Does ASIN number on invoice identify kindle model

[HOW]

Over a month ago I received a free Kindle as part of a resort promotion. I was told that it was the latest Generation Kindle3 with Wi-Fi, graphite in color. After selling it online it was returned to me as it was a white Kindle2 and I refunded the paid monies to the buyer.

Just received replacement Kindle from Amazon.

The invoice this time states: "Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 6" Display, Graphite, 3G Works Globally -Latest Generation"...so far so good.
HOWEVER: below the description it also says "(**P-1-A240**) B002FQJT3Q".
and, it is the B002FQJT3Q number that has me confused as I thought that any number starting with B002 denotes a Kindle 2, vs B003 for the Kindle 3.

I contacted Amazon and voiced my concerns/sceptisism. Was told that indeed the 'B002' stands for the Kindle 2, but...was then connected with a Kindle 'Specialist' and he told me that I received what the description stated, and that the 'BOO2FQJT3Q' number is merely an 'ASIN' number.

BTW, unit was shipped just with lable attached to Kindle box without being placed into shipping box...
Also, Kindle box does not have the usual wording of 'AMAZON KINDLE' imprinted on the box, nor does it have the picture of the tree with a person sitting below it imprinted on the box which I see is the format used at (i.e.) Bestbuy for the latest Generation models.

I asked the Amazon rep if the unit shipped to me was 'Refurbished'. He hesitated, and then gave me a vague answer stating that it just came out of a different batch that Amazon uses for replacements. I pinned him down on my question, and he finally told me that indeed the unit is brand new and not refurbished...

Following that conversation I contacted Amazon via email and asked to put all I had been told on the phone in 'black & white'. In response I received a link to print a shipping label, along with instructions to send along reasons of why I would be returning the Kindle........WEIRD !

Hoping that somebody on this forum could kindly give me some advice. Could it be that the B002FQJT3Q number indeed is an 'ASIN' number and unrelated to the normal connection between the B002 vs the B003 numbers as identifiers to which Kindle model is enclosed ?

What would you do, send the 'thing' back again ?

Thanks for your input.

[DMSmillie]

Easiest way to check since each ASIN is unique: do a search on Amazon.com for that number. I just did, and it came up with just one item:

Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 6" Display, Graphite, 3G Works Globally - Latest Generation

- Donna

[HOW]

Originally Posted by DMSmillie

Easiest way to check since each ASIN is unique: do a search on Amazon.com for that number. I just did, and it came up with just one item:

Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 6" Display, Graphite, 3G Works Globally - Latest Generation

- Donna

DONNA, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH !!!!!!!!!

[HOW]

DONNA, Please allow me to impose on you one more time: I just went to the Amazon.com site and tried to do what you already did, namely to look up the the ASIN number, b-u-t..... don't know how/can't find a link to find that info.

Could you kindly give me a 'step by step' direction ? (Please forgive me...going on 80...if that's any excuse, lol) THANKS !

[DMSmillie]

Just copy and paste the ASIN into the search box near the top of the page, HOW. I didn't bother selecting any particular department - just leave it as "All Departments". When you click on the search ("Go") button, it'll search for that ASIN.

- Donna

[Tiersten]

You're confusing the Kindle serial numbers and ASIN numbers which isn't too difficult considering both start with B and look fairly similar.

ASIN means Amazon Standard Identification Number which are basically stock codes. Each distinct product that is sold on an Amazon site would have its own ASIN to identify it. Most items have an ASIN that starts with B but real physical books use the ISBN number instead.

Kindle serial numbers all start with B and the 4th character shows what model Kindle it is.

If you buy a Kindle via mailorder on the regular Amazon site then they're shipped like how you received yours. They don't have an outer box that contains the Kindle box and the shipping label is stuck to the box directly. It doesn't have Amazon Kindle in big letters over it. It does mention Kindle on the small copyright line on the bottom and the person reading a book logo is part of the barcode. This new packaging for the Kindle 3 is part of some green packaging initiative by Amazon. I can't remember what they actually called it though...

[curstpriest]

That makes no sense. Graphite means that the casing is a dark/black color. you said that it was white?

Graphite:



"Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 6" Display, Graphite, 3G Works Globally -Latest Generation"

3g means it has 3G wireless module
Graphite means it's black
Latest generation means it's k3

Also, no k2 was available with wifi+3g

Sounds like somebody just shipped you back an old k2 and kept the k3, but since you don't have the serial number IDK what you can do about it. Explain your situation to amazon, and see if they will blacklist the k3 on your original invoice. I highly doubt it's tied to the white k2 you have in your hands. If it is, you can just have them reactivate it. Best case scenario, you can cause some grief to the person that may have screwed you over, or go onto the site and leave them negative feedback.

If amazon made a mistake, get them to ship you a k3 and ship the k2 back.. It's happened before, I order 1-2 things from them a month and every 6 months or so they send me an extra item, or a wrong quantity, or a wrong item, so it's possible that they shipped you the wrong thing >>

[DMSmillie]

The one they originally had, which they sold online (presumably unopened, or HOW would have known it was white K2, rather than graphite K3), was returned to them because it was not graphite K3 as advertised. I think HOW has now received a replacement from Amazon, and doesn't want to open it (as they would then be unable to sell on as "brand new, unopened"), so only has the details on the label to go on. That's my reading of the situation anyway.

- Donna

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by HOW

What would you do, send the 'thing' back again ?

Thanks for your input.

Okay....You do not want the kindle, regardless of which model it is, am I correct? You sold the one you won?

Absolutely, send it back. Enclose an explanation letter, and ask for a credit......

[HOW]

Originally Posted by DMSmillie

The one they originally had, which they sold online (presumably unopened, or HOW would have known it was white K2, rather than graphite K3), was returned to them because it was not graphite K3 as advertised. I think HOW has now received a replacement from Amazon, and doesn't want to open it (as they would then be unable to sell on as "brand new, unopened"), so only has the details on the label to go on. That's my reading of the situation anyway.

- Donna

Thanks Donna ! Sorry if I apparently confused a lot of poeple, but you certainly 'got it'.