Change of plans, maybe not a Kobo after all

bcgirl · 11-26-2014, 04:45 PM

I was reading about Kobo's not-always-positive customer service. And before I even got a Kobo, I got a bit of a taste of it.

The moment I wanted to order the Kobo Aura with a $40 discount, there were problems on Kobo's website. My credit card didn't go through and I called my bank and Kobo Customer service.
There was no problem with my credit card, the problem was on Kobo's side, a technical issue with their website. It should be fixed in a few hours.
Later when I got home after work, I tried again but with the time difference (I am located West coast) the discount code was not valid anymore.

OK, another email to Kobo if I still can order the Kobo with the discount. They got back to me this morning; there is 6 point list with information I have to provide. Screen print of the error, what credit card I used, the web browser I used, etc.

I leave it and do not bother to contact them again for a discount. It is much easier to go to Bestbuy this Friday to pick up a Kobo Aura with cover for $99.95.
Or maybe change my mind and get a Kindle instead, because, thinking about it, I do not care for public library books. And their book prices are same as Kobo. From what I read about other Kobo customer service experiences, maybe get a Kindle PW for $133 something including taxes and (free)shipping. And be happy with it? I love reading book reviews at Amazon before I purchase a book. Ordering goes easy too.
Just my 2 cents.

JSWolf · 11-26-2014, 05:15 PM

You won't like having to convert your ePub into KF8 and you might not like the wide margins/line height on the Kindle since you are used to other devices that can have smaller margins/line height.

Think about that before you go for a Kindle. Once you get a Kindle, you might not be able to jailbreak it. Amazon is trying their best to prevent that from happening.

Canuck_in_Japan · 11-26-2014, 05:20 PM

I love reading reviews on Amazon too. But that has nothing to do with what kind of reader I use or where I buy my books.

JSWolf · 11-26-2014, 05:24 PM

There can be good reviews on Goodreads.

eschwartz · 11-26-2014, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You won't like having to convert your ePub into KF8 and you might not like the wide margins/line height on the Kindle since you are used to other devices that can have smaller margins/line height.

JBPatch.

Also, conversion is the one thing that will be dead simple and no bother at all.

Quote:

Think about that before you go for a Kindle. Once you get a Kindle, you might not be able to jailbreak it. Amazon is trying their best to prevent that from happening.

Just apply the latest jailbreak 1.13 before connecting to WiFi -- devices are still shipping with jailbreakable firmwares.

bcgirl · 11-26-2014, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canuck_in_Japan

I love reading reviews on Amazon too. But that has nothing to do with what kind of reader I use or where I buy my books.

I know it has nothing to do with the reader, I just mentioned it. I read the reviews and then order it from Kobo or get it from library. Just a side line

eschwartz · 11-26-2014, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcgirl

I know it has nothing to do with the reader, I just mentioned it. I read the reviews and then order it from Kobo or get it from library. Just a side line

Ah, but with a Kindle, you can read Amazon reviews on the device.

bcgirl · 11-26-2014, 06:54 PM

I am just a beginner, like to read books that I download from the store. I can borrow from library but am not technical with Calibre applications or so. I do have Adobe Digital Editions. The books on my Sony, I don't need to transfer them to another device.
Just need a good reader, with front light, something that is easy to look up words in dictionary, and front light as I do not have one. And at this point I am not sure what I will get. It seems for the price/quality this Kobo Aura with cover for $99 is a good deal. Just got a bit annoyed with Kobo, and thinking if something is wrong with the device, how to go from there.
Thanks guys, appreciate your comments as I find them all helpful to decide what I want.

bcgirl · 11-26-2014, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Ah, but with a Kindle, you can read Amazon reviews on the device.

Hm did not know. Interesting fact!

eschwartz · 11-26-2014, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcgirl

Hm did not know. Interesting fact!

Well, it is part of... the Kindle Store.

Kindle Store, like the one on the Kindle.

Quelch · 11-26-2014, 07:02 PM

[QUOTE=bcgirl;2986905]I was reading about Kobo's not-always-positive customer service. And before I even got a Kobo, I got a bit of a taste of it.

We have had a Kobo for a long time, never had a problem with it, never bought an eBook from Kobo either
The battery lasts ages unlike my hungry Nexus 7 tablet that I use as an eReader

If you're disenchanted with the Kobo people have a look at the Nook, it's an excellent eReader
Sold mine to a friend and it's still going strong after a couple of years of use

Or

Spend a bit more and get the latest Nexus 7 tablet or Samsung etc, that's what I did and I'd never go back to a colourless life !

JSWolf · 11-26-2014, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quelch

If you're disenchanted with the Kobo people have a look at the Nook, it's an excellent eReader

I cannot honestly recommend a nook eInk Reader. The user interface is a dreadful mess. Plus the partitioned RAM is just silly. The reading software leaves a large space at the top of the screen that you cannot get rid of. All of this things make for an experience that's not one I can recommend.

mystika1 · 11-26-2014, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcgirl

The books on my Sony, I don't need to transfer them to another device.
Just need a good reader, with front light, something that is easy to look up words in dictionary, and front light as I do not have one.

In that case, the kindle is fine. I have a kindle pw2 and have been very happy with it. Your purchased books are downloaded over WiFi instantly, or you can side load them if you prefer, In minutes. Borrowing from the library is super easy. You have thirty days after the date of purchase of the kindle to decide if you like it enough to keep it. Because of that, you can feel comfortable about your purchase. If you like it, great, if you hate it, return it and get the kobo. Your local best buy should have a pw2 on display to compare. I have a kobo glo and the kindle pw2. I do not feel the "walled garden" effects on either device. Honestly, I have had software issues on my glo, but nothing serious.

My point, do not feel that kindle devices will prevent you from enjoying your reading experience. In fact, I read more now that I have the kindle than ever before.

Hth,

Penny

meeera · 11-26-2014, 08:33 PM

If you don't mind the limited typography and display options on the Kindle, and you don't want Calibre collections management, it's a good choice.

eschwartz · 11-26-2014, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I cannot honestly recommend a nook eInk Reader. The user interface is a dreadful mess. Plus the partitioned RAM is just silly. The reading software leaves a large space at the top of the screen that you cannot get rid of. All of this things make for an experience that's not one I can recommend.

Flash memory, not RAM.

RAM is volatile memory, Flash memory is long-term storage memory that gets saved when you poweroff.

The Nook probably has say 256 MB RAM, like my Kindle.

4GB Flash Memory is about par the course for ereaders, it is that which the Nook partitions.

11-26-2014, 04:45 PM	#1
bcgirl Groupie Posts: 197 Karma: 996872 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC,Canada Device: iPad2-64gb, Sony PRS-T1, KOBO mini	Change of plans, maybe not a Kobo after all I was reading about Kobo's not-always-positive customer service. And before I even got a Kobo, I got a bit of a taste of it. The moment I wanted to order the Kobo Aura with a $40 discount, there were problems on Kobo's website. My credit card didn't go through and I called my bank and Kobo Customer service. There was no problem with my credit card, the problem was on Kobo's side, a technical issue with their website. It should be fixed in a few hours. Later when I got home after work, I tried again but with the time difference (I am located West coast) the discount code was not valid anymore. OK, another email to Kobo if I still can order the Kobo with the discount. They got back to me this morning; there is 6 point list with information I have to provide. Screen print of the error, what credit card I used, the web browser I used, etc. I leave it and do not bother to contact them again for a discount. It is much easier to go to Bestbuy this Friday to pick up a Kobo Aura with cover for $99.95. Or maybe change my mind and get a Kindle instead, because, thinking about it, I do not care for public library books. And their book prices are same as Kobo. From what I read about other Kobo customer service experiences, maybe get a Kindle PW for $133 something including taxes and (free)shipping. And be happy with it? I love reading book reviews at Amazon before I purchase a book. Ordering goes easy too. Just my 2 cents.

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11-26-2014, 05:15 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,413 Karma: 145491800 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	You won't like having to convert your ePub into KF8 and you might not like the wide margins/line height on the Kindle since you are used to other devices that can have smaller margins/line height. Think about that before you go for a Kindle. Once you get a Kindle, you might not be able to jailbreak it. Amazon is trying their best to prevent that from happening.

11-26-2014, 05:20 PM	#3
Canuck_in_Japan Wizard Posts: 1,476 Karma: 14328611 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: Aura, Aura H2O, Kindle PW3	I love reading reviews on Amazon too. But that has nothing to do with what kind of reader I use or where I buy my books.

11-26-2014, 05:24 PM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,413 Karma: 145491800 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	There can be good reviews on Goodreads.

11-26-2014, 06:54 PM	#8
bcgirl Groupie Posts: 197 Karma: 996872 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC,Canada Device: iPad2-64gb, Sony PRS-T1, KOBO mini	I am just a beginner, like to read books that I download from the store. I can borrow from library but am not technical with Calibre applications or so. I do have Adobe Digital Editions. The books on my Sony, I don't need to transfer them to another device. Just need a good reader, with front light, something that is easy to look up words in dictionary, and front light as I do not have one. And at this point I am not sure what I will get. It seems for the price/quality this Kobo Aura with cover for $99 is a good deal. Just got a bit annoyed with Kobo, and thinking if something is wrong with the device, how to go from there. Thanks guys, appreciate your comments as I find them all helpful to decide what I want.

11-26-2014, 07:02 PM	#11
Quelch Groupie Posts: 177 Karma: 1656608 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Brisbane Australia Device: Kobo Touch and iPad 4 hers, Samsung Galaxy S 8.4 mine !	[QUOTE=bcgirl;2986905]I was reading about Kobo's not-always-positive customer service. And before I even got a Kobo, I got a bit of a taste of it. We have had a Kobo for a long time, never had a problem with it, never bought an eBook from Kobo either The battery lasts ages unlike my hungry Nexus 7 tablet that I use as an eReader If you're disenchanted with the Kobo people have a look at the Nook, it's an excellent eReader Sold mine to a friend and it's still going strong after a couple of years of use Or Spend a bit more and get the latest Nexus 7 tablet or Samsung etc, that's what I did and I'd never go back to a colourless life !

11-26-2014, 08:33 PM	#14
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,803 Karma: 68407974 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	If you don't mind the limited typography and display options on the Kindle, and you don't want Calibre collections management, it's a good choice.