Buying US Apple gear for UK?

iamparakeet

I'll be heading to NYC in a few weeks, and considering stocking up from the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue.

However, does anyone know if Apple Stores in the UK will acknowledge and repair any defects on a US-bought Apple machine? Apple machines have a track record of defects and, whilst they are fairly good in serving them over the years, I wouldn't want to not have that option if buying from them in the States would nix it.

Thanks.

grumbler

For iPhones this, reportedly, depends on your luck and their mood.

Don't forget about the sales tax and import duties.

tykesi

grumbler wrote: »

Don't forget about the sales tax and import duties.

This. Do the sums, it's not really worth it.

iamparakeet

tykesi wrote: »

This. Do the sums, it's not really worth it.

So, is this a case of of UK customs stopping me and invoicing me at the gate?

I've brought back one or two boxed laptops in the past without trouble (and not sure they ever needed future visits to the Store).

http://www.dutycalculator.com reckons the import duty on my planned laptop would be £115, BTW.

Fightsback

I think customs have a lot of other things on their mind that are higher priority than the odd bit of personal tech equipment brought over on a flight, just discard the boxes before flying.

grumbler

robertandrews wrote: »

So, is this a case of of UK customs stopping me and invoicing me at the gate?

I think if you don't declare it (don't use red channel) and IF they stop you, it can be more than just invoicing.

Buying A Phone Abroad

gjchester wrote: »

It may be you avoid tax and the duty by not declairing them, and thats down to your conscince, but if you are caught its going to be down to you to either prove they were UK purchases and so already duty paid (not as people often think down to HMRC to prove you bought them out of the UK) or pay duty and tax that will negate any saving.

StuC75

if there is a problem , apple shops will look up the purchase details to determine what territory it was purchased in, and 'may not' chose to repair something bought overseas.

I have overheard conversations in apple stores when someone has attempted to get something fixed that was bought abroad, to hear the tech person giving the response of 'sorry its not something we can deal with as not purchased in the uk'..

They tend to scan in the codes and its likely there systems that would stop it from progressing - 'Computer says No'..

for clarity - just ask at a local store and see what they say..

AJXX

I used to work for an Apple Authorised Repairer.

iPhones used to be a real PITA if they came from outside the UK. Apples repair system would flag this instantly and prevent any repair being created.

Swipe

Fightsback wrote: »

I think customs have a lot of other things on their mind that are higher priority than the odd bit of personal tech equipment brought over on a flight, just discard the boxes before flying.

Or mail your empty boxes back home.

zarf2007

StuC75 wrote: »

if there is a problem , apple shops will look up the purchase details to determine what territory it was purchased in, and 'may not' chose to repair something bought overseas.

I have overheard conversations in apple stores when someone has attempted to get something fixed that was bought abroad, to hear the tech person giving the response of 'sorry its not something we can deal with as not purchased in the uk'..

They tend to scan in the codes and its likely there systems that would stop it from progressing - 'Computer says No'..

for clarity - just ask at a local store and see what they say..

This is only relevant for iPhones and those iPads with 3G/4G capability because if they are purchased in the US they may contain hardware specific to the carriers over there which cannot be replaced with a UK model. Even then some stores will offer you a UK model replacement sometimes.

for none 3G/4G iPads and laptops/desktops the warranty is worldwide and you will have no problem.