Kobo Aura - where to buy in NZ?

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SouthernJ

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Geek

#120867 16-Jun-2013 17:47

Hi

I'm interested in purchasing the Kobo AuraHD.

Whitcoulls stock everything but the AuraHD. And, according to the salesperson we spoke with here in Hamilton, appears not to be stocking.

My questions:

1. Has anyone purchased the Kobo Aura HD in NZ?
2. Where'd you purchase it from?

Looking at the Kobo website for stockists shows Australia but not NZ.

I can find lots of reviews but no concrete leads of kiwi stockists.

All and any help greatly appreciated.
TIA

naggyman

697 posts

Ultimate Geek

#837772 16-Jun-2013 20:16

I seriously wouldn't bother. There are a lot better e-readers on the market - my experience with Kobo has always been bad. Clunky UI, plastic case design makes the devices awful to use.

I will give the Kobo AuraHD the benefit of the doubt as I have never touched it - but past experiences with Kobo has left me bitter over their products.

Morgan French-Stagg

morgan.french.net.nz

SouthernJ

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#837887 17-Jun-2013 06:02

Thanks for your input Morgan.

MurrayM

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#838073 17-Jun-2013 13:48

I'm sure I received an advertising email from Whitcoulls a couple of weeks ago saying that they were getting the Aura soon. When I asked at a local Whitcoulls they did a look-up on their stock system and found cases for the Aura but not the actual reader, but this was before I got the email announcing it was coming soon.

I've got a Kobo Glo and find it great. I compared it with a friend that has a Kindle Paperwhite and found the lighting on the Kobo to be a lot more even across the whole screen.

SouthernJ

36 posts

Geek

#838155 17-Jun-2013 15:42

Hi Murray - thanks for this - good to hear you like the Kobo.

I've just returned from Noel Leeming: they have all other Kobos but not the Aura... the sales assistant there wasn't anywhere near as helpful as Whitcoulls' yesterday...

It sure is getting hard to spend these $$ burning a hole in my pocket.

MurrayM

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#838157 17-Jun-2013 15:49

I found this article which is dated the 9th of June and says that the Aura will be sold by Whitcoulls and Paper Plus. Price mentioned is $279.99 and it says they are due to go on sale this month.

JimmyH

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#838288 17-Jun-2013 18:46

I was keen, but I will probably import rather than buy from Whitcoulls if I get one.

Last time I looked the US retail price was $169 and the exchange rate was 83 cents. Domestic price should therefore be $203+GST (=$234), which is aboout what you can land it for (add shipping, subtract GST). Whitcoulls adding a 20% mark-up over the international price feels a bit like gouging to me.

SouthernJ

36 posts

Geek

#838739 18-Jun-2013 15:27

MurrayM: I found this article which is dated the 9th of June and says that the Aura will be sold by Whitcoulls and Paper Plus. Price mentioned is $279.99 and it says they are due to go on sale this month.

Hi Murray - I actually know this journo so contacted him yesterday - he gave me the contact details for the advertising agency (in NSW) who's looking after the NZ account ...

She told me to "wait" - it'll be happening here soon ...

Still no release date.

So then I went to my local PaperPlus store (who knew nothing about the Aura) ... it took me three attempts to convince them I wanted to give them some $$ ...

When I told the manager I was considering importing but would prefer to spend my $ locally he said he'd look into it for me.

I'll give him till Thursday (today's Tuesday) then I think we might go the DIY import-it-ourselves route.

Watch this space!

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

MurrayM

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#838753 18-Jun-2013 16:06

Let me know how you get on!

farcus

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#838757 18-Jun-2013 16:24

is it really worth going to so much trouble for this unit.
Most reviews so far have been fairly blasé . One thing most agree on is that the increase in screen resolution on this type of device is a bit pointless.

MurrayM

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#843809 25-Jun-2013 09:27

farcus: is it really worth going to so much trouble for this unit.
Most reviews so far have been fairly blasé . One thing most agree on is that the increase in screen resolution on this type of device is a bit pointless.

"You’re Going to Be Sorry You Bought That Kindle" - Wired

"The Kobo Aura HD is, in our opinion, the best e-reader that money can buy at the moment. It’s fast, simple, and has a good battery — all centred around a screen that is definitely the best in its class." - PC World

Of course if you want to go even bigger then there's the Sony 13 inch e-reader.

SouthernJ

36 posts

Geek

#845361 26-Jun-2013 05:52

Well. Because I'm a staunch supporter of "Support Local" I've paid, and am now awaiting delivery, from Wrights Bookshop in Cambridge (you know - the Home of Champions in the Wonderful Waikato?) ...

Apparently, Kobo has advised delivery will be end of June ... all things being equal I expect to be unboxing (lol) by this time next week...

I'm forever the optimist ... I have Faith ... I can't see any reason whatsoever why Kobo will put NZ supplies second to Australian ones ... I can't see any reason at all why they won't stick to their word ... None!

After all, this is my birthday present - why would they disappoint me ??

[said tongue-in-cheek with fingers crossed]

MurrayM

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#845378 26-Jun-2013 08:10

Well good luck, hope you get it in time for your birthday!

SouthernJ

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#845505 26-Jun-2013 11:46

Hi Murray - birthday was last week so I sure hope it arrives before my next birthday, lol!

JimmyH

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#845763 26-Jun-2013 21:02

Whitcoulls (Lambton Quay) has them in stock. I had a play with the display model today and was fairly impressed. Other than the slightly flimsy feel to the build quality it seemed like a good unit. The readability of the screen was certainly impressive - I think the bigger size, higher resolution and backlighting combine to make it a good reading experience.

If I had no ereader then that's the one I would buy. Contemplating purchase tomorrow but, while it's good, I am just trying to decide whether it's $279 better than the elderly keyboard Kindle I already have.

SouthernJ

36 posts

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#845845 27-Jun-2013 07:02

Hi Jimmy

I'm pleased to hear you liked what you saw (cos I haven't 'seen' yet)...

I got word from Wrights' Bookshop in Cambridge that the shipment has arrived in Godzone and I can look forward to having my new toy - hopefully by the weekend.

Yay!! haha - in a way I hope it's chucking it down with rain this weekend and freezing cold so I don't feel bad about catching up on my reading, lol!