PW price in Japan

Kumabjorn · 08-08-2013, 05:13 AM

I was just checking out Amazon Japan and noticed that price for the PW is Yen 7,980 which, depending on fluctuations in exchange rate, is less than $85. Seems like an opportunity for parallel importation.

Haesslich · 08-08-2013, 08:42 AM

As long as you don't need 3G - the cell modem only works in Japan.

Kumabjorn · 08-08-2013, 10:39 AM

Does the PW in the US come with 3G, or isn't that an option? But you're right if 3G is an issue then it doesn't matter. Still, a significant price gap.

Namekuseijin · 08-08-2013, 03:58 PM

pretty much everyone has 3G in one form or another these days. I opted for the wifi model and route 3G from my smartphone to it when needed...

Canuck_in_Japan · 08-08-2013, 07:08 PM

The 7,980 version is wifi only. But yes, with today's exchange rates it's an amazing deal.

Haesslich · 08-08-2013, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Does the PW in the US come with 3G, or isn't that an option? But you're right if 3G is an issue then it doesn't matter. Still, a significant price gap.

The 3G US/International version works in most countries. The Japanese 3G version does not. But the Wifi version at 7980 yen is basically the same as the US/International version.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Namekuseijin

pretty much everyone has 3G in one form or another these days. I opted for the wifi model and route 3G from my smartphone to it when needed...

The 3G version does have its good points -easy 3G access, without having to do any setup on the phone or device, pius a lot of US plans don't allow tethering.

As for reverse importation, I don't know if its worth the extra shipping costs to have someone in Japan but the wifi version of the PW for someone hoping to save the $20-30, especially if there's sales tax or customs duties assessed.

Kumabjorn · 08-09-2013, 12:27 AM

I thought the US price was $139, hence a saving of $50 before shipping etc, but that is not really my point. Instead it seems there is a decent profit margin on the US/UK PW, unless they are selling it at a loss in Japan.

Haesslich · 08-09-2013, 08:56 AM

They may very well be selling at a loss to build up market share. Ebooks in Japan were either phone-based, or maybe Sony's poor attempts to market the Libris, followers by the PRS series. Especially since that's Rakuten's backyard.

08-08-2013, 05:13 AM	#1
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	PW price in Japan I was just checking out Amazon Japan and noticed that price for the PW is Yen 7,980 which, depending on fluctuations in exchange rate, is less than $85. Seems like an opportunity for parallel importation.

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08-08-2013, 08:42 AM	#2
Haesslich Fanatic Posts: 567 Karma: 1138182 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Kobo Touch,Glo,Mini,Aura/HD/One,H20, Sony PRS-300/600, Kindle 3-PW	As long as you don't need 3G - the cell modem only works in Japan.

08-08-2013, 10:39 AM	#3
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	Does the PW in the US come with 3G, or isn't that an option? But you're right if 3G is an issue then it doesn't matter. Still, a significant price gap.

08-08-2013, 03:58 PM	#4
Namekuseijin affordable chipmunk Posts: 1,290 Karma: 9863855 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Brazil Device: Sony XPeria ZL, Kindle Paperwhite	pretty much everyone has 3G in one form or another these days. I opted for the wifi model and route 3G from my smartphone to it when needed...

08-08-2013, 07:08 PM	#5
Canuck_in_Japan Wizard Posts: 1,476 Karma: 14328611 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: Aura, Aura H2O, Kindle PW3	The 7,980 version is wifi only. But yes, with today's exchange rates it's an amazing deal.

08-09-2013, 12:27 AM	#7
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	I thought the US price was $139, hence a saving of $50 before shipping etc, but that is not really my point. Instead it seems there is a decent profit margin on the US/UK PW, unless they are selling it at a loss in Japan.

08-09-2013, 08:56 AM	#8
Haesslich Fanatic Posts: 567 Karma: 1138182 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Kobo Touch,Glo,Mini,Aura/HD/One,H20, Sony PRS-300/600, Kindle 3-PW	They may very well be selling at a loss to build up market share. Ebooks in Japan were either phone-based, or maybe Sony's poor attempts to market the Libris, followers by the PRS series. Especially since that's Rakuten's backyard.

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