Buying a used Kindle?

FauxTaimer · 10-02-2011, 02:58 AM

So, I've read the horror stories involved with second hand Kindles, but there is obviously a way of making this transaction safe for both parties involved. If I was to buy a used Kindle in person, what steps would be involved to ensure that I dont end up with a paper weight?

I have a phone with internet access so access to Amazon is possible.

Harry_Y · 10-02-2011, 01:45 PM

Have the send you the Serial # and then call amazon to make sure it is OK

Get a Receipt, and some form of ID.

Or be safe and just buy a new one

RDaneel54 · 10-02-2011, 02:07 PM

I agree, to be safe just buy a new one. The Kindle Keyboard (formerly Kindle 3) is just $99 for Wifi with special offers or $139 with 3G and wifi. Free shipping and a great guarantee and customer service to boot.

And the new Kindle is only $79!

Compared to that, anything used just has too much baggage.

But that's me. You may view this differently.

soulfuldog · 10-02-2011, 02:30 PM

I'd always want to see the item working, check that it charges etc, and even if buying in person, it's worth paying via Paypal if you can. However, unless you can get it for a reasonable used price (half the new value), considering the price of the new Kindle 4 (WSO), is it really worth it?

Out of idle curiosity I was looking at the prices of used Kindles on ebay just a few days ago. I was surprised to see them going for around the same price as a refurbished Kindle (in the UK) or a new Kindle 4 (US).

Blossom · 10-02-2011, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry_Y

Have the send you the Serial # and then call amazon to make sure it is OK

Get a Receipt, and some form of ID.

Or be safe and just buy a new one

As someone who is considering selling her K3 I have to ask. Is it safe to give out your Serial number to a potential buyer is there someway this person could steal it and use it and mess things up for you?

pidgeon92 · 10-02-2011, 03:49 PM

I think buying second-hand is a lot of trouble to go through for something that is now relatively cheap. What's your time worth?

BrowseTheStacks · 10-02-2011, 06:37 PM

If in person make sure it will register to your amazon account. If it will not then its "black listed".

Harry_Y · 10-02-2011, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

As someone who is considering selling her K3 I have to ask. Is it safe to give out your Serial number to a potential buyer is there someway this person could steal it and use it and mess things up for you?

I really do not know

That may be worth asking Amazon

Laforet · 10-03-2011, 05:46 AM

I bought a used K3 3G with broken screen on fleabay and told the buyer that I will withhold my feedback until I have successfully registered the device to my account. Had to wait for replacement screen parts to arrive to be able to see serial number but all went well in the end.

HarryT · 10-03-2011, 05:57 AM

I would suggest only buying on eBay from a person with a good feedback record. A seller with a long record of 100% positive feedback is very unlikely to want to cheat you.

boof · 10-03-2011, 08:24 AM

Forgive my ignorance - how would a kindle become black listed?

HarryT · 10-03-2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boof

Forgive my ignorance - how would a kindle become black listed?

If it's reported to Amazon by its owner as having been lost or stolen.

Eg, we had a report here a few days ago from someone who bought a Kindle 2nd-hand, which had been blacklisted, so he couldn't register it. It turns out that the person who sold it to him had found it on a train and, rather than doing the honest thing and handing it in, had sold it.

boof · 10-03-2011, 08:30 AM

I see - obvious in retrospect! Thanks.

I was contemplating ebaying my Kindle 3 to help fund purchase of one of the new models, I hadn't even given thought that it could be a minefield for buyers.

monkeyluis · 10-03-2011, 09:26 AM

I'd say their cheap enough to just buy a new one. If you need to get rid of one, donate it. Or sell it on gazelle.com

just_jeepin · 10-03-2011, 10:20 AM

FYI - I was thinking of selling mine to get a Kindle4 Touch but Gazelle won't take a Kindle 3 Wifi (as of 10/3).

10-02-2011, 02:58 AM	#1
FauxTaimer Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Kindle	Buying a used Kindle? So, I've read the horror stories involved with second hand Kindles, but there is obviously a way of making this transaction safe for both parties involved. If I was to buy a used Kindle in person, what steps would be involved to ensure that I dont end up with a paper weight? I have a phone with internet access so access to Amazon is possible.

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10-02-2011, 01:45 PM	#2
Harry_Y Addict Posts: 305 Karma: 704492 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NY Device: Kindle 3, Kindle DX, Galaxy Tab 2	Have the send you the Serial # and then call amazon to make sure it is OK Get a Receipt, and some form of ID. Or be safe and just buy a new one

10-02-2011, 02:07 PM	#3
RDaneel54 Aging Positronic Brain Posts: 633 Karma: 2155452 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Aurora (when off-Earth) Device: Amazon Oasis; iPhone, iPad Mini	I agree, to be safe just buy a new one. The Kindle Keyboard (formerly Kindle 3) is just $99 for Wifi with special offers or $139 with 3G and wifi. Free shipping and a great guarantee and customer service to boot. And the new Kindle is only $79! Compared to that, anything used just has too much baggage. But that's me. You may view this differently.

10-02-2011, 02:30 PM	#4
soulfuldog I ♥ Calibre Posts: 2,073 Karma: 5678911 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis, Voyage, Sony PRS-350, Hudl2	I'd always want to see the item working, check that it charges etc, and even if buying in person, it's worth paying via Paypal if you can. However, unless you can get it for a reasonable used price (half the new value), considering the price of the new Kindle 4 (WSO), is it really worth it? Out of idle curiosity I was looking at the prices of used Kindles on ebay just a few days ago. I was surprised to see them going for around the same price as a refurbished Kindle (in the UK) or a new Kindle 4 (US).

10-02-2011, 03:49 PM	#6
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	I think buying second-hand is a lot of trouble to go through for something that is now relatively cheap. What's your time worth?

10-02-2011, 06:37 PM	#7
BrowseTheStacks BrowseTheStacks Posts: 127 Karma: 24316 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tampa FL Device: Kindle 3 3G + WI-FI	If in person make sure it will register to your amazon account. If it will not then its "black listed".

10-03-2011, 05:46 AM	#9
Laforet Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle DX	I bought a used K3 3G with broken screen on fleabay and told the buyer that I will withhold my feedback until I have successfully registered the device to my account. Had to wait for replacement screen parts to arrive to be able to see serial number but all went well in the end.

10-03-2011, 05:57 AM	#10
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I would suggest only buying on eBay from a person with a good feedback record. A seller with a long record of 100% positive feedback is very unlikely to want to cheat you.

10-03-2011, 08:24 AM	#11
boof Member Posts: 14 Karma: 12 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle	Forgive my ignorance - how would a kindle become black listed?

10-03-2011, 08:30 AM	#13
boof Member Posts: 14 Karma: 12 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle	I see - obvious in retrospect! Thanks. I was contemplating ebaying my Kindle 3 to help fund purchase of one of the new models, I hadn't even given thought that it could be a minefield for buyers.

10-03-2011, 09:26 AM	#14
monkeyluis Banned Posts: 725 Karma: 656644 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Central Florida Device: iPad "3", Kindle Touch, Kindle Fire, iPhone 4S	I'd say their cheap enough to just buy a new one. If you need to get rid of one, donate it. Or sell it on gazelle.com

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10-03-2011, 10:20 AM	#15
just_jeepin Addict Posts: 306 Karma: 1010848 Join Date: Oct 2005 Device: Kobo Libra 2	FYI - I was thinking of selling mine to get a Kindle4 Touch but Gazelle won't take a Kindle 3 Wifi (as of 10/3).