as a Kindle can be to your Amazon account. This is how Mobipocket's PC reader works, and how Microsofts PC reader works.

BOb

Just got a response from Amazon... they are putting through a refund of my $40 via their Post-Order price guarantee. No questions asked.

Amazon just has excellent customer service.

BOb

Reading e-books on a computer screen, especially for pleasure, would seem like a step back to me, not forward.:chinscratch:

There are many non-fiction, not for pleasure eBooks available in the Kindle store that I may want to use on my PC... tech stuff, etc. OF course, this probably also goes to them not selling Kindle books (ebooks) to non-Kindle owners. I guess they figure go Mobipocket if that is what you want.

I think they are missing revenue on both sides. Selling Kindles books to non-kindle owners and selling Kindles to people that want to read ebooks other than those bought at the Kindle store.

If they really want to be the iPod/iTunes for eBooks lets compare.

iPod/iTunes

1. You can only use iTunes with an iPod.
2. You can use iTunes without an iPod.
3. You can use an iPod without iTunes (supports other formats).

Kindle/Kindle Store

1. No Kindle software.
2. You can't buy Kindle books without a Kindle.
3. You can use Kindle without Kindle books (support mobi non-drm).

BOb


BOb

There are many non-fiction, not for pleasure eBooks available in the Kindle store that I may want to use on my PC... tech stuff, etc. BOb

Well, I think this is the whole point of the whole e-reading device "mini -revolution":o. They seem to be catering to the reading public more than the reference manual public therefore, the design and marketing are geared differently.:smack:

Some people may want to read reference material like the latest "How-To" tech book, but, looking at their marketing campaigns on their sites (Amazon, Sony, iRex, Booken, et al.), they really want the reader who wants to curl up with a good novel, not PC repair.:rolleyes:

Even Astak, the newest kid on the block, has an image of a woman comfortably reading a good book while sitting in a window with a picturesque urban scene behind her, not trying to learn the ins and outs of Photoshop CS.

Well, I think this is the whole point of the whole e-reading device "mini -revolution":o. They seem to be catering to the reading public more than the reference manual public therefore, the design and marketing are geared differently.:smack:


Isn't Amazon about the long tail?

BOb

Isn't Amazon about the long tail?

BOb

If you mean long tail in terms of a long term sales of the device, I'm sure that is their goal.

But, the marketing says they've identified their customers as those who want to read the e-version of the latest best seller and they'll get around to everyone else when they get around to them.

They've done their marketing research and I would bet the vast majority of people who buy books from Amazon are people who read fiction and are looking for the next "good read."

Jeff Bezo has been very explicit about creating the Kindle to appeal to that market/demographic first and foremost since they are probably his biggest customers.

If you mean long tail in terms of a long term sales of the device, I'm sure that is their goal.

No, I mean the long tail a la the book by Chris Anderson of the same name.

http://www.amazon.com/Long-Tail-Future-Business-Selling/dp/1401302378/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1211924177&sr=8-1

BOb

But why?:blink:

The whole idea of the Kindle (and all of the e-readers) is portability, mirroring the paper book reading experience and using the eInk techonology to free us (e-book readers) from having to sit and stare at computer screens even more than we already do.

Reading e-books on a computer screen, especially for pleasure, would seem like a step back to me, not forward.:chinscratch:

It is very handy to open a eBook on a PC to make sure it is the one you are thinking about or to search it or for any number of reasons other than a replacement for your portable reader. The PC also sort and other organization tasks for your eBooks which allows you to manage them. They are much easier to manage if you can look at the contents.

Dale

It is very handy to open a eBook on a PC to make sure it is the one you are thinking about or to search it or for any number of reasons other than a replacement for your portable reader. The PC also sort and other organization tasks for your eBooks which allows you to manage them. They are much easier to manage if you can look at the contents. Dale

But that is not the intended market for ebook readers. Each company "thinks" they've solved the book file management issue. :(

They are aiming to create an experience that mirrors reading a paper book and those sorts of task they think are best handled on the device, regardless of how well it actually "works."

Again, look at the way they are marketed and you will see why it will probably be a long time before Amazon releases a PC/Mac reader for the Amazon Kindle.

well the Kindle is still in stock even after the big price drop :)

Or the software could be registered just as a Kindle can be to your Amazon account. This is how Mobipocket's PC reader works, and how Microsofts PC reader works.

BOb

That would be good, so long as they make and support a gnu/linux version of the software :) . Hopefully, as we see Amazon make more and more progress with ebooks, we will start to see them branch out as much as possible.

Greetings,
I was just browsing through Sony's website. I added the PRS 505 to my shopping cart and in the basket was a "Promotional Discount" of $45.00. Let the prices continue to fall!:)
Total without tax is at $254.99.

ohhh I love a good price war:thumbsup:


Greetings,
I was just browsing through Sony's website. I added the PRS 505 to my shopping cart and in the basket was a "Promotional Discount" of $45.00. Let the prices continue to fall!:)
Total without tax is at $254.99.

Having had mine since 11/20, I don't begrudge Amazon the $40, and I hope this moves the price to more mass-market levels.

Real mass-market price levels for electronics is in the $50 range, so any eReader has a ways to go. Sort of how DVD players didn't take off until they were being sold in grocery stores and corner stores for $30. I'd like to think that high prices won't keep people away, such as with iPods, but a hell of a lot more people listen to music than read.

But that is not the intended market for ebook readers. Each company "thinks" they've solved the book file management issue. :(

They are aiming to create an experience that mirrors reading a paper book and those sorts of task they think are best handled on the device, regardless of how well it actually "works."

Again, look at the way they are marketed and you will see why it will probably be a long time before Amazon releases a PC/Mac reader for the Amazon Kindle.

Actually the Kindle is the only product that does not have a version running on a PC. That should tell you something about what everyone else thinks. Most can use a PC to help manage the eBooks and to provide a platform to develop your own books. Some even allow you to sync the books in such a way that you can pick up where you left off in your reading.

Amazon is clearly positioning themselves differently but is this always a good thing?

Dale

Real mass-market price levels for electronics is in the $50 range, so any eReader has a ways to go. Sort of how DVD players didn't take off until they were being sold in grocery stores and corner stores for $30. I'd like to think that high prices won't keep people away, such as with iPods, but a hell of a lot more people listen to music than read.

Where did you get the $50 number? Certainly iPODs are mass marketed at above this level. Certainly DVD players mostly cost more that $30 bucks. Where are you buying one in a grocery store. DVD took off as soon as it hit $100. I think you are smoking funny cigarettes.

Dale

Greetings,
I was just browsing through Sony's website. I added the PRS 505 to my shopping cart and in the basket was a "Promotional Discount" of $45.00. Let the prices continue to fall!:)
Total without tax is at $254.99.

Maybe we'll start to have a price war on these things :2thumbsup

How low will they go, especially with Astak coming on the scene :eek:

Usually I'm a day late and dollar short. This time I'm early and out $40.

:rofl::rofl:

Best post so far!

:iloveyou:Thanks for making my morning!

Even though I bought the PRS-500 less than a year ago, I've been looking a lot at the Kindle. I like a lot of the features but since I'm in the navy and based overseas, I wouldn't be able to take advantage of the EVDO network unless I'm visiting back state-side (or until after I get out of the navy and move back to the states). This is a big drawback for me. I really wish Amazon had put in WiFi with the EVDO.

Well, I gone and done it. I should have my Kindle by Friday.

I was just browsing through Sony's website. I added the PRS 505 to my shopping cart and in the basket was a "Promotional Discount" of $45.00. Let the prices continue to fall!:)
Total without tax is at $254.99.

I put it in my shopping cart and I don't get a discount. What gives? :blink:

doesn't hurt to have a couple varieties of readers around :)


Even though I bought the PRS-500 less than a year ago, I've been looking a lot at the Kindle. I like a lot of the features but since I'm in the navy and based overseas, I wouldn't be able to take advantage of the EVDO network unless I'm visiting back state-side (or until after I get out of the navy and move back to the states). This is a big drawback for me. I really wish Amazon had put in WiFi with the EVDO.

Even though I bought the PRS-500 less than a year ago, I've been looking a lot at the Kindle. I like a lot of the features but since I'm in the navy and based overseas, I wouldn't be able to take advantage of the EVDO network unless I'm visiting back state-side (or until after I get out of the navy and move back to the states). This is a big drawback for me. I really wish Amazon had put in WiFi with the EVDO.

If you have a US address and Credit Card you will still be able to buy and download the Kindle books to your PC and move them to your Kindle with the USB connection.... if you were so inclined.

BOb

Where did you get the $50 number? Certainly iPODs are mass marketed at above this level. Certainly DVD players mostly cost more that $30 bucks. Where are you buying one in a grocery store. DVD took off as soon as it hit $100. I think you are smoking funny cigarettes.

Dale

Any grocery store within 100 miles of where I live carries DVD players, and they carry the cheap models that the mass-market buys. And $30 is on the high side for some stores, which give them away for free with another larger purchase.

Spellbot 5000, I have to say, where the freak do you live?

I have never seen a grocery store selling DVD players!

Well, maybe the Piggly Wiggly I went to in Sturgis, South Dakota circa 1975 at a price of 2 million dollars, but in all honesty, I was smoking funny cigarettes at the time, so my memory cannot be trusted.

I am not saying you are lying!

I am just saying: WTF?

Spellbot 5000, I have to say, where the freak do you live?

I have never seen a grocery store selling DVD players!...

I don't know about Spellbot 5000, but in Australia, yeah, in places like Coles (a grocery supermarket), they'll be selling cheap DVD players, usually at the end of an aisle in that "SALE!" bit on the end. I think the ones at Coles down the road are AUS$29, but I can check for an exact amount if you want.

EzyDVD (a DVD seller, online and with stores) was selling them for something like AUS$10 if you bought AUS$60 worth of DVDs (and their DVDs are often pretty reasonable value too).

Cheers,
Marc

Spellbot 5000, I have to say, where the freak do you live?

I have never seen a grocery store selling DVD players!

Well, maybe the Piggly Wiggly I went to in Sturgis, South Dakota circa 1975 at a price of 2 million dollars, but in all honesty, I was smoking funny cigarettes at the time, so my memory cannot be trusted.

I am not saying you are lying!

I am just saying: WTF?

I live in Vancouver.

Any grocery store within 100 miles of where I live carries DVD players, and they carry the cheap models that the mass-market buys. And $30 is on the high side for some stores, which give them away for free with another larger purchase.

It is the same in Sweden that they are sold in grocery stores. But the price is a bit higher.

The price drop combined with the looming threat of sales tax being added to my purchase (I live in New York) made me finally pull the trigger on ordering a Kindle. It's arriving today; I can't wait!

Christmas shopping season only 5 months away, order several for friends and loved ones :bookworm:

I live in Vancouver.

Oh, Canadian dollars! Now you are talking about real money.

Oh, Canadian dollars! Now you are talking about real money.

Yes, the Canadian $ is worth more than the US $ for the first time in what, forever? Still $1CAD = $1.01US. So if one is "real" so is the other.

BOb

Thank you for setting me straight on that, BOb.

Yes, the Canadian $ is worth more than the US $ for the first time in what, forever? Still $1CAD = $1.01US. So if one is "real" so is the other.

BOb

I think the last time it was at parity was in the mid 70's.

I put it in my shopping cart and I don't get a discount. What gives? :blink:

Me either. Still selling at $299.00 as far as I can tell.

Me either. Still selling at $299.00 as far as I can tell.

I just tried again and did not receive that promotion again. Was it a coincidence that it was the same day Amazon lowered the price on the Kindle????
I did not order the item, just placed it in cart to calculate shipping and taxes, and the promotional discount was there. Today, it is not.

Well, I called Sony because I more or less decided on buying it all of yesterday and wanted to know what happened.

Officially it was a Memorial Day promotion and it was a glitch that it carried past Monday.

Seems now I'm a day late and a dollar short. :(

Do you think they'll have another one for Father's Day? I'm so depressed...

Sign up for the Sony Card and you get $100 off a 505

while I am sure this is just the natural market adjustment because Sony dropped the price earlier this year, I wonder if something else is afoot. The rumor about Spint's EVDO is they are changing their unlimited service option to a 5gb/mo cap. Not wanting to discuss the merits of that but rather perhaps this is a prelude to ending the beta on web browsing via the Kindle due to changes in how Sprint is operating since their WiMax/Xhom announcement a month or so ago.

Much of the value in the Kindle price is the web access, at the very least the access to the site, book delivery, and Wikipedia access. If something changes in that area I would not think there is much to set the Kindle apart from the Sony 505. At least not enough to justify the price difference.

Hope that is just my tin foil hat failing and needing replacement.

If you have a US address and Credit Card you will still be able to buy and download the Kindle books to your PC and move them to your Kindle with the USB connection.... if you were so inclined.

BOb

I was thinking more about the convenience of newspaper deliver and web access (specifically wikipedia). It's kind of a letdown if I have to go to the computer for that stuff anyway. I guess I'll wait a little longer to see if any new devices promise to entice me more than Amazon and deserve to be my next ebook reader. Maybe the price on the Kindle will drop a little more in the meantime.