Australian purchased iPhone 3G in NZ

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wownerf

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#24717 31-Jul-2008 21:49

Hi,

Im off to Aussie in a few weeks and am wondering about purchasing a 3G iPhone while im over there.

The three big (Telstra, Optus and Vodafone) are all selling the 3G outright, with an additional fee (between $80 - $150) to completely unlock the phone so it can be used on any network.

If I did all of that, do you think it would be as simple as putting my vodafone sim card in when I get back to NZ ??

In all honestly, im not going to get much of a saving. In fact it might be more expensive. Im just wondering if its possible ??

boby55

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#153130 31-Jul-2008 22:02

if its completly unlocked then yes

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freitasm

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#153133 31-Jul-2008 22:36

Why not buy the iPhone outright from Vodafone NZ? It's unlocked... Unless it's much cheaper in Australia?

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gehenna

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#153137 31-Jul-2008 22:54

once you've changed your NZD into AUD you're not saving much, especially since Optus charge about $80 to unlock the thing. Better off getting it here and using PwnageTool to unlock it for free.

cranz

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#153138 31-Jul-2008 22:55

NZ iPhones are not locked

gmball

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#153144 31-Jul-2008 23:06

Might be a larger saving in respect to the fact that goods purchased in AUS and taken out of the country, you can claim the GST component back.

I think GST in AUS is 10% (possibly more), and you simply show your receipt to the TRS (Tourist Refund Scheme) office at the airport before you depart, they credit your bank account with the GST component of your purchase.

Did this a few years ago when I purchased a XBOX in AUS several months before they were released here, and received the 10% GST back.

Havent done the calculations, but based on a 10% refund for GST, how much would the iphone cost you in AUS including the unlock fee??? Just curious...

MattD

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#153383 1-Aug-2008 17:00

Yes GST is +10% (so 1/11th of price including GST).

TRS is just after customs. You need tax invoice from supplier.

However with exchange rate (including the unlocking) and the hassles sometimes it is worth getting locally here.

marmel

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#153385 1-Aug-2008 17:21

Suprised no one has mentioned this but what about warranty issues? If I was going to purchase electronics overseas it would have to be at least 20% cheaper before I would buy due to the lack of warranty.

You could probably send it back to Australia if it had a problem but who wants to do that.

wellygary

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#153386 1-Aug-2008 17:21

on the back of my envelope

Optus is offering the 8GB iPhone for $729 without a contract and the 16GB model for $849 without a contract. +$80 unlock =
809 and 929, at a .77 exchange rate this gives $1050 NZD for a 8 GB and $1206 for a 16GB, less GST, = 8Gb@$945, 16GB@1085,

Voda foen NZ price is = 8GB 979, 16GB 1129,

So you save $22 on the 8GB and $44 on the 16GB,

so you save a little, but not much,

( + you may encounter warranty hassles at this end)

freitasm

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#153388 1-Aug-2008 17:23

For this difference I would just buy here and have instant gratification - and warranty.

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MattD

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#153471 1-Aug-2008 23:08

marmel: Suprised no one has mentioned this but what about warranty issues? If I was going to purchase electronics overseas it would have to be at least 20% cheaper before I would buy due to the lack of warranty.

Is the warranty not international?

Hypothetically, what if I move to NZ from Australia? Would I have no warranty?

MattD

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#153476 1-Aug-2008 23:16

Just reading that the Warranty Obligor for Region or Country of Purchase for NZ and AU (and Fiji, PNG, & Vanuatu) is the same "Apple Pty. Limited. PO Box A2629 South Sydney, NSW 1235 Australia"

However yes, warranty is also a key factor. Also is ability to leave all packaging at home, test it before the travel, backup etc. As Mauricio stated - instant gratification.

Also if claiming for business, GST is already netted.

"Apple may restrict service to the country where Apple or its authorized distributors originally

sold the hardware product, and provide warranty service (i) at an Apple Retail or AASP location,

where service is performed at the location, or the Apple Retail or AASP may send the product

to an Apple repair service location for service, (ii) by sending you prepaid way bills (and if you

no longer have the original packaging, Apple may send you packaging material) to enable you

to ship the product to Apple’s repair service location for service, or (iii) by sending you new or

refurbished customer-installable replacement product or parts to enable you to service or

exchange your own product (“DIY Service”).

prokayaker

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#157451 16-Aug-2008 20:16

You dont need to pay the "unlock" fee they are already fully unlocked.