Ipods in China?

July 1, 2005 3:29 AM

Is an ipod a good gift for someone who lives in China?

I just got back from 2 weeks in China. The gude for our group did a terrific job, coping with both the annoying Americans (us) and the occasional 6 hour flight delay and major flood in Guangzhou. I want to organize our group to send her a gift. She's thirtyish, unmarried, goes out with friends to sing Karaoke. An ipod mini would be about perfect in some ways, I think.

But- are there power issues with sending an American ipod to China? Language issues aren't a problem, but I'd hate to send her something pretty but unusable. Any other reasons why this is a bad idea? Better suggestions?

posted by carterk to Travel & Transportation (5 answers total)

And iPod should be great. My daughter just got back from China and she reports seeing them everywhere (along with Starbucks). Mainland China may be different, but Apple has a huge presence in Hong Kong.
posted by cptnrandy at 6:29 AM on July 1, 2005

I believe that Apple sends the appropriate power/plug adapter depending on where the product is being shipped to (or perhaps which apple store it is being purchased from?) So you might want to give Apple sales folks a call and explain that you want a 'pod that will work in China. Or find a trustworthy person who can order it from Apple China (if such a store exists) for delivery to a Chinese address, which should then guarantee the appropriate adapters.
posted by misterbrandt at 8:29 AM on July 1, 2005

Right. Well, that's another question: how do I ship the ipod to China? Because there's no Apple China (that I can find, anyway). So do I have it shipped to me and then use UPS? Ask Apple to ship it direct?
posted by carterk at 8:59 AM on July 1, 2005

You could consider giving money instead. Not sure what the exchange rate is, but I'd imagine it would be a fairly decent sum. I don't think there is any stigma to money presents in China, and then she could probably buy a locally made ipod knock off and have some change.
posted by lunkfish at 9:35 AM on July 1, 2005

For what it's worth, Apple products are often shipped to the US from China. Ordering one and then shipping it back to there just seems horribly unsettling for that poor little ipod. At least poke a few airholes in the box.
I'd look for somewhere over there to order, it seems like the simplest way.
How's your Chinese?
posted by jheiz at 4:48 PM on July 1, 2005