It seems many posters from other countries don't understand that the US Pricing provided by Apple is BEFORE TAXES. The actual TOTAL price would be higher, but would differ from state to state -- because each state has different LOCAL Sales Taxes.
Some states don't have local SALES tax at all -- the Apple.com price will be the same as the total sale price. Some people in MA who live near New Hampshire (NH) will go to NH because the state does not impose any STATE sale tax. If I am not mistaken, Nevada also does not have a STATE sales tax. So, tourist to the Casinos may take the opportunity to buy stuff when in Las Vegas.
Some cities or counties will the standard State Tax that average from 5-10% of the price, while some cities or counties may charge additional city or county taxes, but the total seldom exceed 10-15%.
In Boston, MA, there is no SALES tax for certain necessities (e.g., clothing, food??, etc.) up to US$200??? per purchase and MA even has a Tax free holiday each year. The STATE sales tax for other items was 5% but this was increased slowly during the past few decades to 6.25-6.5% -- much, much lower than the VAT taxes and other taxes in many other countries, especially in Europe and Canada***. For this reason, many visitors in Boston from other countries visit the Apple Boylston Store in Boston to buy Apple products.
My sister, who lives in the UK wants me to buy her iPhone here, but the freight cost plus insurance would cost more than what would be saved in VAT taxes charged in the UK. Also, they still offer two-year subsidized phone contracts where she lives. I was surprised that what the TELCO offers her for the entire two (2) years would be LOWER than what it would cost me for the same period with AT&T.
There is also the case that many countries in Europe and other parts of the world have been more economically unstable compared to the (present) US economy, so that the US dollar to Euro (or other currencies) has been fluctuating like crazy — even the insurance taken by Apple was not enough to cover its exposure to currency fluctuations from all over the world. [Note that there were times in the past that the situation was reversed.]
As far as the EXTRA (higher) taxes, you may be paying in Stockholm (and many places in Europe), consider the social benefits you are getting as a people and country — guarantee for a better education (and tuition fee subsidies still in some European countries), heath care, government funds that may be tapped for projects that benefit the society as a whole — waste reduction, pollution control, investment to control climate change, help when out of job for one reason or another, etc.
Here in the US, even those in the Middle Class are afraid they might get sick in the family because their insurance may not cover long term care and other hospital costs. If a person loses a job in the US, especially those with a family or mortgage to pay, the short term disruption may lead to financial disaster that could lead to homelessness, suicide, and sometimes desperation that led to more tragic fate for the entire family.
So, yeah, many people still come to the US, for many reasons, including the opportunities that each individual may be able to do to improve one’s life. Also, we have lower taxes than many Western countries. On the other side of the equation consider the pittance in terms of safety nets that could help those in need; and these safety nets are gets eroded more each year. This erosion in “societal safety nets” is based on the principle by some of those in control of our governments at the local and federal level that those who rely on societal support are lazy or don’t work enough to better their lives.
So, do not protest so much
CGC
***During my first visit in Montreal, Canada (not knowing about all the VAT and other local taxes), I thought I saw a bargain shirt (much lower than the bargains in Boston), but after the local (city and provincial taxes) were added, it cost more than what it would cost in Boston. I like the shirt, so the shop owner and I compromised (he lowered the sale price so that the total taxes would be lower), the shirt I wanted (but still cost higher than what it would cost in Boston).
