Buying And Using A Kindle In South Africa

After my uphill battle with getting my Kindle,I now realise most of the drama was caused through ignorance.I am doing this post especially for South Africans who might be interested in getting a Kindle and how to go about getting that FIRST book onto your kindle, hassle free.

1-order your Kindle from Want It All.They are a South African import company who specializes in importing electronic gadgets into SA.They are professional and extremely helpful.Apparently you can order directly from Amazon UK but I did not want any customs hassles so I chose to go through them.A word of warning,the amount goes off your credit card immediately and not when the goods are despatched.Also expect it to take not less than 10 working days to arrive.I received e mails with updates on my order quite regularly so that was reassuring.

2-log onto your Amazon account.If you dont have one then create one.Go to Kindle Store and choose a kindle version book you would like to buy.You will be told you need a Kindle for this book.Go to "register" your kindle.Enter a name for it and the 16 digit serial number at the back.(Please note that by this time the import company should have de registered that serial no off their ac).

3-after you have registered your kindle on your account,you now need to purchase an Amazon gift card(using your credit card).Start with a $20 dollar one until all is working smoothly.The gift card code will be sent to the e mail address you stipulated.Once you receive the code go back to your Amazon account and redeem this code.It will now show $20 balance on your account.

4-enter a new address under your account.The import company will give you their US address to use(another reason why you should order your Kindle via Want It All).You absolutely need to have a US address as you cannot order a Kindle book without it.Add this new address as the default for One Click setting.Also make sure that your gift card balance is showing as a "method of payment".

5-repeat point no 2.This time you will be going right through after clicking.Ignore the success message saying your purchase will be downloaded wirelessly to your Kindle.This only happens in the US.Now go to "Manage Your Kindle".The book you purchased will show.You can now download to your computer.

6-connect your Kindle to your computer.Switch on.Locate file you downloaded and copy to the Kindle "documents" file if it was a book.Check out your Kindle.Miraculously the book will now show on your Kindle.Start reading........

I think the above rules will apply to anyone trying to get a Kindle from outside the US except perhaps the import company you use.Want It All does however take orders from anywhere in the world so try them if you like.Justin Or Peter are available to go through the entire process of registering and purchasing Kindle books with you over the phone.They have been a big help for me.


Further good news.I ordered Secrets In The Cellar by John Glatt and it was showing as $6.99 and once I bought it I got a further discount and only ended up paying $3.48.That is a big big saving for me.I usually pay between $10-$12 for a book.I love it!!

So the only problem now is the fact that I fiddled so much with my Kindle I have had to put it back on the charger so I can only start reading when my Kindle is charged.

I am going to use mine for about a week and then am going to do a post on pros and cons.To find out more about the Kindle please see Amazon link below