Buying apple products in States.

poker--addict

Hi all,

Can anyone that has bought apple iphones, ipads or macbooks stateside give me some advice? (I am a a novice with tech)

I presume there is not issues with the product i.e region locking etc
What is the situation with tax? Can I claim some back,or do I pay it?

Going in november, and the money saved on an macbook air almost pays for the plane ticket :eek:

120_Minutes

well that depends, what tax are you referring to? american or irish? do you plan to declare it in customs when you arrive back, thus incurring a duty?

where are you planning on going stateside? as each state has their own sales tax (or some none at all) and this tax is not included in prices until its rung up at the till.

so to be more accurate, you have to compare:

cost of travel + cost of macbook in america + plus state sales tax + import duty

versus

just buying it here.

so unless you're going to state with no sales tax and plan to sneak it back in, i'd redo your sums. there may be no saving at all.

poker--addict

I will be bringing it back to ireland and do not plan to declare it( I still hold a grudge after I got stung at my front door for a 3 figure some which equated to about 40% of the value of my package).

I have some time off in November and will be going hopefully stateside anyway, I have not decided on a location yet. Some states are without tax is that correct? I understand NYC is one of the highest?

quad_red

As 120 minutes said, it depends on the state you'll be buying in. Unlike here, there is no national sales tax that you can just reclaim at the airport (the way American tourists do at Dublin airport).

List of states and their sales taxes

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

poker--addict

thanks guys.

I was looking at NYC or Boston and can see the rates on wiki, cheers.

Anyone know how it works to get the tax back? I dont think you can get the money back at the airport anymore!

Would there be no issue with a usa version of the macbook in ireland apart from the power cable.

quad_red

poker--addict wrote: »

Anyone know how it works to get the tax back? I dont think you can get the money back at the airport anymore!

Whilst there may be a few limited exemptions, as far as I know you cannot claim tax back in the vast majority of states.

poker--addict wrote: »

Would there be no issue with a usa version of the macbook in ireland apart from the power cable.

No. I bought a macbook in Australia two years ago. You just have to change the cable with the plug that goes into the white transformer thingy.

Deep Thought

bought my Macbook in US 2007

Took it out of box in hotel, logged in, charged it up. Threw box away

This made sure if I was stopped that it had power and wasnt doing the usual...Welcome to you new Macbook stuff thus proving that I had just bought it and wasnt one I brought with me

PADRAIC.M

Yeah planning on getting myself an iPad when I'm in NYC this month, I believe with iOS 5 you don't need a pc to set it up?!? And I see the apple store now set it up for you in store!

PrettyBoy

If they're for yourself (ie. not presents) all you have to do is open your new iPod/iPad/Macbook and turn it on once. Don't hang onto the boxes or receipts, then there's no duty to pay.

hgm

Hi sorry to jump in on your thread. I'm heading to Chicago this month and i want to buy an ipad for myself. Would it work ok over here in Ireland? I have read somewhere that once it has wifi and no lock it should?

Also i see you mentioned that the apple store will load it for me? I'm not too up with the ipad.Is it similar to a laptop in that you turn it on and log in and charge? Or will i need to have a laptop with me to set it up over there?

Sorry again for jumping in and asking so many questions on your thread.;)

BowlingLad

Hgm sounds like you will have no issues, apart from a 2 pin plug. Looks like I will get mine in Boston or New Hampshire, Boston has low sales tax, NH has zero