Online purchase options

Ascendotum

Ok so here's my problem. I'm a student and have decided to finally take the plunge and get a mac! I've got my heart set on the 2.4GHz white macbook. So far so good. On the apple.ie store, with the student discount, the macbook will set me back €112.51. However I have come across a seller on eBay, http://myworld.ebay.ie/thecheetahexpress/, who ship new macbooks from the states to Europe. They have very good feedback and prices. Unfortunately they only let people with positive feedback of 20+ buy:( That rules them out for me then ... Except that they also have a website: http://www.thecheetahexpress.com, where no such restriction applies. On this site the macbook, shipped, will cost ~€946.
Now here's my question, Has anyone else heard of this site? Should I risk buying with them or should I just pay the €170 for peace of mind (alot of money for a poor student:)) and buy with apple?
Hope you can help!

whiterebel

Add in at least 21% VAT, and applicable duty on a computer, plus clearance charge. A box that size, you're bound to get nabbed by Customs.

Ascendotum

But here's the thing whiterebel. On their site they say that vat is included! They ship them in bulk to the uk and distribute from there.

Breezer

Look very interesting. I can't recommend it or otherwise unfortunately, but if you do decide to buy there let us know how it went please!

whiterebel

Ascendotum wrote: »

But here's the thing whiterebel. On their site they say that vat is included! They ship them in bulk to the uk and distribute from there.

Sorry, should have looked at the site first. The only thing is...."if it looks too good to be true....."

Breezer

whiterebel wrote: »

Sorry, should have looked at the site first. The only thing is...."if it looks too good to be true....."

Normally I'd agree, but they seem to have a lot of good feedback on eBay. The thing is, I can't figure out their business model. They must be incurring massive costs to ship and store these products, and then they not only sell them at the US price, but pay the VAT on them themselves?

What kind of a discount is Apple giving them to enable them to do that? Unless they've jacked up their prices on non-Apple products or something.

Anyone got any ideas?

Ham'nd'egger

Breezer wrote: »

Normally I'd agree, but they seem to have a lot of good feedback on eBay. The thing is, I can't figure out their business model. They must be incurring massive costs to ship and store these products, and then they not only sell them at the US price, but pay the VAT on them themselves?

What kind of a discount is Apple giving them to enable them to do that? Unless they've jacked up their prices on non-Apple products or something.

Anyone got any ideas?

Only way they have to be doing it is buying at a wholesale rate and importing it themselves in large lots; they are in for a massive shock when either Apple or the Customs catch up with them.

Ascendotum

whiterebel wrote: »

Sorry, should have looked at the site first. The only thing is...."if it looks too good to be true....."

Yeah you're probably right! I would probably risk it if it were'nt so much money. Anyway there is a €90 rebate on printers in the apple store (Not that I want a printer, but it's hard to resist a €90 rebate on a €90 printer )
Thanks for the advice though

Breezer

Ascendotum wrote: »

Yeah you're probably right! I would probably risk it if it were'nt so much money. Anyway there is a €90 rebate on printers in the apple store (Not that I want a printer, but it's hard to resist a €90 rebate on a €90 printer )
Thanks for the advice though

Darn it, anyone else want to chance it for me?

zAbbo

With the macbook pro due a revision, I would probably hold out another month or two, and either pick up a refurb or keep an eye out on second hand deals.