While doing some research over at Amazon this morning I came across a couple of listings for refurbished Kindle Paperwhites.
Usually Amazon has a note along the side of the regular listing when they have refurbished units available, but this time they are completely hidden for some reason. In fact they don’t even show up when running a specific search for “Kindle Paperwhite” at Amazon, and even when searching just the Kindle Store. Odd… I guess they’d rather sell the new ones instead.
There are two listings available for the refurbished units. There’s the regular Kindle Paperwhite for $104 and the 3G Kindle Paperwhite for $159.
Both are the ad-supported models (the ads can be unsubscribed, of course). The Wi-Fi model is $15 less than a brand new Kindle Paperwhite and the 3G model is $20 less. That’s not much of a discount, but it’s enough to buy a few ebooks.
The certified refurbished Kindles come with the same 1 year warranty as the new models and are subject to the same return policy, so you aren’t losing anything with the lower price. In fact they’ve been tested and inspected and even come in a new box; the only way you can really tell is the refurbished sticker they put on the box.
Generally I feel better about spending a few bucks more to get something that is brand new, but if you are looking to save a few bucks the refurbished Kindle Paperwhites might be worth a look. I thought I’d mention it since they are buried deep in the search results at Amazon and are almost impossible to come across naturally.
Well, considering I usually end up with a refurbed model anyway, since I have had to exchange my last two e-readers (kindle and nook), I’m thinking this is the deal I’ve been awaiting 😉
I saw the refurbed models on the amazon main page when I opened their website. The refurbished kindle touch is $89 … I’ve forgotten it’s original price.
They were $99 right before they were discontinued.
The funny thing is even though they were discontinued, Amazon has new Kindle Touches back in stock again for $99. They must have just recently come back.
Thank you Nathan! You’ve come through once again with info I most likely wouldn’t have otherwise found.
This deal is just enough below their standard price that I don’t mind purchasing it. (Still comes in under their list price, even after taxes they now charge for California residents.)
And, the fact that it’s been inspected and potentially refurbed might… maaaaaybe… mean that any blotching/shadowing on the lighted screen (a common complaint) could have been repaired/minimized. If not, it could of course be legitimately sent back under warranty.
Thanks again; they were still in stock when I went there after reading your article!
Thanks, Nathan. Because of your find I’ve now purchased the 3G Kindle Paperwhite for $159.
As with the Kindle Keyboard I was told by two Amazon consultants today that the Experimental Browser for the 3G Kindle Paperwhite can also be used to check my Gmail or do other Internet browsing up to 50 MBs a month. Very useful to me when I’m away from home since I do not have a cell phone with a data plan.
Unfortunately that is not true. The Kindle Keyboard was the last Kindle to have free 3G web browsing. It even states this specifically on the 3G Paperwhite description page:
“Kindle Paperwhite 3G enables you to connect to the Kindle Store and access Wikipedia – all over 3G or Wi-Fi. Experimental web browsing on other websites is only available over Wi-Fi.”
I just tried on my 3G Kindle Touch to make sure Amazon hadn’t recently changed their policy, and it was a no go. 3G only works for Amazon, Wikipedia, and Shelfari.
Thank you, Nathan. What is odd is that there are some very thorough Amazon reviews on the 3G Kindle Paperwhite that say 3G browsing is available for such things as Gmail. Thus, I asked Amazon about these reviews and I was told that apparently there was a firmware update to the 3G Kindle Paperwhite that ended the limited 3G browsing. The Amazon rep I spoke with had consulted with several of her colleagues and the consensus seemed to be they don’t really know for sure if the 3G Kindle Paperwhite ever had 3G browsing capability.
It was too late to cancel my order from Amazon for the 3G Kindle Paperwhite so I will test the thing myself to confirm that indeed there is no 3G browsing on the latest firmware with the 3G Kindle Paperwhite.
Come back and let us know if it works. I was testing on my Kindle Touch so you never know, things might be different with the Paperwhite.
Tested my 3G Kindle Paperwhite I received today to see if I could connect to my Gmail (and other Non-Amazon approved Web sites) with the experimental browser without WiFi as I do nicely with my Kindle Keyboard. It didn’t work, and it seems it never did and probably never will.
Double checked with Amazon rep, who consulted with her superior and was told that they were 200% sure that there is no previous firmware for the 3G Kindle Paperwhite that allowed limited 3G browsing for Gmail, etc. I was told that the Kindle Keyboard was the last (and I think only) Kindle device to offer such browsing.
Thanks Nathan! I’ve been waiting for the refurbs to go up for sale, but didn’t see anything until your article with the link. Appreciate you!!
my refurbished Kindle arrived a few days ago and I’ve read 1 book on it.the lighted screen is fantastic! There are no discolorations anywhere. I’m having a good time with the new Kindle I think I like it better than my GlowNook since the font seems to be easier to read on my Kindle. also paging forward is easier on the Kindle. Thanks Nathan for letting us know about this great Amazon offer!
Glad I could help! And it’s good to hear you got a good one.