Kobo expands footprint in Down Under

[Alexander Turcic]

A tipster writes in that Kobo e-readers are now directly available at Kobo.com for e-book fans from Australia and New Zealand. ITWire has all the details:

The range starts with the $99.95 Kobo Mini, with a 5in E Ink touchscreen and Wi-Fi.

For those who prefer a larger screen, there's the $129.95 Kobo Touch (6in E Ink touchscreen and Wi-Fi) and the $159.95 Kobo Glo (1024 x 768 pixel 6in front-lit E Ink display with infra-red touch panel and Wi-Fi).

The top of the range model in terms of dedicated ereaders is the Kobo Aura HD. This $219.95 device features a 1440 x 1080 pixel 6.8in front-lit E Ink touchscreen and Wi-Fi.

[GeoffR]

Well, to Australia anyway. I tried entering New Zealand into the order form, but Australia seems to be the only option on the list. The prices are the same as in local shops anyway.

[Alexander Turcic]

Originally Posted by GeoffR

Well, to Australia anyway. I tried entering New Zealand into the order form, but Australia seems to be the only option on the list.

Hmmm. According to the official press release, it should accept orders from New Zealand now.

[GeoffR]

Attached is what I see when trying to enter the country into the order form (when logged in with a New Zealand Kobo account)

[Alexander Turcic]

Weird! The press release is from today. Perhaps their technicians haven't updated the website yet.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by GeoffR

Attached is what I see when trying to enter the country into the order form (when logged in with a New Zealand Kobo account)

You just need to use the correct state

[MacEachaidh]

If they're selling directly to Australia now, does that mean they also have an agency here for repairs and support with physical issues? Otherwise, I don't see the advantage.

Since the prices seem to be the same, why wouldn't we buy from one of the local distributors? At least then we have someone local to deal with.

(And the obvious question is: why should the prices be the same? The huge markup for supply to OZ doesn't seem justifiable.)

[TechniSol]

If I recall correctly, Australia recently enacted better consumer protection laws granting you automatic longer warranties for consumer goods. I suspect that is a good part of why they are costing you more. You can't even legislate a free lunch... Pity more lawmakers the world around have not figured this out.

[GeoffR]

Originally Posted by TechniSol

If I recall correctly, Australia recently enacted better consumer protection laws granting you automatic longer warranties for consumer goods. I suspect that is a good part of why they are costing you more. You can't even legislate a free lunch... Pity more lawmakers the world around have not figured this out.

The point is that the price is the same whether you buy it in a local shop (and so are covered by local consumer protection laws) or order it direct from Kobo (and so not covered). So why buy direct from Kobo?

(Of course if you use a US forwarding address then you can still buy at the US price, but whether the savings would make up for the loss of consumer protection coverage is something to consider).

[murg]

The cost of the Glo is within acceptable tolerances:

 
  US$ 130
/ fx    0.90
= AU  144.44
+ GST  14.44
= AU$ 158.88

vs AU$ 160 retail price.

And they aren't charging for shipping in Australia.

[RoGuE_StreaK]

Or just walk into your local Big W and get a Mini for $49 or a Touch for $98? I'm not seeing any advantage here?

[MacEachaidh]

As an aside, RoGuE, I saw Big W was advertising Touches just recently for $49. A product runout, maybe?