Should I buy an iPad2 from NZ or overseas?

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › Should I buy an iPad2 from NZ or overseas?

GerryAttrick

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#90291 19-Sep-2011 10:16

My wife is interested in an iPad2 and I thought I'd see about getting her one for her birthday in a couple of months - so time is not an issue.

I'd like a 3G/WiFi model as we are often at our beach place with no WiFi access.

I'm not sure whether to go for the basic 16Gb or go all out for 64Gb - she would probably use it for web surfing, emails and the odd game and photos. She has a decent notebook that we take if she is planning any work while there.

I know buying from overseas means I can run into warranty issues but I wonder how much of a problem that really is nowadays with Apple iPads?

NZ price is way more expensive that overseas suppliers and I can even get one brought back FOC from a colleague currently working in the USA.

Has anyone bought one from overseas who care to comment.. I guess I'll have to lay out for a NZ Spec charger but she does have an iPhone charger which I presume will be fine.

GerryAttrick

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#522910 19-Sep-2011 10:30

Note that you can be hit up for GST on items being shipped in too.... personally, id just buy locally to save the hassle.

XPD / Gavin

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johnr

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#522918 19-Sep-2011 10:43

Buy local

corksta

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#522922 19-Sep-2011 10:51

Bought mine in the USA, saved about $300, declared it at Customs but wasn't charged duty (this is hit and miss though - you win some, you lose some), you just pop off the US plug and put a NZ plug on it.

johnr

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#522923 19-Sep-2011 10:53

I went into the Apple Store in Las Vegas the other day and almost got the new 13inch Mac Book Air

nakedmolerat

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#522925 19-Sep-2011 10:57

johnr: I went into the Apple Store in Las Vegas the other day and almost got the new 13inch Mac Book Air

this is off topic johnr

gehenna

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#522931 19-Sep-2011 11:03

Buy local. But hold off for a month or so as some announcements may or may not be happening in coming weeks.

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Ham

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#522960 19-Sep-2011 11:59

I would buy US. If it lets the smoke out, then you can afford to just buy another one and you will be not much worse off than if you bought one here. I know Apple sets the prices for these devices, but in general, NZ retailers need to learn to be competitive to get our dollars. The only way to teach them is to vote with your credit card.

Edit: Typo

adamroland

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#523092 19-Sep-2011 15:55

As far as I am aware, if you buy a 3g model in the US, they are locked to either AT&T or Verizon. So in that case, buyign a 3g model there would be an absolute waste of time. However I could well be wrong here.

I recommend local as well. Although you may pay a little more, you can have local support and knowledge it was purchased in NZ (plus save yourself some $ not having to buy a NZ duckhead for the power adapter!)

johnr

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#523094 19-Sep-2011 15:59

I was in the Apple store in Vegas a few hours ago and asked if the devices are SIM locked

They are not

John

adamroland

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#523096 19-Sep-2011 16:00

Cool. Thanks for that info johnr.

johnr

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#523104 19-Sep-2011 16:05

Any body want anything??

please note I will need to be paid back when I get back to NZ end of this week its not present time for everyone on Geekzone

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GerryAttrick

56 posts

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#523111 19-Sep-2011 16:13

corksta: Bought mine in the USA, saved about $300, declared it at Customs but wasn't charged duty (this is hit and miss though - you win some, you lose some), you just pop off the US plug and put a NZ plug on it.

I think that so long as duty is less than $50 you usually get away with it. The same rules that apply to the extra bottle of duty free spirits that they apply. This may have changed though. Anyway I can get someone to bring it in as their own iPad. I don't have any problem with them opening it and making it look used - they have their own here anyway.

Is the charger a multi voltage one? If it is then thats great - as you say I can just swap the plug. I though for sure it would be a 110v only just to make things a bit more difficult.

Just waiting to hear the best price deal that they can find on a 32Gb wifi/3G and then I'll have to sell my first born to pay for it.

Thanks for the input even if most reckon buy local. The only advantage seems to be local warranty and I am not convinced that it worth the whole heap of extra $ the locals charge.

Pity I can't get a Vodafone one on a mobile contract at a concessional price but we can't have everything

GerryAttrick

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#523114 19-Sep-2011 16:15

gehenna: Buy local. But hold off for a month or so as some announcements may or may not be happening in coming weeks.

I can hold for a while but I don't think iPad3 will be out in time if thats what you are suggesting

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#523125 19-Sep-2011 16:28

she does have an iPhone charger which I presume will be fine.

The standard iphone charger (3GS onwards) is only 1A, the standard ipad charger is 2A (10W) If you get one from overseas its not an issue as you can slip the prongs out and insert either the nz one from your iphone charger or a figure 8 extension lead (ie off laptop adapter etc) will also fit into the standard apple charger.

xpd

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#523130 19-Sep-2011 16:33

johnr: Any body want anything??

Years supply of Jolt Cola and Twinkies would be nice

But due to bills Ill have to pass..... curse this need to pay people for things.

XPD / Gavin

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