Borders abandons ebook business to Kobo

ATimson · 06-01-2011, 12:59 PM

The note when you try to purchase any ebook from Borders now:

Quote:

To make the transition seamless, if you already have Borders eBooks, Borders will provide your existing Borders eBook library and other account information to Kobo, subject to Kobo's terms and privacy policy. Transactions made with Kobo will not be eligible for Borders Rewards or other Borders programs.

And following through, it's no longer just fulfillment by Kobo, but they're handling the purchasing end of things too.

Well, that's another vendor I can scratch off my list. Guess it's down to just Sony and B&N for my money (and B&N generally wins).

Pomtroll · 06-01-2011, 01:18 PM

I never ordered from Borders. I have ordered from Kobo, BooksonBoard, Sony, Smashwords, B&N & Amazon. I like Kobo but since they have updated their site I really like BooksonBoard.

frquixote · 06-01-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pomtroll

I like Kobo but since they have updated their site I really like BooksonBoard.

I second the vote of confidence in BooksOnBoard. They have become my primary source of current ebooks.

AnemicOak · 06-01-2011, 02:36 PM

Just did the transfer wizard thing from Borders to Kobo and all my Borders books (mostly freebies) appear to have merged perfectly into my existing Kobo account.

Blossom · 06-01-2011, 02:50 PM

Same here no problems transferring my account. I only bought from borders occasionally. I had a feeling this would happen eventually. I buy from Kobo all the time.

I like B.O.B too but they have a $5 min or you get charge an extra fee. I'm a bargain ebook buyer so I seldom use them unless they are only source but I do like their rewards program.

JCKobo · 06-01-2011, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATimson

It's no longer just fulfillment by Kobo, but they're handling the purchasing end of things too.

The ebooks purchased by Borders have always lived with Kobo, and Kobo has always powered the Borders reading apps and devices. The change we made today was to ensure that Borders customers get the best from Kobo's apps and shopping experience.

In the past, we had to build our Kobo branded apps, and then build a separate set of apps that were Borders branded. This was very confusing, and also meant that the Borders apps didn't always get the features as fast as they could (like our awesome Reading Life on the iPad, iPhone and Android).

By moving their eBooks to Kobo, people get the full benefit of Kobo's catalog, top rated apps, and service.

We've put a number of articles on our help site with more information about moving your eBooks from Borders to Kobo. It should answer any questions you might have:

http://kobo.zendesk.com/categories/2...orders-related

JCKobo · 06-01-2011, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Just did the transfer wizard thing from Borders to Kobo and all my Borders books (mostly freebies) appear to have merged perfectly into my existing Kobo account.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

Same here no problems transferring my account. I only bought from borders occasionally. I had a feeling this would happen eventually. I buy from Kobo all the time.

Glad to hear it went well - we're seeing everything running pretty smoothly here.

Hellmark · 06-01-2011, 03:28 PM

On one hand it is kind of sad, since it is just another sign that Borders is just giving up. I always liked them over B&N. On the other, seeing as how I always went with Kobo anyway instead of borders when buying ebooks, it isn't a big deal.

ATimson · 06-01-2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCKobo

By moving their eBooks to Kobo, people get the full benefit of Kobo's catalog, top rated apps, and service.

Maybe some people will come out ahead, but it's lose-lose for me. It's the same catalog as before, the same app as before (I always downloaded the ePub and used Bluefire to read it), but I can no longer receive my Borders Rewards Plus discount, use Borders coupons, or be sure I won't get hit with a foreign currency fee.

jocampo · 06-01-2011, 03:37 PM

I have mix feelings every time I go to B&N and spend time there with my wife. I actually own a Kindle but like B&N brick stores and environment.

I guess that the book business will have to change or redesign their model, at least for brick stores like B&N and Borders.

SensualPoet · 06-01-2011, 06:01 PM

Yup, I just went through this exercise and it worked for me, too. My Borders ebook is now part of my larger Kobo account library.

But it wasn't triggered until I clicked to order a new book (which I didn't need to complete). There was no option to pre-emptively merge with Kobo otherwise.

JCKobo · 06-01-2011, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

Yup, I just went through this exercise and it worked for me, too. My Borders ebook is now part of my larger Kobo account library.

But it wasn't triggered until I clicked to order a new book (which I didn't need to complete). There was no option to pre-emptively merge with Kobo otherwise.

Borders will be sending all their current eBook users an email tomorrow with instructions on how to pre-emptively migrate or merge their accounts to Kobo.

Blossom · 06-01-2011, 08:42 PM

I just clicked on Learn More on the blue banner at the top that says Borders brings you the ultimate reading experience - Introducing Kobo on Borders' site it then takes you to a page that has the option to transfer your library.

AnemicOak · 06-01-2011, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

I just clicked on Learn More on the blue banner at the top that says Borders brings you the ultimate reading experience - Introducing Kobo on Borders' site it then takes you to a page that has the option to transfer your library.

sabredog · 06-01-2011, 11:57 PM

Does this apply to the Australian Borders ebook store?

Need to check....

Just did, estore is still functional, for now...

http://www.borders.com.au/ebooks/ebooks/45/

06-01-2011, 11:57 PM	#15
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,629 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	Does this apply to the Australian Borders ebook store? Need to check.... Just did, estore is still functional, for now... http://www.borders.com.au/ebooks/ebooks/45/ Last edited by sabredog; 06-02-2011 at 12:04 AM.

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06-01-2011, 01:18 PM	#2
Pomtroll Guru Posts: 822 Karma: 1341819 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Minnesota USA Device: Sony 350, Sony T1, Kindle Touch, Kindle PW1	I never ordered from Borders. I have ordered from Kobo, BooksonBoard, Sony, Smashwords, B&N & Amazon. I like Kobo but since they have updated their site I really like BooksonBoard.

06-01-2011, 02:36 PM	#4
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Just did the transfer wizard thing from Borders to Kobo and all my Borders books (mostly freebies) appear to have merged perfectly into my existing Kobo account.

06-01-2011, 02:50 PM	#5
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	Same here no problems transferring my account. I only bought from borders occasionally. I had a feeling this would happen eventually. I buy from Kobo all the time. I like B.O.B too but they have a $5 min or you get charge an extra fee. I'm a bargain ebook buyer so I seldom use them unless they are only source but I do like their rewards program.

06-01-2011, 03:28 PM	#8
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,549 Karma: 3799999 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: O'Fallon, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3	On one hand it is kind of sad, since it is just another sign that Borders is just giving up. I always liked them over B&N. On the other, seeing as how I always went with Kobo anyway instead of borders when buying ebooks, it isn't a big deal.

06-01-2011, 03:37 PM	#10
jocampo Layback feline Posts: 3,034 Karma: 6980745 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Oasis 2nd gen, Sony DPTS1, iPad Pro 10.5"	I have mix feelings every time I go to B&N and spend time there with my wife. I actually own a Kindle but like B&N brick stores and environment. I guess that the book business will have to change or redesign their model, at least for brick stores like B&N and Borders.

06-01-2011, 06:01 PM	#11
SensualPoet Wizard Posts: 2,302 Karma: 2607151 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo	Yup, I just went through this exercise and it worked for me, too. My Borders ebook is now part of my larger Kobo account library. But it wasn't triggered until I clicked to order a new book (which I didn't need to complete). There was no option to pre-emptively merge with Kobo otherwise.

06-01-2011, 08:42 PM	#13
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	I just clicked on Learn More on the blue banner at the top that says Borders brings you the ultimate reading experience - Introducing Kobo on Borders' site it then takes you to a page that has the option to transfer your library.

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