An abundance of Claras, a derth of Libra(s)

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by tomsem

Thanks. I am thinking about getting Clara Colour and shipping time matters not at all to me. Probably will go with Walmart if I order one.

Whether you order from Amazon or Walmart, you're ordering from Blue Proton now.

I can confirm back when I bought my Clara HD, Walmart sold them directly. I ordered it on a Tuesday and got it Wednesday.

Incidentally, I just got my Clara BW ten minutes ago. Ordered it June 12.

[RAH]

I ordered my Clara BW directly from Kobo (Rakuten Kobo in Canada, I think) on June 11 and it was delivered to me in NH via USPS on June 15. Pretty fast, I'd say! Just as an aside, I got it with the $20 cheap blue case and it is very nice, IMHO.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by RAH

I ordered my Clara BW directly from Kobo (Rakuten Kobo in Canada, I think) on June 11 and it was delivered to me in NH via USPS on June 15. Pretty fast, I'd say! Just as an aside, I got it with the $20 cheap blue case and it is very nice, IMHO.

That's pretty nice. I've just read too many stories about orders direct to Kobo not shipping for weeks or being held up in customs.

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

That's pretty nice. I've just read too many stories about orders direct to Kobo not shipping for weeks or being held up in customs.

That used to be the case when ordering from Kobo's website, at least for me. This time my LC arrived in 48hrs. from a fulfillment center in Boise, ID which was a first. I hope this means no more Canada => Customs => U.S.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Skydog

That used to be the case when ordering from Kobo's website, at least for me. This time my LC arrived in 48hrs. from a fulfillment center in Boise, ID which was a first. I hope this means no more Canada => Customs => U.S.

I've seen Boise associated with Kobo deliveries recently three or four times now. I wonder if Kobo is working with a fulfillment center in Boise? There's at least one (Verde Fulfillment USA) which has 11 locations nationwide (including two in Boise) and promises fast order fulfillment. But I think there are others as well. Maybe this is why Kobo broke away from Walmart?

EDIT: A closer look at Verde shows that it's a small company headquartered in Boise. So this is probably NOT who Kobo is working with.

[RAH]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I've seen Boise associated with Kobo deliveries recently three or four times now. I wonder if Kobo is working with a fulfillment center in Boise? There's at least one (Verde Fulfillment USA) which has 11 locations nationwide (including two in Boise) and promises fast order fulfillment. But I think there are others as well. Maybe this is why Kobo broke away from Walmart?

EDIT: A closer look at Verde shows that it's a small company headquartered in Boise. So this is probably NOT who Kobo is working with.

My order was sent via Boise too. It looks kind of like a USPS fulfillment center to me (but I don't know squat!). Here is the tracking for it (read from bottom up):
-------------------
Arrived at USPS Regional Destination Facility

NASHUA NH DISTRIBUTION CENTER

June 15, 2024, 12:25 am

In Transit to Next Facility

June 14, 2024, 3:27 pm

Departed USPS Regional Facility

BOISE ID DISTRIBUTION CENTER

June 14, 2024, 3:20 am

Arrived at USPS Regional Origin Facility

BOISE ID DISTRIBUTION CENTER

June 13, 2024, 9:24 pm

Accepted at USPS Origin Facility

BOISE, ID 83716

June 13, 2024, 8:09 pm

Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item

BOISE, ID 83716

June 13, 2024, 8:29 am

------------------
Anyway, it looks like buying from Kobo is now pretty reliable I think.

[ZodWallop]

I'm not sure where Blue Proton shipped mine from. Ultimate delivery was by Amazon, but it was handled over to them in Humble, Texas (a town not too far from me). I don't see tracking from before then, but it took five days.

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I'm not sure where Blue Proton shipped mine from. Ultimate delivery was by Amazon, but it was handled over to them in Humble, Texas (a town not too far from me). I don't see tracking from before then, but it took five days.

I once did a little research on Blue Proton and recall they have a B&M store on the East coast. (NY or NJ, IIRC) It has been my experience that transit time (coast to coast) has typically been 4-5 business days directly from Blue Proton via USPS.

[kyrilson]

Over the past 10 years, I have ordered 4 Kobo devices direct from Kobo and never had a problem. I’m in the US.

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by kyrilson

Over the past 10 years, I have ordered 4 Kobo devices direct from Kobo and never had a problem. I’m in the US.

It's not a matter of having a problem, it's a matter of extremely slow process and transit times previously from Kobo directly. A couple of days to process, a couple more to US customs where the order would sit at least two days before finally moving through the system to the final destination. Always 7 - 10 business days in total. Poor compared to its competitors.

[PHughes]

Originally Posted by rcentros

My "too bad" is that you can no longer get 2 day shipping. In the U.S. both Walmart and Amazon used to offer two day shipping for Kobos — so, if that was still the case, ZodWallop could have ordered a new Kobo and received it before he left on his cruise.

As for Blue Proton, I don't know anything about them, except that their shipping is slower than what Amazon or Walmart used to offer. If I bought a Clara from Walmart today — for example — I wouldn't receive it until June 20th. When I bought my Clara HD from Walmart a couple years ago I picked it up the next day (or the day after that?).

I like it when there's competition. Before Blue Proton became the only seller of Kobos in the U.S. (besides Kobo themselves) even their own shipping was faster. Now that it's exclusively them (or Kobo), it appears they have no incentive to ship quickly. Walmart's and Amazon's two day shipping spoiled me.

I ordered a Clara BW today, July 3, since my Clara HD decided to die yesterday. and I have been unable to resurrect it. I ordered on Amazon, from Blue Proton, after first checking on Kobo's site and seeing that they are an authorized Kobo dealer. They offered Prime shipping, and I will get it on the 7th. It is delayed by the holiday, but that is normal.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by PHughes

I ordered a Clara BW today, July 3, since my Clara HD decided to die yesterday. and I have been unable to resurrect it. I ordered on Amazon, from Blue Proton, after first checking on Kobo's site and seeing that they are an authorized Kobo dealer. They offered Prime shipping, and I will get it on the 7th. It is delayed by the holiday, but that is normal.

That's good to know. Last time I checked they weren't offering Prime shipping. They were sold AND shipped by Blue Proton at that time. This is good news.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by rcentros

That's good to know. Last time I checked they weren't offering Prime shipping. They were sold AND shipped by Blue Proton at that time. This is good news.

From what I remember, mine was shipped by Blue Proton and then the last mile was Amazon.

[PHughes]

Originally Posted by rcentros

That's good to know. Last time I checked they weren't offering Prime shipping. They were sold AND shipped by Blue Proton at that time. This is good news.

It's even better. I got an email yesterday that it would be delivered today instead of Sunday. I received it a few hours ago. I ordered July 3, it shipped on the 5th and I received it on the 6th. Not bad. SO I'm happy to report shipping is now quick from Blue Proton via Amazon.

[sydmalicious]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I understand. The Libra Colour is the only Libra that is for for sale on the U.S. Kobo site. I was including it as part of the Libra line.

I know folks have been awaiting the color, but outside of Manga/comics, what is the benefit of the color Libra?

I think I have a Sage or Forma, I bought it a couple years ago and I love it; BW is perfect for my use case. I am just curious what other folks would use it for other than Manga/comics.