Remember a couple of weeks ago when I posted about the Sony Daily Edition showing up at Best Buy well ahead of the released date?
The website was showing it as backordered but if you clicked on the “check stores” link several stores across the country were showing it as in-stock—a lot of people went out and bought one. In most cases reported, the units were not out on the floor. Best Buy employees had to get them from the “storage room”.
As it turns out, those Readers weren’t meant to be sold. According to Sony they were demo units (I’m not convinced). I received an email from Sony this morning explaining:
Thank you for your recent purchase of a Reader Daily EditionT (PRS-950). We appreciate your excitement about digital reading and know you want to get started with your new Reader right away. Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that you were inadvertently sold a unit that was meant for retail demonstration only and may not be fully functional. We would like for you to enjoy all the features the Reader Daily Edition has to offer as soon as possible so we will be sending you a brand new device. You will also receive a prepaid mailing label and ask that you send the demonstration unit back to us.
Please give us a call at your earliest convenience so we can send you a new device. You can reach us at 1-800-442-7669.
We apologize For any inconvenience this may cause And wish you happy reading.
Sincerely,
The Reader Team
This is where it gets interesting. I paid cash for the Daily Edition at Best Buy so Sony has no way to track that specific order to my email address. Which means that the email is either being sent to everyone who has registered a PRS-950 to their Sony Reader account, or Sony can somehow detect the fact that it is a demo unit via the wireless connection (not betting on that). Or perhaps they are sending the emails to just those of us you registered the device before a certain date?
Either way, color me confused. I haven’t had the slightest bit of trouble with the Daily Edition up to this point. Everything works, all the features are active, even 3G works. I have no idea what Sony is talking about on this one.
I wonder if the demo units have some non-release features: maybe Sony was playing with support for B&N’s funny DRM or something.
If they are checking the registered device’s firmware then it might be different than the production version…
Steve
If they are so easly to replace it it HAS to have features they do not want you to have/use…. Maybe it’s a good topic for investigating a bit more?
We’re waiting unpatiently for more news about that!
Cheers,
Adam
I received the same e-mail. I’d like to keep this thread alive, as I am very puzzled about this. I also have a PRS-950. When I called Best Buy to see if they were in yet, the worker checked the “back room” and found just one, and put it on hold for me to pick up that evening. I love my Reader and am trying to figure out why they want to replace it. Haven’t been able to get through to the number they gave, as it’s the weekend. It works perfectly.
I also got this email. I spoke to someone on Friday evening, and was told I would be contacted w/i 48 hours for information and that I needed to have my receipt available. Additionally, I was told specifically that the issue was the 3G that might not be fully functional. At the time, I had only connected with WI-FI, so I really didn’t know. But since, I have used the 3G with no problem. Bottom line, I really don’t see what’s wrong with this unit.
I did an early pick up from Best Buy too! and received the same e-mail. I called Sony and long behold, apparently mine is not one of the demo units! 🙂
Every PRS-950 has 3 unique serial numbers; the actual Sony serial number silk-screened on the back of the device, the MAC address in the Wi-Fi chip set, and the ESN or IMEI number stored in the 3G radio, so they can indeed identify your unit via wireless and/or 3G if they so choose.
Got the letter too. As a heads up, you need to know the serial number when you call. It would have been nice if that had been included in the email!
I received the same email and they have FINALLY shipped my new reader. They said they would send me a new reader and then I could ship my old one back. I would have to give them my credit card and I did not want to do that. I received the email 2/7/11 and my new reader is to be delivered 3/1/11. They need a copy of your receipt (I was not informed of this) I also included a copy of the email I recieved. However they thought it was a warranty issue and I had to straighten that issue out. Here’s hoping I actually get the reader!
Wow. I can’t believe Sony still hasn’t got that straightened out; that started clear back in November. Best of luck to you. Others have gotten their replacements, I’ve heard.