Kobo Pulls a Bait & Switch
When Kobo launched a three-day sale on the Kobo Mini last week, they raised hopes that Kobo would be bringing back the beloved 5" ereader. Now that order are arriving, it's safe to say that ain't gonna happen.
Update: Kobo has offered everyone a refund.
Several people on MobileRead have reported that Kobo hasn't lived up to its promises. Rather than a new unit with a Pearl E-ink screen and gray sleepcover, we have all received years-old demo units with a ruby silicone shell:
Or I should say that I received a Kobo, but not what I ordered. They sent me a black "demo" unit and a ruby silicone back cover. The box actually says demo on the label and all the details on the back of the box are blacked out. Not at all what I ordered. I have a ticket open with them as I write, with a promise to call me back within 24 hours (we all know how that tends to go). I'm watching with great interest to see what others who ordered this bundle receive.
My order also arrived today, and I can confirm all of the details.
This is not the new device we were promised, but instead looks like someone recently found the retail boxes after they had been lost and forgotten in a supply closet for the past few years. That means the units don't have the Pearl E-ink screen listed on the sales page (rather the older Vizplex E-ink screen), and it also means we got stuck with three-year-old batteries.
Here's my evidence:
This is so far from what Kobo promised and what I was expecting that it's not even funny.
Needless to say, I'm returning it. While I would be fine with getting an old demo unit, it should have been labeled as such and it should have cost considerably less.
This Mini cost me close to $60, and I can get a new basic Kindle with more storage, a new battery, and a better screen for not too much more.
Did you get one? Are you planning to keep it?
I will be requesting a return. I just hope they refund the shipping amount, as well as the item cost.
Can the battery be changed by the user?
The case is held together by six tiny screws, so you might be able to replace the battery.
You’d still need to find a battery on ebay, though.
I am so glad I decided to pass on this. I hope they refund everyone’s shipping cost, because this clearly sounds like false advertising!
I preemptively received an email from their CS:
“We are contacting you because of the recent Kobo Mini bundle purchase you made.
Due to an error in our shipping software we sent the bundle with a Ruby
Silicone Case instead of the Grey Sleep Cover.
If you decide to keep the Ruby Silicone Case we will reimburse you $ 10 for your
trouble. If you decide you don’t want the cover please let us know.
Again, we are very sorry about this and thank you for your understanding.
Regards,
The Rakuten Kobo Team”
@ Bill I got that email as well. Frustrating, isn’t it?
Thank you Nate! That’s me quoted above. I’m hoping we get proper resolution to this “error”. I have requested a prepaid return shipping label and await further response from them. So very disappointed in Kobo right now.
I chatted with them and was told they would see if the original bundle items were still available. I would be given the option to receive those if they are indeed available or to receive a refund if they aren’t. I hope they stick to their word here because I really did want that original bundle. The one I received simply was not worth the $55.
DID they actually have a new Mini with non-removable back and a pearl screen? I’m feeling so cheated. I never would have ordered the old Mini, a demo unit in fact. I wanted a new device, not a three year old leftover. Even my box is stained and dirty.
It appears not.
Yeah, I feel cheated too. The nice sleepcover and updated screen were the main reasons I bought this bundle. Demo unit with a drained battery? Red back cover that leaves the screen exposed? No thank you.
I came close to buying one and am certainly glad I didn’t. Kobo could potentially have a lawsuit on their hands. It’s flat out false advertising. WTF were the people that signed off on this stunt thinking?
Did they think people wouldn’t know the items were not as advertised?
Honestly, I don’t think they intended to deceive us so much as Kobo is a sloppy operation. The relevant info probably never made it from the person who saw the retail boxes to the person who created the listing.
And I’m not sure anyone involved understood the difference.
I contacted Customer Service and it turns out to be a complete mistake. They accidentally shipped old demo units and ruby silicone cases instead of the new units with the sleepcovers. They are going to ship the correct units to all affected. My order was escalated and I should hear back from the direct orders department by tomorrow.
Thanks for the heads up, David.
I’m still waiting for Kobo to respond to my email.
@ David
Do you know what? On second thought, I don’t believe the excuse.
My packing slip mentions a demo unit and ruby silicone case by name. That means that the order button on the Kobo website was set up to spit out the “wrong” packing slip. In other words, Kobo may have accidentally mis-programmed their system but they didn’t accidentally ship the wrong item.
I personally won’t believe it unless they follow through and ship me the correct ereader and cover.
The battery on mine is holding up better than my old mini, so I will keep it. I did tell them I am really angry about the whole deal and want the correct cover. Waiting for their reply.
Just got my full refund via Paypal. Even if this is an old demo unit when it arrives tomorrow, I can’t complain about “free”.
I’m keeping mine, I have a Kobo mini that I’ve used for years and it’s starting to get tired which is why i was thrilled to find a replacement. But I didn’t like the red cover and have been emailing back and forth with no success. This morning they emailed I was getting a full refund which I don’t want,it is tiresome – and I suspect the person handling my request does not understand English well.