Defective batch of Kindles???

[kathielamb]

Defective Kindles???

I recently bought a refurbished Kindle DXG from Woot and noticed that the top frame of the case wasn't exactly glued down to the screen. I decided to keep it because I got such a nice price and knew that if I returned it I wouldn't get a replacement. I love the DXG and it's now my main reader when home. I also have a KK wifi and a Kindle Fire and both have nice tight seals all the way around the screen.

Last week I ordered another KK, this one with wifi and 3G. My hubby has decided he wants one, he's tired of side loading his books on his Sony reader. When his Kindle arrived it has such a gap at the top that it looked like it you could slide a fingernail between the case and the screen.

I called CS and they were great and told me they were sending out a replacement. When I received the email from them, it told me to pack the Kindle but not to send back any of the cords or instructioins. That bothered me and made me think  I would be receiving a refurbished Kindle without cords, etc. I called CS immediately and told them that I did not want a refurbished unit as I had paid full price for a new Kindle and I had not even turned on the K until the CS person told me to so I could get the serial number.

He told me that they could not stop the order because it was being processed and after talking to the Kindle specialist he could not tell me if the new one would be new or refurbished. I told him I would not keep it if it was refurbished. He said he understood. Well, it arrived and it has the same gap, not as bad as the first one but still not sealed as it should be. I now have two Kindles to return.

Has anyone else noticed this in any of their Kindles? Any advice? We want another Kindle 3  but not willing to pay full price for a "not so perfect" refurbished Kindle.

[Kathy]

I haven't noticed any gap. I have had to return 3 K2s back when they had the sun fade issue. Normally if it less than 30 days old  they send new ones. At least that is what happened to me. I had the KK and my husband has one and no gap. I have the Touch now and really love it.

[Linjeakel]

If the Kindle is less than thirty days old, return it for a refund rather than an exchange, then order another new one in the usual way.

You may end up having to pay the postage on the return and on the new one, but it's the only way to be absolutely sure you're getting a brand new device.

[patrickt]

I've had no problems with the three Kindles I've bought and my sister, who received my KindleDX, has had no problem. When I read posts about people who have gone through three or four or even five Kindles in a year I do wonder if we've had a defective bunch of users.

[ProfCrash]

It is weird how some folks end up receiving multiple problem Kindles. It is not a good thing but it is weird. Most folks don't have any problems with their Kindles. The few folks who do have problems are normally fine with the replacement that is sent, ie it does not have any problems. But there seems to be a subset that go through 2 or more Kindles with problems.

I am sorry that you fall into that subset. I am sure it does not help you knowing that most people do not share your experience. If anything, that probably makes it more frustrating. It could be a batch issue, I know the K2 had a bad batch or two that had screen problems, maybe there is a batch or two that had seal problems. The DXG would not be in that batch though because those runs are done at different times.

[Atunah]

I have a KK and when I first got mine when they came out, august 2010 I think? I returned that first one because it had a gap so bad on the right that every time I changed pages it made a audible smacking sound where the glue kept sticking for a few seconds and then coming back up. The whole right side was lifted up like that.

I had to get 3 replacements for other reasons, but I can say that all 4 KK's I had in my hands, had some sort of frame lift in varying degrees. I kept #4 as it only has a one inch area on the left and I finally had one that didn't have the other issues I been having.

It has not bothered me at all and it has never gotten any worse in all this time I had it. But I would not have kept that first one as I could actually see the glue and look inside there. Mine now is just lifted a bit and yes if I wanted too, I could stick a nail under. But it doesn't move or make any noise so its fine.

[Kathy]

I've had no problems with the three Kindles I've bought and my sister, who received my KindleDX, has had no problem. When I read posts about people who have gone through three or four or even five Kindles in a year I do wonder if we've had a defective bunch of users.

You have been lucky. I certainly don't feel I'm a defective users.  I have bought the 2 of the orginal Kindle, 4 K2s, 4 K3s and now the Touch. The only one I ever exchanged was the K2 I bought for myself. I was in the first batch of buyers when the K2 came out and the sun fade was horrible. My understanding was that other e-readers that got their screens from the same manufacturing company in China (I think it was China) had the same issue with theirs. Once the caught the problem the number of people making exchanges went way down. It seems like the ones that buy right away or the ones that find issues and Amazon corrects them quickly. 

[KindleChickie]

May I ask why you wouldn't be getting a replacement for the DXG?  I recently bought one also so I am curious.

[kathielamb]

May I ask why you wouldn't be getting a replacement for the DXG?  I recently bought one also so I am curious.

I bought the DXG from WOOT as a daily special. It was listed as refurbished and only cost $199. Since I bought it refurbished (the gap is not as bad as the KK 3G) I decided to keep it.

[kathielamb]

Amazon told me today that they will have UPS pick up both KKs and that I would not be charged for return postage. When all this happens I'm going to Target and try one more time. I really want a KK 3g.

Thanks to all who responded. I thought I was the only one who had Kindles with gaps.

[DreamWeaver]

I've had two Kindle Keyboards and neither had the gap problem, but I have read here of others having the frame separation issue with that model. If you can find the KK at Target, Best Buy or elsewhere, that does sound like the best way to go so you can inspect it. I hope the next one is problem-free!

[Toby]

Good luck! Hope you get yours soon.

[Xopher]

It's too bad that you are having all these issues. One thing that can be said is that their customer service is top notch. They usually send out replacements quickly, handle shipping charges and returns without much hassle. We've bought seven Kindles over the years (two K1s, and four K3s, and a K4) and haven't had anything but good experiences with customer service.

Sent from my gTablet using Tapatalk.

[kathielamb]

It's too bad that you are having all these issues. One thing that can be said is that their customer service is top notch. They usually send out replacements quickly, handle shipping charges and returns without much hassle. We've bought seven Kindles over the years (two K1s, and four K3s, and a K4) and haven't had anything but good experiences with customer service.

Sent from my gTablet using Tapatalk.

I can agree but I think quality control could be a lot better. Or does Amazon believe customers will accept products with flaws? Unfortunately, we have become a disposable society. Many don't even check to make sure they have a product without defects. Then they wonder why things don't last.

[kuklachica]

check out my first few posts here, same problem a year ago.

http://www.kindleboards.com/index.php/topic,47234.msg820157.html#msg820157

[kathielamb]

check out my first few posts here, same problem a year ago.

http://www.kindleboards.com/index.php/topic,47234.msg820157.html#msg820157

Thanks for sending. Were you finally able to get a K3 in good condition? The two defectives ones Amazon sent are waiting for a UPS pickup. As soon as that happens I'm heading to Target. I doubt that they will let me open one before I buy it but if not, I plan to open it at the register and if it's defective, return it immediately.

I have a K3 wifi ony and a Fire and they're both perfect so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[kathielamb]

Just sending an update. UPS picked up both my damaged Kindles. I went to Target and bought a new KK 3G for $99.00. I paid for it at the electronics counter and opened it right after paying for it.   It's perfect and I'm a happy camper.

[DreamWeaver]

Yay, a happy ending!

[AnnBenjamin]

I don't think you're alone.  Out of nowhere, mine just started acting up - won't gold a charge, won't go to the screen saver, and I have to do the power reset every time I want it turned back on.  Problem is, I live abroad and it's going to be difficult to get it replaced!  I'm well over the 30 days, but can't understand why my Kindle would just up and quit!