Aura HD Anybody have to return their Aura ?

[Ken Maltby]

Originally Posted by 93terp

Ken,

What's the return process for a defective unit? The thought of having to have any more interaction with Kobo CS is fairly repugnant at this point!

I haven't received an answer to my email, and I don't expect one until late
Monday or Tuesday. I asked them about repair service outside of any
warranty, as I broke it myself, although I don't know how I actually did
cause the loss of the touchscreen. There might be different procedures,
under the warranty.

Luck;
Ken

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by Ken Maltby

I haven't received an answer to my email, and I don't expect one until late
Monday or Tuesday. I asked them about repair service outside of any
warranty, as I broke it myself, although I don't know how I actually did
cause the loss of the touchscreen. There might be different procedures,
under the warranty.

Luck;
Ken

Let us hope you can get it repaired without paying too much. It was rather daring to do that to a brand new device.

[graycyn]

I was just on with Kobo CS about returning my Aura (glo screen flickering, two-page turns, and wifi issues) and I was disappointed to hear that they only take returns for exchanges, not refunds!

I figured it might go smoother to return for a refund, then just buy another device, but I guess that isn't possible. I'm worried that they won't see the stuff I'm seeing, because it is totally intermittent, but I hope they will exchange it anyway.

Anyway, I can hardly believe they don't allow a return for a refund. That's just about unheard of in online commerce!

[Ken Maltby]

"Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.

Subject
---------------------------------------------------------------
[Aura HD] Broken Screen


Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response Via Email(Yolanda T) - 05/06/2013 02:14 PM
Hello Ken,

Thank you for contacting Kobo Customer Care. We apologize for the extreme delayed response. This is due to a high volume of emails. We have not been able to respond in the normal timeframe. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

We are sorry to let you know that our help is limited regarding repairing your device, however, we recommend you to take it to a local store to see what they can do for you.

We were glad to assist you today. If you need additional assistance feel free to contact us via email, chat or phone call.

Regards,
The Kobo Email Team

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Auto-Response - 05/04/2013 06:30 PM
Thank you for contacting Kobo Customer Care. Your question has been received and you can anticipate a response within 24-48 hours.


Customer By Email (Ken Maltby) - 05/04/2013 06:30 PM
I broke the touchscreen, upgrading the internal MicroSD card. So I am
NOT asking for repairs under the warranty. I would like to see if I
can get it repaired, and what it might cost.

Luck;
Ken


Question Reference #130504-000829
---------------------------------------------------------------
Product Level 1: Kobo eReader
Product Level 2: Aura HD
Category Level 1: eInk Device
Category Level 2: Broken Screen (Physical Damage)
Date Created: 05/04/2013 06:30 PM
Last Updated: 05/06/2013 02:14 PM
Place Of Purchase:
Geo Interaction:
Incident Language: English
Phone Number:
Country: Canada
"

Or boiled down a bit - "We are sorry to let you know that our help is limited regarding repairing your device, however, we recommend you to take it to a local store to see what they can do for you."

(By "limited", they mean nonexistent)

The distilled version: We don't repair anything, we just sell them.

Luck;
Ken

[ottdmk]

This doesn't really surprise me, sadly. With the way things go with modern electronics, it's cheaper to replace something then repair it.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by graycyn

I was just on with Kobo CS about returning my Aura (glo screen flickering, two-page turns, and wifi issues) and I was disappointed to hear that they only take returns for exchanges, not refunds!

I figured it might go smoother to return for a refund, then just buy another device, but I guess that isn't possible. I'm worried that they won't see the stuff I'm seeing, because it is totally intermittent, but I hope they will exchange it anyway.

Anyway, I can hardly believe they don't allow a return for a refund. That's just about unheard of in online commerce!

What does consumer law say where you live? In Australia, a "major problem with a product" means that the consumer is entitled to their choice of refund, replacement, or repair (though I doubt companies would get in much trouble offering replacement over repair). I don't know whether your issues would constitute a major enough problem to qualify for refund over replacement, though, especially since you plan to purchase another one anyhow.

[Nil Einne]

Originally Posted by meeera

What does consumer law say where you live? In Australia, a "major problem with a product" means that the consumer is entitled to their choice of refund, replacement, or repair (though I doubt companies would get in much trouble offering replacement over repair). I don't know whether your issues would constitute a major enough problem to qualify for refund over replacement, though, especially since you plan to purchase another one anyhow.

The section you're quoting doesn't seem to apply to Ken Maltby as by his? own admission the problem is not due to a defect in the product but by damage caused by his own doing. The section seems to be solely referring to problems which are caused by a defective product or a product which doesn't meet reasonable expectations or advertising in some way. If you look carefully at the section, it says "A business may refuse to give you a free repair, replacement or refund if: you misused the product or service in any way that contributed to the problem". In addition, if you look at the general statement it says "Consumer guarantees do not apply if you: misused a product in any way that caused the problem". http://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/con...mer-guarantees

However despite the confusing way the whole thing is worded, I believe this section "repairs and spare parts - the manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that spare parts and repair facilities (a place that can fix the consumer’s goods) are available for a reasonable time after purchase unless you were told otherwise. How long is ‘reasonable’ will depend on the type of product" does apply to the OP since although his problem is caused by misuse, this doesn't change the requirement that the manufacturer have repair facilities available for a reasonable time after purchase, unless the OP was told otherwise. We have had something similar in NZ law for a while now http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/f...guarantees-act

[meeera]

Originally Posted by Nil Einne

The section you're quoting doesn't seem to apply to Ken Maltby

Yeah, I was quoting graycyn.

[Nil Einne]

Originally Posted by meeera

Yeah, I was quoting graycyn.

Yeah I see that now, sorry should have read your post more carefully.

[MrDoug]

Originally Posted by mr_nihilism

Yeah, mine was a single bright spot too. I've never had an issue with any device before so I just presumed it was "dead pixel". It was only noticeable when the light was on.

China Fortune Cookie say. "No worry dead pixel as long as you can see". .

[domani7]

I'm returning mine. I can't imagine not being able to do it. If they give me any trouble I'll dispute the credit card charge. I want to save my money for an ereader that gives me everything I want.

[domani7]

So Monday evening I asked for an exchange because I was really rash (I had only received it that Monday) but when I slept on it I asked for a return for a full refund in the morning. Because: 1. it's defective and 2. I don't like it, even without the defects it's not enough of an upgrade to justify the cost and I want to save my money for something that I will love.

So- Tuesday morning I asked for a return. I have no heard from them since then. Really, all I need are instructions on where to mail it to and a refund obviously. I'm wondering how long I should wait before disputing the charge with my credit card. I'll definitely do it by Monday if I haven't heard from them by then but I'm wondering if I should do it sooner.

[domani7]

Update:

So as soon as I mentioned a credit card dispute that got their attention and they replied. Per their request, I filled out their detailed questionnaire, and took photos of the Aura. For some reason they also needed my receipt- don't they have this information? Whatever, I'm pretty sure Kobo's just trying to make it difficult in hopes that most people will give up.

There's a photo that shows the pinprick of light on the screen and there's a photo of the aura next to the nook and kindle which shows that the Aura's screen is a downgrade. I had my sister help me with the pictures because I wanted it to be fair and not look like I'm setting up the Aura to look bad.

Anyway- I send all the documentation to Kobo that they wanted and I'm told I'll hear back in 24-48 hours. Suffice it to say, I did not hear back in 24-48 hours. So I gave them 4 business days then I contacted the credit card company about this whole mess. What's the point of threatening to go the credit card route unless you're willing to do it? I feel better now because I can relax since I know the credit card company will go after Kobo.

[RZetlin]

Originally Posted by mr_nihilism

It took me three days to notice the one dead pixel at the bottom right of my Aura. It was only noticeable when the light was on, and barely so. But of course once the eye catches it, it's hard to ignore.

Anyhow, just returned it to !indigo (very friendly, no hassles) and of course they were all out of the Espresso color, so I opted for the black, which is just fine.

Just curious how many will run across physical issues with their Aura that calls for a return.

It's good to hear you were able to return your Aura at the Indigo store so easily.

I am going to try and exchange mine at Indigo - my device has a tiny "dead light pixel" in the lower middle of the screen.

[samhy]

I think I will have to exchange my just bought Aura. The light is not even at all: it's clear almost bluish at the bottom of the screen and there is a big yellow patch on the top of the screen

Actually I don't know if my expectations are too high or if this specific Aura has a sub-par screen.

Edit: trying to add a picture, but I don't know how to put a miniature
The picture quality isn't that great, maybe it's hard to see the differences. People around me notice the shadow at the top too, but they have never seen a frontlit ereader before.