Kindle Caveats

To the Editor:

I just read Nancy Crevier’s review of Amazon’s Kindle II electronic reader and have some important comments to add.

As an avid reader and a fan of technology, I was excited to purchase a Kindle I last October. Not only did I purchase one, but I love nothing more than to encourage a child to read, so also purchased a second Kindle I for my 10-year-old grandson.

The first, irresolvable, problem that I encountered is that I am not in the Amazon wireless area. I live on the Hanover end of Butterfield Road and have wireless Internet service throughout my home; however, I am unable to connect to the Amazon wireless site necessary to shop online to purchase and download Kindle books. Amazon could offer no help with the problem. The only solution was to purchase a Kindle book from Amazon on my computer and take my Kindle for a ride in the car until I reached an area where the book would download to the Kindle. Not exactly convenient.

The second, even more disturbing, problem that occurred is that I recently broke the screen on my Kindle. I called Amazon to speak with someone about getting my Kindle repaired. To my shock and dismay, there is no repair for a Kindle. Absolutely no repair for anything on a Kindle. The only thing Amazon could offer me is a $189 discount toward a new Kindle II that costs approximately $350 (with shipping). When I asked if they were able to repair the newer Kindle II, I was told that you can purchase an additional extended warranty for $65.

None of this information was mentioned prior to purchase, but had I known then what I know now, I would be $700 richer and reading the good old reliable hardcover book.

Sincerely,

Joanne Brunetti

77 Butterfield Road, Newtown                                        July 14, 2009