Hello, my name is Igal, and I'm an addict.
Well, not really, but I sure like gadgets. I bought an iPhone (1st generation) immediately after its price dropped from $600 to $400. I love it and I use it for almost everything. Except reading. I tried reading on the iPhone - it supports PDF attachments, for example, you could open a PDF file from an attached mail message, and the iPhone would display it perfectly. Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to read on that tiny screen for a long time, and the backlit LCD hurts the eyes.
I've been researching electronic readers for some time. There are many to choose from , but recently Amazon had released the new Kindle 2 . The first generation Kindle was pretty ugly device, and for the price tag at the time it didn't seem to be worth it, but the new Kindle looks great, and after viewing and reading many reviews, I decided to buy it.
The problem is - this device is only available in the US. My co-worker suggested a company called Mustop - an Israeli US-based company which provides an address in the US and sends the packages to Israel. I did just that - I registered with Mustop, placed an order on the Amazon site, providing them with the Mustop address I had been given. The whole thing took a total of 15 days from the moment of purchase (I chose the free delivery, between 5-9 business days) to the moment a DHL delivery placed the package in my hands.
Things learned:
- Before ordering a previously unknown in Israel device that contains a wireless modem, it's best to have a personal importing permit from the Ministry of Communications , otherwise the device will not go through customs.
- Nobody answers the phones in the MOC.
- DHL are kind enough to fax the necessary forms for you, for a small price of almost 500 NIS , and it would still take between 14-28 business days , if at all, for the MOC to approve.
- Trying to call a different department in the MOC helps, I was told to call the correct phone number "in 5 minutes". I think the same person answered.
- TrackThis is an awesome free service which tracks your package and informs you via email/facebook/twitter about the change in its status immediately.
- When the status goes from "Clearance delay" to "Clearance processing completed" in 11pm just one day after I faxed the forms, and "Arrived at DHL facility" the next morning, it can make a person very happy and very confused at the same time.
- Calling DHL customer service in disbelief, confirming that the package is on its way, can make your entire day. Heck, week, even.
- 4pm. "Sign here please". Status changed to "Shipment Delivered". I'm now a happy Kindle owner.
There are some things that don't work in Israel, but I'll leave that to my next post.
posted @ Sunday, March 29, 2009 8:48 AM