Kindle at Best Buy

[CarolineNH]

First Target, then Staples, now Best Buy. The only question I have now is "When?"

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bes...k=MW_news_stmp

[soondai]

so maybe they were clearing out the Nooks to make way for the Kindle instead of the Nook 2 like many (me included) assumed.

[Pookeysgirl]

Originally Posted by CarolineNH

First Target, then Staples, now Best Buy. The only question I have now is "When?"

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bes...k=MW_news_stmp

Quote: "Beginning this fall, Best Buy will make it even easier for consumers to compare all of the most popular reading devices by installing new end-caps that display its e-reader selection side-by-side, supported by helpful information about each device's key features."

I hope they put them in Canadian stores too!

[simplyparticular]

This is good news - I'd love to compare the Kindle 3, Nook (1 or 2 if it comes), and Sony Readers.

But I wonder if they will all really be on the same endcap or not, though. At my local stores, Nook is one side of a pod, with some accessories. Sony is on a separate pod, with various brands of accessories on the back. The size of the pod varies with the size of the store, and I suspect, whether there is a B&N nearby. One mall has a B&N, so BB doesn't sell the Nook, just accessories.

[phenomshel]

That's a good idea. Wish someone had thought of it a bit sooner, though. I would have loved to have been able to compare a Kindle, a Nook, and the Sony models side by side before I purchased.

[SensualPoet]

That's a good idea but that's not how Best Buy works. Store placement on a so called "planogram" is part of negotiations to carry a product, and to feature it. Those end caps are purchased by the vendor. The appearance of an item in a BB flyer -- and in particular prominent placement -- is also driven by vendor cash, not the goodness of Best Buy. BB, of course, makes its own decisions about what's hot and will sell and how margins look: but store and flyer placement are significant revenue generators.

With that in mind, a combined Kindle/Sony/Nook/Libre/Kobo? side-by-side display is unlikely. But having actual WORKING models in one store would be a dream, as far as I am concerned. In Canada, if the store is on its toes, the Sony display is running a loop demo on an actual device; otherwise its blank. All other models (Azurtek, Astak) are locked behind glass cases in sealed vendor boxes. No wonder they sell, approximately, none of them. I think they are just there to say "we have competitive products for you" but only have an interest in selling the Sony.

So, yes -- Kindles in Canada with Sony's and Kobo please! Nook -- never mind: you don't sell content outside of the US.

[Falcao]

Yeah, when? I want to buy a kindle if nook 2 doesn't exist.

[joblack]

So whats the advantage to buy the device at best buy? It seems to cost 0,99 USD more.

[soondai]

and you get to pay sales tax.

no advantage to people who know they want one. this'll just draw more people in who get to fiddle with it hands on

[jhempel24]

You can return it to the store instead of dealing with shipping and waiting...that's a HUGE advantage to me, I would rather just go to a store then deal with online sales.

[AprilHare]

I'd like to remind the American contingent here at MobileRead that although in the US you can buy a Kindle at Target, Staples, Best Buy and on amazon.com, in other parts of the world (such as here in Sydney, Australia) you are restricted to amazon.com - and at this rate the situation isn't going to be being addressed anytime soon.

[fjtorres]

Well, they have to start somewhere.
Might as well start in the market that accounts for 70% of reader sales right now. Time enough to move on to the other emerging markets once they learn how to handle B&M retail practices.
Historically, online vendors have had serious trouble managing B&M retail which is why Amazon has been ramping up their off-line presence so carefully; first a few pilot Target stores, then slowly covering other Target locations, and now adding large specialty chains that work off their own central depots so they can deal with them direct. It keeps the supply chain short and tight.
For other regions they're likely to need either big, efficient retail partners (not named Wal-Mart) or have to deal with importers and distributors. Either way, it'll take time.
Just nowhere near as much time as their competitors would like to see.

[PatNY]

Originally Posted by soondai

and you get to pay sales tax.

no advantage to people who know they want one. this'll just draw more people in who get to fiddle with it hands on

Unfortunately, Amazon began to charge NY State residents sales tax a few years ago. It's cut down on my Amazon buying by about a third as there is no clear advantage in some cases buying from them if I can find another place on the web who doesn't charge tax (and there are still many). There may also be a few other states where Amazon charges sales tax as well.

So, if I were to buy a kindle today, I would go to my local Best Buy. As someone else already mentioned, being able to just return it locally if there is a problem is a big advantage.

[ProfCrash]

I would check the return policies of the B&M stores and go with one only if it had the same returning policy as Amazon.

I like that is being offered at these stores because it makes it easier for people to look at them and make a decision. People started signing up to show people in their area their Kindles because most people like to touch and hold and play with devices before they buy them. Getting them into more B&M stores is a good move that will give Amazon more exposure.

Given Amazon's delay in shipping there is a real possibility that you might be able to pick up a K3 at Target before you can buy it online. I guess we will see this weekend if the K3 arrives at Target.

[L.J. Sellers]

I love the idea that e-readers are becoming ubiquitous electronics instead of novelties!
L.J.