Amazon now has Australian Kindle store.

pdurrant · 11-12-2013, 04:20 PM

The Digital Reader reports that Amazon has just opened a Kindle store in Australia.

This gives Australians much easier access to Kindles and Kindle ebooks, as previously they had to order from Amazon.com and pay in US$.

AnemicOak · 11-12-2013, 04:33 PM

I think this is the first time Amazon has launched a local store that only sells Kindles/Kindle books and no other types of products.

Lynx-lynx · 11-12-2013, 04:35 PM

Gee thanks for that info.

Isn't it amazing that Amazon didn't bother emailing it's Aus members about this!

After all, they know exactly who we are, because they try and block us using Amazon in countries other than Aus.

Just logged in and checking it out ...

Edit

Well, well, well ... they've actually got a section for Australian authors .... gee took 'em long enough!!

And I'm still searching to make sure that it says that the prices are in AUD .... just because the article says they are doesn't mean they are ...

Edit 2

The Daily Deal is specific to Aus books on day 1 anyways ...

Lynx-lynx · 11-12-2013, 05:25 PM

Here's Amazon's blurb:

Quote:

We're pleased to inform you that you can now shop for eBooks at Amazon.com.au. We have been working hard to bring you a great selection of eBooks, including Australian best sellers and hundreds of thousands of titles that are exclusive to Kindle. You can read local customer reviews and purchase eBooks in Australian Dollars.

On your Kindle Fire device, you will also have access to the new Australian Amazon Appstore with a great selection of quality Android apps, games and a growing library of Australian favourites. Australian Appstore has local customer reviews, updated Australian best sellers, and you can purchase apps and games in Australian Dollars.

To take advantage of the great selection, you can simply make Amazon.com.au your default store for digital content by clicking the button below. You do not need to create a new account and you can continue to shop for physical goods at Amazon.com or at Amazon.co.uk.

What will happen after you make Amazon.com.au your default store for digital content?

• You will be able to shop for Kindle eBooks at Amazon.com.au and access the Australian Kindle eBook store on all your Kindle devices and Kindle reading applications.
• You will also be able to shop the Australian Amazon Appstore on your Kindle Fire device. If you also shop the Amazon Appstore on another Android device, you will continue to access the Amazon.com Appstore on that device.
• You can continue to purchase physical goods at Amazon.com in US Dollars or at Amazon.co.uk in British Pounds.
• You will continue to have access to all of your past eBook and app purchases.
• If you currently have magazine or newspaper subscriptions, they will be cancelled and you will receive a pro-rated refund.
• If you have purchased Audiobooks from Audible.com, you will no longer be able to access those from your Kindle Fire device. However, you can continue to access your audiobooks by downloading them from Audible.com on a supported device.
• Amazon.com.au supports Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

DreamWriter · 11-12-2013, 07:07 PM

Here's a link to Amazon's press release: phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1875640.

Quote:

Amazon Launches Australian Kindle Store

The new Australian Kindle Store offers over 2 million eBooks sold in Australian dollars, the most English language best sellers including 9 of the 10 best sellers from the Sydney Morning Herald list and more than 400,000 Kindle-exclusive titles

The Australian Kindle Store is seamlessly integrated with the new Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Fire HD and Kindle Fire HDX—customers can search for a book directly from the device and start reading in 60 seconds or less

Kindle books are “Buy Once, Read Everywhere” with free Kindle reading apps for the most popular devices and platforms

The Kindle reading app will be available on Telstra Android devices via the TelstraOne app

SEATTLE—November 12, 2013—(NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon today launched the Australian Kindle Store, offering over 2 million eBooks, the most English language best sellers, more than 400,000 Kindle-exclusive titles, best-selling illustrated children’s and young adult books, cookbooks, comics and graphic novels, and more. Amazon also announced that in addition to Kindle Paperwhite, the all-new Kindle Fire HD and Kindle Fire HDX tablets are now on sale locally in Australia at Dick Smith and Big W stores—for more details, visit www.amazon.com.au.

Heitor · 11-12-2013, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

I think this is the first time Amazon has launched a local store that only sells Kindles/Kindle books and no other types of products.

Actually, the Brazilian Amazon store, launched in December 2012, is dedicated only to e-books and e-readers. I don't know if another one alike has opened before.

caleb72 · 11-12-2013, 10:39 PM

Wow - Kindle Fire is actually become relevant for Australians? No digital movie/music content yet though. I've been waiting to see if Amazon will jump into that market as I'm not particularly impressed with the current options.

Just realised how expensive the new Paperwhite 3G is. $209 without special offers. Say what?!

meeera · 11-12-2013, 11:48 PM

The current exchange rate is 1 USD to 1.07 AUD. GST is 10%. So why the prices?

Having a quick peek at the top sellers list in the launch shop, Allegiant is $11.99, while on the US Kindle store it's $6.99. The Rosie Project: equivalently priced. Hard Luck: $9.99 Aus, $7.47 US. The Luminaries: equivalent. Vicious Circle: $17.99 AUD, $12.59 US. Doctor Sleep: $19.99 AUD, $7.64 US. A Game of Thrones: $4.99 AU, $2.90 US. The Signature of All Things: equivalent. Just One Evil Act: $19.99 vs $6.59. The Book Thief: $12.99 vs $2.90.

Looks like it's just another venue for the Australia Tax. The only plus I can see is that they carry a few Aussie books that haven't been released in the US yet; but they're not books you can't get anywhere else.

Lynx-lynx · 11-13-2013, 03:37 AM

Jings, I think 'underwhelmed' describes what I think of the Amazon Aus site ....

jehane · 11-13-2013, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

The current exchange rate is 1 USD to 1.07 AUD. GST is 10%. So why the prices?<snip>

Looks like it's just another venue for the Australia Tax. The only plus I can see is that they carry a few Aussie books that haven't been released in the US yet; but they're not books you can't get anywhere else.

The books will probably be sourced from Australian publishers, who we all know set higher prices, so unless you are after Australian-only books you're almost certainly better off buying from another country if you can.

However this move will capture the far larger segment of the market who don't know about circumventing geo-restrictions and the Australia Tax.

Lynx-lynx · 11-13-2013, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jehane

The books will probably be sourced from Australian publishers, who we all know set higher prices, so unless you are after Australian-only books you're almost certainly better off buying from another country if you can.

However this move will capture the far larger segment of the market who don't know about circumventing geo-restrictions and the Australia Tax.

Oh yep I agree.

Avoid Amazon as much as possible and for example use Kobo with the ample volume of discount vouchers that seem to be constantly available.

Although some books on Kobo are dearer they're more than competitive when you use a discount voucher and often cheaper by a country mile depending on the size of the voucher.

Also, changing countries on Kobo is as easy as.

And of course with Kobo having declared that Norfolk Island is it's own country and priced it independently of Aus on a number of books (not all from what I see, and that I think depends on which published version it carries) then freely use that site.

Beware though that while Kobo Norfolk Island carries ebooks that are discountable there but not in Aus (depending on the published version they're carrying) the charge is in USD. Another odd Kobo quirk - to give an Aus island independent country status and then give it USD

alicepattinson · 11-13-2013, 07:46 PM

Oh the Kindle in Australia will only be for Aussie authors? :O

sabredog · 11-13-2013, 08:56 PM

Checked a few prices on the AU store against the US store. Definately higher prices.

I had hoped....but, silly me...

Xanthe · 11-13-2013, 09:06 PM

Saw this book on the first page of the new Australian Kindle store:

10 Vital Shed Facts

Only $15.65!

Quote:

Product Description
If you are looking at building or buying a shed than this is going to be the most exciting message you ever read.

Here's why:

Did you know work performed by non-licensed contractors, businesses or individuals may fail to receive final approval, may be unsafe, and may even be sub-standard. For the most protection, always use licensed contractors with the appropriate skills and experience.

It's true.

Did you also know it is most important to understand about shed building is that it requires advance planning. It would be a tremendous waste of time and effort to build a shed only to find out that it lacks ample space for everything that needs to be stored inside, or worse, it's so big that only a portion of it ends up being used.

Amazing, isn't it?

Introducing my amazing new e-book called, "10 Vital Shed Facts." It covers nearly everything you need to know about building or buying a shed ... as soon as TOMORROW.

You folks really into shed-building down there?

sabredog · 11-13-2013, 09:27 PM

Shed's are a big thing for a lot of Aussie blokes.

I only have a garden shed and a storage shed. However for some blokes, a massive shed provides space for a workshop, games room, hobby room all complete with air/con, carpeting, insulation and blokey decorations. In a nut shell, a man-cave.

So yeah, sheds are pretty big here.

11-12-2013, 04:20 PM	#1
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 71,504 Karma: 306214458 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Voyage	Amazon now has Australian Kindle store. The Digital Reader reports that Amazon has just opened a Kindle store in Australia. This gives Australians much easier access to Kindles and Kindle ebooks, as previously they had to order from Amazon.com and pay in US$. Last edited by pdurrant; 11-12-2013 at 04:43 PM.

11-12-2013, 04:35 PM	#3
Lynx-lynx Treachery of images ... Posts: 4,069 Karma: 91561091 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Australia Device: Blackberry Playbook, Sony 650, Kobo Glo, H2O, Aura One, Forma, Libra 2	Gee thanks for that info. Isn't it amazing that Amazon didn't bother emailing it's Aus members about this! After all, they know exactly who we are, because they try and block us using Amazon in countries other than Aus. Just logged in and checking it out ... Edit Well, well, well ... they've actually got a section for Australian authors .... gee took 'em long enough!! And I'm still searching to make sure that it says that the prices are in AUD .... just because the article says they are doesn't mean they are ... Edit 2 The Daily Deal is specific to Aus books on day 1 anyways ... Last edited by Lynx-lynx; 11-12-2013 at 04:44 PM.

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11-12-2013, 04:33 PM	#2
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	I think this is the first time Amazon has launched a local store that only sells Kindles/Kindle books and no other types of products.

11-12-2013, 10:39 PM	#7
caleb72 Indie Advocate Posts: 2,863 Karma: 18794463 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: Kindle	Wow - Kindle Fire is actually become relevant for Australians? No digital movie/music content yet though. I've been waiting to see if Amazon will jump into that market as I'm not particularly impressed with the current options. Just realised how expensive the new Paperwhite 3G is. $209 without special offers. Say what?!

11-12-2013, 11:48 PM	#8
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,658 Karma: 66417824 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	The current exchange rate is 1 USD to 1.07 AUD. GST is 10%. So why the prices? Having a quick peek at the top sellers list in the launch shop, Allegiant is $11.99, while on the US Kindle store it's $6.99. The Rosie Project: equivalently priced. Hard Luck: $9.99 Aus, $7.47 US. The Luminaries: equivalent. Vicious Circle: $17.99 AUD, $12.59 US. Doctor Sleep: $19.99 AUD, $7.64 US. A Game of Thrones: $4.99 AU, $2.90 US. The Signature of All Things: equivalent. Just One Evil Act: $19.99 vs $6.59. The Book Thief: $12.99 vs $2.90. Looks like it's just another venue for the Australia Tax. The only plus I can see is that they carry a few Aussie books that haven't been released in the US yet; but they're not books you can't get anywhere else.

11-13-2013, 03:37 AM	#9
Lynx-lynx Treachery of images ... Posts: 4,069 Karma: 91561091 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Australia Device: Blackberry Playbook, Sony 650, Kobo Glo, H2O, Aura One, Forma, Libra 2	Jings, I think 'underwhelmed' describes what I think of the Amazon Aus site ....

11-13-2013, 07:46 PM	#12
alicepattinson Banned Posts: 142 Karma: 2564052 Join Date: Jan 2013 Device: Kindle Fire	Oh the Kindle in Australia will only be for Aussie authors? :O

11-13-2013, 08:56 PM	#13
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,629 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	Checked a few prices on the AU store against the US store. Definately higher prices. I had hoped....but, silly me...

11-13-2013, 09:27 PM	#15
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,629 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	Shed's are a big thing for a lot of Aussie blokes. I only have a garden shed and a storage shed. However for some blokes, a massive shed provides space for a workshop, games room, hobby room all complete with air/con, carpeting, insulation and blokey decorations. In a nut shell, a man-cave. So yeah, sheds are pretty big here.

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