Waterstones eBook store closing

HarryT · 05-23-2016, 06:10 AM

I've just received the following email:

Quote:

Dear XXX,

The Waterstones eBooks store is closing, but we have partnered with Kobo to ensure that you will still be able to access your library of eBook titles purchased with us.

On 14th June 2016 we will send you an email with a personalised link to transfer your eBooks to Kobo.

You will also be able to access your current library on Waterstones.com from now until Monday, 13th June 2016, to ensure we do not interrupt your reading experience.

About Kobo

Rakuten Kobo Inc. is one of the world’s fastest-growing eReading services, empowering booklovers to read more. With Kobo, you’ll enjoy easy, instant access to their eBookstore of over 5 million of the world’s best eBooks that can be read anywhere, on any device. Plus, you’ll earn Kobo Super Points rewards with every purchase.

So, from the team at Waterstones, we want to extend our thanks to you for using our service and we wish you a happy reading future with Rakuten Kobo.

Important Notice

If you are happy to move your library, you don't need to do anything. In doing so, we will assume you are happy for us to share your Waterstones library with Kobo, so they can provide us with your personalised link to take you through to the library transfer process

If you do NOT wish to transfer your library to Rakuten Kobo, please click here.

If you do not receive the link to transfer your library on or soon after, Tuesday 14th June 2016, then please visit our Contact Us pages to get in touch.

Please check the Frequently Asked Questions page if you would like more information.

This is not good news: the Waterstones bookstore is a lot easier to find things in than Kobo. I guess, though, it continues the trend of recent years of consolidation of the smaller bookstores into a lesser number of large ones.

ChristopherTD · 05-23-2016, 06:15 AM

Here we go again!

The transfer from WH Smith to Kobo seemed to work out alright. There are always a few that don't make it for one reason or another, so perhaps a good time to download anything you are particularly keen to keep.

chrisridd · 05-23-2016, 06:16 AM

Heh, you type faster than me.

What is surprising is the dates, they are rather soon.

HarryT · 05-23-2016, 06:53 AM

Certainly looks as if the UK market is becoming a 2-player one, with Amazon and Kobo.

fjtorres · 05-23-2016, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Certainly looks as if the UK market is becoming a 2-player one, with Amazon and Kobo.

How's Apple's visibility there?

HarryT · 05-23-2016, 07:29 AM

For books? Virtually non-existent.

MikeB1972 · 05-23-2016, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Certainly looks as if the UK market is becoming a 2-player one, with Amazon and Kobo.

Sainsburys & Google are still going as well.

Josieb1 · 05-23-2016, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeB1972

Sainsburys & Google are still going as well.

I only buy from Amazon or Kobo. I've not tried Google Books yet but Sainsburys doesn't sell the genre I read so for me they are a waste of time.

chrisridd · 05-23-2016, 08:35 AM

Are there actual figures for "visibility" in the UK? Or even market share/books sold?

Personally I will not buy iBooks because I am unable to remove the DRM and load the book onto my preferred reading devices.

However I suspect my book buying patterns and that of many users of this forum are atypical and we can't easily say what visibility iBooks has.

HarryT · 05-23-2016, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisridd

However I suspect my book buying patterns and that of many users of this forum are atypical and we can't easily say what visibility iBooks has.

What I mean is, Chris, that I see Amazon and Kobo advertised all over the place here in the UK. I don't think I've ever seen an advert for iBooks.

chrisridd · 05-23-2016, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

What I mean is, Chris, that I see Amazon and Kobo advertised all over the place here in the UK. I don't think I've ever seen an advert for iBooks.

You see the stores themselves advertised, or are they just included in the "buy from" list on book adverts?

pdurrant · 05-23-2016, 10:00 AM

I wonder if I have any ebooks from Waterstones? I probably have a few. But I can't check just now because they've updated their website and I need to change my password...

And I'm still having no joy with my transfer from B&N to Sainsbury's. Let's hope this one goes more smoothly.

MGlitch · 05-23-2016, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I wonder if I have any ebooks from Waterstones? I probably have a few. But I can't check just now because they've updated their website and I need to change my password...

And I'm still having no joy with my transfer from B&N to Sainsbury's. Let's hope this one goes more smoothly.

I'd have more faith in Kobo not screwing something up than I would in B&N. Especially in this case, Kobo is growing, B&N was shrinking. I'm not saying the process will be without glitches, few transitions like this one are problem free, but I suspect you'll see less.

fjtorres · 05-23-2016, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

For books? Virtually non-existent.

Like Google and Kobo in the US, then.

rashkae · 05-23-2016, 11:03 AM

I must have missed a step somewhere. Last I knew, Waterstones partnered with Amazon for readers, (and I assumed, E-books.).. I know they stopped selling the readers in store, but apparently, they had a separate, non-amazon E-book store, (presumably, Adobe based?)

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05-23-2016, 06:15 AM	#2
ChristopherTD Addict Posts: 343 Karma: 1010002 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London. UK Device: Marvin Reader on iPad Air (via Calibre)	Here we go again! The transfer from WH Smith to Kobo seemed to work out alright. There are always a few that don't make it for one reason or another, so perhaps a good time to download anything you are particularly keen to keep.

05-23-2016, 06:16 AM	#3
chrisridd Guru Posts: 977 Karma: 2209358 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: London, UK Device: Kobo Aura, Kobo Aura ONE, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	Heh, you type faster than me. What is surprising is the dates, they are rather soon.

05-23-2016, 06:53 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Certainly looks as if the UK market is becoming a 2-player one, with Amazon and Kobo.

05-23-2016, 07:29 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	For books? Virtually non-existent.

05-23-2016, 08:35 AM	#9
chrisridd Guru Posts: 977 Karma: 2209358 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: London, UK Device: Kobo Aura, Kobo Aura ONE, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	Are there actual figures for "visibility" in the UK? Or even market share/books sold? Personally I will not buy iBooks because I am unable to remove the DRM and load the book onto my preferred reading devices. However I suspect my book buying patterns and that of many users of this forum are atypical and we can't easily say what visibility iBooks has.

05-23-2016, 10:00 AM	#12
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 73,624 Karma: 315126578 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Oasis	I wonder if I have any ebooks from Waterstones? I probably have a few. But I can't check just now because they've updated their website and I need to change my password... And I'm still having no joy with my transfer from B&N to Sainsbury's. Let's hope this one goes more smoothly.

05-23-2016, 11:03 AM	#15
rashkae Wizard Posts: 1,268 Karma: 5935030 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Aura HD	I must have missed a step somewhere. Last I knew, Waterstones partnered with Amazon for readers, (and I assumed, E-books.).. I know they stopped selling the readers in store, but apparently, they had a separate, non-amazon E-book store, (presumably, Adobe based?)

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