KOBO 40% - entire site - valid until Oct.31, 2017

[lucthomas]

Hi everyone,

I would like to share a new promotion from Kobo.

40% off code - TWS40Q3 valid until 2017/10/31 11:59 AM

I tested the promo code, working with PayPal or visa card.

All you have to do is switch your kobo billing address to Taiwan, then you will be able to apply Kobo Taiwan coupon to the entire kobo website.

You will need to save your credit card to payment information first before you start purchase any books. I did it without saving it first, then I had error during checkout.

Usually Kobo coupon can only apply for "selected books", however, with this method, you will be able to use coupon without any limit.

https://www.kobo.com/tw/zh

For Taiwanese address, I just input a hotel address from Taipei. But I am still able to check out with my US credit card.

Cheers!

[pdurrant]

Thanks for this.

From a previous check, members should be aware that ebook prices might be higher in the Taiwanese Kobo store.

[Terisa de morgan]

Thank you, there are some books I would like to get and the price is the same or lower, so good. Just a question, unlimited use or only an use?

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

From a previous check, members should be aware that ebook prices might be higher in the Taiwanese Kobo store.

Plus, they might not let you buy the book. I am currently finishing up The Indian Mutiny by Saul David, unavailable as an eBook in the United State, but on the Kobo Taiwan site. It's the first paper book I've read in months. Checking the Taiwanese Kobo store, it seems that the site is smart enough to know that I am not allowed to buy that title as an eBook.

Maybe this is wrong, but I do have my son's Taipei library card number. If that library had bought this particular eBook, I would be reading it. They didn't. So I bought a used hardback from a UK mail order bookstore.

I know this is an old story, but, just maybe, if it is told enough times some international property rights lawyers will get together and figure out a way to stop this barrier preventing big publishers from making more money.

[bgalbrecht]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

Plus, they might not let you buy the book. I am currently finishing up The Indian Mutiny by Saul David, unavailable as an eBook in the United State, but on the Kobo Taiwan site. It's the first paper book I've read in months. Checking the Taiwanese Kobo store, it seems that the site is smart enough to know that I am not allowed to buy that title as an eBook.

Did you clear your credit card information and change your address to a Taiwanese address before you tried buying the book? I haven't tried buying anything with this sale, but in the past, I've never had issues trying to buy a book not available in the US when I told Kobo my address was in the country where the ebook was published.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

Plus, they might not let you buy the book. I am currently finishing up The Indian Mutiny by Saul David, unavailable as an eBook in the United State, but on the Kobo Taiwan site. It's the first paper book I've read in months. Checking the Taiwanese Kobo store, it seems that the site is smart enough to know that I am not allowed to buy that title as an eBook.

Odd. I just "traveled" to Taiwan on my second account (which I use for traveling) and it's not giving me any problems with that title.

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Odd. I just "traveled" to Taiwan on my second account (which I use for traveling) and it's not giving me any problems with that title.

Apparently there is a workaround way to buy it from the US, and I guess you just explained it. But here's what I see on the page:

無法於...中取得 美國
您無法於 美國 中購買此項目。請從 美國 選購以查看可供購買的書籍。

Which Google Translate says means:

Can not get to the United States
You can not purchase this item in the United States. Please purchase from the United States to view books available for purchase.

[bgalbrecht]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

Apparently there is a workaround way to buy it from the US, and I guess you just explained it. But here's what I see on the page:

無法於...中取得 美國
您無法於 美國 中購買此項目。請從 美國 選購以查看可供購買的書籍。

Which Google Translate says means:

Can not get to the United States
You can not purchase this item in the United States. Please purchase from the United States to view books available for purchase.

In the upper right of the Kobo page (near, and to the right of the flag indicating which nation's store you're at), there's a drop down menu to switch the language to your preferred language, i.e., English. The message telling you to switch to the US store is either because you are not logged in to Kobo, or because you have logged in and your billing information is set to a US address. If you log in, clear your payment information, and then change your address to a Taiwanese address, it should allow you to buy the book in the Taiwanese currency. If you want to switch back to the US store, you'll need to again clear your payment information and then enter your US address.

[ottdmk]

Am I the only one who is rather uncomfortable with this practice? This is basically fraud.

[haydnfan]

I'm surprised that this doesn't violate some message board rules.

[bgalbrecht]

Originally Posted by ottdmk

Am I the only one who is rather uncomfortable with this practice? This is basically fraud.

Discussing ethics and legality of ignoring author/national publisher contracts in order to take advantage of cheaper prices and/or buying books that are not available for sale in one's country of residence probably belongs in another forum. I'm sure your national publisher doesn't want you to do it, but it's not clear to me that it's breaking any laws if you do.

[Lynx-lynx]

Originally Posted by ottdmk

Am I the only one who is rather uncomfortable with this practice? This is basically fraud.

Originally Posted by haydnfan

I'm surprised that this doesn't violate some message board rules.

Please explain ....

[Lynx-lynx]

In my country this is how it works:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-2...enting/7369714
"Australian consumers should be able to legally circumvent geoblocking restrictions that prevent them from using foreign online streaming services like US Netflix, according to the Productivity Commission.

In a draft report that urges a major overhaul of intellectual property laws, the commission found that geoblocking technology is "pervasive" and means Australians are offered a lower level of digital services at a higher price.

The report concluded that Australian consumers should be able to access overseas streaming services like Netflix without the fear of infringing copyright laws, and that the answer to piracy is not "big brother enforcement".

[Lynx-lynx]

@lucthomas thank you very much for posting this info, I was able to use a 90% code that wouldn't work on the account it was meant for, but would work in taiwan.

[haydnfan]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

Please explain ....

This is not geo-blocking as your other post suggests. There are different pricing models and regional discounts based upon many factors. Grabbing a discount meant for people in Taiwan is not the same as buying an ebook that is not available in Australia.

Faking an address to get a discount is not that much different from piracy. While your government condones faking an address to have full access to Netflix, I doubt that they would look upon defrauding Kobo as legal, ethical behavior. Not that they would take the time to slap you over it... but certainly you should be able to see these are not the same things at all?

If you think the author and publisher are not deserving of the money they are asking for a book I see three ethical and legal solutions:
(a) don't read it,
(b) buy a physical copy second hand,
(c) check it out of the library.