UK iPod
December 15, 2004 11:49 AM Subscribe
Buying an ipod for niece in UK from the US [MI]
I want to buy my niece an ipod for christmas but i cannot use
the Apple UK store with a US address credit card.
I do not want her to be worrying about warranties and different chargers etc
so a UK version is preferable. Yes, i have spoken to the Apple
store hot line in the US and UK and apparently it is policy to stop
people taking advantage of exchange rates for the dollar priced items.
Amazon is quoting weeks for delivery so thats out.
Any ideas ???
I want to buy my niece an ipod for christmas but i cannot use
the Apple UK store with a US address credit card.
I do not want her to be worrying about warranties and different chargers etc
so a UK version is preferable. Yes, i have spoken to the Apple
store hot line in the US and UK and apparently it is policy to stop
people taking advantage of exchange rates for the dollar priced items.
Amazon is quoting weeks for delivery so thats out.
Any ideas ???
"...the AppleCare Protection Plan gives you the peace of mind of knowing that Apple provides global repair or replacement coverage."
The Apple travel adaptor kit
Both found quickly on apple.com.
posted by tracicle at 11:57 AM on December 15, 2004
The Apple travel adaptor kit
Both found quickly on apple.com.
posted by tracicle at 11:57 AM on December 15, 2004
If you go tracicle's route, be sure to verify that the power supply is in fact switchable 110/220V. I know the new iMacs - which used to have 110/220V power supplies - are now either-or. (i.e., a U.S. iMac needs a step-up transformer to work in the E.U.)
What about using a U.K. online shop that isn't the Apple store?
posted by stonerose at 12:02 PM on December 15, 2004
What about using a U.K. online shop that isn't the Apple store?
posted by stonerose at 12:02 PM on December 15, 2004
I'll tell you what I tell everyone who talks about buying an iPod in the US when they don't have to.
"European consumer law states that goods must be functional throughout their expected lifetime. If something happens to the goods, the retailer is liable. Far too few people realise this. So, effectively 'guarantees' are irrelevant in the EU - in that they limit the retailers liability, rather than extend it.
For example, if you buy a washing machine, you'd expect it to have a lifespan of about 7 years at least. If, after five years, the seal on the door goes, you can go back to the original retailer and demand they repair it.
I can't be bothered to search for the relevant legislation, but it's out there if you want to. I've had an iPod for two years now, and the headphones have broken twice - once in the guarantee period, and once out of it. I've gotten two free replacement pairs just by calling apple (I bought the iPod direct from them) and pointing out their liabilty.
The problem with this it, what do you do if a retailer refuses? You can report them to Trading Standards, and eventually take them to the small claims court. Nothing's ever easy, obviously.
For this reason, I would never buy expensive consumer goods in the USA, even though it's ridiculously cheap for us EUeans. You just don't get the same protection, so it's not worth it."
posted by ascullion at 12:07 PM on December 15, 2004
"European consumer law states that goods must be functional throughout their expected lifetime. If something happens to the goods, the retailer is liable. Far too few people realise this. So, effectively 'guarantees' are irrelevant in the EU - in that they limit the retailers liability, rather than extend it.
For example, if you buy a washing machine, you'd expect it to have a lifespan of about 7 years at least. If, after five years, the seal on the door goes, you can go back to the original retailer and demand they repair it.
I can't be bothered to search for the relevant legislation, but it's out there if you want to. I've had an iPod for two years now, and the headphones have broken twice - once in the guarantee period, and once out of it. I've gotten two free replacement pairs just by calling apple (I bought the iPod direct from them) and pointing out their liabilty.
The problem with this it, what do you do if a retailer refuses? You can report them to Trading Standards, and eventually take them to the small claims court. Nothing's ever easy, obviously.
For this reason, I would never buy expensive consumer goods in the USA, even though it's ridiculously cheap for us EUeans. You just don't get the same protection, so it's not worth it."
posted by ascullion at 12:07 PM on December 15, 2004
I recommend getting one in the US and FedExing it. You can either get the global adaptor kit, or I'm sure your niece will have a standard figure-of-8 cable somewhere, from a phone charger or something. It can also be charged off USB or firewire anyway. If your niece can get to Regent Street, the
Geniuses there will probably replace it no questions asked - I don't think you need to worry.
posted by cillit bang at 12:14 PM on December 15, 2004
Geniuses there will probably replace it no questions asked - I don't think you need to worry.
posted by cillit bang at 12:14 PM on December 15, 2004
Yeah get one in the US and FedEx it, the exchange rate is gonna kill you, and it will work just fine over there (I've done it)
posted by zeoslap at 12:29 PM on December 15, 2004
posted by zeoslap at 12:29 PM on December 15, 2004
Ascullion, as an attorney, that's fascinating, and I'd love to see a court decision recognizing that idea. Also, I'd love to see that work in France.
posted by ParisParamus at 12:39 PM on December 15, 2004
posted by ParisParamus at 12:39 PM on December 15, 2004
The standard Apple AC adaptor (used on their laptops and the iPod) can take any voltage, from 100V up to 240V, 50 or 60Hz. So plug with abandon.
posted by zsazsa at 12:56 PM on December 15, 2004
posted by zsazsa at 12:56 PM on December 15, 2004
I'd just like to share that my family tried to send me a care package while I'm here in France that included my iPod, some peanutbutter, gloves, and a hat, and now I have to pay 84 euro in customs fees. I honestly have no idea what happened.
Also, there's an Apple service center here that sent out my American iBook (under warranty) for completely free repairs. So even without AppleCare you should be covered for everything.
(that EU bit is intriguing but the price differential is pretty big between US and Europe I believe)
posted by themadjuggler at 1:07 PM on December 15, 2004
Also, there's an Apple service center here that sent out my American iBook (under warranty) for completely free repairs. So even without AppleCare you should be covered for everything.
(that EU bit is intriguing but the price differential is pretty big between US and Europe I believe)
posted by themadjuggler at 1:07 PM on December 15, 2004
Did they forget to tick the "Gift" box on the customs declaration? You shouldn't have been charged.
posted by cillit bang at 1:44 PM on December 15, 2004
posted by cillit bang at 1:44 PM on December 15, 2004
Parisparamus,
Have a look at this link. It doesn't back up everything I've said above - but it does state that..
.."if a product you buy does not conform to the agreement you made with the seller at the time of puchase, you can take it back and have it replaced or repaired. This applies for up to two years after you take delivery of the product".
Even if this is the limit of the protection, and I don't think it is, two years is double Apple's basic warranty.
In the UK, the Sale of Goods Act covers these issues. As it points out, "the trader could be liable to compensate you for up to six years".
posted by ascullion at 2:46 PM on December 15, 2004
Have a look at this link. It doesn't back up everything I've said above - but it does state that..
.."if a product you buy does not conform to the agreement you made with the seller at the time of puchase, you can take it back and have it replaced or repaired. This applies for up to two years after you take delivery of the product".
Even if this is the limit of the protection, and I don't think it is, two years is double Apple's basic warranty.
In the UK, the Sale of Goods Act covers these issues. As it points out, "the trader could be liable to compensate you for up to six years".
posted by ascullion at 2:46 PM on December 15, 2004
Buy in the US and fedex. Given that this is the advice given to Brits for a cheaper faster delivered iPod (Well, advice from one tv show anyway), I'd go for it.
posted by seanyboy at 4:55 PM on December 15, 2004
posted by seanyboy at 4:55 PM on December 15, 2004
BTW, no amount of "gift" ticking or wrapping will stop them slapping tax on it if they notice it. Whether they can deal with the larger volume at Christmas is another thing, but customs charge VAT (plus an additional levy for various goods, including MP3 players) whenever they enter the country, gift or not.
It'll still be cheaper, but you'll have to send it to someone who is prepared to pay the tax amount when they receive it and then pass it on to your niece.
posted by bonaldi at 5:47 PM on December 15, 2004
It'll still be cheaper, but you'll have to send it to someone who is prepared to pay the tax amount when they receive it and then pass it on to your niece.
posted by bonaldi at 5:47 PM on December 15, 2004
OK, I stand corrected. The gift box apparently just gets you £36 instead of £18 tax-free.
posted by cillit bang at 6:12 PM on December 15, 2004
posted by cillit bang at 6:12 PM on December 15, 2004
Response by poster: :-)
Maybe i will just wait till i am back there again and carry it in.
Cost US
$249 + $39 for travel kit + CA sales tax + $71 for 48 hour shipping + customs
is right up there with the pounds -> dolars price if i can get someone in the UK to order it.
( slightly longer shipping is only $6 less )
Thanks all anyway.
posted by stuartmm at 6:27 PM on December 15, 2004
Maybe i will just wait till i am back there again and carry it in.
Cost US
$249 + $39 for travel kit + CA sales tax + $71 for 48 hour shipping + customs
is right up there with the pounds -> dolars price if i can get someone in the UK to order it.
( slightly longer shipping is only $6 less )
Thanks all anyway.
posted by stuartmm at 6:27 PM on December 15, 2004
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by tracicle at 11:53 AM on December 15, 2004