Little "n" button won't work [ Edited ]

[Bittybye]

I've had my Nook ST for about 3-4 weeks then suddenly the little "n" button no longer works for me.

I didn't drop it, I didn't spill anything on it, it's not rooted.  But I can't get to my home page anymore.  I called BN and they walked me though a factory reset, but once I got to the oage where it askes me if I'm sure I want to rest, they ask for me to press the "n" button--and nothing happens.  I can't use it.

The kicker is I live in Canada and this wa a gift from my aunt so it's a very long drawn out thing to get a new one, so I was wondering if anyone else had this problem and if so what the did to fix it.  I would be really greatful.

EDIT: I was able to do the factory reset, but it did nothing other than now every so often it turns off on it's own, then leaves the message about swiping to unlock.

So much for the Nook being a good ereader.

[keriflur]

It sounds like your nook has some issues and an exchange is probably in order.  Would your aunt be willing to assist you in exchanging it?

I know some people don't want to ask a gift-giver for help if a gift needs exchanging/returning, but FWIW, if I gave someone a nook (or any other gift) I would want to help if they were having trouble with it.

[Bittybye]

Yes she's agreed to help me. She's offered to return it and buy a Sony reader instead. Considering the Nook I have I'm considering it. I love the Nook (when it's working) but it's a lot of effort to get a new one.

[keriflur]

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Bittybye wrote:
Yes she's agreed to help me. She's offered to return it and buy a Sony reader instead. Considering the Nook I have I'm considering it. I love the Nook (when it's working) but it's a lot of effort to get a new one.

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If I were you'd I'd really consider if I wanted a Sony (I say that as someone who did consider Sony and decided I really wanted a nook instead).  Your nook is defective and while there's no guarantee that you won't get another defective nook on exchange, I'd guess the odds are in your favor that your next nook would be defect-free.

Also, did your Aunt buy from B&N or somewhere else?  B&N has a 14-day return policy (if she bought from them directly).  Anything after 14-days is exchange only, through CS.

[Bittybye]

She bought in store. And no I don't want a Sony, but I'm worried that the next one will have the same problem. It worked fine for 3 weeks then...this. I guess I don't have a choice. But honestly BN should have a longer return time.

[RHWright]

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Bittybye wrote:
She bought in store. And no I don't want a Sony, but I'm worried that the next one will have the same problem. It worked fine for 3 weeks then...this. I guess I don't have a choice. But honestly BN should have a longer return time.

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While certainly not the most generous in the industry, B&N's return window is not unusually low, as a comparison to retailers that carry the NOOK or other e-readers:

Best Buy: 30 days

Wal-Mart: 15 days

Target: 45 days

J&R: 14 days in-store, 30 days online

CompUSA: 14 days

Staples:14 days

Also, what you are describing is covered under warranty for 1 year. After that 14-day window, you will get an exchange, but not a refund. The odds of getting a second defective unit are pretty low.

[Bittybye]

I hope you're right about getting another defective reader. I have to say I loved my Nook, it worked like a dream. My old reader was a Kobo, which about 90% of the time I felt like throwing out the window. I even had the fast battery drainage problem my I was told to turn it off and that worked. I read at least 7 hours one day and the battery only went down 3% I loved it...until it really screwed up. Fingers crossed it won't happen again.

[RHWright]

Realistically, the odds of getting a defective unit seem pretty low (though I've never seen published defect rates for the NOOK line).

Keep in mind, what you see posted online is often a worst case scenario and many people only post when there is a problem; fewer post just to say everything's awesome. So the picture of defects and problems can be slightly distorted to seem that they are highly rampant.

That said, some people have reported problems with one unit after another. Others have never had a hiccup. No matter the defect rate, it's kind of like tossing a coin. Theoretically, if you toss a coin enough times, it'll come up heads 50% and tails 50%. In practice, you could toss it 100 times in a row and have heads come up every time. It's unlikely, but it does/can happen.

I can only relate my experience. I had no problems with my N1E (i.e. "problems" meaning not working the way it was designed, not that I didn't see room for improvements in that design) until I finally did get the bezel crack. B&N replaced it (out of warranty) in-store for a brand new N1E unit. Shortly thereafter, I bought a refurb N2E/NST. Have had no problems with that (other than firmware issues, such as the wi-fi connectivity and, IMO, some battery meter glitches).

Others' experience varies.

So my opinion is to stick with the NOOK.