Anyone else feel wrong getting a Special Offers Kindle for someone as a gift?

[Jan Strnad]

If it's their first Kindle, they'll just assume it comes that way, right? The way a TV comes with commercials. I wouldn't worry about it. If they complain, you can tell them that for $30-40 they can get rid of the offers.

[CS]

If I knew someone who would act ungrateful for getting a Special Offers Kindle, guess what, they wouldn't get a Kindle at all from me.

I think the Special Offers Kindle is a fine gift, and as others have pointed out, if they want to remove the offers, they can pay to do so. The ads aren't that a big of a deal.

[jonathanmoeller]

For myself, I'd be thrilled to get a Special Offers Kindle as a gift. If your recipient doesn't want it, you can send it to me. 

[SandyLu562]

Ya know, giving a magazine subscription or a TV automatically includes ads, like several have pointed out, and I never even thought of that LOL! I guess it's kind of a hit or miss thing unless the receiver has a strong opinion. Truly, the ads aren't at all obtrusive and I find them more interesting than the dead authors. I just get bored when the same 2 or 3 cycle through. Guess it's time to leave wifi on again ;P

Personally and I'm pretty sure this is true of everyone in my family and extended family, cheaper is better for the same quality. I guess the question is, do ads affect quality? For us, the answer is no. But it's your father and it sounds like you're leaning toward the Fire just to not have to deal with SO or noSO !!  So get him the Fire! It's a cool looking little tablet and Amazon Prime is less expensive than Netflix. Plus, it's just a fun gift

Whatever you do, I hope your dad enjoys his present.

[Stephanie]

I am definitely in the camp that says if someone got me a Kindle (any Kindle), I would think it was great!

That being said, I bought my M-I-L a Kindle for her birthday in July and I made sure she got the 3g w/o ads.  She is NOT tech-savvy, at all.  In fact, when she got it and I explained that we got her the 3g so she could buy book without wi-fi, she said..."Oh, good!  I wanted the 3g so I wouldn't have to be near a computer when I read."   H'UH???     I really did not know where to go with that one.  How did she think I was reading on mine for the last 2 years???  I was stupefied, but very glad I decided to go with the 3g w/ no ads.  No sense adding insult to injury!   

I am planning on going to Target at midnight to try to get the 3g w/ ads, as an extra Kindle for myself.  $85 is a steal, if you ask me.  Plus, I'll get a Kindle with the latest version of e-ink.   

[Tippy]

A Kindle is a Kindle is a Kindle. . . What a wonderful thoughtful gift to get your father for Christmas.  Am sure he will love it -- and of course love the giver.  I would not be offended by the SO Kindle -- in fact it might be enjoyable. 

[parakeetgirl]

There are people I wouldn't hesitate to give an SO kindle to and people I wouldn't even dream of it with.  Totally depends on the person.

I agree with this statement. Most people in my family appreciate a good bargain. I think my parents would be proud of me for buying the one with SOs. But, it can depend on the person, like Ann said.

[samanthawarren]

My cousin bought himself a K3SO shortly after they came out. He made $20 from the offers right off the bat. As long as the person you're getting it for is even semi-techie, I think the SO is actually better, because they have a chance of getting some really good deals from it. I've only had my KTSO for a few days and I'm already ignoring the ads unless I look at them intentionally.

[chilady1]

I have gone back and forth on this one for a while as I am going to purchase a Kindle Touch for my Mother for Christmas.  This will replace her Kindle 2 (she is severely overdue for a new one).  I landed on buying her the Kindle Touch with 3G and with no SO.  The primary reason for this, is because back when Kindles were $359, my wonderful Mother purchased my first Kindle for me.  This from a woman on a fixed income.  She loved the idea so much, she purchased one for herself. 

I can't justify purchasing wifi only with SO for her given what she did for me.  So I am going with the Kindle Touch with 3G and no SO (although I think my Mom would like some of the special offers).  I wanted her to have the Touch so she can better navigate the Bible on her Kindle.  I am sure though, even if someone did receive a Kindle with SO they would love it.  I know I would. 

[robertk328]

I guess it depends on your perception.  The name of the device is Kindle with "Special Offers" not Kindle with "Ads".  Special offers, which is how I see them, are a good thing. If the person you are gifting to is an Amazon fan like many of us are, I don't believe that it's a big deal.  If they think anything like a "special offer" is an "ad" (you know who you are  ) then no, don't do it. You'll never hear the end of it, unless they choose to buy out of the special offers, and even then you may still hear about it.

[Labnick]

I have the K2 and my husband has K3 and I recently upgraded to the kindle touch 3g SO because i love the size.  The special offers do not interrupt my reading in anyway. Matter a fact my husband wanted the SO enabled on his K3 which we did!   Some of the deals are really great.  If i was to by this as a gift I would go with the SO no matter who I was buying it.

[TraceyC/FL]

Most people i know are wanting the offers for themselves, so I wouldn't hesitate at all!

I like the saying that it is the gift that keeps on giving, and I'm hoping they have some exciting offers pending!!

[Jesslyn]

Pretty much everyone in the family now has a Kindle of one variety or another.  This past week, my 76yo Dad was the final recipient of a Kindle.  We didn't think twice about whether it was SO or not, we just worried over 3G or wifi only.  Personally, I pay as little attention to the SO as I did to the horrible author pics and frankly, am hoping for the discounted GC offer.  I will be telling my Dad to look out for it as well. 

He was and is so happy to have one that I doubt he gave it a second thought. We got him a case and a $50 GC as well.  Frankly anyone for whom I'd spend $240 on for a gift better not complain.

[patrickt]

It's tacky. It's like when a friend of mine gave me the stainless steel Rolex instead of the white gold. Tacky, tacky, tacky.

[KimberlyinMN]

It's tacky. It's like when a friend of mine gave me the stainless steel Rolex instead of the white gold. Tacky, tacky, tacky.

Ha!!   I love stainless steel - at least if it is a GOOD quality.

[Ann in Arlington]

Ha!!   I love stainless steel - at least if it is a GOOD quality.

And if it's really a ROLEX, it would be!

[tkkenyon]

I don't know. Good question.

I don't have SO on my Kindle, b/c I got it before they had the SO ones.

I think I would get someone a 3G+SO, rather than WiFi only and no SO.

Consider this: Would you feel bad if you got them a TV, and when they turned it on, they saw a commercial? Would you feel like you had to spring for HBO, too, so they could watch without ads?

I was kind of thinking about turning on the SO on mine. Hear there're some great deals.

TK Kenyon

[JETaylor]

Personally, I don't think it matters. I've got a Kindle with special offers and the ads are only there when it's turned off, they go away when I turn it on, so to me they aren't invasive and sometimes, they're interesting. 

I wouldn't sweat over it unless its something that really bothers you...if it does - do a little extra like a nice case with a light - that with the kindle costs the same as the non special offer kindle.