Dear Lifehacker, Is there anything I should be aware of when buying the Kindle Paperwhite from Dick Smith Electronics (in Australia) rather than from Amazon directly? Thanks, Ebook Novice
Dear EN,
The Kindle Paperwhite comes in two flavours; a standard version and a cheaper option that comes with on-screen advertisements. Amazon only sells the ad-free version to Australian addresses and this is the version Dick Smith will be selling also.
Otherwise, the main difference will be price — ordering direct from Amazon will cost approximately $150, including shipping. This is about $20 cheaper than what you’ll pay at Dick Smith. So if you’re looking to save money, go with Amazon.
However, if you buy direct from Amazon, you won’t get the satisfaction of supporting the local economy (if you care about that sort of thing) and you’ll also have to wait longer for your Kindle to arrive. International shipping averages 8-16 business days, while ordering from Dick Smith means you should receive it in two or three days — naturally, you can also walk straight into a store and buy it.
In other words, if you’re keen to get your hands on the device as quickly as possible, the $20 premium is probably worth it. That said, you can get a cheaper local deal simply by shopping around online. Try tech comparison websites like staticICE and Google Shopping for the lowest price. Just be sure that the proprietor you go with is reputable — having a clear product returns policy and a local customer support line are essential. Good luck!
Cheers
Lifehacker
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