After years not using an ereader (a Kindle Keyboard long, long ago), I decided it was time to stop reading on my phone so much and use a front lit screen instead. After familiarizing myself with things a bit, I settled on the Clara HD. I'm in the US, so that means ordering from Kobo or Walmart. The latter had it on sale for $89.96, $30 cheaper than Kobo's price. I buy something from Walmart maybe once every 10 years, which is probably once every 10 years too often. But given their easier return policy and logistics and sale price, it was a simple choice. I ordered it about 3 weeks ago.
One problemthe device never showed up. My order is "delayed." Walmart does list the device on their website, but at a price way higher than their normal $119 and through a third party vendor. The same holds true for the Libra H2O at an even more inflated price.
Walmart customer service says they have no information about availability. They don't know if the Clara HD will appear today, next week, or ever. Kobo's CS is unreachable other than via Twitter. The chat feature on their help page is a bot. Their Twitter responses are devoid of content. They politely tell me almost nothing. So I have no idea what's going on. Their two possibly best selling devices are unavailable in the US and must come from Rakuten in Canada (please correct me if I'm wrong about that) meaning slow shipping and expensive returns plus a restocking fee.
Canadians can get them easily in a number of ways, including picking one up at the local Indigo store, many of which have plenty of inventory. What's this about? Why the Walmart exclusivity? Why are there no Clara HDs or Libra H2Os in the US?
I could order from Indigo in Canada, but after shipping is added, their discounted price turns into the Rakuten price, pretty much. At least there wouldn't be a restocking fee.
I'd probably just do that, but I liked that sale price I'd gotten, even if it was illusory, and it's hard to let it go. And I'm wondering if this shortage is because the Clara HD and the Libra H2O are about to be replaced by newer models.
I want the customization and hackability of the Kobo devices. I don't want a Kindle. I'd get the pricier Onyx Boox Poke 2, but those don't exist at the moment either.
This is long winded, I know. For those who lasted this long, does anyone have any idea what's going on with regard to the availability problems in the US?
