Today Is 1 Sep, Right?

[93terp]

Well, Kobo seems to have fumbled the H2O pre-orders. I do believe today is 1 September, and here in the U.S. it doesn't seem possible to pre-order the Aura H2O, even though the reader specific page clearly states "Available for pre-order September 1st". When i click on the "Retailers" link, I am taken to a "Coming Soon" blue circle.

It's pathetic that they are making such a splash (pun intended) with this new device, yet they can't find a way to not screw up the pre-order process. I realize it's a holiday here, but does that mean they can't accept pre-orders automatically via a web-ordering system? Sometimes I wonder how this company manages to stay in business....

http://www.kobo.com/koboaurah2o#retailers

[Josieb1]

Same in the UK.

[PeterT]

I can't believe that people are THAT concerned that they can't order a device.. Sigh... It's not as if this is being sold as a limited edition or anything! Relax, enjoy the day, and order when you can.

[JSWolf]

Given that it's only 9:37am, maybe the people who need to enable the pre-order are not yet at work.

[93terp]

Originally Posted by PeterT

I can't believe that people are THAT concerned that they can't order a device.. Sigh... It's not as if this is being sold as a limited edition or anything! Relax, enjoy the day, and order when you can.

It has nothing to do with not being able to pre-order the device, and everything to do with completely inept management and execution at Kobo. If you tell the world that new product will be available for pre-order on X day, and then it's not, that doesn't exactly tell a good story about your committment to your customers and your brand. It's marketing 101.

[JSWolf]

It doesn't specifically say 2014.

[Jellby]

It doesn't say which time. If it's available at 23:59, local time at Baker Island, it's still technically correct

[Dr. Drib]

Sept. 1 is all day long - 24 hours - so it might be at the very last second of the day that the pre-order will be available.

[filmo]

Probably another web site software SNAFU.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by 93terp

Well, Kobo seems to have fumbled the H2O pre-orders. I do believe today is 1 September, and here in the U.S. it doesn't seem possible to pre-order the Aura H2O, even though the reader specific page clearly states "Available for pre-order September 1st". When i click on the "Retailers" link, I am taken to a "Coming Soon" blue circle.

It's pathetic that they are making such a splash (pun intended) with this new device, yet they can't find a way to not screw up the pre-order process. I realize it's a holiday here, but does that mean they can't accept pre-orders automatically via a web-ordering system? Sometimes I wonder how this company manages to stay in business....

http://www.kobo.com/koboaurah2o#retailers

Hmmm.... 7:30AM here on Sept 1st and when I go to the http://www.kobo.com/devices/kobo-aurah2o.html, it says pre-order now. Clicking on the pre-order now button takes me to the checkout with an Aura H2O in the cart. See attached image.

Oddly, the link you posted says preorders will be available Sept. 2nd. Perhaps the original Sept. 1st date being a stat holiday? Also see attached image. BTW, as mentioned in a previous message, Chapters/Indigo were accepting pre-orders on or before August 27th.

The Aura H2O will not be available at retailers until Sept. 29th at the earliest so there won't be a list of retailers with availability.

message edited about 1 minute after posting when I received a PM suggesting that I could not have seen what I saw on the Kobo site.

Regards,
David

[PeterT]

One has to love though the wording (and the footnote)

Kobo Aura H2O is the first premium eReader that truly allows for worry-free eReading because of its waterproof* and dustproof design. It features an impressive extra-large, no-glare 6.8” Carta E Ink touchscreen that reads like print on paper – even in direct sunlight. Eyestrain is minimized in any light with the fully adjustable ComfortLight directing light at the page, not your eyes. Plus, with ClarityScreen+, Kobo Aura H2O provides a high definition reading experience, with crisp, clear text for easy and enjoyable reading.

* Price subject to tax and fees.

Not sure how the Price subject to applies to the waterproofing!

[simond]

I was tempted by the h2o but definitely not at their advertised price of £179.99.

Could probably have convinced myself at £140 but over £200 after getting a cover seems a little excessive to me...

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by 93terp

It has nothing to do with not being able to pre-order the device, and everything to do with completely inept management and execution at Kobo. If you tell the world that new product will be available for pre-order on X day, and then it's not, that doesn't exactly tell a good story about your committment to your customers and your brand. It's marketing 101.

I was able to pre-order the Aura H2O prior to Sept. 1st from a Canadian retailer. I also went to Kobo's page at 7:30AM (PDT) Sept 1st so 10:30AM in Toronto and the pre-order button was live. No list of retailers admittedly. OTOH, a quick check of Future Shop, Best Buy and a couple of others gave me links to pre-order on 3 of the 4 sites.

Personally, I see a large difference between being able to pre-order from Kobo's website which is happening and the original complaint that there was no list of retailers for a product that is not shipping.

Regards,
David

[treadlightly]

Chapters has indeed been accepting pre-orders for the last few days and they do ship internationally.

[soulfuldog]

Originally Posted by simond

I was tempted by the h2o but definitely not at their advertised price of £179.99.

Could probably have convinced myself at £140 but over £200 after getting a cover seems a little excessive to me...

Ouch, on the compare devices page (http://www.kobo.com/devices/compare#ereaders) it shows up as £139.99, but £179.99, that can't be right? £40 more than the previous model was sold for at launch. Also, if it's $180 in Canada, that's nowhere near £180 even with taxes?