Very disappointed!!

[berfles]

Given the poll results, it's easy to see it's not just isolated to one type of key or another, it's clearly just faulty manufacturing.  Last time I checked, there were about 5 more voted for "clay" than "plastic" when it came to fading, so it comes down to your luck.

[Moosh]

EVERYTHING you buy has a chance of being faulty or defective. No offense, but I think it's a bit silly to return a product just because it might have a problem at some point in the future. No one would ever buy anything!! You'll love your Kindle, get reading!!

[fairy_dreams]

Just to assuage your fears further, here's a post on the Amazon board by SeaLevel:

I had to return my first K3 because of a sticky power button. It had the keys with the shiny finish. My replacement has the "clay" look keys that feel a little rougher. None of the lettering is rubbing off and I actually like the look and feel of the keys on my replacement better. They are easier to read since they don't reflect light in the same way as the others.

Enjoy your K3!

[Cindy416]

I received my graphite K3 on August 26, a day before the release date. I have used mine a lot, have the "clay" keys (as far as I can tell), and there's no sign whatsoever of any lettering or symbols beginning to wear off. I think you should open the box, download some books, and get started reading. As others have said, Amazon's customer service for Kindles is fantastic, and you'll be taken care of well.

Happy reading, and welcome to the Kindle Boards.

[jmiked]

I started reading and found the keys are wearing off threads. OH NO!! I looked at all the pictures to be able to compare when mine got here. Today it finally came. I was so excited. I opened the box and there it was "clay keys."

Mine has those also, with no sign of them wearing off yet. I read at least an hour every day. I think the furor is exaggerated.

Mike

[Skydog]

Hand-wringing and disappointment over a Kindle that hasn't even been used yet?

Good grief.

[Cindy416]

Hand-wringing and disappointment over a Kindle that hasn't even been used yet?

Good grief.

With all due respect to Skydog, I can understand disappointment when you wait and wait to buy something that's not inexpensive (probably wondering after hitting the "buy" button if it was a wise decision to spend a lot of money to read books electronically), only to discover that there seems to be a problem with some of the Kindles' keyboards. Given the fact that most companies don't have the awesome customer service that the Kindle branch of Amazon.com has, it would be natural to hesitate to open the box, thinking you might be stuck with the purchase if it doesn't live up to your expectations. That said, we know how great CS is, and that they will overnight a replacement if a Kindle is defective.

My advice is the same as others' to the OP (and I've already said this in an earlier post): Go ahead and use your Kindle 3. Many of us have had no problem at all with ours. Those who have, have gotten to hang onto the one that's not working exactly as expected while waiting for CS to send another one.

[BooksGalore]

I've had my kindle for an entire month with the "clay" keys.  I've read 5 entire books and 6 partial (I flip around).  I use my fingernails for the keys. 
There is no sign of wear at all on any key.  I suggest you try your kindle heavily for the trial period.  I've had my kindle freeze twice in the beginning, followed the
instructions of customer service, with no problems since then even though I read with sunlight.  So relax, enjoy your new kindle, and call CS if needed.

[BruceS]

I have had no problem with the letters wearing out on my keys, but I can think of a solution if you are worried about it.

Use your digital camera to take a picture of the keyboard that shows all the keys now.

Print a copy of the picture that you can carry around in your purse or pocket.

That way if the letters do start to wear out sometime in the future, you can look at the picture and figure out which keys you need to press anyway.

You could also crop the picture to 800x600 and use it as a screen saver as well.

[Ann in Arlington]

Folks, I'm going to lock this thread as I think all that needs to be said has been said.  The OP hasn't been back since posting her concern so I suspect she did decide to try the Kindle and has been immersed in it ever since. 

Ann
Moderator