Kobo Discounts: Coupon Codes + Discussion

[Fbone]

This is sad news

How will we manage? I'm already feeling a little shaky.

[BuyMore]

Dang it. It's bad to have a shitty distribution ratio, and now we can't even use the code? (For us outside of Canada, US, and UK.)

I don't know what Kobo tries to gain from this contest.

[BearMountainBooks]

I have a thirty percent if anyone needs it--although at this point I'm assuming everyone is waiting/trying for the higher codes.

[mitford13]

' Those were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end...'


Ah well, India + perkopolis still helps me out with all the pre-US releases from the UK...
Still...

[Lynx-lynx]

Thinking through this idea of Kobo's of having a fixed link of books on which the codes apply, because of the limited number of books it takes away the incentive to continue to play if one can't find a book they're interested in.

Maybe Kobo doesn't really want people to play the Contests in the first place.

Think about it, if a person enters one account in the Contest and then they win 10 different prize codes and have to choose from a very limited supply of books and none of the books interest them then what's the point of the Contest.

I think Kobo is shooting itself in the foot with such a restrictive list of choices.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

Thinking through this idea of Kobo's of having a fixed link of books on which the codes apply, because of the limited number of books it takes away the incentive to continue to play if one can't find a book they're interested in.

Maybe Kobo doesn't really want people to play the Contests in the first place.

Think about it, if a person enters one account in the Contest and then they win 10 different prize codes and have to choose from a very limited supply of books and none of the books interest them then what's the point of the Contest.

I think Kobo is shooting itself in the foot with such a restrictive list of choices.

I think it's exactly opposite. To change metaphors, it's the contestants who killed the goose that laid the golden egg.

Let me be clear; I'm not pointing the finger at anyone, because I happily and greedily sought and used the high codes myself. But the contests became grossly abused, with people generating hundreds of codes to the point where anything under 65% was largely disdained. So the distribution of discounts went kerflooey compared to the tables and it didn't even work as a marketing tool, as fake emails were the agent.

The contests as they were had become a losing strategy for Kobo. I think all they can do now, and what they're trying to do here, is rein in people's expectations to a much more reasonable level regarding how often they can expect discounts and how good those discounts will be. But it'll be a rough adjustment on both parts; Kobo's sales will undoubtedly be down in the immediate term and customers will feel cheated when they're expected to pay close to list for a book.

The good times had to end. It wasn't sustainable. It hasn't happened yet, but I expect one day they'll start enforcing geographic restrictions and verifying IP locations and credit card addresses. In the end, I'll miss the ability to buy books not sold in the USA more than I'll miss the discounts.

[Canuck_in_Japan]

Originally Posted by issybird

I think it's exactly opposite. To change metaphors, it's the contestants who killed the goose that laid the golden egg.

Let me be clear; I'm not pointing the finger at anyone, because I happily and greedily sought and used the high codes myself. But the contests became grossly abused, with people generating hundreds of codes to the point where anything under 65% was largely disdained. So the distribution of discounts went kerflooey compared to the tables and it didn't even work as a marketing tool, as fake emails were the agent.

The contests as they were had become a losing strategy for Kobo. I think all they can do now, and what they're trying to do here, is rein in people's expectations to a much more reasonable level regarding how often they can expect discounts and how good those discounts will be. But it'll be a rough adjustment on both parts; Kobo's sales will undoubtedly be down in the immediate term and customers will feel cheated when they're expected to pay close to list for a book.

The good times had to end. It wasn't sustainable. It hasn't happened yet, but I expect one day they'll start enforcing geographic restrictions and verifying IP locations and credit card addresses. In the end, I'll miss the ability to buy books not sold in the USA more than I'll miss the discounts.

Very good post. I remember the days when an unlimited 40% off code was like some kind of mana from heaven. Now I can't even be bothered to use it and even the 55% off codes are slightly disappointing. Obviously we have to readjust our thinking. Fortunately, at about 30 books a year I've got a 10 year backlog so I can afford to wait for those rarer deals.

[Rev. Bob]

Originally Posted by Canuck_in_Japan

Very good post. I remember the days when an unlimited 40% off code was like some kind of mana from heaven. Now I can't even be bothered to use it and even the 55% off codes are slightly disappointing. Obviously we have to readjust our thinking.

I'm just glad I was able to fill so much of my backlist before this new development. Yes, there are still several books I want to get, but most of them are older books where the rights have reverted and they've been republished by promo-eligible publishers. There are a handful of exceptions, but it's a small handful; I'll survive.

[OrientalReader]

I have some good news!! Not related to Kobo contest, sorry. But this site HumbleBundle gives you to PAY WHAT YOU WANT on selected Harpercollins ebooks, (they are available in many formats) Check out there are bestsellers like American Gods by Neil Gaiman.


https://www.humblebundle.com/books?u...b9d7-125554069

And hurry up, it's not forever!

[Mura35]

issybird +1

I realise some ebooks are expensive, but usually I pay no more than 5-6 dollars per book. In comparison, I pay the same - $4.75 - for my green tea latte at Starbucks. What takes longer to consume and leaves greater impression?

There are 6-7 books I want every month and perkopolis works wonders without ruining the company, robbing the authors or wiping out my savings. Might snatch a nicer code for a very expensive book, but buying out the stock? When would I even find time to read this many books? ha-ha

[JoHunt]

sad to learn of this latest development.

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

Thinking through this idea of Kobo's of having a fixed link of books on which the codes apply, because of the limited number of books it takes away the incentive to continue to play if one can't find a book they're interested in.

Just to be clear, the codes can be applied to all promo-eligible books in the US, UK and Canada stores, or only to specific books in these stores on a fixed link ?

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by joehunt

Just to be clear, the codes can be applied to all promo-eligible books in the US, UK and Canada stores, or only to specific books in these stores on a fixed link ?

From what I can tell from trying a 30% I got today on various books they work as always, in the US anyway. The "Redeem Now" link on the contest screen & in the code email referred to earlier leads to the same page that it has for previous contests which is a selection of coupon eligible books, but also says "Save on these titles & more!"

[indyglow]

I checked on few books in my wishlist on US Kobo website and the trivia codes are getting applied just fine, so instead of traveling to India I would now travel to US, though the prices in US store are somewhat higher than what they are in Indian kobo store.

[indyglow]

So yes, higher value codes have not lost their significance. Cheer up lynx-lynx!

[GtrsRGr8]

Originally Posted by library addict

. . . .
Fingers crossed they'll still give out the occasional 60% - 80% one-time use coupon codes that were good in multiple countries like in the old days.
. . . .

I don't know if 5% is meaningful to you, but the announcement that I got said that the discount would be up to 75%.

BTW--I got a code for 25% off if anyone wants it. Anyone? Anyone? *crickets chirping* *pin dropping*