Each few years I write a rant about how Kobo makes it needlessly troublesome to purchase Kobo ereaders within the US. Issues will get higher for some time, however again and again Kobo’s retail partnerships fall by, and would-be clients are left with few choices.
Kobo’s distribution issues really make some stage of sense when you consider it. Kobo is a small firm. Their enterprise revolves round promoting digital gadgets. The one bodily items they promote are ereaders and associated equipment. They aren’t Amazon. They aren’t some massive retailer that sells shopper items. All they should ship is just a few completely different ereader fashions and a few covers that go along with them.
You’d assume Kobo’s mum or dad firm, Rakuten, may assist with distribution, however they didn’t even promote Kobo’s ereaders from the Rakuten web site again within the day once they offered all method of digital items so why would they assist now?
The place to Purchase Kobo eReaders within the US
I see lots of people on-line saying you should buy Kobo ereaders from numerous retailers within the US, however that isn’t true. Sure, there are offered on numerous web sites like Goal and Walmart, however they aren’t really being offered by these firms and so they aren’t obtainable from any retail shops. Generally these are being offered by a Third-party vendor referred to as BlueProton.
Kobo’s Web site
Kobo sells their gadgets instantly from the Kobo US web site. Kobo relies in Canada, however most up-to-date reviews recommend they’re at the moment delivery from the US to keep away from clients getting hit with tariffs. Most reviews point out it takes a few week from ordering to supply, however Kobo isn’t nice about offering delivery updates so that you may not hear something from them.
One of many positives of ordering instantly from Kobo is that they have a 45-day return coverage. Nevertheless, their phrases point out a doable restocking price that they by no means go into element about. Moreover, their customer support doesn’t have an amazing repute in order that they may be a problem to cope with.
Amazon
Kobo just lately launched a storefront on Amazon. It seemed like they had been going to up their distribution sport as an alternative of counting on resellers, however they solely offered their gadgets there for a short while. Now they’re simply promoting covers and equipment, and the Kobo Elipsa 2E—all their different ereaders have been unavailable from Kobo US for a number of weeks now, regardless of being in inventory on Kobo’s web site. However possibly they’ll begin promoting their gadgets on Amazon once more quickly.
Different Third-party sellers promote Kobo ereaders on Amazon as nicely, however there’s been a number of worth gouging these days. Test BlueProton’s Kobo web page on Amazon. They’re an official Kobo reseller. Generally their costs are the identical as Kobo’s web site, generally they’re increased so it’s important to test.
The benefit of ordering from Amazon is that they have quicker delivery and straightforward returns.
BlueProton
As famous above, Kobo lists BlueProton as an official retail accomplice within the US (they’re now the lone accomplice, it might appear). You should buy Kobo ereaders instantly from BlueProton’s web site. In addition they promote on numerous different web sites, together with Amazon, Walmart, Goal, and possibly others. Generally their costs are increased than shopping for from Kobo instantly so maintain that in thoughts.
Kohl’s?
I’ve heard some folks saying you should buy Kobo ereaders from Kohl’s now too. However the one one which at the moment reveals up is the Kobo Libra Color. I’ve a sense it’s one other BlueProton itemizing, however Kohl’s web site doesn’t specify so who is aware of.
Walmart?
Kobo nonetheless reveals Walmart as a retail accomplice on their web site and recommends them as a spot to purchase Kobo ereaders within the US, however Walmart stopped promoting Kobo ereaders a while in the past now. You’ll be able to nonetheless discover Kobos listed on Walmart, however they’re not offered by Walmart. More often than not they’re offered by BlueProton.
Indigo?
A few occasions I ordered Kobo ereaders from Indigo, a guide retailer in Canada. With the change charge the value really labored out being a bit cheaper even with delivery to the US, however ordering from Indigo within the US is at the moment not an possibility due to tariffs.
