KOBO H2O US Brick and mortar stores?

[murg]

Originally Posted by rcentros

What I can't understand is, why doesn't Kobo's parent company, Rakuten, use their online U.S. retail division (formerly Buy.Com) to sell them?

Because Kobo doesn't understand competing with Amazon. Or anyone for that matter.

[pghaworth]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

It's a shame. I was wondering if Best Buy in the states might eventually get it in, but I guess not. You can still buy them at Best Buy in Canada.

Too bad BB in Canada doesn't ship to the US. I tried.

All of you have managed to get way under my Kindle skin.

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by pghaworth

Too bad BB in Canada doesn't ship to the US. I tried.

All of you have managed to get way under my Kindle skin.

It really is a great reader! Chapters/Indigo does ship to the US and are reliable so if you really want to, you could give them a try. My only concern would be that I believe you mentioned you prefer cooler toned screens and it seems more H20's are warmer toned rather than cooler, at least just going by the posts on the board. So you might end up unhappy. I still think the newest versions of the PW are very good, but the contrast and clarity are just not quite on par on with the voyage and H20.

[pghaworth]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

Chapters/Indigo does ship to the US and are reliable so if you really want to, you could give them a try. My only concern would be that I believe you mentioned you prefer cooler toned screens and it seems more H20's are warmer toned rather than cooler, at least just going by the posts on the board. So you might end up unhappy.

Thank you. That's why I want to see one in person, if possible. Chapters/Indigo requires you to return Kobos to their stores and I don't live in Canada. Love it there, just don't live there or near enough.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

Here's a list of independent stores that carry Kobo readers, but you'll have to call around and see if any near you carry the H2O, they don't all carry the same readers. For stores near me, I have best luck at The Book Cellar.
http://www.indiebound.org/ebooks

I called the three stores nearest to me on that list, and none of them carry e-readers at all.

[pssquirrel]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

... Chapters/Indigo does ship to the US and are reliable so if you really want to, you could give them a try. ...

Originally Posted by pghaworth

... Chapters/Indigo requires you to return Kobos to their stores and I don't live in Canada. Love it there, just don't live there or near enough.

What happens if you're a U.S. customer, order from Chapters/Indigo, and get a bad screen or an otherwise defective reader? Are you simply out of luck and stuck?

I'd really like a lighted epub reader, which points me toward Kobo, but buying options for U.S. customers are so limited and Kobo's reputation for customer service gives me pause. Makes me wonder if I should just switch to Kindle.

[disconnected]

Originally Posted by pssquirrel

What happens if you're a U.S. customer, order from Chapters/Indigo, and get a bad screen or an otherwise defective reader? Are you simply out of luck and stuck?

I'd really like a lighted epub reader, which points me toward Kobo, but buying options for U.S. customers are so limited and Kobo's reputation for customer service gives me pause. Makes me wonder if I should just switch to Kindle.

I called Chapters/Indigo before ordering and asked about returning it if it was defective in any way. They assured me I could send it back. I didn't get into any discussion of what might be considered "defective".

Fortunately, my H2O is perfect.

[pghaworth]

Originally Posted by pssquirrel

What happens if you're a U.S. customer, order from Chapters/Indigo, and get a bad screen or an otherwise defective reader? Are you simply out of luck and stuck?

I have a feeling that (unless you're close to a Chapters/Indigo store) at that point you have to deal with Kobo and its warranty.

[pghaworth]

Originally Posted by disconnected

I called Chapters/Indigo before ordering and asked about returning it if it was defective in any way. They assured me I could send it back. I didn't get into any discussion of what might be considered "defective".

Fortunately, my H2O is perfect.

Did they say how you could return it - website states store returns only?

"Kobo eReaders must be returned to one of our Chapters, Indigo or Coles stores.

Kobo eReader store purchases can be returned within 14 days of purchase. If the Kobo eReader was purchased Online or using one of our Store Kiosks you can return it up to 30 days from shipment date."

http://help.indigo.ca/app/answers/de...bXdPMmpfNm0%3D

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by pghaworth

Did they say how you could return it - website states store returns only?

"Kobo eReaders must be returned to one of our Chapters, Indigo or Coles stores.

Kobo eReader store purchases can be returned within 14 days of purchase. If the Kobo eReader was purchased Online or using one of our Store Kiosks you can return it up to 30 days from shipment date."

http://help.indigo.ca/app/answers/de...bXdPMmpfNm0%3D

I assume they would give you an address to ship it to. I really don't think it would be an issue. Chapters/Indigo are a good company by all accounts. I have bought from them more than a few times when I've been over in Canada. I cannot see how if the device was defective they wouldn't let you return it. I'm certain they would.

On this note - has anyone living in the states bought one from Chapters/Indigo and had to return it? Please let us know your experience, if you did!

[pghaworth]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

I assume they would give you an address to ship it to. I really don't think it would be an issue. Chapters/Indigo are a good company by all accounts. I have bought from them more than a few times when I've been over in Canada. I cannot see how if the device was defective they wouldn't let you return it. I'm certain they would.

On this note - has anyone living in the states bought one from Chapters/Indigo and had to return it? Please let us know your experience, if you did!

Thank you. Should've asked that myself. I now have a firefox Kobo folder with links. The H2O is inching its way into my life. LOL

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by pghaworth

Thank you. Should've asked that myself. I now have a firefox Kobo folder with links. The H2O is inching its way into my life. LOL

Oooo a folder with links. You may as well start looking at cases now. The countdown begins!

[pghaworth]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

Oooo a folder with links. You may as well start looking at cases now. The countdown begins!

Cases always come last for me, but you do have a point. So this makes a folder with links on firefox, a folder with manuals in Documents, I'm actively hunting for the best place to buy my new H2O... ...the only wrinkle in the equation is my son coming home at Xmas.

If he sees three new eReaders, not only will I let him make me feel guilty, but I'm positive there will be a lecture of some sort. Now that I am on the downside of the hill he thinks that I am the child and he is the father, mother, or whatever (fill in the blank). I have to pointedly remind him from time-to-time that is not the case. I'd hate to have to run away from home.

If I find a coupon or a bargain I'm really in trouble.

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by pghaworth

Cases always come last for me, but you do have a point. So this makes a folder with links on firefox, a folder with manuals in Documents, I'm actively hunting for the best place to buy my new H2O... ...the only wrinkle in the equation is my son coming home at Xmas.

If he sees three new eReaders, not only will I let him make me feel guilty, but I'm positive there will be a lecture of some sort. Now that I am on the downside of the hill he thinks that I am the child and he is the father, mother, or whatever (fill in the blank). I have to pointedly remind him from time-to-time that is not the case. I'd hate to have to run away from home.

If I find a coupon or a bargain I'm really in trouble.

LOL! Don't worry, if you get another device you won't need to run away from home. Home will be waiting elsewhere for you.

I was just thinking, if we get enough people, we can start up a game night!

[disconnected]

Originally Posted by pghaworth

Did they say how you could return it - website states store returns only?

"Kobo eReaders must be returned to one of our Chapters, Indigo or Coles stores.

Kobo eReader store purchases can be returned within 14 days of purchase. If the Kobo eReader was purchased Online or using one of our Store Kiosks you can return it up to 30 days from shipment date."

http://help.indigo.ca/app/answers/de...bXdPMmpfNm0%3D

Yes, that line you quoted about returning to "stores" was why I called. They said just to use any reliable shipping/mail service and suggested insuring the package. I didn't ask for a specific address to use; I thought if I needed to return it I'd call again for specifics.