iPad EU News (Abandon all hope, ye who enter here..) ("Are you nuts?!" - Steve)

[-Ryan-]

I really don't blame you. £50 over the odds is pretty good. But I guess you'll still get stung with a bit of import tax and handling fees which I've managed to in the past, fool my brain into thinking that it's not part of the original ebay purchase so doesn't really count

Lots of people have them in the UK now, so it's kind of a don't see, don't tell policy of tax evasion. I bet none of these eBay sellers have paid any VAT on their suitcase full of iPads.

 

[owen-b]

did you take the CS bods name by any chance?

Just as I rung off I realised I should have but during the call I slipped in that obviously I'd feel better having someone from Apple give me the lowdown as the call would be on record if there were any issues later, then she put me on hold and 30 seconds later went through the eventualities:

Her: "if you get it over here and travel to the US with it, they will service it in the US, and vice versa, so your American model will be serviced by Apple UK if there's a fault when you bring it back."

Me: "Are you sure?"

etc.

 

[gathart]

Taxes and a few other questions

How about taxes when you import an iPad? And how are the uk iPad holders dealing with it? Do they have two iTunes accounts? I am travelling to the UK in one weeks time and return late April - just when the UK version is been brought out , so should I be ok using the UK iTunes shop.

Also I have a suspicious feeling that the UK iBook shop probl has only a few titles, a fraction of the USA iBook store....

 

[owen-b]

You can purchase apps from whichever country's store you log into, so long as you have a real credit card and billing address for that country, unless the app is free in which case you don't need a card or address.

I suspect movies and books might be different because of licensing, but maybe not.

You can't access US-only apps like Netflix anywhere outside the US, though, even if you're a US citizen.

 

[gathart]

Lots of people have them in the UK now, so it's kind of a don't see, don't tell policy of tax evasion. I bet none of these eBay sellers have paid any VAT on their suitcase full of iPads.

I thought is an expence for the buyer, although sometimes the seller takes care of it.

 

[McMack]

I really don't blame you. £50 over the odds is pretty good. But I guess you'll still get stung with a bit of import tax and handling fees which I've managed to in the past, fool my brain into thinking that it's not part of the original ebay purchase so doesn't really count

I got one of the UK-based ones from a seller with a great history, so there'll be no import duties - assuming the seller was being up-front about the iPads being the UK, of course. If there are any shenanigans on that front I will not be happy.

I'd had a look at some of the 'currently on holiday in the US, will post it to you when I get back' deals on offer over the past few days, but none of them filled me with any confidence. I imagined grains of sand falling out of the box for some reason...

 

[-Ryan-]

I thought is an expence for the buyer, although sometimes the seller takes care of it.

You don't have to pay taxes when you're transferring something internally in the UK. The iPads on eBay now are largely already here now.

 

[cyberheater]

I'd had a look at some of the 'currently on holiday in the US, will post it to you when I get back' deals on offer over the past few days, but none of them filled me with any confidence. I imagined grains of sand falling out of the box for some reason...

Yeah. I've seen quite a few of those as well. I think i've decided that i'm only going to get one from a UK seller with and ipad actually resident in the UK (unless I see an absolute bargain - god, I'm so weak).

Time to hit F5 on the ebay page again...

 

[mitor]

Hi

Just thought I'd post to answer a couple of those questions about iTunes accounts.

I've had a iPad picked up for me by a friend in the states (so I only paid the $499!) and brought back, lucky me the last day he was over there was the saturday!

Anyway, I have a regular UK iTunes account. Very pleased with the iPad (posted some thoughts on my blog http://www.scattershot.co.uk/tech) but couldn't access the app store on the device and couldn't donwload any of the iWorks apps or iBooks as they are not in the UK store as yet.

Purchased a iTunes gift card from this guy via facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/mikesay98

As reading around he seems to be the cheapest legit person. Once I'd been added as a friend I purchased something like $40 of credit and was emailed the codes instantly (like within 20 seconds).

Then just changed my address to an address of an apple store in new york and changed my payment details to the card. Job done I've now downloaded the apps I want and they co-exist happily with my other legit British bought content.

Don't think I've done anything wrong in this and I can now put my ePub books on there that I used to read on my Sony PRS505

My biggest critiscm now though is just how poor the app store is on the device, it has far less menus and areas than the iPhone version, which, considering the already huge proliferation of apps makes finding stuff really hard.

Still, very happy....

 

[ct2k7]

To add names to Apple Europe:

The Apple Store
Apple Operations Europe
Directors: Cathy Kearney (Irish), Gary Wipfler, Peter Oppenheimer & Timothy Cook (U.S.A)

Hmm what happened to Jae Allen?

 

[cyberheater]

@ mitor

I'm hoping that the UK ipad apps store will become useable on a US ipad when they finally launch in the UK. Common sense would say so. I wouldn't like to be stuck with buying US itunes codes for the lifetime of the device.

 

[dalvin200]

@ mitor

I'm hoping that the UK ipad apps store will become useable on a US ipad when they finally launch in the UK. Common sense would say so. I wouldn't like to be stuck with buying US itunes codes for the lifetime of the device.

the store is determined on where your itunes account address is registered

 

[kultschar]

@ mitor

I'm hoping that the UK ipad apps store will become useable on a US ipad when they finally launch in the UK. Common sense would say so. I wouldn't like to be stuck with buying US itunes codes for the lifetime of the device.

It will be my friend just like the iphone - I have UK and US account, iTunes and the devices dont care less. You just have to sign in and out of the two stores when you want to purchase and update!

 

[gathart]

It will be my friend just like the iphone - I have UK and US account, iTunes and the devices dont care less. You just have to sign in and out of the two stores when you want to purchase and update!

That is interesting! How does it work? Does it confict with certain apps? I have noted that the USA website has much more choice esp rented films and apps, perhaps also with iBooks. Did you ever run into problems with it?? Cany you use music bought from USA iTunes on a UK iPod/iPhone/iPad? and how about apps??

 

[kultschar]

That is interesting! How does it work? Does it confict with certain apps? I have noted that the USA website has much more choice esp rented films and apps, perhaps also with iBooks. Did you ever run into problems with it?? Cany you use music bought from USA iTunes on a UK iPod/iPhone/iPad? and how about apps??

No conflicts - all apps from both UK and US are mixed up together in your apps section (just as they are now on your UK iTunes). There is no way of telling them apart

You simply just log into US account to buy a show and download. If you want something from UK store, log out of US and into UK. iTunes doesnt know any different nor the iPad, iPhone etc.

I just buy US vouchers off ebay and registered a hotel addy in the US as my address - very simple, loads of people do it.

Yes - US iTunes have better TV shows and Films etc so you have the choice of both (it was awesome cheap when $2 to the pound a while back)

 

[gathart]

No conflicts - all apps from both UK and US are mixed up together in your apps section (just as they are now on your UK iTunes). There is no way of telling them apart

You simply just log into US account to buy a show and download. If you want something from UK store, log out of US and into UK. iTunes doesnt know any different nor the iPad, iPhone etc.

I just buy US vouchers off ebay and registered a hotel addy in the US as my address - very simple, loads of people do it.

Yes - US iTunes have better TV shows and Films etc so you have the choice of both (it was awesome cheap when $2 to the pound a while back)

Mate, that is great news!! Thanks for your advice.

 

[Axegrinder]

damn it! Couldn't help myself! Just bought a 32GB for £550 from ebay.
What sealed it for me was the that the guy happens to be about 10 miles from my house so I can go and get it as soon as I hear from him!

Happy days!

 

[Veinticinco]

I think that at the iPhone 4.0 event Steve Jobs will open by talking about the successful debut of the iPad and then give the rest of the world a release date before moving onto the iPhone 4.0 stuff.

Is almost certainly the correct answer.

 

[kultschar]

damn it! Couldn't help myself! Just bought a 32GB for £550 from ebay.
What sealed it for me was the that the guy happens to be about 10 miles from my house so I can go and get it as soon as I hear from him!

Happy days!

Congrats man - I paid £490 but outside UK so no VAT so you aint done too bad as at least you will have yer hands on it soon.

What ya waiting for - get driving!

 

[nomad01]

she sounds very defensive!!!!

EDIT: what did you ask her and what did she say?

She was rubbish! Bad command of the English language and was completely unhelpful.

We emailed back and forth a few times and then spoke a couple of times on the phone. I basically just questioned their policy on Apple not replacing a sim-free, unsubsidised iPod 3G because it was manufactured for a non-UK market (Dubai I think).

She said that iPhones cannot be replaced or serviced except for in their home country.

 

[QEII Student IT]

Can you ebayers really justify the risks?

1) Wifi issues

2) iBooks may never work

3) App store may all be US

4) You don't even know UK pricing. You might be paying through the nose

5) "It might be a box of sand"

6) There is still some debate as to whether AppleCare is international for the iPad

7) Time Keeping Issues

Can you really justify the added risks and costs just to get it a bit earlier?

 

[owen-b]

Can you ebayers really justify the risks?

1) Wifi issues

2) iBooks may never work

3) App store may all be US

4) You don't even know UK pricing. You might be paying through the nose

5) "It might be a box of sand"

6) There is still some debate as to whether AppleCare is international for the iPad

7) Time Keeping Issues

Can you really justify the added risks and costs just to get it a bit earlier?

I think they're probably mostly aware of the risks and the fact they're buying them is your answer, really!

But you're right, of course. I've calmed down a little now, chatted to a friend and we're both holding out for the 3G. It would be a huge shame not to be able to go completely mobile with it whenever you wanted, so we'll just have to wait.

But I don't think there will be a problem with the iBooks and absolutely not with the App Store, which defaults to whichever country you registered the account you've signed in with. I have a Canadian and USA account using any old address in those countries. If I wanted to actually buy paid content with them I'd need a real card registered to an address but as I only use them for free stuff I can't get in the UK (Godfinger, for example) I can use any old address I like. My US one is registered to 1 Infinite Loop...

I suspect the same will be true of the iBooks app, judging by the look of the Bookstore. Perhaps it defaults to the store of whatever country you're in at the time, for copyright purposes. It's an international device, there aren't going to be unresolvable issues like those. What if someone bought one then emigrated?

Also I'm absolutely certain that the WiFi iPad will be covered internationally, no questions asked. I'm less certain that the 3G will be. For example, iPod touches are internationally covered. iPhones aren't - the difference is the 3G. Just a thought!

 

[kultschar]

Can you ebayers really justify the risks?

For me personally - yes

Wifi issues

Seems this is mainly peoples routers and similar to iPhone / iTouch problems which were all fixed via software updates

iBooks may never work

Why not?? It doesnt matter which country you buy apps from, iPad cant tell the diff. Do this with my iPhones

3) App store may all be US

Apps already in UK store, I prefer US anyhow.

4) You don't even know UK pricing. You might be paying through the nose

True, however I dont mind paying extra to have it earlier and I find it very hard to believe UK will be cheaper

5) "It might be a box of sand"

This is common sense, I have had disputes in past and Paypal immediately covered me from two scammers over the last 8 years. Use your noggin and you will be fine

6) There is still some debate as to whether AppleCare is international for the iPad

Can understand this being issue for iPhones locked to providers etc but not for general Apple stuff like laptops, iMacs and iPads

7) Time Keeping Issues

Imagine thi is def software related and addressed

Can you really justify the added risks and costs just to get it a bit earlier?

Nothing is risk free however I use ebay daily, sort of part of my life shopping wise, if your experienced you will be fine!! If worried stay away!

 

[rhaleuk]

That is interesting! How does it work? Does it confict with certain apps? I have noted that the USA website has much more choice esp rented films and apps, perhaps also with iBooks. Did you ever run into problems with it?? Cany you use music bought from USA iTunes on a UK iPod/iPhone/iPad? and how about apps??

I have an US and UK iTunes account. I have the US one for TV shows and apps that aren't out in the UK.

You can get a US account by signing up with an iTunes card/gift certificate/pre-paid thing. These can legitimately be bought online from sites like www.maximuscards.com - These let you get a US account without the need for a US credit card.

You can download and use anything you buy from any store on any of your 5 authorised computers. You just sign in and out of the relevant account to browse the store you want. Your iPhone/iPad doesn't care where the app came from, so long as your host computer is authorised through iTunes.

The only slight inconvenience will come when downloading updates to your purchased apps. You need to be signed into the relevant account to get the updates from that countries store, which can be a little faffy, but other than that I've found basically no drawbacks in the 3+ years I've been doing it.

 

[macmedal]

You can't access US-only apps like Netflix anywhere outside the US, though, even if you're a US citizen.

Unless you use a VPN which is based in the US then you can use it anywhere.