Buying an iPhone in the US

Gumbi

Hi, I've been considering getting a new phone for a while, and I'd love to get my hands on iPhone 4; problem is, they're 500 euro plus on a prepay price plan :eek: Now, accoring to this source http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/23/uk-apple-iphone-idUSLNE77M03R20110823

Apple plan to release an 8GB, "cheaper" option in order to compete in emerging markets. As I'm going to the US at the end of September, my question is: will I be able to purchase an iPhone 4 that'll work on an Irish network? I am not interested in bill pay, if that matters.

I'm hoping it'll sell for $300, or less, as that's just over 200 euro. I'm hoping also that it'll actually be released by then

Thanks in advance.

Kensington

$300? A little optimistic maybe? :P
The 16GB retails for $649 (~€450) and that doesn't include state taxes which will add $50 or more onto that price.
Can't see the new rumoured model being half price unfortunately!

Few things to watch out for too, I'm not sure if the warranty on an iPhone bought in the US carries internationally so if something goes wrong, you could be on your own basically.

Even if it does carry, once you are beyond the Apple manufacturer warranty of one year then you're at the mercy of US state law should anything go wrong beyond that as the far superior Irish/EU legislation doesn't cover transactions not carried out here.

Finally, legally you are liable to pay excise duty once you bring the handset back home here and are obliged to declare it at customs on arrival...

Gumbi

Kensington wrote: »

$300? A little optimistic maybe? :P
The 16GB retails for $649 (~€450) and that doesn't include state taxes which will add $50 or more onto that price.
Can't see the new rumoured model being half price unfortunately!

Few things to watch out for too, I'm not sure if the warranty on an iPhone bought in the US carries internationally so if something goes wrong, you could be on your own basically.

Even if it does carry, once you are beyond the Apple manufacturer warranty of one year then you're at the mercy of US state law should anything go wrong beyond that as the far superior Irish/EU legislation doesn't cover transactions not carried out here.

Finally, legally you are liable to pay excise duty once you bring the handset back home here and are obliged to declare it at customs on arrival...

Ah. Thanks. Sounds a little out of my reach so... Thank you anyway.

Kensington

Wait for another month or so. New iPhone iteration is expected shortly so you should see a drop in the retail price of the current iPhone 4 - although probably not to $300.

Gumbi

Kensington wrote: »

Wait for another month or so. New iPhone iteration is expected shortly so you should see a drop in the retail price of the current iPhone 4 - although probably not to $300.

That's what I was thinking. 'Tis a pity it won't be THAT cheap, though.

barryd09

There should be a FAQ guide for buying an iphone in the USA made as a sticky on this forum.

Johnmb

Kensington wrote: »

Finally, legally you are liable to pay excise duty once you bring the handset back home here and are obliged to declare it at customs on arrival...

Nah, if he bought one at anywhere near the price he hopes to it would be well below the level that duty would be due on it.

whiterebel

barryd09 wrote: »

There should be a FAQ guide for buying an iphone in the USA made as a sticky on this forum.

And for iPhone/iPod repairs and another for transferring music from iPod to laptop.......

culabula

Gumbi wrote: »

Hi, I've been considering getting a new phone for a while, and I'd love to get my hands on iPhone 4; problem is, they're 500 euro plus on a prepay price plan :eek: Now, accoring to this source http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/23/uk-apple-iphone-idUSLNE77M03R20110823

Apple plan to release an 8GB, "cheaper" option in order to compete in emerging markets. As I'm going to the US at the end of September, my question is: will I be able to purchase an iPhone 4 that'll work on an Irish network? I am not interested in bill pay, if that matters.

I'm hoping it'll sell for $300, or less, as that's just over 200 euro. I'm hoping also that it'll actually be released by then

Thanks in advance.

Apple recently reversed policy and iPhone is now for sale in the USA unlocked and free of contract for you to buy outright.

But be advised that a cheaper iPhone 4 is, for the moment, wishful thinking and there is no sign, nay confirmation of same. Should such appear, I wouldn't consider the US&A an "emerging market".

culabula

Kensington wrote: »

$300? A little optimistic maybe? :P
The 16GB retails for $649 (~€450) and that doesn't include state taxes which will add $50 or more onto that price.
Can't see the new rumoured model being half price unfortunately!

Few things to watch out for too, I'm not sure if the warranty on an iPhone bought in the US carries internationally so if something goes wrong, you could be on your own basically.

Even if it does carry, once you are beyond the Apple manufacturer warranty of one year then you're at the mercy of US state law should anything go wrong beyond that as the far superior Irish/EU legislation doesn't cover transactions not carried out here.

Finally, legally you are liable to pay excise duty once you bring the handset back home here and are obliged to declare it at customs on arrival...

The new rumoured cheaper model is rumoured to be a rumoured 150-200$ but that's just a rumour.

Warranty on iPhone and iPad is global.

As far as I know, thinking back to all the iPad threads here when first released, the price of iPhone in the States is well below the ceiling for declaration at customs at € value on an item for personal use. Could be wrong, of course.

Johnmb

culabula wrote: »

The new rumoured cheaper model is rumoured to be a rumoured 150-200$ but that's just a rumour.

Warranty on iPhone and iPad is global.

As far as I know, thinking back to all the iPad threads here when first released, the price of iPhone in the States is well below the ceiling for declaration at customs at € value on an item for personal use. Could be wrong, of course.

The ceiling is currently €430 (for an adult). That is a total ceiling though, if you were bringing in several different things, it's the total for all of them, not the price of each taken individually, that is compared to the €430. Above that, both the duty and VAT is due, if you declare. That would work out at just over $600 currently, so such an iPhone would be well below it, assuming you weren't importing a lot of other purchases at the same time.

owenc

How much would the iPhone 5 be this time next year? I'm going to america then. Btw what's this about taxes when I was in Florida and Georgia no one ever mentioned taxes the only place I seen it was in minnisota I think in Florida it was already added on? It was **** in Canada because they didn't tell you the price with tax you had to work it out!

whiterebel

owenc wrote: »

How much would the iPhone 5 be this time next year? I'm going to america then. Btw what's this about taxes when I was in Florida and Georgia no one ever mentioned taxes the only place I seen it was in minnisota I think in Florida it was already added on? It was **** in Canada because they didn't tell you the price with tax you had to work it out!

It hasn't been announced yet, so how would anyone know? Yes there is sales tax to be added, Google it.