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Buying an iPad as a Canadian

D

Doju

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jun 16, 2008
1,510
1
Firstly, I've looked around and have found threads on the UK, but not too many on Canada.

Long story short, Steve said iPad would be available in 60 days. I waited 60. Delayed another month. Argh. Waited another 30. Delayed another 30. I don't want to wait any longer, quite honestly. I know complaining won't help, just a backstory, pretty disappointed, basically. Waited quite awhile and have to wait another month and a half just to have something I expected to have awhile ago.

I was hearing of high costs for those buying iPads from the US and having them shipped to the UK. Overseas shipping costs et al.

However, I'm from Canada, we're next door. Surely there must be services that allow me to purchase an iPad, have it shipped to a US vendor and then they ship it to me? I mean, really, we're next door, walk across the boarder and you could deliver it without much trouble. No planes or anything required. It MUST be cheaper.

Also considering the fact we're on parity with, or higher than, the US dollar as of now.

Anyone know of any such services? Estimated price if I wanted to purchase a 64GB 3G + WiFi version?

Also, if I bought a 3G + WiFi version from the states and had it shipped here, would it work with our 3G bands as long as I picked up a microSIM? What about downloading apps when it finally launches here?

Thanks in advance for the help.
 
Igloos have been modernized ever so slightly, rather warm inside, but still freezing if you dare to step out of one.

But in all seriousness, the iPad 3G is universal, right? Like, I could use it in Canada with no troubles? And when the App Store in Canada for iPad is released, I'll be able to use it?
 
3g

Doju said:
But in all seriousness, the iPad 3G is universal, right? Like, I could use it in Canada with no troubles?
Click to expand...

To answer your question 3g on the iPad is not universal, it meets AT&T specs which are different than Verizon for example both are 3g but completely different at the same time. If in Canada there is a provider that does it the same way AT&T does it I assume it would work but I wouldn't guarantee it.
 
Where are you located? It would be best to hop on the Greyhound on a day trip and pick one up in person. If you are worried about Customs
on the way home, just ship the packaging back from the mall before you leave and just bring the iPad back yourself "I had this with me already".

On a side note, I found a place selling Tim Horton's here in Ireland today, I was so happy lol!
 
JonnyIreland said:
Where are you located? It would be best to hop on the Greyhound on a day trip and pick one up in person. If you are worried about Customs
on the way home, just ship the packaging back from the mall before you leave and just bring the iPad back yourself "I had this with me already".

On a side note, I found a place selling Tim Horton's here in Ireland today, I was so happy lol!
Click to expand...

That might work if the customs guy isn't aware that ipads aren't available in Canada yet... Otherwise you might be in a lot of trouble.. Personally I don't think it's worth it to lie to customs..
 
gillybean said:
Canada eh?

I don't think the iPad was designed to be operated in igloos. And what if a polar bear eats it?
Click to expand...

It actually works better in an igloo than down in the south.. At least we don't have to worry about the overheat shutdown warning message lol.
 
Doju said:
However, I'm from Canada, we're next door. Surely there must be services that allow me to purchase an iPad, have it shipped to a US vendor and then they ship it to me? I mean, really, we're next door, walk across the boarder and you could deliver it without much trouble. No planes or anything required. It MUST be cheaper.

Also considering the fact we're on parity with, or higher than, the US dollar as of now.

Anyone know of any such services? Estimated price if I wanted to purchase a 64GB 3G + WiFi version?

Thanks in advance for the help.
Click to expand...

Within the FAQ, you'll see a part on Borderlinx. They are quite reliable with good customer service.
 
FYI the supply here in Detroit is pretty slim. Was in the Troy, MI store Monday and they were out of stock. Said daily shipments- over heard talking to another person. Also they noted that the ones that do come in were typically gone by lunch time or so. Also noted the demo model were marked Demo-Not for resale.
 
I find it surprising that Apple would have different warranty coverage depending on a product. The computer warranty is global.
 
If you buy an iPad in the US, make sure you also get yourself an US iTunes gift card and register for an US iTunes account. Otherwise, you'll be out of luck downloading any apps at all. The Canadian iTunes Store does not have an iPad applications.

I ordered my iPad online with Apple.com (I have a US credit card) and got it shipped to a mailbox in the US. I picked it up and declared it at the border. The border guard was very suspicious and wanted to know where the iPad was manufactured. He researched the product and told me that there was no duty on the item, only PST/GST. You will pay US tax as well at the time of purchase, so that is the one thing you will have to invest if you buy it down south. But Canadian tax you would have to pay anyway if you were to buy it here.

So, theoretically you should be fine purchasing one and bringing it across. And regarding the warranty, I plan on bringing it back south if I should run into troubles. Chances are I have sold it before the first troubles arise. Never had any problems with anything Apple (knock on wood).
 
karinatwork said:
If you buy an iPad in the US, make sure you also get yourself an US iTunes gift card and register for an US iTunes account. Otherwise, you'll be out of luck downloading any apps at all. The Canadian iTunes Store does not have an iPad applications.

I ordered my iPad online with Apple.com (I have a US credit card) and got it shipped to a mailbox in the US. I picked it up and declared it at the border. The border guard was very suspicious and wanted to know where the iPad was manufactured. He researched the product and told me that there was no duty on the item, only PST/GST. You will pay US tax as well at the time of purchase, so that is the one thing you will have to invest if you buy it down south. But Canadian tax you would have to pay anyway if you were to buy it here.

So, theoretically you should be fine purchasing one and bringing it across. And regarding the warranty, I plan on bringing it back south if I should run into troubles. Chances are I have sold it before the first troubles arise. Never had any problems with anything Apple (knock on wood).
Click to expand...

I purchased mine at the Apple Store in Lynwoood WA the day of release. Purchased iTunes Gift cards while I was there. I had set up a US iTunes Account with no payment option. Paid 9.5% Washington Sales Tax and PST at the border. No issues at Canadian customs, they already had a few Canadians that had gone through. Now that my iTunes gift cards have run out, I am having a family member who lives in the US email me iTunes Gift cards.
 
karinatwork said:
The Canadian iTunes Store does not have an iPad applications.
Click to expand...

Actually the Canadian App Store has all the same iPad apps as the US, it is only missing iWork and iBooks (along with ABC and other US-specific apps). You cannot yet access them from the App Store button on the iPad, but you can find them all in the Canadian App Store on iTunes. Just search for "iPad" in iTunes and the entire catalogue comes up.

Borderlinx doesn't work for iPad. Apple has been cancelling all iPad orders going to Borderlinx, since they know it is a forwarding company.

The GSM band of the 3G version will work fine in Canada on Rogers, Bell and Telus, but you will have to shave down a sim card to fit ... also, the providers are not offering awesome iPad plans until the end of May.
 
naftalim said:
I purchased mine at the Apple Store in Lynwoood WA the day of release. Purchased iTunes Gift cards while I was there. I had set up a US iTunes Account with no payment option. Paid 9.5% Washington Sales Tax and PST at the border. No issues at Canadian customs, they already had a few Canadians that had gone through. Now that my iTunes gift cards have run out, I am having a family member who lives in the US email me iTunes Gift cards.
Click to expand...

Can I create a US Itunes account using a gift card and without entering a Credit card?
 
You don't need an American account to download iPad apps, either search "for iPad" in the search bar or go into advanced search and select iPad under "devices".
 
karinatwork said:
I ordered my iPad online with Apple.com (I have a US credit card) and got it shipped to a mailbox in the US. I picked it up and declared it at the border. The border guard was very suspicious and wanted to know where the iPad was manufactured. He researched the product and told me that there was no duty on the item, only PST/GST. You will pay US tax as well at the time of purchase, so that is the one thing you will have to invest if you buy it down south. But Canadian tax you would have to pay anyway if you were to buy it here.
Click to expand...

With any warranty issues, couldn't you just use the same mailbox you had it shipped to as your address to ship it back to should you have any issues? Not that you'd have any issues, but you could also use the "drop it off" feature at an Apple Store if you have one close by.

All the best with your iPad and here's to no problems!
 
soxfanreggie said:
With any warranty issues, couldn't you just use the same mailbox you had it shipped to as your address to ship it back to should you have any issues? Not that you'd have any issues, but you could also use the "drop it off" feature at an Apple Store if you have one close by.

All the best with your iPad and here's to no problems!
Click to expand...
Mine is due to arrive tomorrow. I dont think that there will be any problems obtaining warranty once the iPad comes to Canada. If I have a problem I will wait till its here and go to my apple store then.
 
JonnyIreland said:
Where are you located? It would be best to hop on the Greyhound on a day trip and pick one up in person. If you are worried about Customs
on the way home, just ship the packaging back from the mall before you leave and just bring the iPad back yourself "I had this with me already".

On a side note, I found a place selling Tim Horton's here in Ireland today, I was so happy lol!
Click to expand...

How do you know of the secret of Tim Horton's if you're Irish? I'm onto you!
 
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