PRS-500 owners: Will you take advantage of Sony's upgrade/trade-up offer?

Bob Russell · 11-15-2009, 11:42 AM

Sony has made PRS-500 owners a great offer (MR News and Sony Offer):
* A free firmware upgrade to support ePub, including free shipping, or
* A trade-in discount on a new device ($50 or $75 depending on the model)

What will you do? (Please participate in the poll, and share your thoughts in the thread.)

So now the reality sets in - I don't want to part with my PRS-500, even if I buy another device and the 500 goes into storage in "museum mode"! Am I willing to part with it for a "measly" $75??? And am I willing to part with the custom navigation hacks just to get e-pub support? Do I want to upgrade - the new devices are a significant upgrade in usability. Or, heaven forbid, after such a nice offer do I want to consider a Daily Reader or even a non-Sony device like the Daily new Plastic Logic large screen device? These are some serious questions!

Can't wait to hear what others are going to do. Share your thoughts!

lordvetinari2 · 11-15-2009, 12:09 PM

I had to vote for the 4th option, even though I do not have any option living outside the US.

Gibbo · 11-15-2009, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordvetinari2

I had to vote for the 4th option, even though I do not have any option living outside the US.

Same here

HarryT · 11-15-2009, 12:29 PM

If you read the original thread (which Bob has linked to) you'll see that several of our members have already very kindly volunteered to sent devices to Sony on behalf on members outside the US - just simply send them the device, with return postage.

pilotbob · 11-15-2009, 12:46 PM

One thing to keep in mind is when they convert their store to ePub... then all the ebooks you purchased will then instantly work for any device that supports ePub... which includes the Nook, Opus, iRex 800, EZ Reader, BeBook, PocketBook etc.

So, if you thought you were linked to Sony since you have an investment in ebooks bought from their store... this conversion (of the Sony book store) does seem to liberate you from the brand.

And the upgrade of the 500 liberates you from the Sony store.

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the brand.... just pointing this out.

BOb

(yes, I know you can get books elsewhere if you remove DRM. But I think only a small percentage of Sony owners do that.)

kacir · 11-15-2009, 01:47 PM

There is one option missing.

I would like to use some of the above options, but ... as usually ... I am officially screwed again because I do not live in USA.

lordvetinari2 · 11-15-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

If you read the original thread (which Bob has linked to) you'll see that several of our members have already very kindly volunteered to sent devices to Sony on behalf on members outside the US - just simply send them the device, with return postage.

Yes, I read that as well. In fact, if it wasn't for a Mobileread user I would never have got my PRS-500 back in September 2006. So, thanks to the Mobileread community. Thanks also to Sony for caring for their (US) customers, as most companies would not go to that trouble.
However, when we factor in the shipping costs back and forth the Atlantic, and a possible inspection by Customs here, an upgrade to ePub is not worth it at all. Even a $75 discount on a PRS-600 is not worth it, if the package gets inspected at Customs here.

There's always the possibility that someone will hack an upgraded PRS-500 and provide a homemade upgrade tool for the rest of us. There may not much interest in this, but you never know.

JSWolf · 11-15-2009, 01:53 PM

Well, since we don't know exactly what Sony are doing, I'd say the chances of a hack to upgrade existing 500s is not going to happen.

wyldkit · 11-15-2009, 04:26 PM

I have sent an email to Sony asking if I can use the trade-in offer if I order the 300 through sonyrewards.com instead of through sonystyle.com. I'm sure the answer is no, but I wanted to check. I get a substantial discount through Sony Rewards, and I have points to use, too. With an additional $50 off, I would have no trouble making the purchase today. If (when) they tell me that won't work, I will probably send my 500 in for the upgrade and will probably also buy a 300 sometime soon through Sony Rewards (for less than $150).

Studio717 · 11-15-2009, 05:28 PM

Send in for the upgrade - I don't need another reader (I have the 505, a Kindle 1 and a Kindle DX), but it will be nice to keep to old 500 up to date.

Edited to add: Just a heads up if you do go the upgrade route, note that the UPS label is only good for ten days from date of issue (at least that's what the UPS email said when they sent a confirmation email).

Edited to add to my edited to add: The Sony site says the label is good for 30 days.

I guess the upshot is - don't procrastinate once you've signed up.

DaveNB · 11-15-2009, 05:33 PM

So does anyone know what happens to the BeBook formatted books you've already purchased? Will they still work or will Sony let you re-download ePub versions?

Dave

Madam Broshkina · 11-15-2009, 06:31 PM

I have no reason to update my 500 since I already have a 505 and 300. Not interested in the Touch edition, but would like to see an option for getting $100 in a trade in for the Daily edition.

junkml · 11-15-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Studio717

Send in for the upgrade - I don't need another reader (I have the 505, a Kindle 1 and a Kindle DX), but it will be nice to keep to old 500 up to date.

Edited to add: Just a heads up if you do go the upgrade route, note that the UPS label is only good for ten days from date of issue (at least that's what the UPS email said when they sent a confirmation email).

Edited to add to my edited to add: The Sony site says the label is good for 30 days.

I guess the upshot is - don't procrastinate once you've signed up.

I'm jealous. I wasn't able to print he label (it came up to a blank page), and I never received an email after I finished signing up for the upgrade

For my reader, or my wife's.

I'll be calling their customer disservice department tomorrow.

Leaping Gnome · 11-15-2009, 07:40 PM

I sold my old PRS500 on eBay a month ago for $140. Why would anyone trade it into Sony for $50 or $75? Sell it yourself, get more money and get actual cash you can spend on anything you want, not just what Sony wants you to spend it on!

SanAntone · 11-15-2009, 08:11 PM

I completely agree with Leaping Gnome...why would anyone "trade it in" when you can sell it with very little effort on ebay. They're going for about $150 right now.

By the way, I just sold my Kindle 2 on ebay for $252 and used the money toward a refurbished DX. Effortless.

View Poll Results: Will you use Sony's offer with your PRS-500?
Send in my PRS-500 for a free ePub upgrade (free shipping)	78	53.06%
Trade-in for a Reader Pocket Edition at $50 off	3	2.04%
Trade-in for a Reader Touch Edition for $75 off	10	6.80%
Do nothing - I like my PRS-500 just the way it is	24	16.33%
Not sure yet	32	21.77%
Voters: 147. You may not vote on this poll

11-15-2009, 11:42 AM	#1
Bob Russell MobileRead Editor Posts: 4,934 Karma: 24061 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: PRS500, Treo 700p, Dell x50v & Mini9, Lenovo X61t	PRS-500 owners: Will you take advantage of Sony's upgrade/trade-up offer? Sony has made PRS-500 owners a great offer (MR News and Sony Offer): * A free firmware upgrade to support ePub, including free shipping, or * A trade-in discount on a new device ($50 or $75 depending on the model) What will you do? (Please participate in the poll, and share your thoughts in the thread.) So now the reality sets in - I don't want to part with my PRS-500, even if I buy another device and the 500 goes into storage in "museum mode"! Am I willing to part with it for a "measly" $75??? And am I willing to part with the custom navigation hacks just to get e-pub support? Do I want to upgrade - the new devices are a significant upgrade in usability. Or, heaven forbid, after such a nice offer do I want to consider a Daily Reader or even a non-Sony device like the Daily new Plastic Logic large screen device? These are some serious questions! Can't wait to hear what others are going to do. Share your thoughts! Last edited by Bob Russell; 11-15-2009 at 11:49 AM.

11-15-2009, 12:29 PM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 25,673 Karma: 45125 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Gen3, Opus, DR1000S, PB360, PRS-600, Kindle 2, BeBook Neo	If you read the original thread (which Bob has linked to) you'll see that several of our members have already very kindly volunteered to sent devices to Sony on behalf on members outside the US - just simply send them the device, with return postage. __________________ Harry

11-15-2009, 12:46 PM	#5
pilotbob Grand Wizard Posts: 12,974 Karma: 46446 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Classic	One thing to keep in mind is when they convert their store to ePub... then all the ebooks you purchased will then instantly work for any device that supports ePub... which includes the Nook, Opus, iRex 800, EZ Reader, BeBook, PocketBook etc. So, if you thought you were linked to Sony since you have an investment in ebooks bought from their store... this conversion (of the Sony book store) does seem to liberate you from the brand. And the upgrade of the 500 liberates you from the Sony store. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the brand.... just pointing this out. BOb (yes, I know you can get books elsewhere if you remove DRM. But I think only a small percentage of Sony owners do that.) __________________ It is desirable that we should have a supply of good books; we cannot have such a supply unless men of letters are liberally remunerated; and the least objectionable way of remunerating them is by means of copyright. -- Thomas Macaulay, 1841

11-15-2009, 01:53 PM	#8
JSWolf Mobile Reader Geek Posts: 17,897 Karma: 22292 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Sony Reader PRS-505	Well, since we don't know exactly what Sony are doing, I'd say the chances of a hack to upgrade existing 500s is not going to happen. __________________ Jon If you want to listen to really good music while you surf Mobileread, here.

11-15-2009, 12:09 PM	#2
lordvetinari2 Connoisseur Posts: 91 Karma: 61 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Limerick, Ireland Device: PRS-500, HTC Hero, HP tx2000	I had to vote for the 4th option, even though I do not have any option living outside the US.

11-15-2009, 01:47 PM	#6
kacir Wizard Posts: 1,181 Karma: 6044 Join Date: May 2006 Device: PocketBook 360, before it was Sony Reader, cassiopeia A-20	There is one option missing. I would like to use some of the above options, but ... as usually ... I am officially screwed again because I do not live in USA.

11-15-2009, 04:26 PM	#9
wyldkit Connoisseur Posts: 62 Karma: 2162 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Sony PRS-500 (until I have enough Sony Rewards points for the PRS-300)	I have sent an email to Sony asking if I can use the trade-in offer if I order the 300 through sonyrewards.com instead of through sonystyle.com. I'm sure the answer is no, but I wanted to check. I get a substantial discount through Sony Rewards, and I have points to use, too. With an additional $50 off, I would have no trouble making the purchase today. If (when) they tell me that won't work, I will probably send my 500 in for the upgrade and will probably also buy a 300 sometime soon through Sony Rewards (for less than $150). __________________ Currently reading: Trading in Danger by Elizabeth Moon

11-15-2009, 05:28 PM	#10
Studio717 Addict Posts: 205 Karma: 79 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: California Device: Kindle DX, Kindle 1, Sony Reader 505, Palm T\|X, iPhone, Tablet	Send in for the upgrade - I don't need another reader (I have the 505, a Kindle 1 and a Kindle DX), but it will be nice to keep to old 500 up to date. Edited to add: Just a heads up if you do go the upgrade route, note that the UPS label is only good for ten days from date of issue (at least that's what the UPS email said when they sent a confirmation email). Edited to add to my edited to add: The Sony site says the label is good for 30 days. I guess the upshot is - don't procrastinate once you've signed up. Last edited by Studio717; 11-15-2009 at 05:54 PM.

11-15-2009, 05:33 PM	#11
DaveNB Connoisseur Posts: 86 Karma: 399 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: Nook, Sony PRS-500, Nokia 770 (FBReader)	What happens to purchased BeBook formatted books? So does anyone know what happens to the BeBook formatted books you've already purchased? Will they still work or will Sony let you re-download ePub versions? Dave

11-15-2009, 06:31 PM	#12
Madam Broshkina Wizard Posts: 2,145 Karma: 55765 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: N 3358.4 W 08028.2 Device: Sony 500, 505, 300, Kindle 2, nook, Irex DR800SG	I have no reason to update my 500 since I already have a 505 and 300. Not interested in the Touch edition, but would like to see an option for getting $100 in a trade in for the Daily edition. __________________ SЦPPФЯT ДVДTДЯS FФЯ ZЗLDД

11-15-2009, 07:40 PM	#14
Leaping Gnome Evangelist Posts: 490 Karma: 1641 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Louisville Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	I sold my old PRS500 on eBay a month ago for $140. Why would anyone trade it into Sony for $50 or $75? Sell it yourself, get more money and get actual cash you can spend on anything you want, not just what Sony wants you to spend it on!

11-15-2009, 08:11 PM	#15
SanAntone Connoisseur Posts: 67 Karma: 34 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Texas! Device: Kindle DX	I completely agree with Leaping Gnome...why would anyone "trade it in" when you can sell it with very little effort on ebay. They're going for about $150 right now. By the way, I just sold my Kindle 2 on ebay for $252 and used the money toward a refurbished DX. Effortless.

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