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Original poster

Kindle rage

143 replies

geraldine62 · 30/08/2012 20:48

Got a kindle last summer to take on holiday. When I got back the screen broke (it wasn't damaged or anything, just wouldn't switch on one day). I phoned Amazon and they sent me a replacement - great.

I've been using it on and off all year and I just took it on holiday again - once again the screen went. I phoned Amazon and because it is now just out of warranty they can't replace it for me, just offer a discount on another one. The warranty is a year from the purchase of the first kindle rather than the replacement which means this kindle has lasted less than a year.

Is it reasonable to expect something like this to last more than a year? And would I be stupid to buy another one, even at a discount price, when it's pretty likely to break again?

OP posts:
Horsemad · 30/08/2012 23:12

I actually read LESS now I have a Kindle Sad Can't quite believe it! I just do not like them and although I persevere and can see it has it's uses, I'm not a convert.

Back to the library for me I think Smile

omfgkillmenow · 30/08/2012 23:20

i was put off library for life when reading a book turned page and was squashed HUGE spider inside...i love my kindle but was a present i dont know anything about a warranty, but DP musta registered it to me? Maybe I did, was last Christmas cant remember!!!

SwedishEdith · 30/08/2012 23:26

Those who've had them replaced within warranty - did you have to send them back as well? Just wondering if worth saying it's broken just before teh warranty runs out to get a newer one

Horsemad · 30/08/2012 23:33

Ewww, squashed spider would finish me off!!!

Bluebell99 · 30/08/2012 23:33

Yes you do have to send them back if you get it replaced within the warranty period. My first one froze after I'd had it for five weeks. I think a discount to get a replacement after a year is disgusting service.

angelinterceptor · 30/08/2012 23:56

Mine has faulty screen too - happened on holiday earlier this month.
Amazon said i have to buy a new one with 20% discount as its outside warranty. It is about 18 months old.

I am disgusted that something which costs nearly £150 isn't designed to last very long.

iamnotinterestedinyourkids · 31/08/2012 00:05

Me too. Also holiday. A month out of warranty. 20% Indus drop it though so hey.
Love the kindke. Not going back to books

lazylula · 31/08/2012 00:15

I have birthday money and was going to get a kindle, I have looked at the kobos I think they sell in whsmiths, are these as good?

sashh · 31/08/2012 07:33

There are two things, your legal agreement is whith who ever sold it to you, and things are expected to last a 'reasonable time', for electrical goods that is normally 5 years. Contact trading standards.

The other thing is my kindle went blank, completely blank. I tried sliding and holding the on/off but nothing - then I checked the amazon site, plugged it in, left it for a couple of hours and it came back on.

Original poster
geraldine62 · 31/08/2012 07:37

I wondered that too. I found this online and am seriously tempted by the Kobo if Amazon say no when I phone them.

OP posts:
CaveyLovesPendleton · 31/08/2012 07:47

www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/grace-dent-tighten-the-law-if-you-want-but-dont-lecture-the-working-classes-on-matters-of-personal-morality-7973304.html This article]] has put me off Amazon a bit wrt not paying UK tax. I'm pretty sure I am personally responsible for at least half of those UK profits Blush I now have to sit on my hands instead.

CaveyLovesPendleton · 31/08/2012 07:47

this article

Original poster
geraldine62 · 31/08/2012 09:29

OK I've just phone Amazon again and they will not budge. Having done some googling the only person I can find who has managed to get a refund had to take them to small claims. Trading Standards Helpline advised escalating it with them as a first step which I've just done and am happy to go all the way (might get a Kobo to keep me going in the meantime!)

OP posts:
iggi777 · 31/08/2012 10:40

Hands over a supportive Brew
They'll be nervous about how many they'll need to replace once people start demanding their rights.

Sallyingforth · 31/08/2012 11:44

Mine apparently failed with a blank screen. I left it to charge for a few hours, then held the power switch over for a VERY long time - think several minutes. It came back and has been fine since.
A friend had a similar problem, copied what I did and it recovered too.
Try it.

Roseformeplease · 31/08/2012 11:51

Same thing happened to me. Sudden screen failure, a load of lines across the screen and the text was unreadable. It was 18 months old. I phoned and was offered a 20% discount on a new Kindle. However, I had an older one with a keyboard and had just (6 months before) spend £50 (I know, stupid) on a leather cover with a light that does not fit any of the new Kindles, just the, very expensive 3G one. I was annoyed that they did not see what a good customer I am, nor that they would acknkowledge that selling me a cover and then rendering it obsolete was poor customer service. Eventually, I bought a Kindle on ebay to fit my cover. They really should last longer and have a better warranty.

Can anyone post this thread on Twitter? Big companies monitor that and it might help.

mantlepiece · 31/08/2012 12:56

Am shocked to read that so many people are having the same issues with this expensive piece of kit. You would think a reputable company would do a recall, there is obviously a design fault.

I have only had my Kindle for a month and these stories do not inspire confidence in the product.

Maybe a case for BBC Watchdog, something needs to be done to wake Amazon up.

Sounds like dodgy product compounded by poor customer service.

diddl · 31/08/2012 13:25

"I can buy a new non - keyboard version for £70 with a years warranty ... "

Where from?

belle7 · 31/08/2012 13:48

have you tried resetting it mine did the same i reset it and now its worked fine

honeydragon · 31/08/2012 14:17

I am still waiting for Amazon to contact me so we can go to OFT? Consumer Direct together.

Then they can apologise

TheFallenMadonna · 31/08/2012 14:27

For those asking about Kobo...

I have a touch one and am very happy with it.

And it came back from my holiday in full working order Wink

BlameItOnTheBogey · 31/08/2012 14:32

I love my kindle. Really, really love everything about it. Except... I have had two now and they have both only lasted a year before packing up. I live overseas and can't easily send it back. Bottom line; this is too expensive a product to only have a one year life span. If the one I have now also breaks then I am finished with them and will warn everyone off. One year, seriously....

Arabellasmella · 31/08/2012 15:19

For all the people asking about resetting - the Customer Services Dept get you to try different things to reset it over the phone. So yes for me that angle was definitely covered.
I am all for a bit of people power here. It is outrageous that Amazon can get away with this!!

CoteDAzur · 31/08/2012 15:55

All of you whose Kindles keeled over and died - Which model did you have? The newer Touch or Fire models? [hopeful]

iamnotinterestedinyourkids · 31/08/2012 15:56

Old. Got new cheap one. Is teeny

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