iPad purchase in America?!

sticker

Hey all,

I'm considering buying an iPad when I visit San Francisco this month - Just a few questions:

1) Is there any compatability issues using american apple hardware in Ireland? I assume the power cable is of non-eu power supply, but will the standard usb power by PC be the same?

2) I have a 16gig iphone 4 and intend buying a 32gig iPad - Does itunes sync both devices as one? I'd be concerned that once I pass the 16gig threshold for the iphone, itunes won't allow me to add content to the ipad?! - how does this work with two apple devies of diffferent storage capacity?

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Any advice regarding the purchase of an ipad would also be appreciated! - 32gig seems to be €450 at current exchange rate...

Homer

Don't forget to add sales tax! Also, What exchange rate are you using? Bear in mind the rates you see online are not what you'll actually get in a bank when you go to get dollars!
The power supplies are 100-240volt so all you need to do is change the adaptor to a three pin UK/Irish type.
Yes iTunes will work fine as I run the same setup and it looks at the memory of both devices independently.

sticker

Homer wrote: »

Don't forget to add sales tax! Also, What exchange rate are you using? Bear in mind the rates you see online are not what you'll actually get in a bank when you go to get dollars!
The power supplies are 100-240volt so all you need to do is change the adaptor to a three pin UK/Irish type.
Yes iTunes will work fine as I run the same setup and it looks at the memory of both devices independently.

Thanks for the quick reply Homer - when you say Sales Tax, what do you mean? - possibly stupid question, but surely the price advertised on the apple store america includes US taxes?!

Also - just checking, can the iPad be jailbroken like the ip4?

ironclaw

2) I have a 16gig iphone 4 and intend buying a 32gig iPad - Does itunes sync both devices as one? I'd be concerned that once I pass the 16gig threshold for the iphone, itunes won't allow me to add content to the ipad?! - how does this work with two apple devies of diffferent storage capacity?

I presume your talking about "mirroring"? As in both devices have the same content? Its possible but you have to manually set them up e.g. Same playlists, Apps etc If you put iTunes on auto it will just fill the devices to capacity or there abouts.

32gig seems to be €450 at current exchange rate

600 Dollars = €449

Now, add your sales tax, maybe 21%, your euro price is €545. Plus perhaps a 2% fee from the bank (€10) Your final price is €555.

So your saving ±€45 on the Irish price. Not to b sniffed at but its not €150 in a saving.

To put it in perspective, its only a €35 saving on Spanish / UK prices:

http://store.apple.com/es/browse/home/shop_ipad/family/ipad?aid=AIC-WWW-NAUS-K2-BUYNOW-IPAD-INDEX&cp=BUYNOW-IPAD-INDEX

If you are buying one, buy it on a credit or debit card. You'll get the best exchange rate normally. Also check your bank, their fee for exchange rates differs between ATM's and card transactions (Plus the exchange rate itself). For me its cheaper to put it on the debit card (1% of Total) than take it out of an ATM (2% of Total)

Creamy Goodness

sales tax is no where near 21% in the states.

each state has their own state tax

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_taxes_in_the_United_States#Summary_table

there's a table of the 2010 sales tax and San Francisco is in California so tax of 8.25% is applicable

sticker

ironclaw wrote: »

I presume your talking about "mirroring"? As in both devices have the same content? Its possible but you have to manually set them up e.g. Same playlists, Apps etc If you put iTunes on auto it will just fill the devices to capacity or there abouts.



600 Dollars = €449

Now, add your sales tax, maybe 21%, your euro price is €545. Plus perhaps a 2% fee from the bank (€10) Your final price is €555.

So your saving ±€45 on the Irish price. Not to b sniffed at but its not €150 in a saving.

To put it in perspective, its only a €35 saving on Spanish / UK prices:

http://store.apple.com/es/browse/home/shop_ipad/family/ipad?aid=AIC-WWW-NAUS-K2-BUYNOW-IPAD-INDEX&cp=BUYNOW-IPAD-INDEX

If you are buying one, buy it on a credit or debit card. You'll get the best exchange rate normally. Also check your bank, their fee for exchange rates differs between ATM's and card transactions (Plus the exchange rate itself). For me its cheaper to put it on the debit card (1% of Total) than take it out of an ATM (2% of Total)

EDIT - See post below...

sticker

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

sales tax is no where near 21% in the states.

each state has their own state tax

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_taxes_in_the_United_States#Summary_table

there's a table of the 2010 sales tax and San Francisco is in California so tax of 8.25% is applicable

Disregard my post above - thanks Creamy!

I wasn't aware that there was addditional state sale taxes on top oif advertised prices on sites like the Apple Store in America...

Creamy Goodness

sticker wrote: »

EDIT - See post below...

he's just talking about US sales tax and the fee your bank/credit card company charges for using your card abroad.

if you want a rough calculation for california it's.

list price + 8.25% convert to euro + 1-2% (bank charge) = price you'll pay without Irish VAT and customs charge.

coming through Dublin airport you'll declare the iPad and you'll pay 21% VAT and 2-3% custom charge on the iPad.

sticker wrote: »

Disregard my post above - thanks Creamy!

I wasn't aware that there was addditional state sale taxes on top oif advertised prices on sites like the Apple Store in America...

It's placed on everything, sticker price in america is very rarely the final price. it's very jarring especially if it's your first trip over.

I think it's a stupid system but it is to allow huge companies save money on printing price tags when tax rates differ in every state amongst other things

sticker

ironclaw wrote: »

I presume your talking about "mirroring"? As in both devices have the same content? Its possible but you have to manually set them up e.g. Same playlists, Apps etc If you put iTunes on auto it will just fill the devices to capacity or there abouts.

I'd actually prefer to keep the devices content as seperate! - would this be the default setup once I plugin a new iPad to the same PC? - Can I simply define seperate playlists and app conent, video content etc?

sticker

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

he's just talking about US sales tax and the fee your bank/credit card company charges for using your card abroad.

if you want a rough calculation for california it's.

list price + 8.25% convert to euro + 1-2% (bank charge) = price you'll pay without Irish VAT and customs charge.

coming through Dublin airport you'll declare the iPad and you'll pay 21% VAT and 2-3% custom charge on the iPad.

It's placed on everything, sticker price in america is very rarely the final price. it's very jarring especially if it's your first trip over.

I think it's a stupid system but it is to allow huge companies save money on printing price tags when tax rates differ in every state amongst other things

Thanks Creamy - Glad I asked!

coylemj

Sales Tax in San Francisco is 9.5% which includes a local topup of 1.25%

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_taxes_in_the_United_States#California

US Price for the iPad 32GB (Wi-Fi only) is USD 599. Including sales tax this will come to 654.41 in the store. Based on todays ECB FX rates this converts to EUR 490.27 plus add on 1.5% CC charge brings it to EUR 497.62.

sticker

coylemj wrote: »

Sales Tax in San Francisco is 9.5% which includes a local topup of 1.25%

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_taxes_in_the_United_States#California

US Price for the iPad 32GB (Wi-Fi only) is USD 599. Including sales tax this will come to 654.41 in the store. Based on todays ECB FX rates this converts to EUR 490.27 plus add on 1.5% CC charge brings it to EUR 497.62.

Cheers for that - it's been a learning day to be sure!

As a matter of interest, I own my own business and could write off the ipad at next tax return. Am I oblieged to bring it to customs notice upon return?

whiterebel

sticker wrote: »

Cheers for that - it's been a learning day to be sure!

As a matter of interest, I own my own business and could write off the ipad at next tax return. Am I oblieged to bring it to customs notice upon return?

You can't claim your VAT back if you don't.
TBH, if you're getting your VAT back is it really worth it?

€497 + Duty (say 5%, may be zero rated, I'm not sure), +21% brings it to €631-ish. Even if zero rated for VAT its €601.......Irish price is €599........

jack presley

Dispose of the box and any other evidence of a US purchase and carry it back into Ireland as if you brought it over to the States with you and you won't have to declare it and pay tax at this end!

sticker

jack presley wrote: »

Dispose of the box and any other evidence of a US purchase and carry it back into Ireland as if you brought it over to the States with you and you won't have to declare it and pay tax at this end!

...that was plan A! Thanks -

xabi_a

You can avoid sales tax in the US by buying online. Of course this may not be an option depending on the length of your trip, but I just thought it's worth mentioning.

The site abt.com offers no tax when delivering to certain states, California included.

As it happens I brought back an iPad from California just a few weeks ago and I had no problems at all. I'm typing this on it now.

sticker

xabi_a wrote: »

You can avoid sales tax in the US by buying online. Of course this may not be an option depending on the length of your trip, but I just thought it's worth mentioning.

The site abt.com offers no tax when delivering to certain states, California included.

As it happens I brought back an iPad from California just a few weeks ago and I had no problems at all. I'm typing this on it now.

Thanks xabi -

ontheditch2

going to piggy back on this.
I just want to buy the ipad, the $499 version with just wi fi, while i am in america next week.
Will it work in Ireland when i bring it back??

Is it worth getting in the US as opposed to Ireland.

Cheers

Creamy Goodness

ontheditch2 wrote: »

going to piggy back on this.
I just want to buy the ipad, the $499 version with just wi fi, while i am in america next week.
Will it work in Ireland when i bring it back??

Is it worth getting in the US as opposed to Ireland.

Cheers

did you read the thread? not to sound smart but all your questions are answered.

jahalpin

I wouldn't buy any electrical items in the US for a number of reasons. The main reasons are;

1. Better consumer protection and warranties in E.U. than U.S. (no protection if product fails after initial manufacturer warranty period, as this only applies to goods purchased within the EU)

2. Items would be fitted with US plugs and would have to be changed

3. Very small differences in price

OP: if you can claim the VAT back on the purchase you are better buying it in Ireland.

If you don't declare the goods to customs and pay the Irish VAT you, obviously, can't claim the VAT back.

Businesses do not get a personal allowance for the importation of taxable items from outside of the EU

ironclaw

sticker wrote: »

Cheers for that - it's been a learning day to be sure!

As a matter of interest, I own my own business and could write off the ipad at next tax return. Am I oblieged to bring it to customs notice upon return?

You would have to declare it first to Revenue I'd imagine. Why not buy it here and claim it back? All told you'd probably save more.

dingding

You should consider getting it in Dixons in Dublin Airport.

Should be about 60 euro cheaper plus another 10 if you park in Dublin Airport.

You will have an EU product with local support in PC World. and no worrys with the customs.

You can also collect it on the way back if you like.

Santa Claus

dingding wrote: »

You should consider getting it in Dixons in Dublin Airport.

Should be about 60 euro cheaper plus another 10 if you park in Dublin Airport.

You will have an EU product with local support in PC World. and no worrys with the customs.

You can also collect it on the way back if you like.

10 euro airport vouchers expired at the end of the year and I thought they were only valid in "the loop" (i.e. the Aer Rianta shops and not concessions like Dixons)

Jakmeehan

I presume Dixons is in the Duty Free section - or can anyone just walk into the airport and shop in dixons?

BBMcQ

Jakmeehan wrote: »

I presume Dixons is in the Duty Free section - or can anyone just walk into the airport and shop in dixons?

it's airside (ie. through security), not duty free unless you're travelling outside the EU.

eeloe

My girlfriend bought me my iPad in new york back in November and gave it to me for Christmas!

All in, including sales tax and a marware case it only cost her 450, not a lot of a saving really, but it's still better off in her pocket!

coylemj

jahalpin wrote: »

I wouldn't buy any electrical items in the US for a number of reasons. The main reasons are;

1. Better consumer protection and warranties in E.U. than U.S. (no protection if product fails after initial manufacturer warranty period, as this only applies to goods purchased within the EU)

If it doesn't break in the first 12 months, chances are you will get several years hassle-free usage, this is a red herring.

jahalpin wrote: »

2. Items would be fitted with US plugs and would have to be changed

Most Apple devices are charged via the USB cable where there are no voltage issues and anyway the three-pin plug for charging Apple devices off the mains costs next to nothing and can be bought from anyone selling Apple accessories. If you're buying something like a digital camera in a large US city you can usually ask for the 'international' version in which case the charger will be multivoltage (100-240V).

jahalpin wrote: »

3. Very small differences in price

I know your post refers to purchasing electrical items in the US in general but in the case of Apple gadgets there is a very big difference. The OP wants to buy an iPad 32GB which including one of the highest sales taxes in the US will still come in 100 euros cheaper and that's after allowing for 1 .5% uplift by the credit card company, hardly a 'very small difference in price'.

jahalpin wrote: »

OP: if you can claim the VAT back on the purchase you are better buying it in Ireland.

If you don't declare the goods to customs and pay the Irish VAT you, obviously, can't claim the VAT back.

If he doesn't pay the VAT why does he have to worry about not being able to claim it back?

ironclaw

Also OP, there are refurbished units on the Apple store here. Very good prices and the exact same warranty / come back with new ones.

Or you could buy it from Apple US online, get a refurbished one (Again, same worldwide warranty), get it delivered to you while you there. You'd save a good bit that way.

dingding

stuartmchugh wrote: »

it's airside (ie. through security), not duty free unless you're travelling outside the EU.

I think you can buy in the Dixons even if you are not leaving the EU.

ironclaw

dingding wrote: »

I think you can buy in the Dixons even if you are not leaving the EU.

You can. But its truly duty free if you leave the EU.

Santa Claus

ironclaw wrote: »

You can. But its truly duty free if you leave the EU.

But the Dixons in the airport has 1 price for their products (unlike the alcohol section of the loop where it has an inside EU and outside EU price) so it doesn't matter where you're headed, you still pay the same price in the Dixons in Dublin Airport.

ironclaw

Santa Claus wrote: »

But the Dixons in the airport has 1 price for their products (unlike the alcohol section of the loop where it has an inside EU and outside EU price) so it doesn't matter where you're headed, you still pay the same price in the Dixons in Dublin Airport.

Oh. Never noticed. I presume you would be able to claim the VAT at the till? Isn't that why they ask for your boarding card?

Santa Claus

ironclaw wrote: »

Oh. Never noticed. I presume you would be able to claim the VAT at the till? Isn't that why they ask for your boarding card?

Nope, VAT reclaim is only for foreign nationals residing outside the EU and the desk for that was on the check-in side of the airport (i.e. before you go through security and through to the shops). I assume the VAT is removed on duty free purchases (i.e. alcohol/tobacco when travelling outside the EU)

Currys PC World: Declan

A poster on the thread has asked me to clarify pricing and back up at the airport so here goes.

We retail Ipads cheaper in the airport than at our stores. Taking the case of the € 499 base Ipad, that would retail at € 483 or thereabouts. Not a king's ransom of a difference but € 16 is € 16...

If there are any difficulties with the product you don't have to go back to the airport with it. You can exchange or refund at any Currys store and our normal warranty and repair system applies.

zu

sticker wrote: »

Cheers for that - it's been a learning day to be sure!

As a matter of interest, I own my own business and could write off the ipad at next tax return. Am I oblieged to bring it to customs notice upon return?

32 GB iPad with WiFi, Part number: MB293LL/A
US - $599 ~ €460 (at 1.30 USD / 1EURO)
Ireland - €599 incl VAT @ 21% = €495 + VAT (presumably the OP can reclaim the VAT)

US price does not include Sales Tax

For a saving of €35 and possibly less if sales tax is added to US price, I'd be buying on Apple.ie or at the airport (where you'll get your VAT invoice)

jack presley

2 sales taxes examples for the €599 Ipad

NYC - 8.875% => $599 after tax = $651 = €487 at today's exchange rate but round this up to €500 as you never get the official rate from the banks.

Orlando - 6.5% => $599 after tax = $638 = €477 and again round up to about €490-495.

For anyone who can't claim back the tax, it's definitely worth your while holding off if you're going to be over in the States for any reason.

Nemanja91

Rather than start a new thread I said I'd dug this up. I plan on buying an iPad 2 in Boston in around 4 weeks time, provided they have them in stock. Now what I want to know is wether they will be willing to activate the iPad over there in the store be it the apple store, best buy etc. Has anyone had this done for them as I want to avoid customs. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Naid23

Can I just ask how this would get you passed customs exactly?. I dont say that to be smart, but I doubt if you get stopped by customs there actually gonna ask you to switch it on. Would they?

I am travelling to California in August and need to get 2 so that should be fun coming home. let me know how you get on.

sticker

Naid23 wrote: »

Can I just ask how this would get you passed customs exactly?. I dont say that to be smart, but I doubt if you get stopped by customs there actually gonna ask you to switch it on. Would they?

I am travelling to California in August and need to get 2 so that should be fun coming home. let me know how you get on.

As mentioned in this thread, remove packaging, pack as normal and walk through customs...