First look at my new "Suspicious" Kindle

[TechBotBoy]

I got curious about a post titled "Suspicious Ad" from Deb and dug into it a bit - the offer was for Kindle DX at the reduced price of $160 - the catch being that they had no 3G capability, so they couldn't connect to Amazon's WhisperNet (and thus couldn't do some of the fancy things that Amazon has done with that network - like order and deliver e-books).  

NOTE:  NOT at DX -- my bad - regular Kindle -- still great though.

For some, I suppose, it's that network that makes the Kindle so special - but since we don't have WhisperNet in New Zealand anyway (yet) the Kindle at $259.00 was fairly low on my "Wanted" list.  At $160.00 it became much more attractive and even justified the risk associated with an unknown seller in the US.

The gamble payed off and I'm very happy with my new Kindle - and the extras that "Craigs List" seller threw in - 2 DVD's full of free books (public domain stuff in .prc format).

I haven't tried all the facilities yet, but I've been able to hook it up to my PC (the kindle shows up as just another drive) and transfering books is as easy as a simple drag and drop.
I'll have more to say later.

                   - Tbb

[austenfiend]

Congratulations on your great deal!

[cheerio]

Congratulations on your suspicions

[kindict]

Just out of curiosity, how or why does your DX not have 3G capabilities?  A faulty DX would be covered under Amazon's warranty (?), and I didn't think there was a DX available without 3G.  Do you know if the 3G module is still in your DX?

[pidgeon92]

It's possible that Amazon turned off the 3G capabilities if this unit was "lost" in shipment.

[kwajkat]

On the ebay ads, the seller states that the wireless does not work because when the units were shipped out, the serial numbers were not recorded so Amazon will not recognize the unit as being one of their units.

[Sugar]

Have you registered your DX to your Amazon account yet?

[gadgetgirl003]

Have you registered your DX to your Amazon account yet?

Sugar,
Based on what the OP said, I don't think he plans to register with Amazon.

The gamble payed off and I'm very happy with my new Kindle - and the extras that "Craigs List" seller threw in - 2 DVD's full of free books (public domain stuff in .prc format).

[Scheherazade]

On the ebay ads, the seller states that the wireless does not work because when the units were shipped out, the serial numbers were not recorded so Amazon will not recognize the unit as being one of their units.

Sounds like a fancy way of saying a case of Kindles got up and walked out of the warehouse all on their own. ><

[pidgeon92]

Sounds like a fancy way of saying a case of Kindles got up and walked out of the warehouse all on their own. ><

In Chicago we like to say that they "fell off a truck."

[gadgetgirl003]

In Chicago we like to say that they "fell off a truck."

LOL My thoughts exactly.

[Sugar]

Sugar,
Based on what the OP said, I don't think he plans to register with Amazon.

lol Well I guess if he is going to read mostly public domain books and the like, then not registering it with Amazon probably works.

[pomlover2586]

The Kindle may work.......but that doesn't mean you're not enjoying a "fallen off the truck" device......which is only enabling the thief's.....

[Pushka]

There was a thread on mobilereads where someone was asking how to activate whispernet to purchase books from Amazon.  When he provided Amazon with the kindle number, they said it had been deactivated purposely.  Another >missing< kindle.

[kwajkat]

Actually my understanding is that you can register the kindle to your account. You just can't use the whispernet. I looked at some of these and decided that even if the price was in my reach I just didn't want to fool with no whispernet. That is one of the best features.

[drenee]

tbb, what are the measurements of the device you received?  The ad I referenced was for K2s. 

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/ele/1611625543.html
Here's a copy of the ad I found.  The fact that it cannot connect to a network is highly suspect, as that has been Amazon's biggest selling point.  I sent a copy of this ad to Amazon and received two emails from them stating they would be investigating. 
Even though the device tbb received seems to be working for him I would strongly advise against anyone trying one of these.  It would be great if tbb knew someone in New Zealand that owns a certified Kindle to be able to compare his device.

deb

[Concrete Queen]

Actually my understanding is that you can register the kindle to your account. You just can't use the whispernet.

There still seems to be some misunderstanding about these Kindles.  These Kindles are not broken and they are not seconds or refurbs or "lost" or anything like that.  They have been STOLEN from Amazon.  Amazon has not now, nor will they ever receive money for these.  The thieves who have stolen them are selling them cheap because it's pure profit for them.  The whispernet will not work, nor can they ever be registered, and it's perfectly within Amazon's rights to go after you for possession of stolen property if you attempt to register one. 

Please understand, kwajkat, that I'm not going after you or anyone else personally (except for the OP -- shame on you).  I'm just saying what no one else has come out and said so that there can be no misunderstandings about this great "deal". 

[Sugar]

Actually my understanding is that you can register the kindle to your account. You just can't use the whispernet. I looked at some of these and decided that even if the price was in my reach I just didn't want to fool with no whispernet. That is one of the best features.

In order to register a Kindle with Amazon you need a AUTHENTIC serial #. Since Amazon supposedly does not have any record of the mentioned Kindles , then a AUTHENTIC # is not possible,and neither is registering them.

[Sugar]

tbb, what are the measurements of the device you received?  The ad I referenced was for K2s. 

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/ele/1611625543.html
Here's a copy of the ad I found.  The fact that it cannot connect to a network is highly suspect, as that has been Amazon's biggest selling point.  I sent a copy of this ad to Amazon and received two emails from them stating they would be investigating. 
Even though the device tbb received seems to be working for him I would strongly advise against anyone trying one of these.  It would be great if tbb knew someone in New Zealand that owns a certified Kindle to be able to compare his device.

deb

I noted that it was for K2's as well.No mention of KDX's.

I am sure Amazon will investigate,and it won't be hard to do. When people who buy these TRY to register them the # will come up and will either be one Amazon doesn't recognize, or one that is on the list of "missing" Kindles.

[Pushka]

Yep, that is what I was talking about in my earlier post.  The kindles that were stolen are 'known' to them by their serial number and they will not register them to anyone's account.

[pidgeon92]

The kindles that were stolen are 'known' to them by their serial number and they will not register them to anyone's account.

I don't think this is accurate. I remember prior posts where people received K2s that did not have the 3G functioning (also likely stolen units) and they were able to register. Perhaps the OP will try to register and post his experience.

[Pushka]

There are probably kindles that are fine, but I was referring to a batch of kindles that were known by Amazon to be stolen, and when people tried to register them with Amazon, they were given the bad news.

[pidgeon92]

There are probably kindles that are fine, but I was referring to a batch of kindles that were known by Amazon to be stolen, and when people tried to register them with Amazon, they were given the bad news.

Do you have an article to refer to? I recall at least one person who posted who was told by Amazon that the Kindle they had purchased was stolen, but Amazon registered the Kindle and restored the wireless connection. I wish I could pull it up, but the search function on this board is sorely lacking.

[Anne]

Do you have an article to refer to? I recall at least one person who posted who was told by Amazon that the Kindle they had purchased was stolen, but Amazon registered the Kindle and restored the wireless connection. I wish I could pull it up, but the search function on this board is sorely lacking.

Did Amazon charge them anything for registering and to restore the wireless connection?

[pidgeon92]

Did Amazon charge them anything for registering and to restore the wireless connection?

I don't remember that being raised in the post. I wish I could locate it.