MacBook from US?

TheDean

TheDean

TheDean

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Hi all,

Going to NYC in April and am thinking about getting myself a MacBook. Obviously this depends what Apple announces in their upcomming press Expo. Are they a lot cheaper over there? What warrenty issues would I have if it were to go wrong? In terms of customs - what is the deal - Officially & unofficially?
I was also thinking about bringing one back to sell? Worth doing or stupid idea?

Cheers
 
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Yes, because of the exchange rate.

Apple worldwide warranty on the MacBook.

You will get done for TAX unless you take it out of the box and claim it's yours as hand luggage.

Good idea, but you'd have to fold the box up in to your case and risk being caught.. it's up to you :)
 
TheDean said:
Hi all,

Going to NYC in April and am thinking about getting myself a MacBook. Obviously this depends what Apple announces in their upcomming press Expo. Are the a lot cheaper over there? What warrenty issues would I have if it were to go wrong? In terms of customs - what is the deal - Officially & unofficially?
I was also thinking about bringing one back to sell? Worth doing or stupid idea?

Cheers
Click to expand...

I've gone exactly this myself. As already stated the warranty is international, I can also vouche for the fact that Apple honour this. The CD drive on my mac was broken, they fixed it under warranty without issue. If it's for personal use I'd chuck the box or post it to myself back home. Not worth the risk of getting spammed at customs. If you intend to sell it, then what EVH says is a good, fold up the box and put it in your checked luggage. The chances of being stopped are small, but walking through customs with a huge Mac box under your arm would be asking for it.

EDIT: I think you are allowed to bring back 200 pound worth of stuff, anything over that any you should pay tax. You cannot pool your allowances as a family either. Just for your info,
 
Im typing on one i brought back from america right now :p
Its perfectly fine as the warranty is world-wide, and with the pound/dollar difference was a great buy
 
Durzel said:
It won't have a € key and from memory one or two other keys are switched around too (£ for $, etc)
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It's only £ and # (Shift+3). Everything else is the same apart from a slightly different sized enter key. Just change the keyboard setting to UK and everything works fine.

I bought my MBP nearly two years ago @ £1=$1.70ish in Florida. You'll need to pay the local sales tax which varies. I saved over 25% as I didn't have to pay UK VAT.
 
TheDean said:
Local sales tax? So I couldn't just walk in and pay cash?
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Yes you can still walk in and pay cash, but there will be a local sales tax. This tax varies by state and I think even by county. It will just be added to your bill. I think it's 6% in NY, you will be able to find out what it is on the net. Then just add it to the price quoted on the apple web site.
 
peter_hutson said:
Yes you can still walk in and pay cash, but there will be a local sales tax. This tax varies by state and I think even by county. It will just be added to your bill. I think it's 6% in NY, you will be able to find out what it is on the net. Then just add it to the price quoted on the apple web site.
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That's ridiculous....:eek:
 
I dont think apple store's knock sales tax off (equivalent of VAT) for under the counter cash dealings. I thought only builders merchants do that anyway :P
 
MagicBoy said:
What's the difference in real world terms between the US Sales Tax and VAT?

Would you prefer claim the 6% back when you leave the US and pay 17.5% + import duty when you reach the UK?


I thought not :D

There are states with a 0% Sales Tax, but they're not usually tourist friendly. Alaska anyone?
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Am I right in thinking only Apple sell products in the US? I.e. will the Apple store on 5th Ave be the best place to buy them or will Best Buy or some other shop be cheaper? Also - I have read that if a college or HE student you get a discount - Is this the case for the US as well? Would I have to provide any proof?
 
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From my experience the Apple Store is the best bet. Best Buy/CompUSA stock them but arn't usually any cheaper. Apple store has fresher stock, so if you want a new/updated model it's the only option. The prices are set as RRPs and you never see any significant discounts elsewhere. Even Amazon only knock $10 or so off.
 
You can't garauntee that Best Buy / any other retailer would have the latest models.

Sounds stupid, but if a certain purple-shirted place in the UK are still selling Macs with Tiger then I'd be wary about what you're buying.
 
TheBrooder said:
What about ebay?

Has anyone bought from a US seller from ebay and got away without paying tax and/or import duty?
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He'd have a job marking a package that size as "gift" without it being picked up by customs for inspection.

I believe the only way to get it across without VAT is to carry it on as hand luggage, or hire a haulage company to transport it across and class it as a removal?!

I've never tried the latter though..
 
Sorry to bring up a slightly dead thread..

But i'm seriously considering this, i have a few questions though:

What are the main differences just the £ and $ thing, and the enter key? how does the enter key differ?

And also, whats the deal with the power supplies? Will the US plug power supply be ok in the UK?

Cheers.
Jay
 
Yeah you will just need to buy a UK plug adapter.

The enter key is straight instead of being 'L' shaped like the European ones.
 
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