buying from Target

[zeppo]

Well, I think I've solved my Kindle Keyboard vs Kindle Touch with 3G dilemma. 

Kindle Touch with 3G is $149 + $10 for Amazon AC adapter, or $159 for both.

At Target, Kindle Touch wifi only is $99 on sale for $89 today plus I have a coupon for a $10 gift card for purchases over $50.  So a total of $79.

I got the Kindle Keyboard with 3G (comes with AC adaptor) for $85 on black friday at Target.

Kindle Keyboard with 3G (with AC adaptor)  AND Kindle Touch wifi only = $164

So I guess I might as well just get the best of both worlds and get the two devices for $5 more than the one.

Question is, is there much of a down side to buying from Target than Amazon?

[jbcohen]

I don't think there is since Target does not make the kindle they simply buy the product from amazon and resell it to you so in my opinion Target is good for one thing and only one thing, their willingness to sell you the hardware that you want for less then amazon would be willing to do so, and in your case with the gift card and the sales I think that they are.  I am constantly surfing around cyber space looking for companies that are willing to sell me the product that I want for less then what that company paid for the product, in other words I am looking for a company that is willing to take a dive on a transaction or a loss for the product.  Another thing resellers are good for is saving you the shipping costs, if target is willing to sell you a product that they bought from amazon at the same price that you could get it at amazon they are essentially saving you the shipping, something that they are willing to pay for you and charge you not a thing for.

[Annie]

Personally, I think if something happens in the long run with the Kindle, Amazon has stellar customer service and would be more likely to solve whatever issue. Whereas Target would probably just tell you tough cookies, you're out of luck.

[The Hooded Claw]

Personally, I think if something happens in the long run with the Kindle, Amazon has stellar customer service and would be more likely to solve whatever issue. Whereas Target would probably just tell you tough cookies, you're out of luck.

I don't have personal experience, but my impression is that Kindle CS treats users the same, regardless of where the Kindle in question was purchased.  Can anyone confirm this?

[Annie]

I don't have personal experience, but my impression is that Kindle CS treats users the same, regardless of where the Kindle in question was purchased.  Can anyone confirm this?

Hmmm, I wasn't aware of that. It may be true. I don't usually have to contact CS for any issues.

[Kathy]

Does it come with the same warranty as Amazon? If so I'm sure Amazon would treat it the same. It is their product and they want to keep customers happy. After all you will be buying your books at Amazon regardless of where you buy the Kindle.

[StephanieJ]

My daughter bought her Kindle at Target.  It was Saturday morning, she wanted it right then vs. waiting so we got it there.  She lost the receipt within a day.  Then she managed to break the Kindle within a week.  I was so upset since we did not have the receipt.  I decided to call Amazon just to see if they could help.  He told me even if we had found the receipt and driven to Target they would have told us to call Amazon!  If it were a return I am sure Target would be great, but Amazon swapped hers out.  I don't know that Target would have done that since SHE broke it.  So I think buying at Target would be perfectly fine!

Oddly enough the one they sent her managed to somehow break one day while she was at school.  This time NOT remotely her fault.  I called Amazon and again they replaced it.  I was amazed and so thankful!

[pitbullandfire]

You couldn't beat that Black Friday Sale at Target...That's how I got my my K3 and am loving it every day I use her...DANG, so the Touch's are on sale too??? That's the only one I'm missing 

[zeppo]

You couldn't beat that Black Friday Sale at Target...That's how I got my my K3 and am loving it every day I use her...DANG, so the Touch's are on sale too??? That's the only one I'm missing 

here is the coupon link, you have to print it at home:

http://coupons.target.com/target-holiday-elves-coupons

plus there is an offer on the Touch Wifi that ends today to get a $10 gift card when you buy it (at regular price $99)

so in total, you pay regular price but walk out with two $20 gift cards, as I just did about an hour ago.

[jbcohen]

Target is not going to be the store to give you the customer service, amazon will do that Target is just the middle man in this transaction and therefore they are good for only one thing, cutting your costs, in this case they are cutting out the cost of shipping that amazon would have charged you in addition to the cost of the kindle.

[Ann in Arlington]

As evidenced in Stephanie's story, Amazon is the 'go to' for warranty issues. . . . it doesn't matter where you buy it and you don't need to worry about receipts.  They go by when it's shown as sold/registered.  So buying from Target or Staples or anywhere else it's sold makes no difference.  I personally would prefer to order direct from Amazon unless I needed it TODAY.  Even if I need it tomorrow I can do that for about $4 as a prime member and would have it in two days for free.  But that's mainly because it will then come already registered -- though it's not like that's hard to do either.

Bottom line:  your choice.  No downsides either way.

[zeppo]

Thanks everybody for your replies.  I'll stick with the deals I got at Target.