Kobo Discounts: Coupon Codes + Discussion

[sakura-panda]

I want a book on Kobo that is $7 more there than it is anywhere else. (I only checked Amazon and B&N and they were both $14.99 versus Kobo's $21.59.)

Is this usual? Is it worth trying to contact Kobo to see if they can adjust it? I don't imagine they like to get requests to reduce the price of ebooks but in this case it seems like an oversight to have a book priced so much higher than the competition.

[darryl]

Originally Posted by sakura-panda

I want a book on Kobo that is $7 more there than it is anywhere else. (I only checked Amazon and B&N and they were both $14.99 versus Kobo's $21.59.)

Is this usual? Is it worth trying to contact Kobo to see if they can adjust it? I don't imagine they like to get requests to reduce the price of ebooks but in this case it seems like an oversight to have a book priced so much higher than the competition.

Yes. It is unfortunately usual. Buying books from Kobo without using a discount code is often very bad for your pocket. See my post on another thread linked below.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...8&postcount=76

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by sakura-panda

I want a book on Kobo that is $7 more there than it is anywhere else. (I only checked Amazon and B&N and they were both $14.99 versus Kobo's $21.59.)

Is this usual? Is it worth trying to contact Kobo to see if they can adjust it? I don't imagine they like to get requests to reduce the price of ebooks but in this case it seems like an oversight to have a book priced so much higher than the competition.

They still operate under publisher/agency agreements where the publishers set the price for them in all regions so they can't adjust or price match. The CEO (or one of the bigwigs) did an interview bemoaning when agency was stopped in the US because he knew it would make them uncompetitive (or more so than they were). I believe the Canadian courts ruled that publishers could set the price and not allow retailers to adjust so they are stuck.

I like Kobo and I can usually get certain books there cheaper with the coupons--but it is only certain books and it seems that some publishers that were couponable are trying to stop the use of them (Carina press I'm glaring at you). I don't understand it really as the coupon amount comes out of Kobo's pocket in most cases as I understand the rules (unless the publisher and kobo are doing a promo together where agreements are made).

I don't know how Kobo can remain in business long term and it's a shame. I like having them there and I do give them my business when possible.

[darryl]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

I don't know how Kobo can remain in business long term and it's a shame. I like having them there and I do give them my business when possible.

So do I. Unfortunately, I am unable to give them my business too often. And when I do, it is with a discount code. I doubt Kobo often loses money on its coupons, since they are usually not available on agency titles. I'd love to see Kobo survive and thrive in this market, and I think they have an opportunity now to do so. They are making some very good decisions in some areas. But there are others where they really need to get their act together.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

They still operate under publisher/agency agreements where the publishers set the price for them in all regions so they can't adjust or price match.

Except the book the OP asked about isn't an Agency published book.

Originally Posted by sakura-panda

I want a book on Kobo that is $7 more there than it is anywhere else. (I only checked Amazon and B&N and they were both $14.99 versus Kobo's $21.59.)

Looks like hat book has a digital list price of $26.99 so all retailers are discounting it, Amazon, B&N, Google are just discounting it more than Kobo. Unfortunately this is often the case with books like this (non-Agency, but also non-selfpubbed) when shopping Kobo.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by sakura-panda

I want a book on Kobo that is $7 more there than it is anywhere else. (I only checked Amazon and B&N and they were both $14.99 versus Kobo's $21.59.)

Is this usual? Is it worth trying to contact Kobo to see if they can adjust it? I don't imagine they like to get requests to reduce the price of ebooks but in this case it seems like an oversight to have a book priced so much higher than the competition.

This title is about $4.50 in the India store. And $8.50 in Australia. And discountable.

Just saying.

Richard Castle's titles are also available from Overdrive. Have you checked or requested from your library?

[dandelioncottage]

I just got a Kobo gift card and can't figure out where to enter the number/code. I used to have to make a purchase to enter it, but now I can't even seem to do that. Thanks!

[Lynx-lynx]

Working Contest codes:

45%
Y2SJPY
83WWCF

55%
H4JD8W
N7GQVB
VP299H

@dandelion cottage, I've just checked the AU site and the Use a Gift Card is in the usual spot on the top right of the Payment screen ....

[Cosimo]

Originally Posted by dandelioncottage

I just got a Kobo gift card and can't figure out where to enter the number/code. I used to have to make a purchase to enter it, but now I can't even seem to do that. Thanks!

From the checkout screen, at the top it shows the current method of payment. If you click on 'edit this' or 'change this' it goes to a screen where you can enter a gift card or use PayPal.

[cromag]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

...
I like Kobo and I can usually get certain books there cheaper with the coupons--but it is only certain books and it seems that some publishers that were couponable are trying to stop the use of them (Carina press I'm glaring at you)...

It's probably going a step too far to say I "like" Kobo. I'd really like to see a strong competitor to Amazon and Barnes & Noble, but Kobo is far too inept in too many areas. I have never needed to contact Amazon's customer service over an ebook problem, and I've only had to do it once with B&N. With Kobo it's almost routine -- and very nearly an exercise in futility.

That being said, quite a few recognizable authors are publishing on Smashwords -- both backlists and new works -- and Smashwords is couponable at Kobo, so the contest coupons help out. It just needs to be a big enough coupon for me to risk having to go through the Kobo "Customer Service" hassle.

[JudiL]

some codes for anyone still looking
45%
DQLBDV
TR2HZY

35 %
E7HCDF
V27C8A
CE8D2R
BNCEYG
F4PWTX
X68VLV
M3TU5M
SVPHNA

[sakura-panda]

Thanks, everyone. I don't mind paying for a book I'm going to read Right Now, but I do object to paying over $20 for an ebook that I read for fun. I thought it might have been a mistake, that it didn't get changed when the other stores lowered them (competitive pricing), but it sounds like it's not unusual for them to be the odd one out.

I did check my library and they only have the audio version. Either my library does not have much ebook traffic or it's not the kind of traffic that checks out the books I like.

Thanks for all the replies! The earlier books in the series are all less than $9, so I'll just wait until the next one comes out and then find a nice big coupon to use on this one.

[Chapter One]

I got a response from Kobo about my missing 90% codes. They asked me to give them all the email addresses of my friends that had opened accounts and purchased a book as part of the promotion.
Although there was actually heaps of them, I only gave them 3 addresses. They have replied with 3 90% codes. Theres no explanation as to why no one automatically received them as they should have or anything, just 'here are your codes'.
So, if you would like your codes, it would seem you must ask for them.

[cromag]

Originally Posted by sakura-panda

...
I did check my library and they only have the audio version. Either my library does not have much ebook traffic or it's not the kind of traffic that checks out the books I like.
...

Make sure you mention this to someone at your library. That may help them change their priorities.

[Susan A]

Originally Posted by Chapter One

I got a response from Kobo about my missing 90% codes. They asked me to give them all the email addresses of my friends that had opened accounts and purchased a book as part of the promotion.
Although there was actually heaps of them, I only gave them 3 addresses. They have replied with 3 90% codes. Theres no explanation as to why no one automatically received them as they should have or anything, just 'here are your codes'.
So, if you would like your codes, it would seem you must ask for them.

How did you contact them?

If it was by email, can you post the email address? I haven't been able to figure out how to email them.

THanks!