Kobo Discounts: Coupon Codes + Discussion

[issybird]

Originally Posted by sqdancer

Did you change the country flag as well as your address?

I did. And changed the "us" in the web address to "ca." I haven't checked further, but I'm wondering if Kobo is starting to verify geography through IP address.

[disconnected]

Originally Posted by issybird

I did. And changed the "us" in the web address to "ca." I haven't checked further, but I'm wondering if Kobo is starting to verify geography through IP address.

For the past few years I've had three separate Kobo accounts with different addresses -- for US, Canada, and UK. Starting a couple of weeks ago I've been getting error messages on the Canada account telling me that I'm not actually in Canada and preventing me from buying books not available in the US (I don't think I've tried to buy from the UK lately).

Fortunately, at least for now, using one of those services that disguise IP addresses is working ok. I've been using the free version of TunnelBear.

[JoHunt]

So if you have a US account and are vacationing in Canada with your ereader, you won't be able to purchase books from Kobo? Thank goodness for Amazon.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by disconnected

For the past few years I've had three separate Kobo accounts with different addresses -- for US, Canada, and UK. Starting a couple of weeks ago I've been getting error messages on the Canada account telling me that I'm not actually in Canada and preventing me from buying books not available in the US (I don't think I've tried to buy from the UK lately).

Fortunately, at least for now, using one of those services that disguise IP addresses is working ok. I've been using the free version of TunnelBear.

I do the same, with dedicated accounts for those countries. Thanks for the confirmation.

I got curious and checked the UK and it seems as if Kobo still lets me buy there. So just Canada, then, at least for now.

It feels as if the party's over, with Kobo cracking down on geo-restrictions and Amazon cracking down on Whispersync titles on library borrows. Nice while it lasted.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by JoHunt

So if you have a US account and are vacationing in Canada with your ereader, you won't be able to purchase books from Kobo? Thank goodness for Amazon.

Not necessarily. It seems as if Kobo's doing some sneaky-peaky spying to verify actual physical location when one claims to be in Canada, but if you're actually in Canada that won't be a problem. No clue if you'd have to change your address temporarily or not, though.

ETA: Verifying location through IP is something Amazon's been doing for yonks, so I don't see where gratitude is due here!

[Amaryllis]

I noticed a couple of weeks ago that when I started clicking on links in my daily bookbub emails, that it went to the US site, and it wouldn't allow me to add/buy books, and would force me to go to the kobo Canada site before I could get the books. Which has been annoying, because there is a series I have been wanting to read that has had 1 book on sale for 1.99 almost every day for the last week or two. But they are 1.99 in the US only - as soon as I switch to the Canada site, the price jumps to 9.99.

[ferrywoman]

Sorry to know some people are having trouble.

I traveled twice this week and last week to Canada and experienced no issue with the lone account I use for my trips. I'm not from the U.S. or Canada, if that's even relevant.

[Terisa de morgan]

I've purchased "in U.S." this week too, without any problem.

[PeterT]

Was just checking Shoppers Drug Mart flyer in Toronto and saw 20% discount on a $50 Kobo Open Up gift card.

[zelda.owns.link]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Was just checking Shoppers Drug Mart flyer in Toronto and saw 20% discount on a $50 Kobo Open Up gift card.

I found it for Winnipeg too! Seems it is all Shoppers Drug Marts in Canada.

[pdops]

Originally Posted by zelda.owns.link

I found it for Winnipeg too! Seems it is all Shoppers Drug Marts in Canada.

Alberta too. How do these work? Any expiry date? Do they have to be spent in one go?

[zelda.owns.link]

Originally Posted by pdops

Alberta too. How do these work? Any expiry date? Do they have to be spent in one go?

When you purchase a book, under payment, you have the option for gift cards. You select Kobo and key in the code from the card. It applies to your order, and if you have funds left, they go onto your account. No expiration date.

[llcj]

In Canada there is an even better deal at BestBuy. Purchase a $25.00 Kobo gift card and receive a $10.00 gift card for free. This is an in store promotion only and I think it's on until the December 24th.

[pdops]

Originally Posted by llcj

In Canada there is an even better deal at BestBuy. Purchase a $25.00 Kobo gift card and receive a $10.00 gift card for free.

Was that in a flyer? Looks like it might come with a few strings attached. No BestBuy where I live but in looking around on their website I found this:

RESERVE GIFTS ONLINE, PICK THEM UP IN-STORE, AND GET A
$10 BEST BUY COUPON
TOWARDS A FUTURE PURCHASE OF $100 OR MORE*

This offer is only valid for Reserve and Pick Up orders placed between December 16 - 23, 2016.
The $10 Best Buy coupon is valid in-store and online from January 13 - 31, 2017 with a minimum purchase of $100 before taxes.
Coupon will be email to qualified purchasers prior to January 13, 2017.

[zelda.owns.link]

Originally Posted by pdops

Was that in a flyer? Looks like it might come with a few strings attached. No BestBuy where I live but in looking around on their website I found this:

RESERVE GIFTS ONLINE, PICK THEM UP IN-STORE, AND GET A
$10 BEST BUY COUPON
TOWARDS A FUTURE PURCHASE OF $100 OR MORE*

This offer is only valid for Reserve and Pick Up orders placed between December 16 - 23, 2016.
The $10 Best Buy coupon is valid in-store and online from January 13 - 31, 2017 with a minimum purchase of $100 before taxes.
Coupon will be email to qualified purchasers prior to January 13, 2017.

I did find it in a flyer, and you can go in store and get the $25 Kobo and get a free $10 Kobo gift card at the till.