Is there anywhere online to buy EPUB ebooks?

GoldThreader · 04-03-2016, 02:10 AM

Let me elaborate a little bit. I own a Kobo Glo and I would love to buy more books for it, however stores that supposedly carry Kobo gift cards in my region never do. I can't purchase Kobo cards to buy anything. I am hoping there is an online store that sells EPUB format books and I can easily go to a store and buy a gift card for. I know you can convert books if you need to but I would rather just be able to quickly use my gift card and drag the book right to my device on the computer. Anyways, thanks for any help in advance.

GeoffR · 04-03-2016, 02:31 AM

The gift card situation varies greatly from country to country, so you really need to say what country you are in.

GoldThreader · 04-03-2016, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffR

The gift card situation varies greatly from country to country, so you really need to say what country you are in.

Unites States California

AnemicOak · 04-03-2016, 02:49 AM

As Geoff says it depends on country for Kobo GC's.

I don't know about all countries, but can say that Google Play gift cards are available at many US stores and most (all?) books Google sells can be downloaded as an ePub (Adobe drm'd or drm-free depending on publisher/author).

Another option would be to use a Visa gift card or pre-paid cc at Kobo or other ePub retailers (Kobo gift cards are non-existent in the US). I don't know what if any fees are involved in that option. Or Kobo takes PayPal in some of their stores depending on country.

I can't think of anything else when it comes to a combo of B&M available gift cards and ePubs.

meeera · 04-03-2016, 04:18 AM

Bit hard without knowing where in the world you live, which should be in your profile. It seems to me your problem isn't finding a store with epub books as your thread title said (to which the answer would be: virtually any ebookstore that isn't Amazon); but finding ebook gift cards at a local B&M store. And that for some reason you have no access to a credit card.

Can you not just buy one of those single-use Visa cards instead, then shop online wherever you like?

pwalker8 · 04-03-2016, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

Bit hard without knowing where in the world you live, which should be in your profile. It seems to me your problem isn't finding a store with epub books as your thread title said (to which the answer would be: virtually any ebookstore that isn't Amazon); but finding ebook gift cards at a local B&M store. And that for some reason you have no access to a credit card.

Can you not just buy one of those single-use Visa cards instead, then shop online wherever you like?

Yes, if you are in the USA, then many chain grocery and drug stores carry VISA gift cards, which work like a credit card, except they are pre-paid. Some banks even have pre-paid VISA cards that can be replenished. A lot of parents get these for their kids going off to college.

Which ebook stores sell books that can be read on the Kobo Glo is a different question. According to the reviews, the Kobo Glo will read any epub that doesn't have DRM or that uses the Adobe DRM. Most ebook stores that sell epub fit that model.

Apache · 04-03-2016, 09:49 AM

You did not tell us what your reading preferences are. If you read Sci Fi then Baen sells in epubs and many other formats.
Apache

dandelioncottage · 04-03-2016, 11:31 AM

If you live near a Fry's electronics store, they carry $25 Kobo gift cards (in the store near me, you can find them on the gift card rack up near check-out., though you might need to hunt a bit.

)

HarryT · 04-03-2016, 11:45 AM

As someone else has already suggested, if it's the lack of a credit card that's preventing you from buying online, a "pre-pay" credit card that you load with money in advance would be an easy solution. They're available to anyone with no credit checks (because they aren't actually credit cards - you can't owe any money on them) and allow online purchases from any store.

GoldThreader · 04-03-2016, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

Bit hard without knowing where in the world you live, which should be in your profile. It seems to me your problem isn't finding a store with epub books as your thread title said (to which the answer would be: virtually any ebookstore that isn't Amazon); but finding ebook gift cards at a local B&M store. And that for some reason you have no access to a credit card.

Can you not just buy one of those single-use Visa cards instead, then shop online wherever you like?

I posted a reply with the state I am in and I could go that route but those loadable cards usually charge to be activated and such its just easier to simply grab a card that works with just register activation with no extra fees. But I didn't really make this post to discuss other methods of paying but rather find out my options under those parameters.

GoldThreader · 04-03-2016, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dandelioncottage

If you live near a Fry's electronics store, they carry $25 Kobo gift cards (in the store near me, you can find them on the gift card rack up near check-out., though you might need to hunt a bit.

)

I use to live closer to Fry's theres none near me But, when I did I never saw any Kobo cards there. The website also claims best buy has them but again I have never seen them on any of the gift card racks.

pidgeon92 · 04-03-2016, 05:00 PM

Try calling Best Buy and see if they can get them in?

Cinisajoy · 04-03-2016, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

As someone else has already suggested, if it's the lack of a credit card that's preventing you from buying online, a "pre-pay" credit card that you load with money in advance would be an easy solution. They're available to anyone with no credit checks (because they aren't actually credit cards - you can't owe any money on them) and allow online purchases from any store.

HarryT,
I cannot use a Walmart prepaid Visa gift card at online stores outside the US.
Let me clarify that, if the online store charges a fee for currency exchange.
But had I read the card before grabbing it, I would have read it is only good for US stores.
$4.95 fee up front and you can put any amount on it.
Note this card is not reloadable.

HarryT · 04-03-2016, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

HarryT,
I cannot use a Walmart prepaid Visa gift card at online stores outside the US.
Let me clarify that, if the online store charges a fee for currency exchange.
But had I read the card before grabbing it, I would have read it is only good for US stores.
$4.95 fee up front and you can put any amount on it.
Note this card is not reloadable.

There are all sorts of prepaid cards available. Some are reloadable, some aren't. Some can be used internationally, some can't. Just a case of buying the right one for your specific needs. The non-reloadable cards are mainly intended for use as giving to someone as a gift, I think.

Cinisajoy · 04-03-2016, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

There are all sorts of prepaid cards available. Some are reloadable, some aren't. Some can be used internationally, some can't. Just a case of buying the right one for your specific needs. The non-reloadable cards are mainly intended for use as giving to someone as a gift, I think.

Oh I love the non-reloadable for little internet purchases.
We had gotten it to shop at laserpro.com.
Wish we had read first. It wouldn't work there.
We had a reloadable one for a while.

04-03-2016, 02:10 AM	#1
GoldThreader Zealot Posts: 130 Karma: 1230 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Kobo Glo	Is there anywhere online to buy EPUB ebooks? Let me elaborate a little bit. I own a Kobo Glo and I would love to buy more books for it, however stores that supposedly carry Kobo gift cards in my region never do. I can't purchase Kobo cards to buy anything. I am hoping there is an online store that sells EPUB format books and I can easily go to a store and buy a gift card for. I know you can convert books if you need to but I would rather just be able to quickly use my gift card and drag the book right to my device on the computer. Anyways, thanks for any help in advance.

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04-03-2016, 02:31 AM	#2
GeoffR Wizard Posts: 3,821 Karma: 19162882 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Te Riu-a-Māui Device: Kobo Glo	The gift card situation varies greatly from country to country, so you really need to say what country you are in.

04-03-2016, 02:49 AM	#4
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	As Geoff says it depends on country for Kobo GC's. I don't know about all countries, but can say that Google Play gift cards are available at many US stores and most (all?) books Google sells can be downloaded as an ePub (Adobe drm'd or drm-free depending on publisher/author). Another option would be to use a Visa gift card or pre-paid cc at Kobo or other ePub retailers (Kobo gift cards are non-existent in the US). I don't know what if any fees are involved in that option. Or Kobo takes PayPal in some of their stores depending on country. I can't think of anything else when it comes to a combo of B&M available gift cards and ePubs.

04-03-2016, 04:18 AM	#5
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,794 Karma: 68145694 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	Bit hard without knowing where in the world you live, which should be in your profile. It seems to me your problem isn't finding a store with epub books as your thread title said (to which the answer would be: virtually any ebookstore that isn't Amazon); but finding ebook gift cards at a local B&M store. And that for some reason you have no access to a credit card. Can you not just buy one of those single-use Visa cards instead, then shop online wherever you like?

04-03-2016, 09:49 AM	#7
Apache Readaholic Posts: 5,253 Karma: 90000484 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Surface Pro 6 / Galaxy Tab A 8"	You did not tell us what your reading preferences are. If you read Sci Fi then Baen sells in epubs and many other formats. Apache

04-03-2016, 11:31 AM	#8
dandelioncottage Abibliophobe Posts: 425 Karma: 4379916 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: iPad Mini 2 64 gb, Nook Glowlight, iPad 4 (128 gb)	If you live near a Fry's electronics store, they carry $25 Kobo gift cards (in the store near me, you can find them on the gift card rack up near check-out., though you might need to hunt a bit. )

04-03-2016, 11:45 AM	#9
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	As someone else has already suggested, if it's the lack of a credit card that's preventing you from buying online, a "pre-pay" credit card that you load with money in advance would be an easy solution. They're available to anyone with no credit checks (because they aren't actually credit cards - you can't owe any money on them) and allow online purchases from any store.

04-03-2016, 05:00 PM	#12
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	Try calling Best Buy and see if they can get them in?