How can this be?

surrealmind · 05-23-2010, 06:32 PM

So I'm casually browsing ebook readers on EBay today, and I stumble upon this seller hawking Kindle 2's w/o Wifi for about $100: http://cgi.ebay.com/EBook-reader-EBo...item2a07526ca0. My question is, how in the world is it possible to have a batch of new Kindle 2s that don't have wifi, and what's more, to sell them for $100? Is it possible that someone got a hold of a batch of defective units, or does this reek of stolen goods? A Kindle 2 at $100 is definitely an eye catcher.

rcuadro · 05-23-2010, 06:44 PM

Perhaps stolen and banned by amazon?

Kali Yuga · 05-23-2010, 08:25 PM

Yeah, something is up.

Besides, a Kindle with no 3g and no store access has pretty limited utility. I'd pass.

Iphinome · 05-23-2010, 08:36 PM

On the other hand a kindle that doesn't send information on your reading habits back to amazon and can be loaded with public domain titles and drm free ones from Baen at $100 sounds like a much cheaper sony reader. I'd have still bought a kindle without 3g, that wasn't a selling point to me, it was a drawback.

But ya they're probably hot I'd stay away.

rcuadro · 05-23-2010, 08:43 PM

I sent the guy an email to see

surrealmind · 05-23-2010, 08:44 PM

You know, I just sort of assumed they were stolen too until I noticed the quantity that (s)he is selling. The whole thing is just weird. If they are stolen, it almost suggests there's a large black market for stolen Kindles. Which, if true, is sad to see; so many people's e-reading joy snuffed out by banditti.

surrealmind · 05-23-2010, 08:45 PM

Quote:

I sent the guy an email to see

Ha, stick it to them, eh? You are gutsier than I am.

NNolan · 05-23-2010, 10:40 PM

I've heard that the large lots on eBay are stolen from the Amazon warehouses. Then there are scammers on Craigslist that sell you a Kindle/iPad/etc cheap for cash, then call you up with some sob story about how they sold said Kindle/iPad/etc in error and offer to buy it back for more money, but you have to take a check from them. That check bounces, of course.

05-23-2010, 06:32 PM	#1
surrealmind Connoisseur Posts: 71 Karma: 22 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Nook Color CM7, EB 1150, TC1100	How can this be? So I'm casually browsing ebook readers on EBay today, and I stumble upon this seller hawking Kindle 2's w/o Wifi for about $100: http://cgi.ebay.com/EBook-reader-EBo...item2a07526ca0. My question is, how in the world is it possible to have a batch of new Kindle 2s that don't have wifi, and what's more, to sell them for $100? Is it possible that someone got a hold of a batch of defective units, or does this reek of stolen goods? A Kindle 2 at $100 is definitely an eye catcher.

05-23-2010, 06:44 PM	#2
rcuadro Wizard Posts: 1,686 Karma: 874275 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Device: Kindle DX	Perhaps stolen and banned by amazon?

05-23-2010, 08:25 PM	#3
Kali Yuga Professional Contrarian Posts: 2,045 Karma: 3289631 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle 4 No Touchie	Yeah, something is up. Besides, a Kindle with no 3g and no store access has pretty limited utility. I'd pass.

05-23-2010, 08:36 PM	#4
Iphinome Paladin of Eris Posts: 3,119 Karma: 20849349 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: USAland Device: Kindle 10	On the other hand a kindle that doesn't send information on your reading habits back to amazon and can be loaded with public domain titles and drm free ones from Baen at $100 sounds like a much cheaper sony reader. I'd have still bought a kindle without 3g, that wasn't a selling point to me, it was a drawback. But ya they're probably hot I'd stay away.

05-23-2010, 08:43 PM	#5
rcuadro Wizard Posts: 1,686 Karma: 874275 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Device: Kindle DX	I sent the guy an email to see

05-23-2010, 08:44 PM	#6
surrealmind Connoisseur Posts: 71 Karma: 22 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Nook Color CM7, EB 1150, TC1100	You know, I just sort of assumed they were stolen too until I noticed the quantity that (s)he is selling. The whole thing is just weird. If they are stolen, it almost suggests there's a large black market for stolen Kindles. Which, if true, is sad to see; so many people's e-reading joy snuffed out by banditti.

05-23-2010, 10:40 PM	#8
NNolan Compulsive Gadget Geek Posts: 406 Karma: 4219324 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: South Central Virginia Device: One of each, and two in some cases	I've heard that the large lots on eBay are stolen from the Amazon warehouses. Then there are scammers on Craigslist that sell you a Kindle/iPad/etc cheap for cash, then call you up with some sob story about how they sold said Kindle/iPad/etc in error and offer to buy it back for more money, but you have to take a check from them. That check bounces, of course.

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