Sony lowers price on PRS-T1 to $99.99, and offers trade in credit

Hellmark · 12-05-2011, 01:54 PM

When Sony announced the T1, it tried to line up its price against the competition, however with the floor on the market effectively dropping, it is continuing to struggle in the ebook reader market. What was a $10 difference in price over the average, has now widened to as much as $60. Presumably due to this, and the postponement of the Harry Potter ebook sales, Sony has now lowered the Price on the PRS-T1 to $129.99$99.99, and also, through the end of the month is offering up to $50 trade in credit towards the T1 through their trade in program. Note, that this only applies if you trade in an ebook reader from a select brand towards it. This effectively lowers the price to $79.99, if you're willing to trade in a functioning reader.

It should also be noted, that they lump Kobo under "Borders" as the brand, and only are offering the Touch as a trade in offer. This is strange, since, well, Borders was a retailer for it, just like Borders was also a retailer for Sony readers.

Sweetpea · 12-05-2011, 01:58 PM

The price gap here has grown by another €20... As the prices in the US go down, prices in the EU go up to compensate. I know I won't buy another Sony anytime soon. If we are to pay for the cheap toys for the other side...

Hellmark · 12-05-2011, 02:26 PM

I don't think that is the case, due to how Sony is structured. Sony Europe and Sony of North American are technically different companies. What one does, the other doesn't have to do. Think of it like franchises.

That said, each arm does some pretty boneheaded stuff sometimes, and even corporate global HQ can be way out of touch on prices.

ProfCrash · 12-05-2011, 03:22 PM

Amazon has a trade in program as well. The value depends on the model.

toddos · 12-05-2011, 06:55 PM

Decided I'd check what my old PRS-300 would trade in for. It's in good working order, no damage, but it's worth noting that it didn't ship with a power cable (only a mini-USB cable that charges the device). When I go through the trade-in calculator and check "Yes" to the question about having the power cable and computer cable, it says I'll get $50. If I click "No" for that, leaving everything else the same, it says it's only eligible for recycling.

I have a $50 mini-USB cable!

tubemonkey · 12-05-2011, 07:28 PM

No way would I ever trade in a fully functional ereader for a lousy $50 credit.

JSWolf · 12-05-2011, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

No way would I ever trade in a fully functional ereader for a lousy $50 credit.

Not even an old Sony Reader PRS-500?

seajewel · 12-05-2011, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

No way would I ever trade in a fully functional ereader for a lousy $50 credit.

I'd probably do that with my 505. I doubt I could get more than $50 for it. It works fine. If I wanted the T1, I would do it.

Phogg · 12-05-2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Not even an old Sony Reader PRS-500?

How many of those were made, and what will one sell for in say 25 years?
it was the second Eink reader made and the first outside of Japan.

I wouldn't let one go cheap. If its in good shape pack it away.

Hellmark · 12-06-2011, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seajewel

I'd probably do that with my 505. I doubt I could get more than $50 for it. It works fine. If I wanted the T1, I would do it.

Check ebay, I routinely see 505s go for like $75 or more.

anamardoll · 12-06-2011, 06:01 PM

Ah, man. This is tempting. I don't really WANT a new eReader -- I'm happy with my PRS-350 and PRS-950 -- but I've got a PocketBook 360 laying around unused. I was thinking about selling it in the flea market, but $50 Sony credit would be swiffy too.

bothman · 12-06-2011, 06:14 PM

Just purchased PRS-T1 ! @ $149 ..........reduce from $169 by twenty dollars.Victoria BC

Is there anything that I need to know about this Reader??

seajewel · 12-06-2011, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellmark

Check ebay, I routinely see 505s go for like $75 or more.

After paypal fees, ebay fees, the possibility of a hassle, I'd say $50 is worth it (if I had wanted the T1). Also, my 505 is old.. the battery works, but it's definitely got a shorter life than before. and the page turn buttons on the right are worn.. it doesn't look like new.

cfrizz · 12-06-2011, 08:00 PM

I just my take in my 600 and get the new Sony this weekend. I've been wanting a new one, but I couldn't justify it since my 600 still works just great. Now I can do it without any problem.

Hellmark · 12-06-2011, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seajewel

After paypal fees, ebay fees, the possibility of a hassle, I'd say $50 is worth it (if I had wanted the T1). Also, my 505 is old.. the battery works, but it's definitely got a shorter life than before. and the page turn buttons on the right are worn.. it doesn't look like new.

The fees aren't that bad. I just sold a router for $275, and was about $30 in fees to Paypal and Ebay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bothman

Just purchased PRS-T1 ! @ $149 ..........reduce from $169 by twenty dollars.Victoria BC

Is there anything that I need to know about this Reader??

Note that the price given is for the US. Canadian price is $149.99. Still cool that the Canucks got a price drop too.

As far as things to know, not really. ePub is the preferred format, but it will use PDF's too (but PDFs aren't good on any ebook reader really). It uses the Adobe ADEPT DRM, but I believe B&N's DRM will also work under it. DRM free ePubs work great. Many people prefer using Calibre to connect to the reader, instead of the Sony Reader Library.

12-05-2011, 01:54 PM	#1
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,592 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	Sony lowers price on PRS-T1 to $99.99, and offers trade in credit When Sony announced the T1, it tried to line up its price against the competition, however with the floor on the market effectively dropping, it is continuing to struggle in the ebook reader market. What was a $10 difference in price over the average, has now widened to as much as $60. Presumably due to this, and the postponement of the Harry Potter ebook sales, Sony has now lowered the Price on the PRS-T1 to $129.99$99.99, and also, through the end of the month is offering up to $50 trade in credit towards the T1 through their trade in program. Note, that this only applies if you trade in an ebook reader from a select brand towards it. This effectively lowers the price to $79.99, if you're willing to trade in a functioning reader. It should also be noted, that they lump Kobo under "Borders" as the brand, and only are offering the Touch as a trade in offer. This is strange, since, well, Borders was a retailer for it, just like Borders was also a retailer for Sony readers. Last edited by Hellmark; 12-07-2011 at 12:50 PM. Reason: Updated to show the even lower price.

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12-05-2011, 01:58 PM	#2
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	The price gap here has grown by another €20... As the prices in the US go down, prices in the EU go up to compensate. I know I won't buy another Sony anytime soon. If we are to pay for the cheap toys for the other side...

12-05-2011, 02:26 PM	#3
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,592 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	I don't think that is the case, due to how Sony is structured. Sony Europe and Sony of North American are technically different companies. What one does, the other doesn't have to do. Think of it like franchises. That said, each arm does some pretty boneheaded stuff sometimes, and even corporate global HQ can be way out of touch on prices.

12-05-2011, 03:22 PM	#4
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	Amazon has a trade in program as well. The value depends on the model.

12-05-2011, 06:55 PM	#5
toddos Guru Posts: 695 Karma: 822675 Join Date: May 2010 Device: Kobo Aura, Nokia Lumia 920 (Freda)	Decided I'd check what my old PRS-300 would trade in for. It's in good working order, no damage, but it's worth noting that it didn't ship with a power cable (only a mini-USB cable that charges the device). When I go through the trade-in calculator and check "Yes" to the question about having the power cable and computer cable, it says I'll get $50. If I click "No" for that, leaving everything else the same, it says it's only eligible for recycling. I have a $50 mini-USB cable!

12-05-2011, 07:28 PM	#6
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,858 Karma: 158733736 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	No way would I ever trade in a fully functional ereader for a lousy $50 credit.

12-06-2011, 06:01 PM	#11
anamardoll Chasing Butterflies Posts: 3,132 Karma: 5074169 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: American Southwest Device: Uses batteries.	Ah, man. This is tempting. I don't really WANT a new eReader -- I'm happy with my PRS-350 and PRS-950 -- but I've got a PocketBook 360 laying around unused. I was thinking about selling it in the flea market, but $50 Sony credit would be swiffy too.

12-06-2011, 06:14 PM	#12
bothman Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 3846 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: sony PRS-T1	Just purchased PRS-T1 ! @ $149 ..........reduce from $169 by twenty dollars.Victoria BC Is there anything that I need to know about this Reader??

12-06-2011, 08:00 PM	#14
cfrizz Wizard Posts: 1,579 Karma: 36389706 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Quincy, MA Device: Samsung 54A, Kobo Libra H2O, Samsung S6 Lite	I just my take in my 600 and get the new Sony this weekend. I've been wanting a new one, but I couldn't justify it since my 600 still works just great. Now I can do it without any problem.