I finally got WinXP and Connect installed but I can't figure out how to claim this Connect Store credit everyone is talking about. Any pointers?

Open the Connect Store in the Connect software, and create an account. It'll automatically register your PC to the account (takes a moment or two).

Once that's done choose the Account option at the upper right hand corner of the Connect Store window.

On the lower side of the left column in the window it brings up, select Manage Devices.

If your Reader isn't already plugged in, plug it in now. Once you see it in the list, you should also see an option to authorize it to the account, select that, and wait for it to do its thing.

Now back on the account page, you'll see on the right column at the bottom, "Transaction History" (or something close to that), select it, and you'll see your credit listed there.

Now just buy books from the Connect Store, it'll deduct them from your credit, until it's all gone, then it'll want a credit card for further purchases. :grin:

*slaps forehead* Thanks. I checked "Transaction History" and the credit was just waiting there. Didn't think it would be so simple.

Didn't think it would be so simple.It is nice when they surprise us, isn't it? :beam:

This should be a sticky or something. Besides my own thread on the topic I think this is the 3rd one I've seen with this question. :)

This should be a sticky or something. Besides my own thread on the topic I think this is the 3rd one I've seen with this question. :)
Your wish is our command. ;)

I got my Reader today! (YAY!)

I loaded Sony Connect. USB connected my Reader. Created a CONNECT Store user account. Authorized my computer. Authorized my Reader (although Connect software died during "authorization" of my reader.... so "re-authorized it).

Check in Transaction History... and see nothing! :(

What gives?

Eagerly awaiting $50 to buy ebooks....

-mistergadgett

Argh! I tried to call Sony to ask for help about getting my $50 Store Credit on the CONNECT Reader Store/Software. I've been bounced around to 3 different Sony Support phone numbers, but none of them seem to know what it is or which department to send me to for help. I also tried the Sony Support Chat method and they said CustomerService stuff wasn't handled by them.

Anyone have a direct number or know how to surf the support menus to get help?

-mistergadgett

I'm in the same situation. My credit didn't show up when I registered the device (took 5 goes to register too, don't know if that's related). Used the contact sony link and got a mail back asking me to call the support number.
Called the number, got someone who hummed and hared a bit before trying to put me through elsewhere and the line went dead (using a skype phone as I'm in the UK).

Sony're gits.

I don't think it was skype that caused the line to go dead. LOL. The last support group I got sent to was the Vaio support guys. This guy typed in PRS-500 into his computer and was like "hummm... let me ask where to send you for this... I'll put you on hold, ok?". Well... needless to say the "line went dead" on me after some hold music.

I did send an email last night before I started calling Sony Support numbers but I'm not hopeful for email support.

Kinda stinks... one of the reasons I was willing to pay so much for the readers was because I "thought" I would get $50 to try some full-length books with. :-(

I'm pretty sure the lack of $50 credit has something to do with the botched initial authorization attempt of the portable reader.

SONY IF YOU ARE READING... dare99 and I NEED OUR $50! :-)

-mistergadgett

:happy2: Sony Connect Support finally responded to my email from earlier this week about not getting my $50 registration credit. They sent me a code to put into the Sony CONNECT store for $50. It actually appears to have worked so I'm happy again (and can purchase some books to read for my business trip!)

-mistergadgett


I don't think it was skype that caused the line to go dead. LOL. The last support group I got sent to was the Vaio support guys. This guy typed in PRS-500 into his computer and was like "hummm... let me ask where to send you for this... I'll put you on hold, ok?". Well... needless to say the "line went dead" on me after some hold music.

I did send an email last night before I started calling Sony Support numbers but I'm not hopeful for email support.

Kinda stinks... one of the reasons I was willing to pay so much for the readers was because I "thought" I would get $50 to try some full-length books with. :-(

I'm pretty sure the lack of $50 credit has something to do with the botched initial authorization attempt of the portable reader.

SONY IF YOU ARE READING... dare99 and I NEED OUR $50! :-)

-mistergadgett

I have the same problem and also sent an email to Sony Connect. Let's wait and see. :(

I got my $50 credit automagically, but it didn't happen until the first time I copied a purchased book to the reader and it got "authorized". So I bought the first book from the Connect store (it required a credit card) and after the process of getting it onto the reader, I now show a $50 credit in the store.

Z.

I have been waiting for my credit since last Friday. Followed all the steps but no credit. Customer support just keeps sending me "We need to investigate further and will notify you shortly." I love the device, hate the software and am very unimpressed with the customer support. I hope that other on-line book services compatible with the Sony come on-line soon.

I have been waiting for my credit since last Friday. Followed all the steps but no credit. Customer support just keeps sending me "We need to investigate further and will notify you shortly." I love the device, hate the software and am very unimpressed with the customer support. I hope that other on-line book services compatible with the Sony come on-line soon.


Sent them multiple emails. It helped me and I got my credit. ;)

i got my reader!!! and i got my $50 credit!!! yeah :)

Hi Sony Readers:

I’m new to this forum because I just bought my reader an hour ago from Borders. I found this forum last night while researching the product. I still wonder why Borders' Books is selling the Readers. Don't they realize that avid users of the Sony Reader will be buying their books from Connect?

Anyway, I noticed I didn’t have the $50 credit in my account as well. So, I sent an email to Sony support and had an answer from them in less than 10 minutes. Yes, 10 MINUTES!!

Here is what they instructed me to do, which I did and it worked perfectly. I’m now browsing books to spend the $50. Please note. This was done AFTER I registered my reader with the connect store.

“Hello,

Thank you for contacting Sony Connect! In order to receive the $50.00 credit you will need to authorize the e-Reader to your account.

I am not showing the e-Reader device authorized under the "myemailaddress" account.

Connect the device to the computer via USB. Open the e-Reader software on your computer and log into your account in the e-Books store. Click on the Account link at the top right. Click on "Manage Devices". The Reader should be listed. You can then authorize it to your account.

After the reader is authorized, the $50.00 credit should show on the account.

Sincerely,

Customer Support Representative
Sony Connect
http://www.connect.com”

Hope this helps others in the same situation.

BTW – This is a great forum. I’m glad I found it.

Welcome, Bhist, we're glad you found it too. Excellent first post. :smile:

I'm in the same boat as some other folks. I made an account, I authorized my PC and my Reader, but no credit. :blink: I wonder if it is because I skipped the step to enter a credit card number? (I prefer to give that when I purchase, not before.) Everyone else who didn't get a credit in your transaction history after making an account and authorizing, did you also skip the credit card information step when you made your account?

I didn't enter any CC info either, though I did need to contact Sony Connect support via email for them to "research" my problem before issuing me a eCoupon for the $50 credit. The process took about 2-3 days, but was definitely worth the wait.

The following is the email text from Sony Connect that finally got me the $50 credit. This was after several emails and phone calls to SonyStyle where I purchased my reader (discussing my special case of ordering in 2006 and receiving the reader in 2007), and to Sony Connect trying to get them to talk to one another. I used the coupon code like a gift certificate. I don't remember whether I entered my credit card or not when I filled out the registration data. I did before I entered my first order because I was going a little above the $50 credit balance with the order.



From Sony Connect:
__________________
"We are sending you a coupon code for the credit of $50.

EB50F4YCZ2xxx (the last digits have been changed)
http://ebooks.connect.com/$50"
___________________
Norm

Just a quick update to say that I did finally get my credit (as a coupon code, like NormB.) I still think the snafu was related to not giving credit card info when I signed up. And I promptly used my credit, and even though I was more or less happy with the books I bought, I still am not enjoying any of them as much as my Project Gutenberg troves. :p Time to send those folks another donation.

Good news, Fauve, glad you got it worked out. :nice:

Got the reader!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Got the credit!!!!!! --- Got my Lies of locke lamora!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!

guys,

is there a way to get the CREDIT without MANAGING DEVICE?

I am at a situation that I have not yet received my sony reader from my friend but has whatever the serial#, just don't want to connect my sony reader to someone else's PC to get the CREDIT... thanks

Sorry, chaocai, but no. You have to physically connect the Reader to a PC that's logged into your ConnStore account -- it apparently reads something out of the Reader's electronic guts somewhere to establish its uniqueness. :shrug:

Yet another newbie question: I don't have my reader yet, but have downloaded the Connect software to my laptop. Once I register/authorize my PRS 500 on my laptop, will I be able to load Connect to a different PC (say, my work PC), and download to my device in multiple places?

Thanks all!

Yup, I do just that. The only caveat is that if you register a second PC on your account you take up one of your 6 registrations slots, that may or may not be a concern for you, of course.

The other thing is be sure you un-register that PC before you let them upgrade you, otherwise you'll have to call Sony and get them to turn it off for you. :nice:

Heheh, we have a few PC's in the house and do this same thing too (two Readers as well!). You'll just need to re-download the purchased content on the other PC you register as well.

I am in India and await my reader in a weeks time. My question is how do I claim the 100 free books offer that currently is up on the site? Do I need to get these while the reader is still in the US? Sony's T&C states that this offer is only for residents of USA. So do I ask someone in US to create the account, activate it and download the books prior to shipping to India? Also I think the reader would be physically required to authenticate the purchase.

If someone can throw some light on this, it would be really great.

Thanks in advance.

Vivek

Vivek, just tick the box claiming to be in the USA. Then ignore the page asking for your credit card information and order the classics. Then, when you go to the checkout page, it will calculate your bill as zero and let you download the books.

I should tell you that the free classics are not very well-formatted. You can get better copies of most of them from our own upload section. (Also free.)

Thanks Patricia. Here is what I did. I created an account from India and authorized my notebook.

My sister in NYC did the same and also authorized the reader for this account. Then she logged off.

When I logged in, three devices were in the list and I could download one book already in India.

I dont know if I could purchase books sitting in India. But I have 100 books to read first :)

I will certainly look into the mobileread forums section for books. I have bookmarked it already.

I hope there is a good collection of non-fiction here.

thanks for your tips and for making it work for me.

cheers - vivek