Whats happening to Sony?

ChrisR1970 · 10-06-2010, 12:53 PM

I was out shopping with my wife last week and I was looking for Sony accessories. I noticed that Target Stores clearanced out their Sony Merchandise and replaced it with a Kindle display. Best Buy removed their Sony Display also They still sell the Sony but I was told any accessories would have to be ordered online and that they were switching to selling the Barnes and Noble Reader at Best Buy. The Borders where I live is clearancing out Sony devices and the manager said she thought they were going to stop carrying them in stores after the first of the year and sell the KOBO and Cruz readers in store and possibly still have the Sony available online. My question; Is Sony on the way out? The other readers do the same thing and at a fraction of the price and they all read e-pub formats. Is there any advantage to sticking with a Sony if I replace my 505? Has anyone read anything about Sony's future plans?

devilsadvocate · 10-06-2010, 01:54 PM

The Best Buy in DeKalb still had Sonys as of this last weekend, including the new 650.

rebarnmom · 10-06-2010, 02:02 PM

Well, I'm hoping that there will be new displays when they get the new Readers out there. I've not found any of the new Sony's out yet, but I think it's because they don't have enough manufactured yet. Perhaps the announcement was a little premature.
Just my guess.

The new Readers are their best ever (from what I've heard) and when they get displayed in the stores, like Best Buy, their features and quality will be obvious!

There will always be those willing to pay more for quality and style, just as there will always be those who won't pay any more than they have to.

Really-- they have the 650's in DeKalb?! That's not a bad drive! When I have a working vehicle, that is. Good to know, but I'll make sure and call first!

phenomshel · 10-06-2010, 02:20 PM

Sorry hon, mistaken part number. Dekalb had a 900, but no 650's yet. I keep looking, because even though I'm happy with my 600, I want to SEE a 650 and compare screens.

ETA: Everywhere we've been in this area except Borders still has their Sony displays. Target's is in a different place than the Kindle display, but it's there. The Best Buy in Bolingbrook just redid theirs...Sony is front and center, along with Nook, but no Kindles when we were there. I don't think Sony is going anywhere at all, I just think they're being really slow getting the new models out there, and if the retail stores don't have any product to work with, what are they supposed to do?

devilsadvocate · 10-06-2010, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phenomshel

Sorry hon, mistaken part number. Dekalb had a 900, but no 650's yet. I keep looking, because even though I'm happy with my 600, I want to SEE a 650 and compare screens.

Duuurrr @ Sony model numbers. Sorry for getting anyone's hopes up.

rebarnmom · 10-06-2010, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phenomshel

Sorry hon, mistaken part number. Dekalb had a 900, but no 650's yet. I keep looking, because even though I'm happy with my 600, I want to SEE a 650 and compare screens.

ETA: Everywhere we've been in this area except Borders still has their Sony displays. Target's is in a different place than the Kindle display, but it's there. The Best Buy in Bolingbrook just redid theirs...Sony is front and center, along with Nook, but no Kindles when we were there. I don't think Sony is going anywhere at all, I just think they're being really slow getting the new models out there, and if the retail stores don't have any product to work with, what are they supposed to do?

Quote:

Originally Posted by devilsadvocate

Duuurrr @ Sony model numbers. Sorry for getting anyone's hopes up.

That's okay! I can be patient. If nothing else, this barn has taught me the meaning of patience! I just would love to see them out in the stores too. But, I'm saving my Sony Rewards points up for the 650. It's on my Sony Rewards wishlist, but they still show them as "Temporarily Out of Stock" there too. So, I'm hoping to have enough points by the time they are available in the Sony Rewards catalog!

FizzyWater · 10-06-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebarnmom

But, I'm saving my Sony Rewards points up for the 650. It's on my Sony Rewards wishlist, but they still show them as "Temporarily Out of Stock" there too. So, I'm hoping to have enough points by the time they are available in the Sony Rewards catalog!

Last time I looked, they had the points (price) for the 350 on the 650 on the Sony Rewards site. Wonder if they'll catch that when they make it live?

rebarnmom · 10-06-2010, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

Last time I looked, they had the points (price) for the 350 on the 650 on the Sony Rewards site. Wonder if they'll catch that when they make it live?

Shhh! I noticed that too! I'm hoping they don't!

lord_blackfang · 10-06-2010, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisR1970

Is there any advantage to sticking with a Sony if I replace my 505? Has anyone read anything about Sony's future plans?

Who cares about Sony's future plans? The readers are out now and they're awesome. They won't suddenly stop working because Best Buy doesn't carry them anymore. If you get one now, the e-reader market will be so different by the time you need to replace it that it's pointless to plan ahead.

doreenjoy · 10-06-2010, 04:54 PM

If you're concerned about being in the popular crowd, go with a Kindle.

It's common for stores like Target to take down displays as inventory is cleared. They won't leave up a display if the inventory isn't there. They also shift inventory to stores where they know that particular product will sell. Not all Targets carry the same stock.

ChrisR1970 · 10-07-2010, 10:05 AM

I am not concerned with being popular in the crowd. I simply noticed that the device was dissappearing where I live and I was concerned about support for the product. Sony's customer service and support for their products stinks as it is. I just did not want a device that will be hard to get accessories, or support for should something go wrong. I refuse to buy products that I can not hold in my hand and evaluate first, so I rarely order anything online. I was just concerned about the availability of the product and its accessories.

HistoryWes · 10-07-2010, 10:37 AM

I think we can expect Sony Readers to be around for a while. Sony has traditionally kept product lines going even in the face of swift competition-- see their PC lines and Playstations, plus they are pushing it hard in Japan.

devilsadvocate · 10-07-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HistoryWes

I think we can expect Sony Readers to be around for a while. Sony has traditionally kept product lines going even in the face of swift competition-- see their PC lines and Playstations, plus they are pushing it hard in Japan.

Well, yeah, but there's also the Betamax and MiniDisc thing. I don't think support will disappear anytime soon, but they may have to pull a rabbit out of their hat to stay competitive.

SaraD · 10-07-2010, 01:38 PM

I think it is just taking more time than anticipated to stock the retailers. Yesterday morning Newegg.com had no Sony units at all for sale. Then last night for whatever reason I looked again and the 350 was available in pink. So I now expect to see the silver one shortly and then finally the 650 and some covers. Target's website says the units won't ship for 2 to weeks if you try to put a 650 in the shopping cart, but it is there now. Best Buy where I live has the silver 350 for sale, but still the old demo units. Then again, they are still trying to sell off the last of the old models. The wait is frustrating, but given how many more countries Sony is now officially selling readers in I wonder if they properly estimated demand. I just hope supply levels are fixed by November and the start of the US's holiday shopping season.

doreenjoy · 10-07-2010, 02:07 PM

It has looked to me as though Sony is going for worldwide sales on their reader line, so I'm not concerned by anecdotal retail movements in the US. I think they'll support the product for a long time.

When it comes to support, btw, I have ALWAYS had a good response when I email them. The online chat and phone reps are terrible though.

10-06-2010, 12:53 PM	#1
ChrisR1970 Member Posts: 17 Karma: 2660 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Illinois Device: Sony 505	Whats happening to Sony? I was out shopping with my wife last week and I was looking for Sony accessories. I noticed that Target Stores clearanced out their Sony Merchandise and replaced it with a Kindle display. Best Buy removed their Sony Display also They still sell the Sony but I was told any accessories would have to be ordered online and that they were switching to selling the Barnes and Noble Reader at Best Buy. The Borders where I live is clearancing out Sony devices and the manager said she thought they were going to stop carrying them in stores after the first of the year and sell the KOBO and Cruz readers in store and possibly still have the Sony available online. My question; Is Sony on the way out? The other readers do the same thing and at a fraction of the price and they all read e-pub formats. Is there any advantage to sticking with a Sony if I replace my 505? Has anyone read anything about Sony's future plans?

10-06-2010, 02:20 PM	#4
phenomshel ZCD BombShel Posts: 4,793 Karma: 8293322 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Frozen North (aka Illinois, USA) Device: iPad, STB Kindle Oasis	Sorry hon, mistaken part number. Dekalb had a 900, but no 650's yet. I keep looking, because even though I'm happy with my 600, I want to SEE a 650 and compare screens. ETA: Everywhere we've been in this area except Borders still has their Sony displays. Target's is in a different place than the Kindle display, but it's there. The Best Buy in Bolingbrook just redid theirs...Sony is front and center, along with Nook, but no Kindles when we were there. I don't think Sony is going anywhere at all, I just think they're being really slow getting the new models out there, and if the retail stores don't have any product to work with, what are they supposed to do? Last edited by phenomshel; 10-06-2010 at 02:24 PM. Reason: clarification.

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10-06-2010, 01:54 PM	#2
devilsadvocate Complicated Warlock Posts: 677 Karma: 160970 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Madiganistan Device: HP Mini 1101, Droid X rooted, GTab rooted/VEGAnTAB Ginger Edition/CM7	The Best Buy in DeKalb still had Sonys as of this last weekend, including the new 650.

10-06-2010, 02:02 PM	#3
rebarnmom Wizard Posts: 1,289 Karma: 4525055 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: rural Illinois, USA Device: Sony PRS-700 (traded in), Sony PRS-650	Well, I'm hoping that there will be new displays when they get the new Readers out there. I've not found any of the new Sony's out yet, but I think it's because they don't have enough manufactured yet. Perhaps the announcement was a little premature. Just my guess. The new Readers are their best ever (from what I've heard) and when they get displayed in the stores, like Best Buy, their features and quality will be obvious! There will always be those willing to pay more for quality and style, just as there will always be those who won't pay any more than they have to. Really-- they have the 650's in DeKalb?! That's not a bad drive! When I have a working vehicle, that is. Good to know, but I'll make sure and call first!

10-06-2010, 04:54 PM	#10
doreenjoy 01000100 01001010 Posts: 1,889 Karma: 2400000 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Polyamorous	If you're concerned about being in the popular crowd, go with a Kindle. It's common for stores like Target to take down displays as inventory is cleared. They won't leave up a display if the inventory isn't there. They also shift inventory to stores where they know that particular product will sell. Not all Targets carry the same stock.

10-07-2010, 10:05 AM	#11
ChrisR1970 Member Posts: 17 Karma: 2660 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Illinois Device: Sony 505	I am not concerned with being popular in the crowd. I simply noticed that the device was dissappearing where I live and I was concerned about support for the product. Sony's customer service and support for their products stinks as it is. I just did not want a device that will be hard to get accessories, or support for should something go wrong. I refuse to buy products that I can not hold in my hand and evaluate first, so I rarely order anything online. I was just concerned about the availability of the product and its accessories.

10-07-2010, 10:37 AM	#12
HistoryWes Teacher/Novelist Posts: 632 Karma: 2274466 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nevada Device: Nook STR, iPad	I think we can expect Sony Readers to be around for a while. Sony has traditionally kept product lines going even in the face of swift competition-- see their PC lines and Playstations, plus they are pushing it hard in Japan.

10-07-2010, 01:38 PM	#14
SaraD Groupie Posts: 161 Karma: 2670 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mead, WA, USA Device: Sony 650, Basic Kindle 7th generation	I think it is just taking more time than anticipated to stock the retailers. Yesterday morning Newegg.com had no Sony units at all for sale. Then last night for whatever reason I looked again and the 350 was available in pink. So I now expect to see the silver one shortly and then finally the 650 and some covers. Target's website says the units won't ship for 2 to weeks if you try to put a 650 in the shopping cart, but it is there now. Best Buy where I live has the silver 350 for sale, but still the old demo units. Then again, they are still trying to sell off the last of the old models. The wait is frustrating, but given how many more countries Sony is now officially selling readers in I wonder if they properly estimated demand. I just hope supply levels are fixed by November and the start of the US's holiday shopping season.

10-07-2010, 02:07 PM	#15
doreenjoy 01000100 01001010 Posts: 1,889 Karma: 2400000 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Polyamorous	It has looked to me as though Sony is going for worldwide sales on their reader line, so I'm not concerned by anecdotal retail movements in the US. I think they'll support the product for a long time. When it comes to support, btw, I have ALWAYS had a good response when I email them. The online chat and phone reps are terrible though.

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