MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Kobo never again! What other brands/models are recommended?

Bob the builder · 06-14-2016, 10:07 PM

I recently posted about a Kobo H20 that died after its screen cracked. And noted that nowhere in the user guide or anywhere on the website is there any indication of how fragile the device is - which after reading discussions on this site, found out that most e-readers are quite fragile. And about the frustrations of Kobo customer service.

I then - stupidly - decided to buy another Kobo H20, because I love the device (apart obviously from its fragility). I then - stupidly - ordered one off the Kobo website, which brought me to another level of brain-fart.

In a world of outsourced customer service that is frustrating and unresponsive, Kobo stands tall. It truly is amazingly bad. I got online feedback that my address was invalid (I'll spare readers the trivial details). The online responses I got were slow and nonsensical. There is no way to track discussions, promised transcripts of online chats and phone calls didn't come, you can't access your order or shipping details online. The phone discussions were as bad (the staff I spoke to were polite, but obviously untrained and unable to provide much meaningful information), worsened by the amazing fact that they are unable to access their order or shipping database to simply check on the status of an order.

After a week of back and forth and multiple attempts to cancel my order, I finally have confirmation that it's cancelled and refunded. But will launch a disputed transaction with my bank, as experience would suggest the refund will not go smoothly.

So, after a few stupid decisions, I don't think I can go back to Kobo, they are that sh*t. Pity the actual devices are great to use when they don't break. I'm not even sure that I can be bothered going back to an e-reader, but ...

Can anyone recommend a brand and model that is open-source and flexible? Preferably robust too! All I want is an e-reader. I don't particularly care if it's touchscreen, has internet access, can cook me an egg or whatever.

I just want something I can read ebooks on (especially open-source ones), that doesn't strain my eyes and is preferably reasonably robust. Waterproof would be great, but I realise that's probably not available except for Kobo.

06-14-2016, 10:07 PM	#1
Bob the builder Member Posts: 18 Karma: 6264 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Remote Australia Device: Kobo H2O	Kobo never again! What other brands/models are recommended? I recently posted about a Kobo H20 that died after its screen cracked. And noted that nowhere in the user guide or anywhere on the website is there any indication of how fragile the device is - which after reading discussions on this site, found out that most e-readers are quite fragile. And about the frustrations of Kobo customer service. I then - stupidly - decided to buy another Kobo H20, because I love the device (apart obviously from its fragility). I then - stupidly - ordered one off the Kobo website, which brought me to another level of brain-fart. In a world of outsourced customer service that is frustrating and unresponsive, Kobo stands tall. It truly is amazingly bad. I got online feedback that my address was invalid (I'll spare readers the trivial details). The online responses I got were slow and nonsensical. There is no way to track discussions, promised transcripts of online chats and phone calls didn't come, you can't access your order or shipping details online. The phone discussions were as bad (the staff I spoke to were polite, but obviously untrained and unable to provide much meaningful information), worsened by the amazing fact that they are unable to access their order or shipping database to simply check on the status of an order. After a week of back and forth and multiple attempts to cancel my order, I finally have confirmation that it's cancelled and refunded. But will launch a disputed transaction with my bank, as experience would suggest the refund will not go smoothly. So, after a few stupid decisions, I don't think I can go back to Kobo, they are that sh*t. Pity the actual devices are great to use when they don't break. I'm not even sure that I can be bothered going back to an e-reader, but ... Can anyone recommend a brand and model that is open-source and flexible? Preferably robust too! All I want is an e-reader. I don't particularly care if it's touchscreen, has internet access, can cook me an egg or whatever. I just want something I can read ebooks on (especially open-source ones), that doesn't strain my eyes and is preferably reasonably robust. Waterproof would be great, but I realise that's probably not available except for Kobo.