outdated displays in Boston area stores- advice please

Paul Miller · 03-12-2014, 11:17 PM

Hello to all:

I'm interested in buying a Kobo, probably an Aura HD, but I'm frustrated in my attempts to find a display model of one, so I can hold it, play with it, etc. The independent booksellers have the Touch, the Mini, the Glo, etc., but not more recent models. One nice bookstore guy explained that they have a hard time getting the newer models in.

Best Buy is no help. IF they have them in the stores, they are not available to be handled, etc. And the Kobo website also doesn't seem very useful.

Does anyone have any advice or know where, in the Greater Boston area, I could lay hands/eyes on a more recent model that is functional?

Thanks,
Paul

TechniSol · 03-13-2014, 02:32 AM

Have you tried looking for the list of independent booksellers on Kobo's site and calling around?

I'm not a big fan of this, but someone suggested Best Buy has a store return policy and that you can order online and return locally if unsatisfied... Why a brick and mortar chain has a hard time showing a display unit boggles the mind. You want to sell something? Put it in the prospective buyers hand and it becomes real, a tangible thing.

Once upon a time, retail had three advantages

1. It's in stock. You can have it NOW!
2. You can see it or handle it before you buy one.
3. Knowledgeable Sales Assistance. OK, maybe only two...

Why else would you pay retail?

John F · 03-13-2014, 06:41 AM

There used to be a long thread on "see a device near you". When e-readers weren't very prevalent, it matches owners with potential owners so they could try devices. Maybe it is time to resurrect the thread for the U.S. for Kobo, Pocketbook, Onyx ...

booklover6 · 03-13-2014, 07:23 AM

If you liked the Glo that you saw, you will love the Aura HD. Order one, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

John F · 03-13-2014, 08:43 AM

I've bought a Touch, Glo, Aura HD and Aura. I gave the Aura HD and Aura to family members. Try before you buy (or buy and return (as long as it is not through Kobo U.S..

))

Paul Miller · 03-14-2014, 10:12 AM

Thanks for your replies. TechniSol, my experience with the indies' displays is that they are limited to older models, but I can keep looking.

I MAY just take the plunge into an Aura HD. BTW, if the "see a device near you" thread were to be resurrected, that might be helpful, though it seems like it is no longer much needed.

taming · 03-14-2014, 12:43 PM

Paul, I have heard at least one instance of a person who went into the store, set-up an open wifi hot spot on their phone and updated the display reader FW. Chances are the store models have old FW, regardless of the device. It's very naughty hehehe.

TechniSol · 03-14-2014, 11:08 PM

I hate to say it, but you know the Aura HD was supposed to be a limited run model, so that may explain why they don't get a lot of display space... If you're an independent and you have to buy the display models, how many will you buy, especially if you're told they are limited production run models, unless they are selling well?

I hope Kobo sells them a display model at a decent discount... from the scuttlebutt that flew through the forums a long while back, the margin wasn't going to set anyone on fire to sell Kobos. And let's be fair, my bet is that people who shop in bookstores rather than online are probably more likely to buy books there than an ereader...

shalym · 03-15-2014, 07:09 AM

I've been really really wanting an Aura HD since they first came out, but resisted for a loooong time because I couldn't see one before hand. In another thread someone mentioned the buy from Best Buy online and return in store idea, and I figured that I would take a chance. I received it from Best Buy on Wednesday, and, so far, am loving it--go ahead...take a chance--you'll be glad you did! (and if you aren't, you can return it to your local B&M Best Buy)

Shari

Paul Miller · 03-23-2014, 12:03 AM

Turns out, one of the indie bookstores I went to WAS displaying the Aura HD. It just wasn't well marked so I thought it was another model. Also, Kobo is not good about labeling their models so you know what you're getting. Anyway, I went ahead and purchased the HD, and so far (about 10 hours later) I still like it! :-)

booklover6 · 03-23-2014, 07:19 AM

Congratulations! You were lucky to get to see one first!

Paul Miller · 03-28-2014, 09:12 AM

And the good news is that, so far, after about a week of ownership, I'm glad I bought it!

03-12-2014, 11:17 PM	#1
Paul Miller Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 13500 Join Date: Mar 2014 Device: Kobo	outdated displays in Boston area stores- advice please Hello to all: I'm interested in buying a Kobo, probably an Aura HD, but I'm frustrated in my attempts to find a display model of one, so I can hold it, play with it, etc. The independent booksellers have the Touch, the Mini, the Glo, etc., but not more recent models. One nice bookstore guy explained that they have a hard time getting the newer models in. Best Buy is no help. IF they have them in the stores, they are not available to be handled, etc. And the Kobo website also doesn't seem very useful. Does anyone have any advice or know where, in the Greater Boston area, I could lay hands/eyes on a more recent model that is functional? Thanks, Paul

03-13-2014, 08:43 AM	#5
John F Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,937 Karma: 70583139 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo Clara 2E	I've bought a Touch, Glo, Aura HD and Aura. I gave the Aura HD and Aura to family members. Try before you buy (or buy and return (as long as it is not through Kobo U.S..))

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03-13-2014, 02:32 AM	#2
TechniSol GranPohbah-Fezzes r cool! Posts: 1,056 Karma: 3151024 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Nook STRs, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo	Have you tried looking for the list of independent booksellers on Kobo's site and calling around? I'm not a big fan of this, but someone suggested Best Buy has a store return policy and that you can order online and return locally if unsatisfied... Why a brick and mortar chain has a hard time showing a display unit boggles the mind. You want to sell something? Put it in the prospective buyers hand and it becomes real, a tangible thing. Once upon a time, retail had three advantages 1. It's in stock. You can have it NOW! 2. You can see it or handle it before you buy one. 3. Knowledgeable Sales Assistance. OK, maybe only two... Why else would you pay retail?

03-13-2014, 06:41 AM	#3
John F Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,937 Karma: 70583139 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo Clara 2E	There used to be a long thread on "see a device near you". When e-readers weren't very prevalent, it matches owners with potential owners so they could try devices. Maybe it is time to resurrect the thread for the U.S. for Kobo, Pocketbook, Onyx ...

03-13-2014, 07:23 AM	#4
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	If you liked the Glo that you saw, you will love the Aura HD. Order one, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

03-14-2014, 10:12 AM	#6
Paul Miller Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 13500 Join Date: Mar 2014 Device: Kobo	Thanks for your replies. TechniSol, my experience with the indies' displays is that they are limited to older models, but I can keep looking. I MAY just take the plunge into an Aura HD. BTW, if the "see a device near you" thread were to be resurrected, that might be helpful, though it seems like it is no longer much needed.

03-14-2014, 12:43 PM	#7
taming Trying for calm & polite Posts: 4,012 Karma: 9455193 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mostly in Canada Device: kobo original, WiFI, Touch, Glo, and Aura	Paul, I have heard at least one instance of a person who went into the store, set-up an open wifi hot spot on their phone and updated the display reader FW. Chances are the store models have old FW, regardless of the device. It's very naughty hehehe.

03-14-2014, 11:08 PM	#8
TechniSol GranPohbah-Fezzes r cool! Posts: 1,056 Karma: 3151024 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Nook STRs, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo	I hate to say it, but you know the Aura HD was supposed to be a limited run model, so that may explain why they don't get a lot of display space... If you're an independent and you have to buy the display models, how many will you buy, especially if you're told they are limited production run models, unless they are selling well? I hope Kobo sells them a display model at a decent discount... from the scuttlebutt that flew through the forums a long while back, the margin wasn't going to set anyone on fire to sell Kobos. And let's be fair, my bet is that people who shop in bookstores rather than online are probably more likely to buy books there than an ereader...

03-15-2014, 07:09 AM	#9
shalym Wizard Posts: 3,058 Karma: 54671821 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: New England Device: PW 1, 2, 3, Voyage, Oasis 2 & 3, Fires, Aura HD, iPad	I've been really really wanting an Aura HD since they first came out, but resisted for a loooong time because I couldn't see one before hand. In another thread someone mentioned the buy from Best Buy online and return in store idea, and I figured that I would take a chance. I received it from Best Buy on Wednesday, and, so far, am loving it--go ahead...take a chance--you'll be glad you did! (and if you aren't, you can return it to your local B&M Best Buy) Shari

03-23-2014, 12:03 AM	#10
Paul Miller Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 13500 Join Date: Mar 2014 Device: Kobo	Turns out, one of the indie bookstores I went to WAS displaying the Aura HD. It just wasn't well marked so I thought it was another model. Also, Kobo is not good about labeling their models so you know what you're getting. Anyway, I went ahead and purchased the HD, and so far (about 10 hours later) I still like it! :-)

03-23-2014, 07:19 AM	#11
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	Congratulations! You were lucky to get to see one first!

03-28-2014, 09:12 AM	#12
Paul Miller Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 13500 Join Date: Mar 2014 Device: Kobo	And the good news is that, so far, after about a week of ownership, I'm glad I bought it!

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