Kobo Discounts: Coupon Codes + Discussion

[GeoffR]

The number of points needed to redeem for a book is also calculated on the pre-tax list price, so I think it is reasonable to use the pre-tax spend for calculating the super points awarded.

I only noticed this because New Zealand recently added 15% GST to ebooks which were previously tax-free, and although the ebook price increased 15% the number of super points needed to redeem didn't change.

[Josieb1]

My issue is still that publisher produced books on Kobo are much dearer than on Amazon, and the differential just isn't worth paying more to get the points. I wish I could support Kobo more but I'm about to lose my job so I can't.

I have four Dreamspinner books on my wish list, they are 3 X £4.20 and a £5.39 at Amazon, but 4 X £6.40 at Kobo.

[GeoffR]

Originally Posted by Josieb1

My issue is still that publisher produced books on Kobo are much dearer than on Amazon, and the differential just isn't worth paying more to get the points. I wish I could support Kobo more but I'm about to lose my job so I can't.

I have four Dreamspinner books on my wish list, they are 3 X £4.20 and a £5.39 at Amazon, but 4 X £6.40 at Kobo.

So use Kobo's price match guarantee ...

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by GeoffR

So use Kobo's price match guarantee ...

I've not even considered that. I might try it on one book.

[Josieb1]

I've been doing some very basic maths so I could be wrong but it seems to me that if a Superpoints member gets 400 points for spending pre tax £10 then it would take a member spending a pre tax £100 to get 4000 points, which is the redemption cost of a £4.00 book.

That seems a really low reward point, and that's for a member, it's twice as bad for a non member

[GeoffR]

Originally Posted by Josieb1

I've been doing some very basic maths so I could be wrong but it seems to me that if a Superpoints member gets 400 points for spending pre tax £10 then it would take a member spending a pre tax £100 to get 4000 points, which is the redemption cost of a £4.00 book.

That seems a really low reward point, and that's for a member, it's twice as bad for a non member

A £4 for spending £100 might not seem much in itself, but with a 5x bonus day that would be £20 for spending £100, or this weekend's promotion which I think is an extra 5x which would mean 6x total or £24 for £100 spend. (The actual reward value will vary depending on your country and which books you choose to redeem, I am just using your example here.)

For discountable books it might be better to wait for a promo code rather than spend extra during a super points bonus day, but even then you'll still get super points in addition to the promo code discount.

Whether the extra points make it worthwhile buying a VIP membership is somthing that will obviously depend on how much you spend on ebooks in a year, but personally from the books I plan to buy just this weekend alone the 5x bonus super points will more than pay the cost of VIP membership and any other points I get this year will be gravy.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

I can't really help for certain, but I know that there are some books that SOMETIMES count for 5x. So it's not just the total in your basket. For example, I was asked to submit a single title for 5x for this weekend. The price of that book is not the caveat here (if I understand it, usually the cost of a book helps determine exactly how many points are given). So some of the books in your basket may be worth more points. The one I submitted will yield 5x, but if you bought two of my books (for example) only the one would be 5x. It's sort of like coupons--the coupons only work on some books and the 5x is only going to be from a certain list.

My explanation may not help because I'm not sure I understand it all that well either. And sometimes what they SAY is not how it works.

I have actually found the points more useful than I expected. I earned them faster than I thought I would even though I don't do anything special when it comes to shopping.

The email I received says:

Spend $25 on anything in the store and get 5X the Super Points*

and:

*5X Super Points available on all purchases from our eBookstore

I take that to mean any book gets the 5x points if I total $25. Maybe it's different down under.

[Amaryllis]

Originally Posted by Josieb1

I've not even considered that. I might try it on one book.

Do try it. Of course, they only give you store credit, but still.
There is one particular type/publisher of book I buy on a regular basis. They are usually 16.99 on Kobo, and 9.99 on Amazon (the price difference does boggle my mind), but by buying it on Kobo, then claiming the price match, in the long run it does end up cheaper by a bit to buy from Kobo.

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by GeoffR

In the terms and conditions for this weekend's promotion it says that the 5x bonus super points will be awarded 7-10 days after the end of the promotion. I guess this is to allow time for any price matches to be accounted for. This is the same as other super points promotions where a minimum spend was required to qualify.

Also, the super points are calculated on the pre-tax value. So if you spend £11 including 20% VAT then the super points are calculated on the £9.17 pre-tax value.

Thanks for mentioning the price matches on the promotion need to be taken into account before awarding extra points. I assume that means if I submit a price match that takes me under the £15 minimum spend I wouldn't get the additional points?

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by davidfor

The email I received says:



and:



I take that to mean any book gets the 5x points if I total $25. Maybe it's different down under.

I honestly do not know. If that were the case, I don't know why we (publishers/authors) would be asked for one book for the promo. If they all count, then there wouldn't be a need for sorting. It could also be a case of where we're told one thing and another thing happens ...

[jiminrussell]

The promotion looks to be different in Canada as well.

For one week only, customers who spend $25 on eBooks will earn 5,000 bonus Super Points and receive an automatic contest entry to win 1 of 10 amazing prizes.
Plus, VIP Super Points members will receive an additional contest entry just for being a VIP.

Our Booklover Prize Packs

Grand Prize - 2 Kobo Aura ONE eReaders + $100 in Kobo gift cards

2nd Prize - 2 Kobo Aura eReaders + $100 in Kobo gift cards

3rd Prize - 1 Kobo Aura eReader + $100 in Kobo gift cards

Plus...7 additional prizes of a $50 Kobo Gift Card


Earn bonus Super Points on all eBook purchases
over $25 until October 28th

Bonus Super Points will be added to your account 7 to 10 business days after the promotion period*

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by jiminrussell

The promotion looks to be different in Canada as well.

For one week only, customers who spend $25 on eBooks will earn 5,000 bonus Super Points and receive an automatic contest entry to win 1 of 10 amazing prizes.
Plus, VIP Super Points members will receive an additional contest entry just for being a VIP.

Our Booklover Prize Packs

Grand Prize - 2 Kobo Aura ONE eReaders + $100 in Kobo gift cards

2nd Prize - 2 Kobo Aura eReaders + $100 in Kobo gift cards

3rd Prize - 1 Kobo Aura eReader + $100 in Kobo gift cards

Plus...7 additional prizes of a $50 Kobo Gift Card


Earn bonus Super Points on all eBook purchases
over $25 until October 28th

Bonus Super Points will be added to your account 7 to 10 business days after the promotion period*

Wow! Now that's a deal!

[Josieb1]

In the UK this is our promotion according to the email

*5X Super Points available on all purchases from our eBookstore

Spend £15, get 5X Super Points: Offer valid from Oct 21, 2016 at 12:00 AM BST through Oct 24, 2016 at 11:59 PM BST on all eContent purchases on kobo.com during the promotion period. Pre-orders do not qualify for bonus points unless the pre-order is delivered to your library during the Bonus Days promotional period. Bonus Kobo Super Points to be added to customers’ accounts 7 to 10 business days after completion of the promotion period (approximate date). Rakuten Kobo Inc. reserves the right to change or end this offer at any time without notice.

I spent £16.33 so I will be keeping my eye out for the bonus points. I only bought books that either were the same price as Amazon or cheaper.

[bgalbrecht]

Just following up, I did a price match on an Amazon deal of the day, and I got the store credit a couple days later. I suspect Kobo grabs the web page in the price match URL entry at the time of the price match request, so even if it changes later, you're still covered.

[sufue]

I too have done several price matches to both Amazon and BN daily deals, and although I've saved screenshots, I've never had to use one. All the price matches have been easy and relatively fast - within two or maybe three days at most. (Amazing for Kobo, but there it is...)

Originally Posted by bgalbrecht

Just following up, I did a price match on an Amazon deal of the day, and I got the store credit a couple days later. I suspect Kobo grabs the web page in the price match URL entry at the time of the price match request, so even if it changes later, you're still covered.