An Open Letter to My Canadian Friends, and Kobo

[fbrII]

You mean descendants of course... But you realize that your ancestors n'ont pas fait le bon choix? Alors tu en subi les conséquences aujourd'hui... They should have come back (mine did), and then you would already have your Glo (as well as medicare)

My ancestors would turn over in their grave if they knew Kobo was treating their descendents this way. And, I'm hoping to visit Quebec and St-Joseph-de-Beauce this summer to kinda make up for G-G Grandpa running off like that.

But in the mean time I want a Kobo!

Geez, I hope I'm getting my message across

[tnforpaul45]

The inability of American customers to get their hands on a Kobo Glo is starting to rise almost to the level of an international incident.

Meanwhile, thanks to a very kindly Forum member, mine is on its way to Alabama

Thank you!

Originally Posted by fbrII

My ancestors would turn over in their grave if they knew Kobo was treating their descendents this way. And, I'm hoping to visit Quebec and St-Joseph-de-Beauce this summer to kinda make up for G-G Grandpa running off like that.

But in the mean time I want a Kobo!

Geez, I hope I'm getting my message across

[fbrII]

The inability of American customers to get their hands on a Kobo Glo is starting to rise almost to the level of an international incident.

Yes, I'm afraid this could swing the American elections, as whichever party most effectively taps into the growing sense of frustration with the current wave of "Kobo hoarding" in Canada, is most likely to win.

(And, please, let's not blame the Japanese, that kind of behavior is not only transparent it's shameful.) I mean it's not like we see long threads about "how happy we are with our Kobo's" originating from Japan. Believe me, we are not that dumb - and please don't site the re-election of George Bush as evidence to the contrary, it's not like we haven't heard that one before.

Anyway, sell us a few Kobo's (well at least one) and let's give cooler heads a chance to prevail. What do you say, huh? We've had a good relationship, lets not end it this way.

Let's give peace a chance.

(And just in case anybody forgot, a black one with a cover, would be preferable.)

[PeterT]

Maybe what we need is a state of detente.

The American stores can sell covers for the Glo and Mini, and the Canadian stores sell the devices themselves.

[Tzar]

Originally Posted by fbrII

Dear Canadians,

I would like to sincerely apologize for any failed attempts by the United States to invade Canada. I want you to understand, we never meant anything personal, we just didn't understand why you liked the British better than us.

Well, there is roughly about 25% of Canadians who were not, and still aren't enamored too much by the British too, they're called Quebecers

Joke aside, I guess the frustration you feel about Kobo in the U.S. is basically the same frustration a lot of Canadians feel towards Amazon! You would think it shouldn't be that difficult to get these new Kindles over the northern border at the same time they do in the U.S. But no! It takes forever, like months and months before Amazon finally starts shipping their new Kindle releases in Canada.

And that's why I own a Kobo

But even if you're in the US, can't you just order your Kobo through a 3rd-party vendor (like shopereaders.com or a similar store) ?

[shanghaichica]

I think Kobo may be retaliating against American citizens for Amazon's slight against Canada (not releasing the PW in Canada straight away)

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by shanghaichica

I think Kobo may be retaliating against American citizens for Amazon's slight against Canada (not releasing the PW in Canada straight away)

I think Kobo are probably happy that Amazon is doing that.

[fbrII]

Well, there is roughly about 25% of Canadians who were not, and still aren't enamored too much by the British too, they're called Quebecers

Yes, and we probably both have some distant relatives living in Louisiana who might be willing to add a few words on the topic as well.

But even if you're in the US, can't you just order your Kobo through a 3rd-party vendor (like shopereaders.com or a similar store) ?

First, thank you for the suggestion but a sixty dollar premium (cough, cough) makes a pretty sound argument for considering the virtue of patience.

Or, for considering other options

Kobo, I have a credit card and an urge to buy - Call me!

Don't make me root a Nook!

[NNolan]

But even if you're in the US, can't you just order your Kobo through a 3rd-party vendor (like shopereaders.com or a similar store) ?

I'm debating whether the Kobo Glo is worth the extra $85 ($60 over retail + $25 shipping) to me if I order it from shopereaders.com over waiting for Best Buy to eventually get them here. With my luck the local Best Buy stores will get them the same day that my order from shopereaders ships.

[filmo]

Kobo is retaliating? Kobo is taking advantage of Amazon not doing early release in Canada to get maximum sales in their best market Canada. All companies must do what will keep them profitable.

[fbrII]

Kobo is retaliating? Kobo is taking advantage of Amazon not doing early release in Canada to get maximum sales in their best market Canada. All companies must do what will keep them profitable.

Well the only problem with that as a strategy is: 1) Amazon is on a four to six week backlog for the Paperwhite. 2) There have been numerous complaints regarding QC and the Paperwhite product.

Looks like an opportunity missed to me.

[shanghaichica]

Originally Posted by davidfor

I think Kobo are probably happy that Amazon is doing that.

Of course I was only jesting. That is how business works. For example I believe amazon had every intention of not releasing the paperwhite in the UK/Europe until next year but were forced into doing so with Kobo releasing their glo into that market first and the imminent release of the nook simple touch with glow light into the same market.

[david_e]

Originally Posted by fbrII

Don't make me root a Nook!

You ARE desperate!

[tnforpaul45]

I have been as Vocal as any about Kobo's supply chain restraints in the U.S., and wanting to focus on their core markets first. I cannot blame them at all for this, being the unabashed capitalist that I am

I think that Kobo is hearing us loud and clear on this, and they are pushing their production as hard as they can to get them to the States. I would also hope that they are preparing a great marketing blitz for the U.S. market as well. They need to advertise "Freedom, Form, Functionality" over the Paperwhite and the now out-of-date Nook.

I really think that Kobo has the potential to break out and become a big seller in the U.S. market. The Nooks are buggy, and Amazon has seemingly botched the Paperwhite launch with inferior hardware.

If Kobo was smart, really smart, they would create an app that would pull your Amazon library from your Kindle (.mobi) and automatically move them over to your new Kobo. What an easing of an upgrade hesitation that would be for current older Kindle owners to have an easy way to move everything over to their new Kobo.

Hop to it!

[NNolan]

Well, I just got back from my local Best Buy, and they still have no clue when they'll see their Kobo Glo order, so I ordered from shopereaders.com. If my usual rotten luck holds... since I've ordered from some place else and paid a hellacious premium Best Buy will get their Kobos by the end of next week.