Purchasing iPad 3G without american address

[alehel]

My dad is going to the U.S. in a few weeks and I was therefore wondering if it is possible for him to purchase a copy of the iPad 3G for me without having to provide an american address.

 

[mcfadyen]

My dad is going to the U.S. in a few weeks and I was therefore wondering if it is possible for him to purchase a copy of the iPad 3G for me without having to provide an american address.

Yes, as long as its purchased in store.
However, in a few weeks, the International release will be upon us anyway!

Good luck.

 

[sassenach74]

Yes, as long as its purchased in store.
However, in a few weeks, the International release will be upon us anyway!

Good luck.

We hope!!

 

[alehel]

Based on the price estimates I've seen, the 64gb 3G in america will cost about the same as the 16gb 3G here in Norway. That's why I'm considering it.

 

[DJY]

I am in a similar position.
I'm heading to the US twice in the next seven weeks.
I usually live in Australia.

I was hoping to buy a 64GB 3G iPad in Orlando Florida on 11 May.
I understand I can buy an iPad in store with an Australian credit card no problems.

Will I be able to activate it in store via iTunes (I have heard yes)?

Will I be able to sign up for an AT&T unlimited account using an Australian credit card?

What about an AT&T billing address?

I'm in Orlando Florida 10 - 18 May and then New York City 5 - 14 June.
Using the AT&T unlimited - it is cheaper than the hotel daily rate for internet - and was wanting to sign up to AT&T unlimited on my iPad - so was keen to get an iPad asap... and then use it as my primary way of communicating (email / internet etc).

Then come home - iPad will be released here by then - and merely just cancel my AT&T account - pull out the microSIM and sign up with my usual Aussie carrier and put a new microSIM in it!

Can any one help with my questions?
I would hate to have to wait until I return to Aust to get my iPad... I want it now!

 

[wombat888]

Buying it should be no problem.

Activating it in-store - you're on the mercy of the store staff - I'd give a 70% chance of success

Activating 3g with an Australia credit card - I don't see why AT&T would object since there's no contract - I'd give you a 70% chance of success

If you multiply .7 times .7, you get .49

You're in largely unchartered waters here ...

 

[hNicolas]

I'm from Canada no problem to purchase with foreign credit card I bought 2. Activation also no problem. But buying data from AT&T online won't work. They will only accept us based cards (it wouldn't accept my postal code therefore I couldn't use my card. Since I'm only in the states for a couple of days, I used someone elses us credit card. So far this works well.. I should be able to get a Rogers sim card next month. But I will keep the AT&T sim card for when I trvel to the US, and buy a data package for US use. I will have to call AT&T and find out how to make a payment with a foreign card.

 

[David R]

Couldn't you buy one of those prepaid visa or Amex cards and use that to sign up for the 3G service while you are here on vacation?

Not sure if it would work but it may. If it doesn't, you can still use the card for some other purchase.

 

[gdjsnyder]

Couldn't you buy one of those prepaid visa or Amex cards and use that to sign up for the 3G service while you are here on vacation?

Not sure if it would work but it may. If it doesn't, you can still use the card for some other purchase.

Possibly, but I think the problem lies when you're putting in the billing information for the card. You need to put in a billing address. So while buying an American prepaid credit card may work, you still need US based billing info. So I believe the people doing this may run into an issue.

I may be wrong however.

 

[DJY]

found another thread in here that isn't looking good
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/907926/

it also links to an Apple discussion thread that some American's are having trouble with?
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2417114&start=0&tstart=0

Anyone have a solution?

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Possibly, but I think the problem lies when you're putting in the billing information for the card. You need to put in a billing address. So while buying an American prepaid credit card may work, you still need US based billing info. So I believe the people doing this may run into an issue.

I may be wrong however.

I had some issues with a prepaid card once and spent some time on the phone with one of the vendors. They said that for the gift cards, they authenticate whatever address use use. Basically, it was blank on their end. I would think that might work in this case.

However, at the same time I was having issues with an Amex gift card - with my name embossed- and then merchants machine was hard coded to NOT accept the gift card range of numbers. Amex tried for me, but in the end I just gave up.

I think it is going to be hit and miss. I think we will see AT&T doing some sort of prepaid card for travelers for it. Lettting you use an itunes card would have been nice too.....

 

[DJY]

I had some issues with a prepaid card once and spent some time on the phone with one of the vendors. They said that for the gift cards, they authenticate whatever address use use. Basically, it was blank on their end. I would think that might work in this case.

Anyone heard of anyone actually having success with a pre paid Visa?
If so which one?

I'm still hoping to be able to use AT&T data when I hit Florida next week and New York City in June.

 

[DJY]

Seems over at the Apple discussions - people have used their hotel for the service address - and it has worked?!?!

AT&T now seem to be asking for two addresses - billing address and service address. Service address can be my hotel - but still not sure if the billing address has to match the credit card or not?