First eReader - Kobo Glo HD vs. PW3 vs. Kobo Aura 2016

[Silverty]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Do you have first hand experience with Kindles purchased from Amazon.ca? Or is it just your opinion because you didn't see mention on the Amazon.ca website?

I tried doing research, but couldn't find anything either way. But I'm pretty sure Canadians aren't exempt from Special Offers.

You might just go check out a Kindle in a big box store. But then, display models may not show special offers. Not sure.

I don't have firsthand knowledge. I can't even check a big box store because you can't get kindles from anywhere BUT the amazon.ca store here. But I have researched a lot in preparation of black friday sales.

I'm pretty sure they are exempt because Canada has laws in place to stop this. If not, I would probably end up buying a special offer Voyage to try and get that $300 sticker price down lower. I have yet to see a single review that mentioned it and the website make no mention of special offers or how to turn them off by paying.

It would seem silly that Amazon would only offer Special Offer kindle only and give Canadians no option to take it off because if I cheapened out and bought a PW3, I would for sure go pay extra to get rid of the ads.

[JSWolf]

Just remember, if you buy a Kindle instead of a Kobo, you will not be able to borrow eBooks from Overdrive in Canada.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Silverty

I don't have firsthand knowledge. I can't even check a big box store because you can't get kindles from anywhere BUT the amazon.ca store here. But I have researched a lot in preparation of black friday sales.

I'm pretty sure they are exempt because Canada has laws in place to stop this. If not, I would probably end up buying a special offer Voyage to try and get that $300 sticker price down lower. I have yet to see a single review that mentioned it and the website make no mention of special offers or how to turn them off by paying.

It would seem silly that Amazon would only offer Special Offer kindle only and give Canadians no option to take it off because if I cheapened out and bought a PW3, I would for sure go pay extra to get rid of the ads.

You are using a lot of assumptions for someone making definitive statements.

Just because there is not an option to remove ads at time of purchase doesn't mean there isn't a way to remove them directly from the Kindle. It works that way with American Kindles. It's in the settings.

I just think if you are advising someone on what to buy, you should confirm what you say is true, or at least clarify when you mare making assumptions.

[s97thli]

Here's a screenshot of someone asking this question on amazon.ca

https://gyazo.com/9c8002ff5c0c2264aaf3e755f740ef84

Kinda confusing still, but sheds some light.

[s97thli]

Originally Posted by Silverty

I don't have firsthand knowledge. I can't even check a big box store because you can't get kindles from anywhere BUT the amazon.ca store here. But I have researched a lot in preparation of black friday sales.

I'm pretty sure they are exempt because Canada has laws in place to stop this. If not, I would probably end up buying a special offer Voyage to try and get that $300 sticker price down lower. I have yet to see a single review that mentioned it and the website make no mention of special offers or how to turn them off by paying.

It would seem silly that Amazon would only offer Special Offer kindle only and give Canadians no option to take it off because if I cheapened out and bought a PW3, I would for sure go pay extra to get rid of the ads.

Have you thought about the Aura 2016 edition at all? What if there's a reaaally good deal on Black Friday? It's hilarious how we're on the same boat / along the same line of thinking lol.

[liandera]

Originally Posted by Silverty

I don't have firsthand knowledge. I can't even check a big box store because you can't get kindles from anywhere BUT the amazon.ca store here. But I have researched a lot in preparation of black friday sales.

I'm pretty sure they are exempt because Canada has laws in place to stop this. If not, I would probably end up buying a special offer Voyage to try and get that $300 sticker price down lower. I have yet to see a single review that mentioned it and the website make no mention of special offers or how to turn them off by paying.

It would seem silly that Amazon would only offer Special Offer kindle only and give Canadians no option to take it off because if I cheapened out and bought a PW3, I would for sure go pay extra to get rid of the ads.

I also noticed there didn't seem to be an option to choose a PW3 with no "special offers" when I was shopping around, but nevertheless my father's does have them. I didn't even know about the ads possibility until I borrowed his. However it does look like there are options to disable them, from the post above with the link to the question on Amazon.

I also think a lot of people honestly don't even realize they have ads. My father, for example. He bought the sleepcover to go with his kindle, so when he closes the cover it goes to sleep and when he opens the cover it comes out of sleep mode - meaning he never really sees the ads. He was surprised when I mentioned it (though he also tends to be oblivious about some things in general haha). But I took it out of his sleepcover to see if that was adding to the weight, which was bothersome to my arthritic hands, and so they were noticeable to me. But, as stated above, it does look like they can be removed so don't let the possibility of them affect your decision!

Also I'm not sure where you live, but over here The Source has kindles you can look at in store. Not sure about other stores as I wasn't looking for them specifically.

[JSWolf]

I guess you don't want to borrow free eBooks from Overdrive.

[barryem]

Originally Posted by s97thli

That's the thing that kind of holds me back from Kobo..

I know people say "the only people that speak are the ones that have issues", but there's simply a larger number of people complaining about the reliability of Kobos.

For what it's worth I currently own 3 Kobo Auras. The oldest one was ordered soon after they first became available 2 or 3 years ago. I got the other two recently from Ebay. All have worked just fine. None have ever broken or stopped working.

I previously had a Kobo Glo which I used for a few years and a friend has had it and uses it daily ever since. I also had 3 Kobo Mini's, all of which are still being used by friends. None of these has ever had any problems.

I prefer Kindles to Kobos although the tiny size of the Aura is awfully nice. But I think the Kobos are just as sturdy as the Kindles.

By the way my old Aura, the one I bought when they first came out, hasn't been in it's case most of the time. It lives on my sofa where I can grab it without getting up. It's been sat on a couple of times. It's still doing well.

Barry

[Silverty]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

You are using a lot of assumptions for someone making definitive statements.

Just because there is not an option to remove ads at time of purchase doesn't mean there isn't a way to remove them directly from the Kindle. It works that way with American Kindles. It's in the settings.

I just think if you are advising someone on what to buy, you should confirm what you say is true, or at least clarify when you mare making assumptions.

I'm just trying to give my understanding of this matter. I am in the same boat as op. We are both trying to make a decision with as much info as can be found. This is what I have found.

One thing that has stuck with me is a reviewer who said they couldn't wait for the Voyage to come to Canada so they crossed the border to get theirs and when they were back in Canada, the ads on their machine froze on the last one they saw in the USA.

[Silverty]

Originally Posted by s97thli

Have you thought about the Aura 2016 edition at all? What if there's a reaaally good deal on Black Friday? It's hilarious how we're on the same boat / along the same line of thinking lol.

It's actually pretty funny that we're both waiting for this mystical black Friday sales. I'll admit now if they aren't great, I will continue to wait for Boxing Day. Lol

I actually was considering Aura E2 but after handling it a few times in Chapters, I've decided against it because I already have a Kobo glo and I didn't see much of an upgrade in the Aura E2.

[JSWolf]

I've never seen or read of a Kindle with special offers freeze because of the special offers.

A Kindle bought from Amazon.ca does not come with special offers (ads) so you don't have to worry about getting one with ads.

But, Kindles are NOT compatible with eBooks from overdrive in Canada. So keep that in mind that you lose access to free eBooks if your local library has Overdrive.

[Silverty]

Originally Posted by liandera

Also I'm not sure where you live, but over here The Source has kindles you can look at in store. Not sure about other stores as I wasn't looking for them specifically.

Does it for you? Because I just checked their website and all I see is Kobo. I wish they did.

But if anyone is interested in a Kobo Glo HD, it says they still have some available online!

[Silverty]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I've never seen or read of a Kindle with special offers freeze because of the special offers.

A Kindle bought from Amazon.ca does not come with special offers (ads) so you don't have to worry about getting one with ads.

But, Kindles are NOT compatible with eBooks from overdrive in Canada. So keep that in mind that you lose access to free eBooks if your local library has Overdrive.

Good to know because I was really beginning to wonder and actually be mad at Amazon for surprising me with ads.

I do borrow from the library but sadly mine doesn't have overdrive.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Silverty

Good to know because I was really beginning to wonder and actually be mad at Amazon for surprising me with ads.

I do borrow from the library but sadly mine doesn't have overdrive.

Can you sign up for a card from a library that supports Overdrive? I've signed up for multiple libraries in my state in the US.

[Silverty]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Can you sign up for a card from a library that supports Overdrive? I've signed up for multiple libraries in my state in the US.

I may be able to in a nearby city. Usually that costs a fee right?