Touch Kobo is Junk - Buyer Beware

[PeterT]

You could try a PM here to SameerH, product manager for the Kobo readers.

[SCION]

Originally Posted by PeterT

You could try a PM here to SameerH, product manager for the Kobo readers.

I have a trouble ticket in. Was told by General Support my issue was forwarded to Tier 2. Someone else posted in this sub-forum the same issue as mine including unsuccessful resets. Sameer's response was it's a hardware failure.

The person on the phone didn't even bother to try to walk me through getting it going again. When she answered the phone I simply told her my unit won't power up and I tried the two methods of resetting and it didn't work. She sounded like she heard this before (more than once) or was formally informed about this. I was off the phone in less than 3 minutes.

[PeterT]

Have you looked then at the standard warranty --> http://download.kobobooks.com/learnm...h_Warranty.pdf

This instructs you to call 1-866-204-4714

[SCION]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Have you looked then at the standard warranty --> http://download.kobobooks.com/learnm...h_Warranty.pdf

This instructs you to call 1-866-204-4714

Yes, that's the number I called. When I say General Support I'm going by the phone prompts. It says press this number for Kobo Touch support. Since I was told it would be forwarded to Tier 2, I simply refer to it as General Support.

[molman]

Originally Posted by FJames

I think everyone feels the frustration of having a new gadget fail, and we understand the implied "My..." in front of the complaint. One benefit of forums like this is we can judge for ourselves how common problems are. Personally my KT has been fine (except for recent Storage Error issues), although I'm starting to wish that Kobo tested their firmware releases better.

I guess I just thought SCION came across as more reasonable than the unfair inferences and illusions presented in the name of emotive expression which I struggle with in light of the fact that we are talking about a $130 consumer electronics device. Anyway like you said others are welcome to draw their own conclusions which means that voices who don't feel the same are just as valid.

Hopefully the defective one will be replaced under warranty and that will be that.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by SCION

Yes, that's the number I called. When I say General Support I'm going by the phone prompts. It says press this number for Kobo Touch support. Since I was told it would be forwarded to Tier 2, I simply refer to it as General Support.

I suggest calling back Kobo and asking for tier 2 support and if that fails, a manager. Get someone who will issue you an RMA and a label to send it back.

[filmo]

Let us know when they tell you it will be replaced. All KT are still within standard warranty I expect replacement because of hardware failure. You are up beat entertaining asset I hope for quick replacement so you hang around here for 6 months when your KT warranty is up. ;-)

[Belle2Be]

That sucks Scion. I was actually thinking of getting one the other day but wasn't sure about the Borders thing so didn't, I'm interested to know how their customer service turns out.

[Fbone]

Fortunately, you discovered the problem before shipping. I would have felt terrible if a MR member received a non functioning unit.

It's the main reason I prefer to shop in person. Easy returns.

[SCION]

Kobo Support is really inefficient. Now I see why people swear by Amazon customer service and elevate the Kindle to such a high status.

Yesterday I called tech support and was issued a ticket #. Was told to await a response from Tier 2. Decided to post my ticket # at http://getsatisfaction.com/kobo. I perked up when I noticed a response from a Kobo rep. Was told that my ticket was updated. Went to check on the status of ticket. I'm asked the same freakin' questions the rep on the phone asked!

*

Hello,

Thank you for contacting us, we are sorry that you are having trouble. Based on the information you have posted on Get Satisfaction, your Kobo Touch appears to be defective and may need to be exchanged. Please provide the answers to the questions below in order to confirm your information:

1. What is the colour of your Kobo Touch? (Please check the back of the eReader to determine the colour.)
2. When did you purchase your Kobo Touch?
3. Where did you purchase your Kobo Touch?
4. Have you purchased the Extended Protection Plan for your Kobo Touch?

Sincerely,
The Kobo Team

My previous answers ARE on file because they're noted in the customer rep. comments of the trouble ticket.

[SCION]

It's obvious there are no procedures in place for addressing the unique needs of those who purchased from Borders, USA and are unable to exchange defective units. There's absolutely no sense of urgency on the part of anyone when they're informed a device is obviously defective. Many folks have this power on problem as documented at GetSatisfaction/Kobo. Sometimes the resets work and sometimes they don't.

I plugged my device in overnight. When I unplugged it, it was warm. It's being charged. Did the reset thing again, and still nothing.

[octoberdana]

I returned my kobo touch just a few days before they announced borders closing. I had multiple problems with it and the last straw was when the screen froze up and was striped.

[the.Mtn.Man]

As a point of interest, another thread has a survey asking if people are happy with their Kobo Touch, and the overwhelming majority say they're happy with it.

[SCION]

Originally Posted by the.Mtn.Man

As a point of interest, another thread has a survey asking if people are happy with their Kobo Touch, and the overwhelming majority say they're happy with it.

More than a few are not happy with their device and/or with customer service. There are many Kobo owners who don't even know about this forum.

http://getsatisfaction.com/kobo/problems/recent

[SCION]

I need to add that the problems include all models of the Kobo. So, there is a history of dissatisfaction across models. More importantly, customer service is abysmal.