I think I'm going to return my Kindle 2

johnstu · 02-02-2010, 10:11 AM

I've had the Kindle 2 for nearly a month now and am happy with it in general.

However I'm not happy with the cost of books in the UK.The $14.09 (plus any bank charges that we have to pay is a bit much. and we don't get the internet functionality of our American friends.

On top of that we face the newly empowered publishers grinning at their deal with Apple keen to push up the price of kindle books in the US up to $14.99 leaving we international customers with an even steeper price tag.

does anyone have any words to encourage me to stick with the kindle before I seal up the box and send it back?

daffy4u · 02-02-2010, 10:36 AM

If you truly like the Kindle there is no reason you can't buy books from other sources in any format and convert them for use on your Kindle (depending on how comfortable you are with DRM liberation).

TallMomof2 · 02-02-2010, 10:36 AM

Since you already own a 505 I can't think of anything to persuade to keep the K2. Anything I would say would apply to the 505.

johnstu · 02-02-2010, 10:56 AM

Thanks,

I love the 505 but was attracted to the Kindle for the whispernet delivery and browsing and (ironically) the $9.99 book prices on the amazon store.

I have no plans to leave ereading, just the kindle. I think if I was in the US it would be the reader that would make the most sense for me but not here in the UK. I'm pretty much decided that I'm going to stick with my Sony(s) for now.

lene1949 · 02-03-2010, 02:51 AM

Nearly everyday there are free books for the kindle... Of course they cost 2 bucks, but that's still cheap..

Edit: For people outside USA, that is.

Zorz · 02-03-2010, 04:48 AM

To be honest I only use my kindle for newspapers from calibre and scraped, as well as books from the nypl. I really never plan on buying a book from amazon.

Mike L · 02-03-2010, 07:23 AM

I agree with Daffy4U. No-one is forcing you to buy your Kindle books from Amazon. It's a competitive market. Shop around.

JetSetter · 02-03-2010, 10:47 AM

You might consider that things change. Write Amazon to tell them your comments. If they hear from enough non-American Kindle owners, they may change their policy. I mean, remember that they didn't even have Kindle available for international customers a year ago. I expect the changes in book prices means that Amazon will need to find another way to attract customers and stay competitive. Apple is very international as well, so Amazon will need to compete with them on a global level.

If you aren't happy though, then go ahead and return it. If I were in your position I would hold out, because the minute you return it, they'll suddenly change everything. I bought a US Kindle before moving overseas...a few months later they lowered the Kindle's price and released the international Kindle...why didn't I just hold out? The answer is that I didn't think they would release an international Kindle so soon. That's what I get for underestimating how fast things can change. I do love my Kindle though, so I try not to think about it too much.

johnstu · 02-03-2010, 03:48 PM

Thanks again everyone, there have been some interesting responses to ponder.

As was mentioned above I do have a couple of Sony readers as well so while considering what to do I've been concentrating on what I'm losing in functionality in returning the Kindle. I lose search within a book, dictionary, text to speech and the whispernet.

Text to speech I can live without. Dictionary is also no great loss, I can look up anything I want on my phone. The wispernet is one thing I wanted the kindle for, but I can wait till I get to a computer to buy for the Sony.

But the search, I really think I'll miss the search. "Who was that character?" my mind asks. Quickly search and my memory is refreshed. Reference works are much more useful with a search function.

That's what it's coming down to; do I want a search function more than a $249 refund? That's an expensive search. But I kind of do want it.

Jetsetter has an interesting point. Amazon didn't become Amazon without knowing a thing or two about marketing so they probably do have a trick or two up their sleeve. If I do send it back then they annonce a deal with international 3G carriers cutting out the $2 premium then I'm going to feel a bit annoyed with myself. Especially as to get a new one I'll have to fork out for shipping and import tax again.

Maybe I can convince one of my relatives to move to America...

bwaldron · 02-03-2010, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnstu

But the search, I really think I'll miss the search. "Who was that character?" my mind asks. Quickly search and my memory is refreshed. Reference works are much more useful with a search function.

That's the thing, it's a personal choice. I can live without the search, but not the dictionary.

The feature sets on current readers are just enough different to make weighing pros and cons a pretty tricky proposition.

Good luck making your decision!

syfr · 02-03-2010, 05:42 PM

Is it really right to return a reader because you just noticed the cost of media?

dmaul1114 · 02-03-2010, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike L

I agree with Daffy4U. No-one is forcing you to buy your Kindle books from Amazon. It's a competitive market. Shop around.

But since he has a Sony 505, not much reason to keep the K2 outside of the Amazon store, since he could put books from anywhere else on the 505 just like he could the K2.

fugazied · 02-03-2010, 07:12 PM

Yes it's not the best situation for international Kindle users. The Sony is a much more compelling device for international people.

I wonder if the iPad will also have additional charges and restrictions for international users - we'll soon see!

kennyc · 02-03-2010, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fugazied

Yes it's not the best situation for international Kindle users. The Sony is a much more compelling device for international people.

I wonder if the iPad will also have additional charges and restrictions for international users - we'll soon see!

The same geographic restrictions will apply...

angelad · 02-03-2010, 09:10 PM

You can always turn to the dark side and start downloading books illegally, or just stick with cheapies. To give K2 away, now that's a crime

02-02-2010, 10:11 AM	#1
johnstu Member Posts: 19 Karma: 86 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Epsom, UK Device: Sony PRS505, iPhone, Kindle 2, iPad 2	I think I'm going to return my Kindle 2 I've had the Kindle 2 for nearly a month now and am happy with it in general. However I'm not happy with the cost of books in the UK.The $14.09 (plus any bank charges that we have to pay is a bit much. and we don't get the internet functionality of our American friends. On top of that we face the newly empowered publishers grinning at their deal with Apple keen to push up the price of kindle books in the US up to $14.99 leaving we international customers with an even steeper price tag. does anyone have any words to encourage me to stick with the kindle before I seal up the box and send it back?

02-03-2010, 02:51 AM	#5
lene1949 Wizard Posts: 1,952 Karma: 213930 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Middelfart, Denmark Device: Kindle paper white	Nearly everyday there are free books for the kindle... Of course they cost 2 bucks, but that's still cheap.. Edit: For people outside USA, that is. Last edited by lene1949; 02-03-2010 at 02:57 AM.

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02-02-2010, 10:36 AM	#2
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	If you truly like the Kindle there is no reason you can't buy books from other sources in any format and convert them for use on your Kindle (depending on how comfortable you are with DRM liberation).

02-02-2010, 10:36 AM	#3
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	Since you already own a 505 I can't think of anything to persuade to keep the K2. Anything I would say would apply to the 505.

02-02-2010, 10:56 AM	#4
johnstu Member Posts: 19 Karma: 86 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Epsom, UK Device: Sony PRS505, iPhone, Kindle 2, iPad 2	Thanks, I love the 505 but was attracted to the Kindle for the whispernet delivery and browsing and (ironically) the $9.99 book prices on the amazon store. I have no plans to leave ereading, just the kindle. I think if I was in the US it would be the reader that would make the most sense for me but not here in the UK. I'm pretty much decided that I'm going to stick with my Sony(s) for now.

02-03-2010, 04:48 AM	#6
Zorz Zealot Posts: 134 Karma: 36 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: Kindle 2i	To be honest I only use my kindle for newspapers from calibre and scraped, as well as books from the nypl. I really never plan on buying a book from amazon.

02-03-2010, 07:23 AM	#7
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	I agree with Daffy4U. No-one is forcing you to buy your Kindle books from Amazon. It's a competitive market. Shop around.

02-03-2010, 10:47 AM	#8
JetSetter Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle 2	You might consider that things change. Write Amazon to tell them your comments. If they hear from enough non-American Kindle owners, they may change their policy. I mean, remember that they didn't even have Kindle available for international customers a year ago. I expect the changes in book prices means that Amazon will need to find another way to attract customers and stay competitive. Apple is very international as well, so Amazon will need to compete with them on a global level. If you aren't happy though, then go ahead and return it. If I were in your position I would hold out, because the minute you return it, they'll suddenly change everything. I bought a US Kindle before moving overseas...a few months later they lowered the Kindle's price and released the international Kindle...why didn't I just hold out? The answer is that I didn't think they would release an international Kindle so soon. That's what I get for underestimating how fast things can change. I do love my Kindle though, so I try not to think about it too much.

02-03-2010, 03:48 PM	#9
johnstu Member Posts: 19 Karma: 86 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Epsom, UK Device: Sony PRS505, iPhone, Kindle 2, iPad 2	Thanks again everyone, there have been some interesting responses to ponder. As was mentioned above I do have a couple of Sony readers as well so while considering what to do I've been concentrating on what I'm losing in functionality in returning the Kindle. I lose search within a book, dictionary, text to speech and the whispernet. Text to speech I can live without. Dictionary is also no great loss, I can look up anything I want on my phone. The wispernet is one thing I wanted the kindle for, but I can wait till I get to a computer to buy for the Sony. But the search, I really think I'll miss the search. "Who was that character?" my mind asks. Quickly search and my memory is refreshed. Reference works are much more useful with a search function. That's what it's coming down to; do I want a search function more than a $249 refund? That's an expensive search. But I kind of do want it. Jetsetter has an interesting point. Amazon didn't become Amazon without knowing a thing or two about marketing so they probably do have a trick or two up their sleeve. If I do send it back then they annonce a deal with international 3G carriers cutting out the $2 premium then I'm going to feel a bit annoyed with myself. Especially as to get a new one I'll have to fork out for shipping and import tax again. Maybe I can convince one of my relatives to move to America...

02-03-2010, 05:42 PM	#11
syfr Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: kindle2	Is it really right to return a reader because you just noticed the cost of media?

02-03-2010, 07:12 PM	#13
fugazied Wizard Posts: 1,305 Karma: 1958 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: iPod Touch	Yes it's not the best situation for international Kindle users. The Sony is a much more compelling device for international people. I wonder if the iPad will also have additional charges and restrictions for international users - we'll soon see!

02-03-2010, 09:10 PM	#15
angelad Groupie Posts: 163 Karma: 64 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: kindle dx	You can always turn to the dark side and start downloading books illegally, or just stick with cheapies. To give K2 away, now that's a crime

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