Kobo Discounts: Coupon Codes + Discussion - Page 698

Byrdie · 10-10-2014, 09:36 PM

Thanks for the info, will have to check out ARe.

Josieb1 · 10-12-2014, 07:03 AM

IMO Dreamspinner have a big problem with Kobo, i have tried to take it up with them but to no avail. They claim they have two distribution channels to Kobo and one of them only suppies PDF's and invariably thats all Kobo get. Which is stupid as DSP sell epubs on their own site

Billingsgate · 10-12-2014, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josieb1

IMO Dreamspinner have a big problem with Kobo, i have tried to take it up with them but to no avail. They claim they have two distribution channels to Kobo and one of them only suppies PDF's and invariably thats all Kobo get. Which is stupid as DSP sell epubs on their own site

Not just them. I had an e-mail argument with a major publisher over a book they sell as an epub on their site, but is only available as kepub on Kobo. The publisher blamed Kobo, saying they determine the format, which I truly don't believe (otherwise all books would be kepubs).

The book was ridiculously expensive, so it was a choice between overpaying for their epub or using a discount code on a kepub (which I've never had luck converting to a format readable on my Sony Reader). So I waited for the hardback to come to the library, and neither the publisher nor Kobo got a dime.

BearMountainBooks · 10-12-2014, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billingsgate

Not just them. I had an e-mail argument with a major publisher over a book they sell as an epub on their site, but is only available as kepub on Kobo. The publisher blamed Kobo, saying they determine the format, which I truly don't believe (otherwise all books would be kepubs).

The book was ridiculously expensive, so it was a choice between overpaying for their epub or using a discount code on a kepub (which I've never had luck converting to a format readable on my Sony Reader). So I waited for the hardback to come to the library, and neither the publisher nor Kobo got a dime.

FWIW, I don't choose anything, but epub is all that is created when I upload a book. I asked a while back because I was concerned that suddenly it would be kepub, but didn't get a reply. For the upload process I use, I can upload an epub or a file to be converted to epub. There is no mention of anything else. I do my own conversion, using the fabulous calibre tools.

Since kobo also takes books in epub from Smashwords (two of my anthos go through smash) I cannot imagine why Kobo would penalize publishers and "only" accept PDFs or kepub files. They must have the system in place to accept all of those file types so why would they say "Company A, you can only send us X and everyone else can choose Y."

But the ways of companies are strange indeed. If Kobo suddenly required my files to be kepub, I think that would be the end of my sales there. I understand them wanting their own DRM scheme available, but they have to make it compatible if that is the route they choose to go.

DrNefario · 10-12-2014, 10:33 AM

I think I've just come across my first kepub-only book. The preview had no format information.

So I bought the kindle version.

A minor shame, since it was couponable and could have been cheaper at kobo with a decent code, but I'm not standing for that.

It was a Quercus book, new out earlier this month, I think. (In the UK)

danicca · 10-12-2014, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josieb1

IMO Dreamspinner have a big problem with Kobo, i have tried to take it up with them but to no avail. They claim they have two distribution channels to Kobo and one of them only suppies PDF's and invariably thats all Kobo get. Which is stupid as DSP sell epubs on their own site

The funny thing is that some books are available in both epub and pdf. Are has them in multiple formats, and even on amazon they are without drm. I'm not sure what's different with kobo.

BearMountainBooks · 10-12-2014, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danicca

The funny thing is that some books are available in both epub and pdf. Are has them in multiple formats, and even on amazon they are without drm. I'm not sure what's different with kobo.

With ARe just FYI, I can choose to sell whatever format I want. I generally only do mobi and epub just because that is what I already have generated. I also sell on my own blog and when I started that I asked on forums, polled, blogged and everything I could think of--No one requested PDF. I had originally intended to make PDF available thinking maybe those without readers would want it or those with non-branded name readers might. Not a single request.

But oddly enough one of the review sites that has reviewed a couple of my books still requests PDFs from me when they want a book.

So there is a minority and if someone actually requested PDF even as a for-sale copy I would provide it. But that reviewer is the only time I've ever had a request for it.

Via Kobo, uploading PDF is not an option for me either (So far as I know. I've never seen it listed.)

bgalbrecht · 10-12-2014, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

Via Kobo, uploading PDF is not an option for me either (So far as I know. I've never seen it listed.)

I accidentally purchased a PDF edition of a computer book when I meant to buy the epub version, but that was a year or two ago, and it was a major textbook publisher.

BearMountainBooks · 10-12-2014, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgalbrecht

I accidentally purchased a PDF edition of a computer book when I meant to buy the epub version, but that was a year or two ago, and it was a major textbook publisher.

Where there are formulas, I can believe that some people still download PDFs. My husband is an engineer and doesn't use an e-reader, but he buys specs and other similar text and for him PDF is what he buys. But those are not often on retailers. I do think there is a use for them, but not necessarily a heavy use in fiction.

kristalana · 10-12-2014, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josieb1

IMO Dreamspinner have a big problem with Kobo, i have tried to take it up with them but to no avail. They claim they have two distribution channels to Kobo and one of them only suppies PDF's and invariably thats all Kobo get. Which is stupid as DSP sell epubs on their own site

I've been fighting this exact battle with Dreamspinner too. The most success I've had is by complaining to an author about her specific books, which they then reuploaded. They told her that it was some problem with Kobo's system but imo that's nonsense, as many other publishers manage to upload epubs just fine. And they've just added a bunch of books I've been waiting for for months, all of which are in pdf too. So at this point I'm about done with them, since they seem determined to keep losing out on paying customers.

GeoffR · 10-12-2014, 08:39 PM

I was able to use SAV50 for a second time in New Zealand. What is interesting is that it wouldn't work when I tried to buy a book directly from my Kobo device as I usually do, but it worked on the same book bought from the website.

Geralt · 10-13-2014, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrNefario

I think I've just come across my first kepub-only book. The preview had no format information.

So I bought the kindle version.

A minor shame, since it was couponable and could have been cheaper at kobo with a decent code, but I'm not standing for that.

It was a Quercus book, new out earlier this month, I think. (In the UK)

Lynx can send you a calibre plugin that works with kepub and imports it as epub. It works like magic. Send him a PM to know more.

DrNefario · 10-13-2014, 02:42 AM

I'd still need to run the stupid desktop software to download it, which would doubtless need to update itself and want to update my kobo. I'm not really interested in encouraging kobo's idiocy.

meeera · 10-13-2014, 02:48 AM

It will only want to update your kobo if you have it plugged in at the time, which is unnecessary for the process. It will want to update itself, however.

Geralt · 10-13-2014, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrNefario

I'd still need to run the stupid desktop software to download it, which would doubtless need to update itself and want to update my kobo. I'm not really interested in encouraging kobo's idiocy.

yes you have to run kobo desktop
oh well, i will run it if it means paying less

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10-10-2014, 09:36 PM	#10456
Byrdie Walking Library Posts: 254 Karma: 3869938 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H20, Kindle Paperwhite 5, 16 gb version	Thanks for the info, will have to check out ARe.

10-12-2014, 07:03 AM	#10457
Josieb1 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,090 Karma: 18051062 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK Device: Kindle Scribe, Coloursoft, PW SE, Kindle 6, Kobo Libra 2, Clara BW	IMO Dreamspinner have a big problem with Kobo, i have tried to take it up with them but to no avail. They claim they have two distribution channels to Kobo and one of them only suppies PDF's and invariably thats all Kobo get. Which is stupid as DSP sell epubs on their own site

10-12-2014, 10:33 AM	#10460
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,214 Karma: 12029046 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	I think I've just come across my first kepub-only book. The preview had no format information. So I bought the kindle version. A minor shame, since it was couponable and could have been cheaper at kobo with a decent code, but I'm not standing for that. It was a Quercus book, new out earlier this month, I think. (In the UK)

10-12-2014, 08:39 PM	#10466
GeoffR Wizard Posts: 3,821 Karma: 19162882 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Te Riu-a-Māui Device: Kobo Glo	I was able to use SAV50 for a second time in New Zealand. What is interesting is that it wouldn't work when I tried to buy a book directly from my Kobo device as I usually do, but it worked on the same book bought from the website.

10-13-2014, 02:42 AM	#10468
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,214 Karma: 12029046 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	I'd still need to run the stupid desktop software to download it, which would doubtless need to update itself and want to update my kobo. I'm not really interested in encouraging kobo's idiocy.

10-13-2014, 02:48 AM	#10469
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,836 Karma: 68407974 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	It will only want to update your kobo if you have it plugged in at the time, which is unnecessary for the process. It will want to update itself, however.