View Full Version : Sony US Store from UK


ChristopherTD
02-19-2010, 10:08 AM
They seem to have a number of ePub books that nobody else has, but I haven't been able to find a way to fool their software into letting me buy from the UK. Has anyone found a way to do this?

mgmueller
02-19-2010, 11:48 AM
They seem to have a number of ePub books that nobody else has, but I haven't been able to find a way to fool their software into letting me buy from the UK. Has anyone found a way to do this?

Hmm, I don't need any trick at all from Germany.
Just define "US shop" in settings of the reader software.
They never have checked my IP or anything like that so far.

ChristopherTD
02-19-2010, 11:22 PM
I can access the store fine from the reader library, what I can't do is buy anything because I can't enter credit card information. It validates the address and says that it isn't correct.

mgmueller
02-19-2010, 11:58 PM
I can access the store fine from the reader library, what I can't do is buy anything because I can't enter credit card information. It validates the address and says that it isn't correct.

For me it's working without problems for 18 months.
In the past I had to use gift cards (might be an option for you), but since the update about 4 months ago I even can use my German credit card.
At what stage do you get the error message?

BTW: Usually I find a bit more books from Amazon or even BooksOnBord than from Sony.

ChristopherTD
02-20-2010, 01:20 AM
For me it's working without problems for 18 months.
In the past I had to use gift cards (might be an option for you), but since the update about 4 months ago I even can use my German credit card.
At what stage do you get the error message?

BTW: Usually I find a bit more books from Amazon or even BooksOnBord than from Sony.

It insists that I have to add a credit card. When I try to do so it throws it out on the post/zip code validation. It must check it against valid US/Canadian codes first, then against the code registered with the credit card. I have tried various combinations but none seem to get past this.

The books I was trying to get were some early Raymond Feist and a Gene Wolfe (Wizard) that seem to be only there.

Jim Taylor
02-20-2010, 05:19 AM
It insists that I have to add a credit card. When I try to do so it throws it out on the post/zip code validation. It must check it against valid US/Canadian codes first, then against the code registered with the credit card. I have tried various combinations but none seem to get past this.

The books I was trying to get were some early Raymond Feist and a Gene Wolfe (Wizard) that seem to be only there.

I am in Australia but have access to a valid Canadian credit card, but the store won't let me add the card unless I access the shop from Canada!
Does anyone know a work around?

m-reader
02-20-2010, 05:26 AM
I am in Australia but have access to a valid Canadian credit card, but the store won't let me add the card unless I access the shop from Canada!
Does anyone know a work around?

Remote VPN - for a few dollars a month you can get a US/UK IP address. This works well for geo-restrictions.

banjobama
02-20-2010, 09:36 AM
The Sony Store also works fine for me in Japan, with the setting as US, same as iTunes.

I do have a US billing address, though.

mgmueller
02-20-2010, 10:17 AM
It insists that I have to add a credit card. When I try to do so it throws it out on the post/zip code validation. It must check it against valid US/Canadian codes first, then against the code registered with the credit card. I have tried various combinations but none seem to get past this.

The books I was trying to get were some early Raymond Feist and a Gene Wolfe (Wizard) that seem to be only there.

Do you add a US (fantasy) address or your original one? You need one from the US. Just google for the fire department or something like that. Be careful: Choose california. Most US states (with the exception of California and about 5 others I don't remember just now) bill around 10% taxes in addition. Don't know whether this applies for Sony eBooks (I guess so), but is valid for iTunes movies and series for example.

mgmueller
02-20-2010, 10:18 AM
Remote VPN - for a few dollars a month you can get a US/UK IP address. This works well for geo-restrictions.

Sony doesn't track the IP. B&N does, but so far they're the only one of the dozens I've tried. The others simply "believe" the US address you enter.

JSWolf
02-20-2010, 02:42 PM
They seem to have a number of ePub books that nobody else has, but I haven't been able to find a way to fool their software into letting me buy from the UK. Has anyone found a way to do this?

The best way to do it is to get someone to buy you gift cards from Sony. That will work to allow you to purchase eBooks from Sony US. if you want, PM me and I'll give you my Paypal info so you can send me money to buy you some gift cards.

mgmueller
02-20-2010, 02:48 PM
The best way to do it is to get someone to buy you gift cards from Sony. That will work to allow you to purchase eBooks from Sony US. if you want, PM me and I'll give you my Paypal info so you can send me money to buy you some gift cards.

Since around October, you don't need gift cards anymore. You can use a European credit card for an US account since then without problems. You just have to use an US account.