Ordering hardware from the US Apple Store

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petes117

371 posts

Ultimate Geek

#72699 1-Dec-2010 12:03

This has probably been asked many times before, if so my apologies. But looking at the prices on the US Apple Store compared to the NZ one is a bit of a joke.

I have a friend in the States who can forward the packge on to me, is there any problem that I can't see with this? It's not illegal or anything right?

I'm considering getting a Mac Mini and I likes the look of a refurbished one with Snow Leopard Server, 4gb ram, 2.66 Core 2 Duo, Dual 500gb HDD and Nvidia Geforce 320m.

In the US store its $850USD (plus around $50 sales tax + shipping to NZ maybe $40) which comes to about $1260NZD

The equivalent in the NZ store is $1799NZD, new. Or a refurbished one at 2.53 Core 2 Duo, Nvidia 9400m and no HDMI output (the older model) for $1399NZD.

So is there any reason I shouldn't order from the US store, am I missing something?

Cheers

wellygary

8312 posts

Uber Geek

#411573 1-Dec-2010 12:10

gurthang117: This has probably been asked many times before, if so my apologies. But looking at the prices on the US Apple Store compared to the NZ one is a bit of a joke.

I have a friend in the States who can forward the packge on to me, is there any problem that I can't see with this? It's not illegal or anything right?

I'm considering getting a Mac Mini and I likes the look of a refurbished one with Snow Leopard Server, 4gb ram, 2.66 Core 2 Duo, Dual 500gb HDD and Nvidia Geforce 320m.

In the US store its $850USD (plus around $50 sales tax + shipping to NZ maybe $40) which comes to about $1260NZD

The equivalent in the NZ store is $1799NZD, new. Or a refurbished one at 2.53 Core 2 Duo, Nvidia 9400m and no HDMI output (the older model) for $1399NZD.

So is there any reason I shouldn't order from the US store, am I missing something?

Cheers

You will also likely be slugged the GST when you post it to NZ, so the two refurbs will probably come out roughly the same in terms of pricing,

When you factor in GST the price difference between the news models is about $150

petes117

371 posts

Ultimate Geek

#411586 1-Dec-2010 12:26

Ah I knew there had to be a catch. Thanks! :)

khull

1245 posts

Uber Geek

#412924 4-Dec-2010 23:54

Also you will need a US issued credit card to purchase from the states. I am not sure if it is ongoing but when the iPad was first introduced, they tightened their policies to prevent people exporting them.

And yes you will be hit by NZ customs on the way in @ 15% + any additional duties

scotteffone

215 posts

Master Geek

#413037 5-Dec-2010 14:32

If you're interested you can read through this if you want:

http://www.customs.govt.nz/importers/Private+importers/default.htm