Letters rubbing off on new kindle

Rebo · 01-13-2011, 04:56 PM

Return, exchanger or wait.

I got a 3G Graphite K3 prior to the Holidays and had been using it primarily to check emails and surf the web during my overseas trip. The browser is slow and can be painful but it gets the job done. However, I find that the letters on the keypad are rubbing off; some of the heavy use letters are half gone. I am wonderingif I should just return it and get a new one, or exchange it and get a refurbished one, or just wait until the letters are all gone before requesting an exchange at the time. I am not sure if a new graphite would be any better. I paid express to have it delivered prior to the holiday and I've had it for less than a month so I am a little bumped out.

FF2 · 01-13-2011, 08:08 PM

I _THINK_ under a month and you will get a brand new one. After that it might be refurbished. I've heard of that problem and some say it depends on the keys' finish - that is glossy or matte. You might search for similar threads.

Exer · 01-13-2011, 08:14 PM

I've noticed the same thing happening with mine, but at this point it is only the arrows on the directional buttons. Seeing as how my Kindle works absolutely perfect other than that, I've decided I'm not willing to replace it and take the risk of getting a replacement Kindle that might not work as well.

WT Sharpe · 01-13-2011, 08:29 PM

I'd contact Amazon. The letters shouldn't be rubbing off in the first 30 days of use. Sounds like maybe the batch yours was in at the factory got a defective paint job. Amazon will probably pay the shipping if you contact them right away.

Tiersten · 01-13-2011, 08:35 PM

My K3 Graphite has no problems at all with the lettering on the keys and I got one of the first shipped units. Somebody said previously that their problem with the keys turned out to be dirt obscuring the lettering and not the lettering itself rubbing off. No idea if thats true or not as my keys are fine.

Do what the others have said and ask Kindle CS about it. They're generally very good at getting your problem fixed or if it isn't fixable to ship you a replacement Kindle quickly. They ship you one, you receive the replacement and then ship your old Kindle back to them.

WT Sharpe · 01-13-2011, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiersten

My K3 Graphite has no problems at all with the lettering on the keys and I got one of the first shipped units. Somebody said previously that their problem with the keys turned out to be dirt obscuring the lettering and not the lettering itself rubbing off. No idea if thats true or not as my keys are fine.

Do what the others have said and ask Kindle CS about it. They're generally very good at getting your problem fixed or if it isn't fixable to ship you a replacement Kindle quickly. They ship you one, you receive the replacement and then ship your old Kindle back to them.

When I contacted them about a K2 that dropped less than three feet and broke, a new one arrived the very next day. I then shipped the old one back to them at their expense. Yes, Amazon is good about things like that. Do call, or contact them via the web.

Bookworm_Girl · 01-14-2011, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FF2

I _THINK_ under a month and you will get a brand new one. After that it might be refurbished. I've heard of that problem and some say it depends on the keys' finish - that is glossy or matte. You might search for similar threads.

I had this problem. My first Kindle had wear within one month. It had smooth, glossy keys. It was purchased shortly after the launch date. My second Kindle has been fine after about 3 months of use. It has keys which are rougher, like a very fine sandpaper. I probably wouldn't notice the texture if I hadn't had the first one. If you are unhappy, then I would contact Amazon and request a replacement especially if it is brand new. It was really easy to transfer my books to the new one, including all of my collections. When I registered the new one, it even had a special file with instructions explaining what to do. If you keep it, then it might continue to get worse and reduce its resale cost later.

wvcherrybomb · 01-14-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebo

I am wonderingif I should just return it and get a new one, or exchange it and get a refurbished one

By this statement I'm guessing this is a refurbished unit? If so, it may have lots more wear on the buttons that just didn't get to the point of showing until after you got it. Since another refurbished one may also have an unknown amount of wear I would just get a new one.

I haven't had mine show any wear yet and have been worried about it after reading posts like this. I'm glad to hear someone mention the change in finish. Mine is matte and very mildly rough so hopefully that will help.

keitha · 01-14-2011, 10:34 AM

is there some sort of cover you can get, to protect the keypad letters from rubbing off?

Tiersten · 01-14-2011, 12:57 PM

My Kindle which has been fine has the very slightly rough texture on the keys.

wvcherrybomb · 01-14-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keitha

is there some sort of cover you can get, to protect the keypad letters from rubbing off?

Good question. I've never seen one, but I'm going to go look. All the skins that I've seen have holes for the buttons.

phil75070 · 01-14-2011, 03:22 PM

The "nokey" skins from InvisibleDefenders cover the keys. Available through Amazon.

pboss · 01-14-2011, 04:11 PM

Interesting that all of these reports concern the graphite Kindles. Not once have I seen anyone with a white model report this issue. It's definitely a defect.

Exer · 01-14-2011, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wvcherrybomb

Good question. I've never seen one, but I'm going to go look. All the skins that I've seen have holes for the buttons.

M-Skins

These aren't quite "skins", but they look like they'd protect the keys really well. I've been thinking about getting a black one, but I'm not sure I'll like it. Some silicon seems to be a magnet for dust, lint and hair ...

I like the fact it has the flap that covers the screen as well though.

wvcherrybomb · 01-14-2011, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil75070

The "nokey" skins from InvisibleDefenders cover the keys. Available through Amazon.

Wow, these are really nice! A perfect solution for protecting the keys or for someone whose keys are already wearing since the characters are printed on the skin. Lots of nice ones to choose from too.

01-13-2011, 04:56 PM	#1
Rebo Groupie Posts: 173 Karma: 392 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: nook, nook color, kindle 3, Ipad 2nd gen, Nook HD+, Iphone 4S	Letters rubbing off on new kindle Return, exchanger or wait. I got a 3G Graphite K3 prior to the Holidays and had been using it primarily to check emails and surf the web during my overseas trip. The browser is slow and can be painful but it gets the job done. However, I find that the letters on the keypad are rubbing off; some of the heavy use letters are half gone. I am wonderingif I should just return it and get a new one, or exchange it and get a refurbished one, or just wait until the letters are all gone before requesting an exchange at the time. I am not sure if a new graphite would be any better. I paid express to have it delivered prior to the holiday and I've had it for less than a month so I am a little bumped out.

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01-13-2011, 08:08 PM	#2
FF2 Wizard Posts: 1,105 Karma: 1025784 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: WiFi Kindle3	I _THINK_ under a month and you will get a brand new one. After that it might be refurbished. I've heard of that problem and some say it depends on the keys' finish - that is glossy or matte. You might search for similar threads.

01-13-2011, 08:14 PM	#3
Exer I see Russia! Posts: 205 Karma: 234787 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Alaska Device: Etch-A-Sketch	I've noticed the same thing happening with mine, but at this point it is only the arrows on the directional buttons. Seeing as how my Kindle works absolutely perfect other than that, I've decided I'm not willing to replace it and take the risk of getting a replacement Kindle that might not work as well.

01-13-2011, 08:29 PM	#4
WT Sharpe Bah, humbug! Posts: 39,072 Karma: 157049943 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.	I'd contact Amazon. The letters shouldn't be rubbing off in the first 30 days of use. Sounds like maybe the batch yours was in at the factory got a defective paint job. Amazon will probably pay the shipping if you contact them right away.

01-13-2011, 08:35 PM	#5
Tiersten Guru Posts: 987 Karma: 8641 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle 3G+WiFi	My K3 Graphite has no problems at all with the lettering on the keys and I got one of the first shipped units. Somebody said previously that their problem with the keys turned out to be dirt obscuring the lettering and not the lettering itself rubbing off. No idea if thats true or not as my keys are fine. Do what the others have said and ask Kindle CS about it. They're generally very good at getting your problem fixed or if it isn't fixable to ship you a replacement Kindle quickly. They ship you one, you receive the replacement and then ship your old Kindle back to them.

01-14-2011, 10:34 AM	#9
keitha Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 556 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: kindle	is there some sort of cover you can get, to protect the keypad letters from rubbing off?

01-14-2011, 12:57 PM	#10
Tiersten Guru Posts: 987 Karma: 8641 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle 3G+WiFi	My Kindle which has been fine has the very slightly rough texture on the keys.

01-14-2011, 03:22 PM	#12
phil75070 Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 658 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Kindle 2	The "nokey" skins from InvisibleDefenders cover the keys. Available through Amazon.

01-14-2011, 04:11 PM	#13
pboss Evangelist Posts: 408 Karma: 646 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: none	Interesting that all of these reports concern the graphite Kindles. Not once have I seen anyone with a white model report this issue. It's definitely a defect.

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