Buying a used Kindle? - Page 2

lullaby88 · 10-03-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

If it's reported to Amazon by its owner as having been lost or stolen.

Eg, we had a report here a few days ago from someone who bought a Kindle 2nd-hand, which had been blacklisted, so he couldn't register it. It turns out that the person who sold it to him had found it on a train and, rather than doing the honest thing and handing it in, had sold it.

yeah it was me....

but i don't want to get it back to the first owner.. i bought it for me as a gift... i can't buy a new one 'cause i don't want to pay TVa and other taxes for the import...

Since the wifi is working and i can buy books on my amazon accounts with the wifi (google>amazon>kindle ebooks) or put ebook from my computer.

But i'll never buy anything electronical on 2nd-hand for sure!

abookreader · 10-03-2011, 10:29 AM

Personally I'd feel comfortable buying from the Marketplace here at mobileread from a user with a well established post count. I don't think anybody is going to go to the trouble to establish a presence at Mobileread just to peddle dubious Kindles.

Otherwise, maybe EBAY if it was a good reputation seller with a good return policy.

Otherwise, I think it is just too risky myself.

BTW, there have been people here who have reported meeting with sellers, verifying the serial number is okay, and then a couple of days later getting their purchase reported as a stolen unit. And apparently if you show some sort of receipt like a paypal or ebay receipt to Amazon, they won't unblock your Kindle. You are out of luck.

kacir · 10-03-2011, 10:29 AM

How to buy second-hand Kindle with maximum safety:
- meet in person in place where there is working internet.
- test the device (play with it a bit)
- register it to your account, so you make sure it is not blacklisted (that is, it was not reported stolen or undelivered)
- make sure you can find this person afterwards if you come home and discover a problem with the device
- negotiate price :-) using $79 for a NEW e-ink reader with Amazon warranty as main argument.

eSheri · 10-03-2011, 10:34 AM

I've had only good luck when buying electronics on eBay. I just make sure the seller has a positive score of 300 or more. But I was wondering, where are sellers getting "brand new" K3s??

Blossom · 10-03-2011, 02:44 PM

Wow this sounds like a real hassle and with the new Touch 3G not having free 3G surfing. It makes me just want to keep my K3. I don't think I could get too much out it anyway.

I have a K3 w/ 3G and it's in Like New condition with no buttons faded. I have a black lighted cover and I have a ADH plan with SquareTrade good till 12/12. That's a value of $289 and what's the most I would get maybe $115 if I am lucky.

At this point I think I will hang on to it, it's free internet if nothing else.

emalvick · 10-04-2011, 04:33 PM

I'm going to digress a bit, but doesn't it seem like Amazon would be smart to offer some type of trade-in policy or even the ability for users to sell their own Kindles through the market-place.

I say this not so much from the point of view as a potential seller (I'm sure this would be less than optimum in terms of pricing and commission), but as a buyer. If I wanted to buy a used Kindle, I'd feel most comfortable buying it from and through Amazon given that they'd have the ability to check and guarantee used Kindles.... This could be like a used car dealer.

As a Kindle owner, I wouldn't object and might even be tempted into buying a Kindle Touch or so forth if Amazon offered such trade-in offers. It would be good from an e-waste and recycling stand point amongst other things.

pidgeon92 · 10-04-2011, 05:35 PM

I agree that a trade-in policy would be a great idea for Amazon. They could re-sell them as cheap refurbs.

crich70 · 10-04-2011, 08:13 PM

Always be careful when buying something second hand. There have been several stories posted here at MR about used or new Kindles available via ebay or other such and many times the person gets taken rather than getting a deal.

bookfanmd · 10-04-2011, 08:26 PM

You can sell your used Kindle in the Amazon marketplace. I sold a K2 right when the K3's were coming out and will likely try sell my K3 if I get a Kindle touch.

Blossom · 10-04-2011, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bookfanmd

You can sell your used Kindle in the Amazon marketplace. I sold a K2 right when the K3's were coming out and will likely try sell my K3 if I get a Kindle touch.

I don't think you can unless you are very established merchant and have authorization. Amazon doesn't let anyone just sell the Kindle 3 model. We do have the flea market right here on the forum you can always try.

just_jeepin · 10-05-2011, 11:54 AM

A trade-in policy would be great!

Halo · 10-06-2011, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDaneel54

And the new Kindle is only $79!

Compared to that, anything used just has too much baggage.

Unless you are trying to buy a used Kindle DX. Those are still very expensive.

roebeet · 10-07-2011, 01:26 AM

I just sold my K3 on fleaBay. My two cents -- I would never give out the serial in advance - I understand the concerns here, but it's really like any other used item on eBay. If, for some reason, you get screwed over as a buyer that's when you contact eBay and/or PayPal to help you.

You could just as easily get a stolen iPad, Xoom, or laptop on eBay as well as a Kindle. As for the "why buy used when new is so cheap?" comments, I 100% agree and it's why I sold mine as soon as I could. I figured that the sellers market would flood with K3's soon and I would get even less, if I waited. (Btw, I got a K4 NT -- love the size).

bookfanmd · 10-11-2011, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

I don't think you can unless you are very established merchant and have authorization. Amazon doesn't let anyone just sell the Kindle 3 model. We do have the flea market right here on the forum you can always try.

There is no "Sell Yours Here" link but I went into my Seller Account and could do it from there. I didn't complete the process but there are 4 used like new listed there now. All are more than Amazon's price with shipping so I don't know who they are thinking will buy at those prices. One guy is newly listed as a seller so he must have just established his account. The notes say he is selling because he's getting a Kindle Fire for his birthday.

When I sold the K2 I asked $99 including the cover and it sold the first day. I've sold the K2, a Sony PRS505 and a Sony PRS600 ereaders through Amazon and always sold within the first few days of listing. Mine were all in like new condition and I think the key is to list at the lowest price of all items in the same condition. It doesn't have to be much less, just enough to get your item as first in the list. You never get back what you paid but it's better than having readers you never use lying around. I can't seem to resist trying out new models as they are released.

Blossom · 10-11-2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bookfanmd

There is no "Sell Yours Here" link but I went into my Seller Account and could do it from there. I didn't complete the process but there are 4 used like new listed there now. All are more than Amazon's price with shipping so I don't know who they are thinking will buy at those prices. One guy is newly listed as a seller so he must have just established his account. The notes say he is selling because he's getting a Kindle Fire for his birthday.

When I sold the K2 I asked $99 including the cover and it sold the first day. I've sold the K2, a Sony PRS505 and a Sony PRS600 ereaders through Amazon and always sold within the first few days of listing. Mine were all in like new condition and I think the key is to list at the lowest price of all items in the same condition. It doesn't have to be much less, just enough to get your item as first in the list. You never get back what you paid but it's better than having readers you never use lying around. I can't seem to resist trying out new models as they are released.

Okay It was Amazon UK according to this thread with that policy. I guess it's different for U.S. Amazon Marketplace.

I just sold my Pocket Pro for $48 to a member here. So I agree you don't get what you paid for them so it's something to consider when buying a reader. Thanks goodness they are no longer $200+ for one. I wont make that mistake again.

I am keeping my K3

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10-03-2011, 10:29 AM	#17
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	Personally I'd feel comfortable buying from the Marketplace here at mobileread from a user with a well established post count. I don't think anybody is going to go to the trouble to establish a presence at Mobileread just to peddle dubious Kindles. Otherwise, maybe EBAY if it was a good reputation seller with a good return policy. Otherwise, I think it is just too risky myself. BTW, there have been people here who have reported meeting with sellers, verifying the serial number is okay, and then a couple of days later getting their purchase reported as a stolen unit. And apparently if you show some sort of receipt like a paypal or ebay receipt to Amazon, they won't unblock your Kindle. You are out of luck.

10-03-2011, 10:29 AM	#18
kacir Wizard Posts: 3,463 Karma: 10684861 Join Date: May 2006 Device: PocketBook 360, before it was Sony Reader, cassiopeia A-20	How to buy second-hand Kindle with maximum safety: - meet in person in place where there is working internet. - test the device (play with it a bit) - register it to your account, so you make sure it is not blacklisted (that is, it was not reported stolen or undelivered) - make sure you can find this person afterwards if you come home and discover a problem with the device - negotiate price :-) using $79 for a NEW e-ink reader with Amazon warranty as main argument.

10-03-2011, 10:34 AM	#19
eSheri Addict Posts: 323 Karma: 1015098 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Middle of the US Device: K3+3G, Sony 350, Kindle Fire HD, iPad Mini	I've had only good luck when buying electronics on eBay. I just make sure the seller has a positive score of 300 or more. But I was wondering, where are sellers getting "brand new" K3s??

10-03-2011, 02:44 PM	#20
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	Wow this sounds like a real hassle and with the new Touch 3G not having free 3G surfing. It makes me just want to keep my K3. I don't think I could get too much out it anyway. I have a K3 w/ 3G and it's in Like New condition with no buttons faded. I have a black lighted cover and I have a ADH plan with SquareTrade good till 12/12. That's a value of $289 and what's the most I would get maybe $115 if I am lucky. At this point I think I will hang on to it, it's free internet if nothing else.

10-04-2011, 04:33 PM	#21
emalvick Groupie Posts: 166 Karma: 5358 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Davis, CA Device: Kindle 3	I'm going to digress a bit, but doesn't it seem like Amazon would be smart to offer some type of trade-in policy or even the ability for users to sell their own Kindles through the market-place. I say this not so much from the point of view as a potential seller (I'm sure this would be less than optimum in terms of pricing and commission), but as a buyer. If I wanted to buy a used Kindle, I'd feel most comfortable buying it from and through Amazon given that they'd have the ability to check and guarantee used Kindles.... This could be like a used car dealer. As a Kindle owner, I wouldn't object and might even be tempted into buying a Kindle Touch or so forth if Amazon offered such trade-in offers. It would be good from an e-waste and recycling stand point amongst other things.

10-04-2011, 05:35 PM	#22
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	I agree that a trade-in policy would be a great idea for Amazon. They could re-sell them as cheap refurbs.

10-04-2011, 08:13 PM	#23
crich70 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,310 Karma: 43993832 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Monroe Wisconsin Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)	Always be careful when buying something second hand. There have been several stories posted here at MR about used or new Kindles available via ebay or other such and many times the person gets taken rather than getting a deal.

10-04-2011, 08:26 PM	#24
bookfanmd Addict Posts: 246 Karma: 4476 Join Date: May 2009 Location: US - Maryland Device: Sony 300/505/T1 Nook STWG Kobo Glo Kobo Aura HD KDX iPad1 K3 KT PW2	You can sell your used Kindle in the Amazon marketplace. I sold a K2 right when the K3's were coming out and will likely try sell my K3 if I get a Kindle touch.

10-05-2011, 11:54 AM	#26
just_jeepin Addict Posts: 306 Karma: 1010848 Join Date: Oct 2005 Device: Kobo Libra 2	A trade-in policy would be great!

10-07-2011, 01:26 AM	#28
roebeet Connoisseur Posts: 67 Karma: 770 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Device: Kindle 4 Basic, Kobo Aura	I just sold my K3 on fleaBay. My two cents -- I would never give out the serial in advance - I understand the concerns here, but it's really like any other used item on eBay. If, for some reason, you get screwed over as a buyer that's when you contact eBay and/or PayPal to help you. You could just as easily get a stolen iPad, Xoom, or laptop on eBay as well as a Kindle. As for the "why buy used when new is so cheap?" comments, I 100% agree and it's why I sold mine as soon as I could. I figured that the sellers market would flood with K3's soon and I would get even less, if I waited. (Btw, I got a K4 NT -- love the size).