ScoobyWon't

As per title, with rumoured release being tomorrow, and my brother going over in a couple of weeks, the 16GB model works out at about the same as the 8GB model will be on sale in the UK for.

Are there any drawbacks with buying from the States? Will warranty be the same?

And before anyone (Jack/Ant) says not being an iPad is a drawback, I actually consider it a positive thing.

scoobyverysoon

iTrader: (1)

i fancy one of these only thing i thing is the plug but easy fix would of thought warranty is valid - pain to send back if it goes wrong

Beef

Remember that prices in the US are usually before sales tax, whereas prices in the UK are after VAT.

$249 = £161 at the current exchange rate, which you *won't* get. Using the post-office 'man in the street' exchange rate for example, $250 = £166

So you're starting off only £33 cheaper than getting it in the UK anyway.

Now let's add say 7.5% sales tax (a rule-of-thumb average for US sales taxes - some places are higher, some lower). That brings the purchase price to £179.

So you're looking at about a £20 saving, and bringing with it potential concerns about warranty, regionalisation, UK power adapter and getting it home safely.

On top of that, there is the risk of getting caught by customs and asked to pay VAT and duty - at which point you will have actually paid more for the same device than you would have in this country.

Is it really worth it for £20?

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

Importing in from the USA, they are hitting you for duty more than usual now as the government wants its money in.

andy97

iTrader: (1)

I think they are about to be released in the UK

ScoobyWon't

It would come through unboxed in hand luggage, so how would they know where he got it from? May look in to getting airside at the airport as an alternative.

JackClark

US airports are crap for gadgets.

Rob_Impreza99

iTrader: (3)

Customs aint daft lol, everyone would be pulling the same stunt with expensive cameras, phones and other electronic gadgets.

They can trace where it came from via the serial number, if you go through customs and say you have nothing to declare and they find the tablet and look into it further via there various tracking systems you would be up the creek without a paddle.

ScoobyWon't

I was thinking more along the lines of getting it at this end. When I flew out of JFK, there were vending machines with iPods in.