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Old 08-29-2012, 03:48 AM   #1
SeaKing
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The Kindle Wants to be Free (will it be?)

"The Kindle Wants To Be Free
Next week or next year, Amazon will start giving away its e-reader. Here’s why."


By Farhad Manjoo|Posted Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, at 5:47 PM ET




"My record on predictions about Amazon is mixed at best. Two summers ago, I guessed that “before the holidays,” Amazon would cut the price of its cheapest Kindle e-reader to $99. My logic was solid—the cost of the Kindle’s parts kept declining rapidly, and Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s CEO, seems to be happiest of all when he’s slashing prices—but my timing was off. Amazon’s cheapest Kindle didn’t break the $100 barrier until last year, when the company lowered the price to $79.

Being wrong doesn’t deter me, though, --"


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Old 08-29-2012, 07:59 AM   #2
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We already have a "free" Kindle.
Several of them, in fact: Kindle for PC, for Mac, for iOS, for Android, for WP7...
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Old 08-29-2012, 08:13 AM   #3
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We already have a "free" Kindle.
Several of them, in fact: Kindle for PC, for Mac, for iOS, for Android, for WP7...
And Kindle 3 w/ Special Offers was free* for early adopters

* after savings from super bargains
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Old 08-29-2012, 09:53 AM   #4
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I'm more happy that Amazon seems to be coming here to Brazil (where it belongs). I'm hoping to finally grab an e-ink reader for a fair (perhaps even subsidized) price, no more half of the price in taxes.
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Old 08-29-2012, 10:42 AM   #5
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With Prime, it'd be worthwhile to get a Fire for free.

Although, it makes me wonder what kind of fine print there would be. Pay for Prime, get Fire, cancel account and keep Fire? Would they just bill you for the difference (or full price of the device), or just say "Eh, they'll be back..."?
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Old 08-29-2012, 11:28 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by RainingLemur View Post
With Prime, it'd be worthwhile to get a Fire for free.

Although, it makes me wonder what kind of fine print there would be. Pay for Prime, get Fire, cancel account and keep Fire? Would they just bill you for the difference (or full price of the device), or just say "Eh, they'll be back..."?
It wouldn't be a month-to-month thing. Currently you have to pay $79 upfront for one year of Prime.
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Old 08-29-2012, 11:30 AM   #7
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It wouldn't be a month-to-month thing. Currently you have to pay $79 upfront for one year of Prime.
I know. (I have Prime)

But, the Fire currently is more than $79. Say I sign up for Prime, pay the $79, get a Fire, and never renew my membership...is Amazon going to bill me for the difference?
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Old 08-29-2012, 11:42 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by RainingLemur View Post
I know. (I have Prime)

But, the Fire currently is more than $79. Say I sign up for Prime, pay the $79, get a Fire, and never renew my membership...is Amazon going to bill me for the difference?
I guess we'll find out. I've long been tempted to sign up for prime, but haven't quite pulled the trigger. If I could get a Fire that would probably clinch the deal, even if they raised the price from $79. I might go as high as $129 for a Fire along with the streaming video, ebook lending, and free 2 day shipping that prime offers now.
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Old 08-29-2012, 01:20 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RainingLemur View Post
I know. (I have Prime)

But, the Fire currently is more than $79. Say I sign up for Prime, pay the $79, get a Fire, and never renew my membership...is Amazon going to bill me for the difference?

In that case, you would profit at Amazon's expense. Amazon would be gambling that some people would increase their Amazon purchases, making up for those who took advantage of the free Fire. Think of it like Vegas. The casinos have a lot of giveaways, you can get plenty of free food and drinks. They aren't doing it out of the goodness of their hearts, they are expecting to make more money than it costs them for the freebies. Some people take advantage of the freebies, and spend little or no money gambling. These people are easily made up for by the gamblers. Some people think they are going to stick it to the casino and not gamble, but wind up gambling anyway.

If I am offered a choice of a free e-ink Kindle or a free Kindle Fire with an Amazon Prime membership, I'd probably get the Fire, just because it is more expensive. I can always buy the e-ink device on my own. I suppose Amazon could require a longer membership to get a free Kindle Fire.
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Old 08-29-2012, 01:39 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by RainingLemur View Post
I know. (I have Prime)

But, the Fire currently is more than $79. Say I sign up for Prime, pay the $79, get a Fire, and never renew my membership...is Amazon going to bill me for the difference?
I suspect not... though perhaps they would make you sign up for a two year commitment (kind of like a smart phone!). But my guess is that that they expect that once you have Prime, you will not want to give it up.

I suspect a lot of people who signed up thinking they would keep it for a year (say where they expected to make a lot of purchases) have kept it because there are so many perks. Despite my resistence to Kindle, the lending library with prime is probably the strongest inducement to get a Kindle.

--
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Old 08-30-2012, 07:23 AM   #11
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I call bs. I understand Amazon's business model, but even they would stop making a profit if they gave away the kindles. Subscribing to prime does not pay it back either.
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Old 08-30-2012, 11:12 AM   #12
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I signed up with Audible for a year under a promotion that gave you a $100 coupon for an Audible-ready device from Amazon, which would include the Kindle Touch.
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Old 08-30-2012, 05:40 PM   #13
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I would guess that people with Amazon Prime spend more then people without Prime. Give them a Fire and hope that they tie themselves further to Amazon by buying apps and books from Amazon. If you get a free Fire, maybe you don't buy a iPad.
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Old 08-31-2012, 02:05 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by RainingLemur View Post
With Prime, it'd be worthwhile to get a Fire for free.

Although, it makes me wonder what kind of fine print there would be. Pay for Prime, get Fire, cancel account and keep Fire? Would they just bill you for the difference (or full price of the device), or just say "Eh, they'll be back..."?
Better to offer a year of prime minus shipping for free with the purchase of a device (prime compatible blu-ray player, fire, etc.) then hope the buyer decides with continue.
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Old 08-31-2012, 07:06 PM   #15
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Amazon prime lending limited to one book a month? That's not so impressive; I get way more e-books than that out of my little public library, without paying 79$ a year.
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