[sabredog]

Originally Posted by kgn

Well, buying from the USA or (anywhere else) is not really 'on the sly'. There is a still a valid warranty - you just have to get it back to the place that sold it to you. It will cost a bit more in freight, that is all.

Using a US based forwarding address might be construed that way. Sony readers are not available for sale to Australia currently, though you can purchase via eBay or reseller.

Sony would well be within their rights to dishonour a warranty because you purchased a product not for the Australian market and used a third party to do so.

I have found that the warranty problem is not an issue, at least not for me. The difference in price for the same object in Australia (if it is available, which is usually not the case) is so great, I can assume the cost of my own warranty.

For example, I recently bought a Pronto remote control from the USA for around $600. The local price in Australia (and there is only one dealer) is over $1800. I can afford to have TWO total write-offs of my Pronto before I even come close to what it would cost me here for one unit. ie warranty is NOT an issue - I simply chuck away the old one, and buy myself a new unit - it is still vastly cheaper.

I chose to buy from the USA - as I have a lot of other stuff. I have NEVER had a problem. It is often faster getting stuff from The USA than from Melbourne, so that is not an issue either. The exchange rate is not bad at the moment either - unlike with Europe.

Certainly agree with you there and I do this myself regularly. I have purchased items from overseas now for over 10 years with the same belief that replacing an item purchased elsewhere is a far cheaper option than buying that item here from a sole trader who sells that item for an exorbitant price anywhere in Australia.

eBooks are slightly different - we simply do not have that many here. Most are pretty basic units, and except for a couple of models, fairly expensive. The Kindle is so restrictive I would never buy one, but a good price.

And why use a freight-forwarder?? I have never used one. I bought my Pocketbook 302 (a truly top reader) through this forum. No problems at all.

Sometimes you may well need to use a freight forwarder for any item you might wish to purchase, hence their reason for existence and Borderlynx even send out shopping catalogues! You cannot buy a Sony reader direct from Sony, but can through a reseller (eBay as well) who will send to Australia. The Astak you can buy direct and I believe, the Jetbook range. I have not looked at the Pocketbook or Nook and I am not too keen on them (a purely personal opinion)

Boils down to choice.

However I know one thing. The ereader has finally arrived in a big way here in Australia. With the Kobo there is no need to spend huge amounts on a specialist device or one format locked to one company. Better still, Sony are making a return now the Aussie market seems reader for ereaders. Such an offered range is a good thing!