Impressed with Kobo Price Match

[ottdmk]

So, thanks to the Deals forum, I found out that amazon.ca had The Dragonbone Chair on sale for $1.99 CDN. Usually, as Canada is mostly an Agency country, that sale would also be on Kobo. Not this time.

So, as I also needed The Stone of Farewell in ebook format (I had picked up the third book, To Green Angel Tower, on a great sale a while back) I decided to try price match for the first time.

Submitted the request, figuring I'd hear back in a day or two.

I heard back in less than 15 minutes.

This was after 11pm (EDT). On a Sunday.

It came as a very pleasant surprise. I quickly used my credit to buy The Stone of Farewell, and now am happy to have both books I needed for a grand total of $13.01 CDN after taxes.

[JSWolf]

Very nice!

Also, good books. I plan to reread those books before going to the new series.

[RobertJSawyer]

Yes, the price matching works wonderfully.

[Cactus Chef]

It's been hit-or-miss for me. Sometimes they'll match on-the-spot, other times they will only promise a future credit. Seems to depend on who you get at their Help Desk.

In worst-case scenario, there was a daily deal on Amazon, and I asked for a price match on the same day, but they evidently did not look into it until several days later when the deal had already passed, and then denied the price match. I was rather frustrated with that experience, and after that I would just buy the book on Amazon if the deal was exclusive to them, then remove the DRM and load it onto my Kobo.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Cactus Chef

It's been hit-or-miss for me. Sometimes they'll match on-the-spot, other times they will only promise a future credit. Seems to depend on who you get at their Help Desk.

In worst-case scenario, there was a daily deal on Amazon, and I asked for a price match on the same day, but they evidently did not look into it until several days later when the deal had already passed, and then denied the price match. I was rather frustrated with that experience, and after that I would just buy the book on Amazon if the deal was exclusive to them, then remove the DRM and load it onto my Kobo.

The few times I've requested a match on a daily deal, I've done a screen shot of the deal just in case and have had no issues so far.

[darryl]

I avoid the whole mess and just buy from Amazon. I like Kobo and wish them well, but IMHO they need to shapen their pencil when it comes to their overall pricing.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by darryl

I avoid the whole mess and just buy from Amazon. I like Kobo and wish them well, but IMHO they need to shapen their pencil when it comes to their overall pricing.

For me, Kobo Plus alone makes buying from Kobo worthwhile. Not to mention not having to spend as much time cleaning up the CSS.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by DNSB

For me, Kobo Plus alone makes buying from Kobo worthwhile. Not to mention not having to spend as much time cleaning up the CSS.

This. Also, In the last year, I've only found 1 book that was eligible for a Price Match. The books I'm buying are now within 50 US cents of the Kindle price (most often in Kobo's favour) or $2-$5 cheaper than the Google Books price. So for my tastes, they HAVE sharpened their pencil

[Cootey]

I’ve taken advantage of price match a few times. Kobo has always come through for me, but they also always ask for a screen shot even if I submit the Amazon link. It’s a mostly fast process, depending on the agent. I’m glad they offer this service.

[ottdmk]

Originally Posted by darryl

I avoid the whole mess and just buy from Amazon. I like Kobo and wish them well, but IMHO they need to shapen their pencil when it comes to their overall pricing.

Here in Canada, 90% of the time the price is exactly the same. If it's different, it's often in favour of Kobo due to Kobo+.

I occasionally buy from Amazon, but I dislike it. I have calibre set up with an older DeDRM, but I'd rather just buy from Kobo and download it to my e-reader (well, the app right now, but new e-reader by Christmas.)

One of these days I need to get around to backing up my Kobo books though. That'll be an exercise. I have Obok, but I have a lot of stuff to backup...

[darryl]

Originally Posted by ottdmk

Here in Canada, 90% of the time the price is exactly the same. If it's different, it's often in favour of Kobo due to Kobo+.

I occasionally buy from Amazon, but I dislike it. I have calibre set up with an older DeDRM, but I'd rather just buy from Kobo and download it to my e-reader (well, the app right now, but new e-reader by Christmas.)

One of these days I need to get around to backing up my Kobo books though. That'll be an exercise. I have Obok, but I have a lot of stuff to backup...

Your experience is interesting. I can't of course speak for Canada, though I would imagine that it is similar to Australia given the apparent dominance of agency pricing for traditionally published books. Agency titles are of course the same price across platforms.

However, your Kobo+ comment is interesting. Presumably an Amazon user could state, modifying your own statement, that "If it's different, it's often in favour of Amazon due to Kindle Unlimited."

i just had a quick look at Kobo+ for the first time. It does not require exclusivity from Authors, which is a good thing. However, I doubt that at this stage it has anywhere near the number of books on KU. Are any of the large treaditional publishers supporting it? I certainly welcome an alternative to KU. I don't plan to support it at this stage, but will keep an eye on itas it develops. it seems to be a relative newcomer to markets outside of Canada. As I understand the situation it has not yet come to the US.

i do not buy agency titles. The ones I do read I borrow from one of the many libraries where I am a member.

[ottdmk]

Originally Posted by darryl

Your experience is interesting. I can't of course speak for Canada, though I would imagine that it is similar to Australia given the apparent dominance of agency pricing for traditionally published books. Agency titles are of course the same price across platforms.

However, your Kobo+ comment is interesting. Presumably an Amazon user could state, modifying your own statement, that "If it's different, it's often in favour of Amazon due to Kindle Unlimited."

i just had a quick look at Kobo+ for the first time. It does not require exclusivity from Authors, which is a good thing. However, I doubt that at this stage it has anywhere near the number of books on KU. Are any of the large treaditional publishers supporting it? I certainly welcome an alternative to KU. I don't plan to support it at this stage, but will keep an eye on itas it develops. it seems to be a relative newcomer to markets outside of Canada. As I understand the situation it has not yet come to the US.

i do not buy agency titles. The ones I do read I borrow from one of the many libraries where I am a member.

I have to apologize; when I said Kobo+, I meant the Kobo VIP program. When there is a price difference, it usually revolves around that program, and in favour of Kobo. I buy quite a few books throughout the year and have found the VIP membership pays for itself.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by ottdmk

I have to apologize; when I said Kobo+, I meant the Kobo VIP program. When there is a price difference, it usually revolves around that program, and in favour of Kobo. I buy quite a few books throughout the year and have found the VIP membership pays for itself.

Thanks for clarifying this. I too make much use of the Kobo VIP program and have saved alot on my (far too numerous) purchases through it, in addition to books purchased using Super Points. Especially when coupled with the "buy $X gift card, get .2X free" promos.

[darryl]

Thanks for the clarification.