Kindle and Canada. Known issues?

[alix]

I wanted to hear from Canadian Kindle users and if there were any issues they have experienced. I should recieve my Kindle this week so a heads up would be nice. Are there some features that will work it the US but not Canada?

Also, is the only place to purchase ebooks from Amazon.com? Is there no way to purchase through Amazon.ca?  I would like to know in advance the exact purchase price in Cdn funds. I assume that when you purchase through .com your purchase is in US funds and your credit card charges a 2.5% conversion fee?

Has anyone ever made purchase through Chapters? Can Calibre be used to reformat these books?

Kindle has announced that it will make library books available through Overdrive. My library supports the borrowing of ebooks through Overdrive. Does this mean my KIndle will be able to borrow books from my local (Canadian) library?

[alix]

I now have my Kindle and have discovered my first issue. And that is that some books that are available to US customers are not available to me. What I don't understand is they are available as ebooks through Chapters Indigo. Some titles that are available to Chapters customers but not Amazon Canadian customers are: Water for Elephants, The Paris Wife, and The Help. I find it frustrating that popular titles such as these are not available. In this regard, it's possible that if I bought my ereader through Chapters (Kobo) I would have more book selection available to me. This could be a deal breaker for some. It's something I should have researched more thoroughly.

Although I love reading on the Kindle I don't want my reading list to be a reflection of what is available to me as a Canadian consumer but on what I actually want to read. So I guess I'll have to continue to read hard copies when no Kindle version is available. This is an issue that might actually encourage users to strip the DRM.

On the topic of "lending" books. I have yet to find a title that I can lend. What are some titles others have found to lend and I can see if I am able to loan them in Canada. So far I have only looked at popular titles and this could be why.

[Holly]

Alix, your issue is something I've encountered also.  It is disappointing when the description is intriguing.    I can't say that it has really affected my reading enjoyment though as I have found many more books than I have time to read.  I haven't yet borrowed any books. 

[meowzart]

In my research amazon still has way more books available than any Canadian vendors or Sony etc.  I got Water for elephants quite a long time ago so perhaps the distribution rights changed.  Kindle is still by far better product IMHO

[Ann in Arlington]

Whether a given book is available to a customer in a given country has mostly to do with who owns the rights for the e-book edition in that country.  So that's where the letter writing campaign should be directed.

As to lending. . . .I'm not sure it's a feature available outside the US. . . again, due to rights issues.

[alix]

From Amazon/Kindle help/FAQ:

Is lending available internationally?
At this time, Kindle book lending can only be initiated by customers residing in the United States.  If a loan is initiated to a customer outside the United States, the borrower may not be able to accept the loan if the title is not available in their country due to publisher geographical rights.

In these cases the borrower will be notified of this during the Loan redemption process, and the book reading and lending rights will return to the lender at the end of seven days from loan initiation.  You can always check the status of a loan by viewing the book on the Manage Your Kindle page.


When can I loan an ebook from the library?
Later this year, Kindle customers will be able to borrow Kindle books from more than 11,000 libraries in the United States through the new Kindle Library Lending feature. When Kindle Library Lending is launched, you will be able to check out a Kindle book from your local library and start reading on any Kindle device or free Kindle app for Android, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, PC, Mac, BlackBerry, or Windows Phone. Kindle Library Lending will provide the same unique features as Kindle and Kindle books, including the ability to read on any Kindle or free Kindle app, Whispersync technology that synchronizes your notes, highlights and last page read, real page numbers, and more.

Anyone know where I can write/email to see if and when this services will be expanded to include Canadian customers?

[Stefanswit]

I must say, as a Canadian author, my experience with Kindle (so far) has been nothing but positive.

As a reader, I have, in the past, experienced frustration with availability issues. But the bottom line is, this is a hell of a lot better than the alternative. Let's be thankful for the way things are, eh! Cheers.