$99? - Never mind that

[junkml]

Sometimes you wonder about the intelligence of the people working at the "help desk" areas. I sent an email asking:

"I would like to find out how long it takes before my order is processed and my reader is shipped."

Their reply was:

"Thank you for contacting Sony Rewards regarding the status of your
recent redemption. At this time your order is still processing. Once
your order ships, an email confirmation will be sent to the email
address we have on file."

Now don't you think since I asked how long it would take to have it processed, the reply "it's being processed" is kind of ridiculous?

Well, hopefully someone here will eventually receive their reader from this deal.

[beowulf573]

I registered for the Sony card last Sunday and received it today, Friday. I was able to register at the Sony rewards but something screwy was going on and I couldn't add any items to my cart. I tried IE 6 & 7, Firefox 1 & 2.

So, I called the customer support line and lucked out. The lady who handled my call was very nice and was able to quickly get everything connected. The price ended up being $59.49, I'm not sure why there's a $0.50 difference from the Sony site posted in the first message of this thread.

Now I wait, patiently.

Normally I'm not interested in deals involving getting a new credit card. However I'm been wanting a portable reader ever since a friend showed me his Rocket eBook reader years ago, and the new eInk technology has only increased my cravings. I'll stick the card in my safe and use it a few times a year for gas to keep it active.

[Cthulhu]

This would be one of many reasons that some folks are not keen on SONY.

Wonder if calling back and being cross would precipitate any different response.

I mean, really, they are selling their device at a loss to boost enrollment in their credit car "reward" scam--because honestly, that is all most of them are, unless we buy amazing amount of stuff, or we retain the card for years and years--and then they are unwilling to allow us throw more money at the problem to expedite the arrival of our fancy gadget.

*sigh*

If any one ever gets an e-mail from the shipping department of SONY, please post here.

[mechchic]

All I know is that right before ordering the reader I ordered another product. That product which has nothing to do with sony was processed and received 3 days later. Wednesday I ordered an Ipod for my Mom that has processed and shipped and will be here on Monday. Both products were sent Fedex and have arrived or are arriving quickly. So I chalk up the delay to Sony. It's all their fault. The other thing is that when you go on the sonystyle website they say that when you order a reader it is ready to ship in 24hrs. What's up with that!!!!

[NatCh]

It's not all Sony that's involved here, since this is a Rewards Program, you have Sony, the Credit Card company, and probably a separate group that manages the distribution of the 'rewards' to the reward claimers.

I couldn't guess how the two or three might interface with each other, but I'm satisfied that the delay can't be all Sony's fault. Some? Most likely, but all may be a bit unfair.

[sea2stars]

Woot! I just got my card in the mail today, signed up at the rewards site, applied the discount, ordered the Reader and paid the $60ish difference. For this amount of money for a Reader, I'm more than willing to be patient for a few weeks. Eh. If I miss the book credit, I can only hope that there's another one soon. Then again, there are plenty of free books out there that I can toss on the reader. My only complaint is not being able to purchase a service plan. Heh. Time to invest in a better cover for the thing when it comes in!

[oggelbe2007]

I just joined here today. Hoping to get some insight from the collective wisdom of the group concerning which ebook reader is would suit me. I read mostly from my Palm T3 (what a hassle). Saw the $50 credit card offer<eye's popped out>. Glad I stopped by. This is definately the right place for ebook readers.
I was wondering where all the ebay sellers got their cut rate readers.

thanks,
ogg

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by sea2stars

My only complaint is not being able to purchase a service plan.

I think you may be able to purchase one direct from Sony within a certain amount of time. Folks did that (if I recall correctly) in the early days with "not direct from Sony" purchases. Couldn't hurt anything to ask, anyway.

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by oggelbe2007

I just joined here today. Hoping to get some insight from the collective wisdom of the group concerning which ebook reader is would suit me. I read mostly from my Palm T3 (what a hassle). Saw the $50 credit card offer<eye's popped out>. Glad I stopped by. This is definately the right place for ebook readers.
I was wondering where all the ebay sellers got their cut rate readers.

thanks,
ogg

Welcome to MobileRead, oggelbe!

I don't think the e-bayers are getting them this way, that'd be a lot of credit cards each.

If you haven't found it yet, the "Which one should I buy" subforum will probably interest you in your search for "your" reading device.

[beowulf573]

Looks like they changed the dates for the book credit on the original site. link.

[sea2stars]

NatCh. Too True! I'll have to give Sony a ring tonight or tomorrow; maybe wait until I have the unit in hand.

[batpuppy]

Originally Posted by beowulf573

Looks like they changed the dates for the book credit on the original site. link.

I also do not see any mention of the 50.00 connect credit either on that page.

[Cthulhu]

Based on MechChic's post, am rather demoralised about the arrival of my device.
SONY is willing to give me $100 worth of books that I can find elsewhere, with no mention of the other credit for copyrighted books on Connect, and the response "it should be there in two weeks" does little in the way of confidence in customer service.
Ah well. Cannot complain too much. If I *were* to receive a $50 credit for Connect store books, my Reader would have been free, save $10 in shipping and handling.

[coleman]

Awesome, got my card today, got the Reader ordered up, $58.99(I had a 100 points in the account when I started for some reason)!

Now the horrible horrible waiting begins. Well at least now I can justify spending the time looking at the conversion tools.

[hokie]

Talked to a really nice guy named Bernard.

Explained I was looking for some fidelity on the shipping, and he suggested to call them back if I don't get notification of shipping by 1 Aug.

Told him the (original) deal giving $50 credit for any eBooks required registration with Connect by 31 Jul.

Bottom line: he gave me a ticket # so I can follow up in 48 hrs. Not really resolution.

He also connected me to an automated satisfaction survey (5 questions <2 min), so ask for the survey & let 'em have it.

Other Notes:

- On fatwallet.com forums, folks who registered/ordered 11 July are getting shipping emails as of today. So there is a shade of hope.

- Someone there suggested buying an eReader straight up retail, registering with connect to get the deal, and returning the one eventually sent from Sony Rewards to the retailer. I'd love to hear other opinions, since I think this quite a good idea.