Instant Rebate on the Sony Reader?

NatCh · 06-01-2007, 01:48 PM

A number of MobileReaders have noticed that prices seem to be dropping on Readers around the web. igorsk reported that ABT Electronics has reduced their prices, induna pointed out that Fry's Electronics has also dropped.

After some poking around, I found that Best Buy is currently offering a $50 "instant rebate" on the Reader. and a quick survey of other sites revealed that J&R Music and Computer World, and CompUSA, are apparently doing something similar. What started out looking like one retailer bucking the trend, is looking more like an actual price drop!

However, since the $50 drop is specifically presented as a "rebate" by some of the retailers, it seems likely that it may be a temporary thing. But pile it up with the "$149" ConnStore credits, and it's a pretty nice deal.

RWood · 06-01-2007, 02:46 PM

It sounds great, it may even get some that are on the fence to finally get the Sony Reader. I have had mine since November when the CONNECT store credit was only $50 so this represents a savings of $150 from when I bought mine. Do I feel cheated? Not in the least. I have already gotten more than $150 of enjoyment from the Reader. (Plus I've met a lot of nice folks here at MobileRead that I otherwise might not have met.

Leaping Gnome · 06-01-2007, 02:52 PM

Hmm, I wonder if it is not selling well, which goes against what we have heard, or if this is the beginning of clearing the channel for the rumored Reader version 2.

Bob Russell · 06-01-2007, 04:14 PM

I suspect that demand for PVI's e-ink screens has probably not exploded from non-Sony device makers. That would mean that (1) by now, supply is much greater with expanded production capacities and (2) Sony is likely to be a dominant purchaser of the screens.

That should give Sony bargaining power, and may lead to reduced screen costs, and therefore reduced pricing (even if it's only through rebate deals or free books).

Just a wild theory, but it seems to make sense. Unfortunately, we really haven't heard any rumors about a Sony Reader 2, or any signs that there's even a reason to do that yet. Sort of reminds me of how Dell didn't feel much pressure to improve the Axim PDAs, because they had a market leading product for years even with barely any changes to it. But we can always hope Sony will eventually pump out new models like they did for the Clie. Well, minus the part about leaving the business all together! ;-)

RWood · 06-01-2007, 09:30 PM

Think of it as market research. How does demand change at different price points.

solitarywolf · 06-01-2007, 09:31 PM

This is directed at those that are considering the Reader.

If you have been considering getting one. Do it. Now seems to be the perfect time since the price drop. I have had mine for several months and have not put it down since. I have increased my reading schedule as the Reader is so convienient to carry. I am a lover of hardcover books, but have found that I carry the Reader with me everywhere (yes... Everywhere).

Not to mention that the books I have read that I would have never bought because of one reason or another.

Again if you are considering the Reader, get it. You will not regret it.

Seth Williams
San Francisco

P.S. No this is not an ad. It is my personal feelings.

HarryT · 06-02-2007, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leaping Gnome

Hmm, I wonder if it is not selling well, which goes against what we have heard, or if this is the beginning of clearing the channel for the rumored Reader version 2.

What rumours are these? Please elaborate!

Azayzel · 06-02-2007, 06:41 AM

Good deal to hear, I've been thinking about picking up an extra for my wife's use. Guess I'll have to keep my ear to the ground for the best deal.

NatCh · 06-02-2007, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

What rumours are these? Please elaborate!

The only rumors I'm aware of stemmed from a comment by one of the Sony muckety-mucks at CES (I can't remember off-hand who it was).

But there hasn't been anything beyond that one thing that I've been able to dig up, so these days I'm thinking that we shouldn't look for anything to come of it any time soon.

Just my opinion, of course, so salt to taste.

JSWolf · 06-02-2007, 01:07 PM

What was the comment?

volwrath · 06-02-2007, 05:05 PM

The $149.00 Connection Store credit is a rip IMO. Well at least $100.00 of it. Ill wait just a bit longer.

JSWolf · 06-02-2007, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volwrath

The $149.00 Connection Store credit is a rip IMO. Well at least $100.00 of it. Ill wait just a bit longer.

So you may not end up using the $100 part of the credit. That not a good reason to hold off. You still gett he $50 credit which is valid and usable.

bojan · 06-02-2007, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

What rumours are these? Please elaborate!

... and a new Reader model, adding wireless capability, will likely appear within the year.

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=36809

JSWolf · 06-02-2007, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bojan

... and a new Reader model, adding wireless capability, will likely appear within the year.

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=36809

It would be nice if they did a 1024x768 screen and then with the wifi, we could have proper web surfing with a stylus and keyboard like the lebre had. And make the screen 16 shades of grey at least. They can do a lot with it to make it the best reader/PDA ever.

NatCh · 06-02-2007, 07:56 PM

Yeah, that was the comment.

It does sound nice, but I haven't seen anything else on it other than that one comment, so it makes me a bit skeptical, is all.

06-01-2007, 01:48 PM	#1
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,484 Karma: 31590 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: PRS600	Instant Rebate on the Sony Reader? A number of MobileReaders have noticed that prices seem to be dropping on Readers around the web. igorsk reported that ABT Electronics has reduced their prices, induna pointed out that Fry's Electronics has also dropped. After some poking around, I found that Best Buy is currently offering a $50 "instant rebate" on the Reader. and a quick survey of other sites revealed that J&R Music and Computer World, and CompUSA, are apparently doing something similar. What started out looking like one retailer bucking the trend, is looking more like an actual price drop! However, since the $50 drop is specifically presented as a "rebate" by some of the retailers, it seems likely that it may be a temporary thing. But pile it up with the "$149" ConnStore credits, and it's a pretty nice deal. __________________ ΨΦ! "Torg, why do you have emergency pants?" -- Riff

06-02-2007, 07:56 PM	#15
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,484 Karma: 31590 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: PRS600	Yeah, that was the comment. It does sound nice, but I haven't seen anything else on it other than that one comment, so it makes me a bit skeptical, is all. __________________ ΨΦ! "Torg, why do you have emergency pants?" -- Riff

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06-01-2007, 02:46 PM	#2
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 54680 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	It sounds great, it may even get some that are on the fence to finally get the Sony Reader. I have had mine since November when the CONNECT store credit was only $50 so this represents a savings of $150 from when I bought mine. Do I feel cheated? Not in the least. I have already gotten more than $150 of enjoyment from the Reader. (Plus I've met a lot of nice folks here at MobileRead that I otherwise might not have met.

06-01-2007, 02:52 PM	#3
Leaping Gnome Evangelist Posts: 490 Karma: 1641 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Louisville Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	Hmm, I wonder if it is not selling well, which goes against what we have heard, or if this is the beginning of clearing the channel for the rumored Reader version 2.

06-01-2007, 04:14 PM	#4
Bob Russell MobileRead Editor Posts: 4,923 Karma: 24061 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: Sony PRS500, Treo 700p, Dell x50v, Lenovo X61t	I suspect that demand for PVI's e-ink screens has probably not exploded from non-Sony device makers. That would mean that (1) by now, supply is much greater with expanded production capacities and (2) Sony is likely to be a dominant purchaser of the screens. That should give Sony bargaining power, and may lead to reduced screen costs, and therefore reduced pricing (even if it's only through rebate deals or free books). Just a wild theory, but it seems to make sense. Unfortunately, we really haven't heard any rumors about a Sony Reader 2, or any signs that there's even a reason to do that yet. Sort of reminds me of how Dell didn't feel much pressure to improve the Axim PDAs, because they had a market leading product for years even with barely any changes to it. But we can always hope Sony will eventually pump out new models like they did for the Clie. Well, minus the part about leaving the business all together! ;-)

06-01-2007, 09:30 PM	#5
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 54680 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	Think of it as market research. How does demand change at different price points.

06-01-2007, 09:31 PM	#6
solitarywolf Geek Posts: 31 Karma: 16 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Device: Sony Reader 505	This is directed at those that are considering the Reader. If you have been considering getting one. Do it. Now seems to be the perfect time since the price drop. I have had mine for several months and have not put it down since. I have increased my reading schedule as the Reader is so convienient to carry. I am a lover of hardcover books, but have found that I carry the Reader with me everywhere (yes... Everywhere). Not to mention that the books I have read that I would have never bought because of one reason or another. Again if you are considering the Reader, get it. You will not regret it. Seth Williams San Francisco P.S. No this is not an ad. It is my personal feelings.

06-02-2007, 06:41 AM	#8
Azayzel Cache Ninja! Posts: 644 Karma: 2300 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: PRS-500, HTC Shift, iPod Touch, iPaq 4150, TC1100, Panasonic WordsGear	Good deal to hear, I've been thinking about picking up an extra for my wife's use. Guess I'll have to keep my ear to the ground for the best deal.

06-02-2007, 01:07 PM	#10
JSWolf Mobile Reader Geek Posts: 17,391 Karma: 21146 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Sony Reader PRS-505	What was the comment?

06-02-2007, 05:05 PM	#11
volwrath Addict Posts: 283 Karma: 477 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Device: HTC Touch Pro/PRS505/ipod Touch	The $149.00 Connection Store credit is a rip IMO. Well at least $100.00 of it. Ill wait just a bit longer.