10-03-2011, 02:14 PM | #1 |
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What e-reader to buy secondhand?
Hi, all. I've spent ages looking through the "What to buy" section, and come to the conclusion that I initially need to buy a secondhand e-reader in order to work out what I like and what I don't. So, the question is - what is good value secondhand?
My basic needs are an e-reader purely to read books: I'm not interested in reading newspapers, looking at pictures, listening to music. I would like to be able to annotate easily, and use removable media (preferably SD cards, but I'm flexible on the format). Touch-screen and e-ink would be nice, as would the ability to try using other reader programs and/or rooting it. Other possibly relevant information is that I'm in the UK. I like the look of the IRex Iliad, but it hasn't been supported for quite a while, and I can't find much in the way of spare parts availability. Alternatively, the JetBooks look good, but they are so relatively cheap is it worth buying one secondhand? So, over to you for your thoughts! |
10-04-2011, 09:02 AM | #2 |
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The Jetbook is a very good device. Last time I checked, someone is selling one here in the Flea Market section of the forum. I have one just like it and its a great ereader. Takes just about any format, and has expandable memory.
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10-04-2011, 09:44 AM | #3 |
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have a look on the waterstones website they have eink readers new for £70
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10-05-2011, 07:53 AM | #4 |
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Thanks, folks. I'm still in two minds whether to go new or secondhand initially. The Jetbooks still look good to me.
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10-05-2011, 02:02 PM | #5 |
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As one who has traveled internationally quite a bit, I just want to use this occasion to express my appreciation for American customer support. In the USA, we sometimes take it for granted that we can buy something and try it out, and if it doesn't work they way we thought it would, get our money back. In most countries, "The customer is always right" is just wrong--it's more like "All sales are final." I don't know what the customer service culture is like in the UK, but if you were in the States I'd say, "Buy what you think you'd like, and if it doesn't work out you can always return it."
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10-07-2011, 02:53 PM | #6 |
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Thanks, cHex
In principle we do have that right here, but it is rarely used and some outlets are not happy to go along with it anyway. Certainly trying to get money back if you return goods because they don't suit can be a long, hard slog - vouchers or exchange would be easier to get, but if the merchant doesn't stock something else you want to try then neither of those are good options. Even then, if you exchange it for something else, and then went back a second time to say "Nope - can I try something else?" you would really be struggling, unless the merchant was exceptional.
It really does make things difficult when buying something like personal tech, which is often a significant outlay but which needs to suit the individual - mobile phones are another example - which is why I initially like to buy something that has good reviews second-hand, so I can get the "feel" of the thing without risking too much money. |
10-14-2011, 07:57 PM | #7 |
I am not The Stig
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Sony is selling the PRS-350 (refurbished) for $85 in their clearance store.
http://tx.sel-email.sel.sony.com/tra...:102253:READER |
10-14-2011, 08:04 PM | #8 | |
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Quote:
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10-14-2011, 08:14 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
(there may be other countries that are similar in this regard, but I've most definitely noticed a difference) |
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10-16-2011, 02:05 AM | #10 |
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See, now this is a reason to miss college. That's where you could easily ask people in your class what they have and arrange to see things in person and touch them.
But I am the person who has to touch everything. I knew inside of five minutes that me and the Nook (the first one) would absolutely never get along. I tried really hard though because my friend really loves hers, but I just couldn't manage it. Is there an option to do that where you live? Ask friends and touch theirs? Which sounds really bad I admit, but I haven't slept in two days and am battling a migraine and didn't know how else to phrase it. Good luck! sigyn |
10-21-2011, 07:54 AM | #11 |
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Thanks, everyone!
Thanks, everyone
Polyphemus - unfortunately, I missed that deal. The price is now $153 ... Twowheels - As yet, I haven't been to the USA, so I can't comment on the service over there. However, there is a huge amount of difference depending on where you go in Europe. Customer service in some places (I'm not going to say which) seems to work on the basis that the staff are doing the customer a favour by serving them! However, I try not to judge a place by regular tourist destinations (which is where a lot of people go when visiting a new country) - language barriers aside, customer service tends to be better once outside the hot-spots. Sigyn - To the best of my knowledge, I will be the first person I know that has an e-reader! I'm a bit older than college age(), and this is why I've posted the question - I'm ground-breaking amongst my peers! Hope the migraine is feeling better - awful things, they are (I know from personal experience ...) |
10-21-2011, 06:11 PM | #12 |
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Refurbed Nook Touches are selling for $79 right now. If you know someone in the US they might be able to get you one.
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11-29-2011, 10:13 AM | #13 |
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Apologies, all - been in hospital for a while, and now busily catching up. Just to round off this thread, I bought a second-hand JetBook from one of the posters on the forum. I've had it in my hands since last Saturday, and so far it seems fine, though all I've done to this point is charge it up and load some e-books onto it (several H.G.Wells, E.E. "Doc" Smith's Lensman series, a recent sci-fi novel called "One Survivor", "Jane Eyre", and "Treasure Island", if anyone is interested). I'll start investigating it further this week.
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12-17-2011, 07:45 PM | #14 | |
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12-22-2011, 07:30 AM | #15 |
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Following up on the off-topic - here in Germany everything bought online in an online shop can be sent back within 14 days without any clarification (so called Widerrufsrecht). C2C transactions are not affected by this (e.g. selling/bying used products on ebay).
Greets FG |
Tags |
e-reader, newbie, secondhand |
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