Buying Apple Laptop - Arbitrage Opportunity?

[kanpachi]

With the dollar getting stronger everyday, it seems there is a clear opportunity for arbitrage given the pricing inefficiencies of Apple laptops across different countries. For instance, the MBP goes for $1999/$2499 USD in the US and $2149 and $2699 CAD in Canada. Given that 1 USD = 1.30 CAD as of today, the effective prices of the Canadian ones would be $2149/1.3 = $1653 and $2076. It could most likely be ~$100 higher given that the actual exchange rates would be lower due to the spreads.

Is it possible to order a computer from the Canada store and have it shipped to a US location? Or do you need to be located in Canada to do this? Definitely sucks for the Canadians out there, but figure Americans could benefit from the strong US dollar.

 

[Bengt77]

it possible to order a computer from the Canada store and have it shipped to a US location?

Nope.

Or do you need to be located in Canada to do this?

Yup.

 

[jay1097]

Even if you do buy a mac from Canada provinces charge a 12% tax!

Just find someone who is a student and get the education discount, or order it online and save the sales tax.

 

[scienide09]

Even if you do buy a mac from Canada provinces charge a 12% tax!...

Well, not all of them. In Alberta we pay the 5% GST, and there's no provincial tax.

The OP could try buying from Canada by coming here. Of course, this could mean problems taking the computer back into the US.

 

[skye12]

Give it a rest.

 

[marbles]

rubbish though , this situation , all manufacturers like the idea of world trade and use it to their advantage , all the time , but when the consumer tries the same thing ........