Mini New Kobo Mini on sale (old demo units, actually) - Page 4

rcentros · 11-06-2015, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booklover6

The screen. The original had a Vizplex screen (which was old at the time), while this new one has a Pearl screen. Maybe they bought leftover pearl film from E-Ink.

Okay. It would be nice if they showed up as a permanent choice again.

booklover6 · 11-06-2015, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

Okay. It would be nice if they showed up as a permanent choice again.

I agree. I recommend frequently checking the site. Especially after the 7th, when the bundle sale is officially over.

filmo · 11-06-2015, 08:11 AM

Best follow up would be Kobo Mini with front light.

This could have been test marketing to see demand for 5 inch $50 ereader. I think part of original Mini ruggedness is screw in each corner in addition to normal plastic clips holding case togeather.

Shatter proof screen for e-readers is years past due and should be standard.

Calenorn · 11-06-2015, 08:19 AM

Silly Kobo. Still advertising this deal with a big banner ad... that links you to the 'sold out' notice.

They're such teasers. No soup for us!

wandalynn · 11-06-2015, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by filmo

Best follow up would be Kobo Mini with front light.

This would more than make up for my disappointment in missing this offer!

luvhilndr · 11-09-2015, 12:44 PM

I ordered this bundle on Nov 3rd and received it today. Or I should say that I received a Kobo, but not what I ordered. They sent me a black "demo" unit and a ruby silicone back cover. The box actually says demo on the label and all the details on the back of the box are blacked out. Not at all what I ordered. I have a ticket open with them as I write, with a promise to call me back within 24 hours (we all know how that tends to go). I'm watching with great interest to see what others who ordered this bundle receive.

ETA: Not all the details are blacked out, just the part saying "options for fun interchangeable backs" in each language.

Nate the great · 11-09-2015, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvhilndr

I ordered this bundle on Nov 3rd and received it today. Or I should say that I received a Kobo, but not what I ordered. They sent me a black "demo" unit and a ruby silicone back cover. The box actually says demo on the label and all the details on the back of the box are blacked out. Not at all what I ordered. I have a ticket open with them as I write, with a promise to call me back within 24 hours (we all know how that tends to go). I'm watching with great interest to see what others who ordered this bundle receive.

Thanks for the heads up. I haven't gotten mine yet, and I'm hoping you got the bad apple.

booklover6 · 11-09-2015, 01:09 PM

OMG! I ordered mine from Kobo US. It came from Canada. First surprise. Second surprise, it didn't come with the gray sleep cover, it came with the ruby snap back. The box has something blacked out, but does not say demo anywhere.

First thing I did was remove the back. Yes it is identical the Minis I had in the past. In setting up, the default date is 2011. This is not looking good. Will update when I get to the software version.

It was obvious older software, which updated OTA to 3.4.1. This is definitely not a new device, it is old stock.

luvhilndr · 11-09-2015, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booklover6

The box has something blacked out, but does not say demo anywhere.

Yours doesn't say demo after the product no. on the upc label? Mine does, and it also says it on the packing slip. I haven't done anything with it other than put it on to charge since the battery was dead.

ETA: The text they blacked out said "options for fun interchangeable backs". Odd being that the back does come off. I'm truly in WTF mode right now.

booklover6 · 11-09-2015, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvhilndr

Yours doesn't say demo after the product no. on the upc label? Mine does, and it also says it on the packing slip. I haven't done anything with it other than put it on to charge since the battery was dead.

Holy wow, yes the packing slip says DEMO. But the unit doesn't appear to be a demo. And it has a 57% charge.

So I bet it doesn't have a Pearl screen, either, which is disappointing.

I must have been mistaken about the battery. It's 37% now.

booklover6 · 11-09-2015, 01:42 PM

Wait yes my box says demo, too, on the white UPC tag. Drat. It appears to be fully functional. But I'm sure it's a three year old battery.

Is there any reason a unit marked as Demo would not be fully functional? Perhaps they opened them and took them out of demo mode before shipping. My box is a bit dirty, as if from storage.

peitsao · 11-09-2015, 02:01 PM

Well, there's a sucker born every minute! Got a demo with a ruby snapback. I was really looking forward to the grey sleep cover, too.

Calenorn · 11-09-2015, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peitsao

Well, there's a sucker born every minute! Got a demo with a ruby snapback. I was really looking forward to the grey sleep cover, too.

That's three. This is shaping up to be a fiasco.

booklover6 · 11-09-2015, 02:05 PM

I know, I wanted the cover, to use with a light I have.

Calenorn · 11-09-2015, 02:13 PM

The original ad is still up at the Kobo site:

https://us.kobobooks.com/products/kobo-mini

Might be a good idea to save a copy of that to prove that you didn't get what you ordered.

11-09-2015, 12:44 PM	#51
luvhilndr Connoisseur Posts: 55 Karma: 29168 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: USA Device: Kobo H2O, Kindle Voyage	I ordered this bundle on Nov 3rd and received it today. Or I should say that I received a Kobo, but not what I ordered. They sent me a black "demo" unit and a ruby silicone back cover. The box actually says demo on the label and all the details on the back of the box are blacked out. Not at all what I ordered. I have a ticket open with them as I write, with a promise to call me back within 24 hours (we all know how that tends to go). I'm watching with great interest to see what others who ordered this bundle receive. ETA: Not all the details are blacked out, just the part saying "options for fun interchangeable backs" in each language. Last edited by luvhilndr; 11-09-2015 at 01:34 PM.

11-09-2015, 01:09 PM	#53
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	OMG! I ordered mine from Kobo US. It came from Canada. First surprise. Second surprise, it didn't come with the gray sleep cover, it came with the ruby snap back. The box has something blacked out, but does not say demo anywhere. First thing I did was remove the back. Yes it is identical the Minis I had in the past. In setting up, the default date is 2011. This is not looking good. Will update when I get to the software version. It was obvious older software, which updated OTA to 3.4.1. This is definitely not a new device, it is old stock. Last edited by booklover6; 11-09-2015 at 01:20 PM.

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11-06-2015, 08:11 AM	#48
filmo Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 1077205 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kobo Touch, Sony T1, Kobo Mini	Best follow up would be Kobo Mini with front light. This could have been test marketing to see demand for 5 inch $50 ereader. I think part of original Mini ruggedness is screw in each corner in addition to normal plastic clips holding case togeather. Shatter proof screen for e-readers is years past due and should be standard.

11-06-2015, 08:19 AM	#49
Calenorn Brash Fumbler Posts: 1,203 Karma: 9224939 Join Date: May 2013 Device: NST, Kobo Mini	Silly Kobo. Still advertising this deal with a big banner ad... that links you to the 'sold out' notice. They're such teasers. No soup for us!

11-09-2015, 01:42 PM	#56
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	Wait yes my box says demo, too, on the white UPC tag. Drat. It appears to be fully functional. But I'm sure it's a three year old battery. Is there any reason a unit marked as Demo would not be fully functional? Perhaps they opened them and took them out of demo mode before shipping. My box is a bit dirty, as if from storage.

11-09-2015, 02:01 PM	#57
peitsao Addict Posts: 211 Karma: 32760 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Allegheny Mountains Device: Kobo mini, PW3,NookST	Well, there's a sucker born every minute! Got a demo with a ruby snapback. I was really looking forward to the grey sleep cover, too.

11-09-2015, 02:05 PM	#59
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	I know, I wanted the cover, to use with a light I have.

11-09-2015, 02:13 PM	#60
Calenorn Brash Fumbler Posts: 1,203 Karma: 9224939 Join Date: May 2013 Device: NST, Kobo Mini	The original ad is still up at the Kobo site: https://us.kobobooks.com/products/kobo-mini Might be a good idea to save a copy of that to prove that you didn't get what you ordered.