Trade in policy? (Alex? FT?) [ Edited ]

[roustabout]

Over on NC General, there's a post from a customer who was able to trade in an n1e for credit towards an NC. 

It sounded like an officially supported trade in (and I was very interested that the credit could only apply to an NC, if I read the post correctly, neither the NT nor glowworm were available; no mention of the NST in the post.)

Are there variations of that policy in effect for other nook devices, or is it limited to the n1e, perhaps to the 3g n1e, even?  (I can understand why retiring the 3g n1e might be special as far as BN being willing to pay to retire the device - that model will be expensive as long as the cell bill has to be paid, and the replaceable battery means a careful customer could keep the device running for a very long time.) 

But if there are variants of the policy for other devices (or even just that one) I'd love to see that more widely publicised.  I googled around and found the n1e program announced in December, but the search hits didn't take me to BN when I looked for "nook trade-in program"   In the announcement I saw discussions of, it sounded as if the credit could also apply to an NST? 

[flyingtoastr Scribe]

As I understand it:

Yes there is a trade-in program for N1E's. It's entirely on a case-by-case basis, and the amount your device is worth varries based on age, condition, etc. It is not offered in stores. The trade-in is run solely though the customer support line (1-800-THE-BOOK): store employees can't offer much other than words of encouragement and a pat on the back.

As far as I'm aware, it only applies to the N1E, not the NST or NC/T.

Since this is not a store program the information we were provided was very limited, just a couple paragrahps on the weekly news blast that it was being offered, and to direct any customer inquiries to the CS line. Alex may (probably does) have a lot more information than I do.

[DeanGibson Distinguished Bibliophile]

When I read that thread, I was wondering if this was warranty fulfillment, based on a particular case.

My opinion is that if you can sell the Nook 1st edition (WiFi-only) for $50 or so, you should.  The average listing price on Craigslist seems to be about $70, but I have no idea if that's wishful thinking (I suspect it is).  Certainly B&N has little motive for a trade-in program for this model.

My opinion for the 3G model is different.  First of all, this model is still valuable for those that might find themselves in a situation where they have lots of captive spare time for reading (eg, jury duty) where WiFi is not available.  Second, this is a model (as you point out) that might at some point in the future, motivate B&N to offer a trade-in in exchange for dropping 3G service.  For both reasons, I keep mine charged with the power fully off (and I have a spare new battery).

Finally, I note this was a trade-in for a model whose life expectancy may be short:  We don't know if B&N is still manufacturing the NC, or just selling off inventory.  Since NCs go for $170 new, that means that B&N is putting a value of about $70 on the Nook 1st edition (whichever model is involved).

[Schwa]

This would make sense to me in that it sounds like B&N is trying to thin the population of N1E's out in the wild, especially now that it is officially discontinued.

IIRC, I believe I remember seeing someone on here mention that if a N1E still under warrenty or protection plan then they are now offering replacements with CPO NST's too.  I'm sure you customer service mileage will vary though.

[roustabout]

" jury duty) where WiFi is not available"

Last year I got called for jury duty and the waiting pen, at least, had open wifi access.

Without fitlers, even - I was amused to see that the folks running the courtroom didn't mind their employees and jurors surfing, ahem, whatever sites they chose. 

[keriflur]

If B&N brought back the in-store trade-in where you buy a new nook and get a $50 gift card for trading-in your N1E, I would do it in a heartbeat.  Mine is 3g and still works great.

[DeanGibson Distinguished Bibliophile]

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roustabout wrote:

" jury duty) where WiFi is not available"

Last year I got called for jury duty and the waiting pen, at least, had open wifi access.

---

That was true last year for me as well, until I was moved to the "jury overflow" room.  That's when I was glad I had the 3G model (and bought two eBooks)

[BN_AlexG Administrator]

There isn't an official trade-in program, it is more along the lines of warranty fulfillment as Dean mentioned earlier.

As Toastr mentioned earlier as well, it is solely on a case by case basis and is only available via 1800-THEBOOK.

- Alex

[roustabout]

Thanks to all for clarifying as best you were able. 

Sounds like the message is that there really isn't an explicit trade-in policy at this time, although customers may perceive it and refer to it as such. 

[Jacquie66]

I was really hoping for a trade-in policy like Apple has...want a new iPod trade in an old one (doesn't matter the condition) and get 10% off a new one

Would really like a simple touch or simple touch glow.  Love my Nook color but on sunny days can be a little trying.  Would have traded my N1E since I really don't need 3 e-readers at home and my daughter doesn't really like them.

Oh well maybe one day.