Anyone else's new Kindle 3 rattling when moved / shaken?

[Tiersten]

Originally Posted by sirmaru

If you open and fix the K3 yourself, doesn't that invalidate the warranty? Most product have that proviso in the warranty agreement.

Generally yes. If you take something apart then that normally invalidates the warranty.

I wouldn't personally risk taking the Kindle apart if you want to keep the warranty. If you leave marks on the case from prying it open or marks inside then Amazon may notice and refuse to repair/replace it.

[ecostin]

Originally Posted by Lawcheehung

You never did open it.

That's the point - there are no labels or stickers in the way, as one can find in other devices, to indicate that it has been tempered with. Of course, using a knife and a hammer are likely to leave marks, but some plastic tools will not. If it's worth trying, it's everyone's choice, I just wanted to make it clear that it is technically possible to solve the problem in 10 minutes and not to wait for a replacement (potentially still defective).

[bojzi]

Just received my Kindle and it's rattling.

The problem is that I live in Croatia and only the customs and taxes were around $70 (that's additional to charges for the Kindle and UPS). I don't want to pay those $70 again if they send me a replacement. :|

Anyone have any experience about European replacements?

[Mihaela]

Bojzi - since it will be a replacement, you shoudn't have to pay those taxes again. Taxes are paid when there's a bill, but that is not your case. I'm not sure about the shipment costs, are they also covered by Amazon?
I live in Europe too (Romania) and I'm under a lot of stress already, expecting the arrival of my WiFi only Kindle. Hope it won't rattle

[bojzi]

Originally Posted by Mihaela

Bojzi - since it will be a replacement, you shoudn't have to pay those taxes again. Taxes are paid when there's a bill, but that is not your case. I'm not sure about the shipment costs, are they also covered by Amazon?
I live in Europe too (Romania) and I'm under a lot of stress already, expecting the arrival of my WiFi only Kindle. Hope it won't rattle

Yeah, I shouldn't but it's pretty complicated here.

The total price I had to pay for the Kindle was:
$139 for the Kindle
$20 for UPS shippinh
$70 for customs and taxes.

These $70 of customs and taxes consist of pure taxes and about $25 of some kind of payment for UPS's partner here in Croatia which is very weird seeing as I'm already paying over $20 for shipping to UPS.

Now, if I were to get a replacement, without taxes I'd still have to pay for UPS shipping ($20), the aforementioned payment for UPS's partner ($25) and shipping for the defective unit ($20 or more). I'm really not keen on dishing out another $60 - $70, even without taxes. :\

And yeah, mine is also a WiFi only and those are the only ones I've read have troubles with rattling.
I mean c'mon, what's the deal with not screwing the screws properly?!

[judith009]

I took mine apart and screw in the roaming screw. Also, as already noted above, most of the other small black motherboard screws were loose also, so I tightened all of those. Please note that you need an extremely small screwdriver to screw these in - even smaller than the common small ones used for repairing eyeglasses. I didn't find it too easy to take the kindle apart, so if you don't feel like going through stress and trouble, you might consider just getting it replaced. Also, I wouldn't just "live" with a kindle that has a rattling screw, because eventually over time the other screws might become loose, and then who knows what might happen. That's why I suggest either get it replaced, or just open it up and fix it yourself.

[fo_france]

Oh.
I just got my kindle 3 yesterday (I live in France).
It is rattling... :-( and I'm desperate.
This is my first reader... and I'm in the same shipping/tax situation as others in europe.

Such a shame... I guess I'll try to fix it myself - and I will not be getting or buying anything else from amazon - even if I have to pay more...

[judith009]

Amazon is basically one of the best companies in the world.

Most electronics are made in China today. If they weren't made using cheap labor, you wouldn't be paying such a low price for the Kindle. With cheaper labor and cheaper materials, sometimes there are mistakes. That's for pretty much every electronics company.

[fo_france]

Hello judith009,

I know you're right, but amazon also wants to sell as much books as possible - so the kindle's price is not only "labor" related.

The thing is I'm so disappointed - and I deeply regret buying the kindle (even If the screen fascinates me).

Cheap labor does not mean bad quality control - and it seems this screw issue is not an isolated problem. They could have a major manufactoring problem here - and that could destroy all their marketing efforts.
(if it is a metallic part - it could cause a short-circuit which would cause a fire...)

[judith009]

If you have any questions about opening it up yourself and fixing it, you can ask me.

Personally, I love the Kindle.

I also love apple's iPod touch, and it is very common for those too to have manufacturing defects. I guess it's just the way things are today, with everything made in china. C'est la vie . But would you rather pay twice as much for a product, knowing that it would be free of defects, I wouldn't.

[bojzi]

Originally Posted by fo_france

Oh.
I just got my kindle 3 yesterday (I live in France).
It is rattling... :-( and I'm desperate.
This is my first reader... and I'm in the same shipping/tax situation as others in europe.

Such a shame... I guess I'll try to fix it myself - and I will not be getting or buying anything else from amazon - even if I have to pay more...

I'm in almost the same boat as you and have documented my handling of the Kindle here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97966.

The new Kindle should be delivered tomorrow (today I've paid the taxes and customs) and I'm really hoping it ain't rattling.

[fo_france]

Twice as much? Probably no as the new price of the kindle did motivate me to get one after all...
But when I really need something (and the kindle does not really fall in that category), I gladly pay the price to get something of irreprochable quality (and Again, the list of "really need"s is very limited).

I love my new kindle too - and I'll try to follow bojzi's advice to replace it. If that doesn't work, I'll see about opening it myself (I'd rather not).

Thanks judith009,
Thanks bojzi.

I'll keep you informed.
Bye.

[chrichen]

I received my 3G kindle last Fri and this morning it started to develop this rattling sound, the screw finally came loose I suppose. Soon after, freeze and self-reboot randomly, probably depends on where the piece roam to.

After reading this forum tonight, I called up Amazon to report the problem. The rep was very polite and offered to have a replacement sent right away, ETA is Thurs. She said I will have 30 days to return the original, and only need to return the main unit, i.e. I'll get to keep the USB cable (1 for power outlet, 1 for transfer :-) She reassured me that the replacement unit is from a different batch that's dedicated for exchange. I will keep my fingers crossed....

btw, thanks for all the postings, have been very helpful...

[vega07]

Just received my replacement. No rattle.

I hate having to exchange because I ABSOLUTELY HATE having to reorganize my books into collections and wait for the damn thing to index.

Praying that this thing won't rattle.

[bojzi]

Originally Posted by vega07

Just received my replacement. No rattle.

I hate having to exchange because I ABSOLUTELY HATE having to reorganize my books into collections and wait for the damn thing to index.

Praying that this thing won't rattle.

Me too!
The new one isn't rattling and that's a relief. Now just to receive the lighted cover and hope it doesn't start restarting and acting up. ^^