iPad 3g

gjchester

FuzzyMoose wrote: »

Even with UK VAT, the ipad is still consideraby cheaper in the US then it is in the UK.

Rough calculations...

Base US ipad price is $499 (the US never includes sales tax in prices as it varies state to state so ignoring itbut can be anything from 0 to 11%) Vat is 20% so thats $600 more or less before state tax.

$600 is £370 again more or less.

Same base iPad is £399 in the UK, so thats a £30 saving and a warranty risk, although if you avoid VAT it does come in at £310.

Don't blame Apple that then US always shows non VAT charges and the UK does. Just because someone can walk through customs and avoid VAT that doesn't mean a company such as Apple can avoid it.

Lynsey

neil40 wrote: »

You can get a sim cutter from ebay or amazon for around £10.They cut the sim to Micro perfectly & quickly.Be sure to check if your provider allows this or you could be cut off if they find out.

Neil

I was looking at that, but the youtube videos show that a T-Mobile sim can easily be damaged due to the sim size.
For £10 anyway I can get the correct micro-sim with number transferred - annoying when other networks do it for free.
Sim cutters do seem to work better on other sims though, but if you could get one transferred free, then that is obviously the best option.

Regarding ipad2's, there are ways to get these cheaper - I'm hoping to save £150+ on the mid-range or top-end 3g version in just over 2 weeks time.

Lynsey

Ginger_J

Lynsey.... Please spill!!!

How are you planning to get the new iPad's cheaper? I'm umming and ahhing over whether to get the old ipad or the new one, and the price is putting me off!

any help would be greatly appreciated!

Lynsey

PM sent, hope it helps.
Go for the new one would be my view.

Lynsey

Exemplar

gjchester wrote: »

But a lot more expensive if it goes wrong. Apple's warranty does state they can make you send it back to the country it was purchased in if they deem so although in all probablility they won't.

And of course you declared it for VAT in your return.

Hmmm no it hasnt gone wrong and no, why would i have paid VAT?

gjchester

alcot33uk wrote: »

Hmmm no it hasnt gone wrong and no, why would i have paid VAT?

My point is that it's the risk you take. And VAT is due on anything you bring in from outside the EU thats valued over £154.

Theres no duty on laptops but there still vat due. You or I can walk throught the green channel and avoid it (at the risk of a fine) but companies can't. The fact the UK Goverment takes 20% of any thing we pay in the UK is one reason the US aloways looks cheaper.

Exemplar

So I'm still failing to see your point. I. like millions of people visiting the USA buy things and bring them back. Your point is senseless and frankly argumentative.

gjchester

alcot33uk wrote: »

So I'm still failing to see your point. I. like millions of people visiting the USA buy things and bring them back. Your point is senseless and frankly argumentative.

My point is if we didn't have to pay 20% to the UK goverment in stores everything would be cheaper here. If you buy in the USA and don't pay VAT your risking the warranty and a fine.


If you want to do that thats fine, as you say many people do, but people should be aware of the consquences, not just focus on the savings.

Exemplar

Q. If you went to the USA did you bring anything back?

gjchester

alcot33uk wrote: »

Q. If you went to the USA did you bring anything back?

Never over the limit I think.

Nearly bought my Digital SLR in California but by the timme I added a warranty (Sony are US only warranties if you buy it in the US) it was more than the cost of buying it in the UK.

Don't misunderstand me I know why people do it, just people need to consider more tha the immediate cash saving.