PRS-T3 PRS-T3 available in New Zealand?

[rjcroy]

After reading this thread, https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=223307,

I decided to email Sony New Zealand to ask them when the PRS-T3 would be available here. I got the following answer:

"...Thank you for contacting us and for your interest with the Sony Ereader.

I have looked into this for you and unfortunately we do not have any information when it will be available in New Zealand. Can I suggest you signup for updates of our products on the below website and when our next releases are published you can be notified via email for the most up-to date information..."

Are they only so far releasing the T3 in markets where they have Sony Reader Stores online?

[medard]

No, in Germany you can buy the Sony Reader in the Sony ministore that you can find in huge stores for electronic stuff, and in some bookstores. I don't think that you can buy the Reader online here. You just go to a store and get one.

Please keep in mind that the market for E-Reading deveices is getting smaller, at least in Europe. There is not much interest in E-Reader, compared to Mobile Phones and similar deveices. An E-Reader is a very special and quite rare deveice, just like a Dictaphone. Some people like them, some need them, most don't.

[rjcroy]

Sorry medard, I meant the sony online bookstores. But even that is clearly not the case because there is a Reader Store in the US and they are not releasing the PRS-T3 there.

I guess Sony are still deciding whether they will be selling the PRS-T3 in New Zealand too.

[medard]

I'm sorry, rjcroy. I missunderstood your question completely.

[AnotherCat]

With the T3 being available in Australia it would seem unusual if it did not become so in NZ as well.

Perhaps they are waiting for T2 stocks to reduce? I have a feeling, and it is only that apart from observed disinterest at the reader displays in shops, that demand for dedicated ereaders is reducing quite quickly in NZ as for many contemplating a new reader the newly appearing 6" smartphones, small 6" & 7" tabs and Phablets are sufficient or better suited to their reading needs and avoid having to carry two devices.

In any event, it is easy enough, and very low risk (apart from not being able to handle one first) to buy from Australia if one wanted a T3.

[rjcroy]

Originally Posted by AnotherCat

With the T3 being available in Australia it would seem unusual if it did not become so in NZ as well.
...

Sometimes it surprises me, but NZ doesn't always seems to be considered an offshoot of the Australian market as geography would suggest. Australia is a much bigger market, and NZ is very small. I would not be surprised if Sony NZ is considered by Sony to be an offshoot of the US for their purposes.

I was wondering too if Sony might release the T3 closer to Christmas.

And yes, the T3 in only AUD$150 there. I can't imagine it selling for the equivalent here. I may buy from Australia, but the value of having a local seller for the benefit of having decent access to a warranty service is not to be underestimated. My wife bought a T1 from Japan to get the Japanese firmware, and when it arrived in New Zealand is was bricked! Getting it fixed under warranty in Japan was a real hassle and very slow.

[AnotherCat]

Originally Posted by rjcroy

Sometimes it surprises me, but NZ doesn't always seems to be considered an offshoot of the Australian market as geography would suggest. Australia is a much bigger market, and NZ is very small. I would not be surprised if Sony NZ is considered by Sony to be an offshoot of the US for their purposes...

Unless it has changed in the last couple of weeks, and as far as I am aware, Sony NZ and Sony Australia are both within Sony's Asia-Pacific Region which includes India, South Korea & Oceania (China and Japan are separate).

Also, Sony Warranties are common for Australia and NZ e.g. devices purchased in Australia are covered for warranty in NZ.

[rjcroy]

Originally Posted by AnotherCat

Unless it has changed in the last couple of weeks, and as far as I am aware, Sony NZ and Sony Australia are both within Sony's Asia-Pacific Region which includes India, South Korea & Oceania (China and Japan are separate).

Also, Sony Warranties are common for Australia and NZ e.g. devices purchased in Australia are covered for warranty in NZ.

Well, if Australian bought is covered for warranty in NZ then that is good news! But if they are not sold in NZ, I guess I would still be liable to shipping charges if the unit needed to be returned to Australia.

[AnotherCat]

Originally Posted by rjcroy

...But if they are not sold in NZ, I guess I would still be liable to shipping charges if the unit needed to be returned to Australia.

As far as I am aware you just send it to a Sony NZ service centre. For some domestic products the warranty also includes pickup from your home, but I don't know if that applies to readers.

There is a copy of the NZ/Aust warranty somewhere on the Sony NZ site and as best I can recall, that is what it says.

[rjcroy]

Originally Posted by AnotherCat

As far as I am aware you just send it to a Sony NZ service centre. For some domestic products the warranty also includes pickup from your home, but I don't know if that applies to readers.

There is a copy of the NZ/Aust warranty somewhere on the Sony NZ site and as best I can recall, that is what it says.

That sounds ideal. Thanks for that.