iPad EU News (Abandon all hope, ye who enter here..) ("Are you nuts?!" - Steve)

[snapper07]

That 17.5% tax has to support the probably 1m+ benefit claimants from cradle to grave who never work a day in their life, don't you know!

And sorry, but another off-topic thought for the day...

I wonder what will happen come July when the new iPhone models come out? Now that we have multiple UK networks clamouring for a piece of your iPhone business, will they offer good retention deals for you to stay on their networks? They never subsidised the price of the iPhone further than the standard table of tariffs on prior models. I wonder what O2 will do if I threaten to leave after 9 years of continual service?

Anyway, back on topic, I have emailed Stevie. Will post back if I get a reply.

Yes am looking forward to the deals that O2 might offer to stay on the network, but I'm sure they will say the same as Orange did when i said I was leaving after 9 years if they didn't give me a better deal "Au revoir"
They don't care much about customer care these days.

But I look forward to being wrong.

 

[-Ryan-]

If its a bank holiday then I believe that Wednesday is normally the announcement day rather than Tuesday. Or they have done some on Fridays.

It's a common misconception that Apple do things on a certain day of the week. I read a report about this a while back, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. Although today is a bank holiday, so it's unlikely we'll see anything now. But almost certainly this week.

 

[Yixian]

If its a bank holiday then I believe that Wednesday is normally the announcement day rather than Tuesday. Or they have done some on Fridays.

It's not a bank holiday everywhere in the world, would they delay the international announcement because the banks in Britain are closed? xD

But you're prob right, if we don't get an announcement this week though, well.. that's just bull****.

 

[freelander]

That 17.5% tax has to support the probably 1m+ benefit claimants from cradle to grave who never work a day in their life, don't you know!

And sorry, but another off-topic thought for the day...

I wonder what will happen come July when the new iPhone models come out? Now that we have multiple UK networks clamouring for a piece of your iPhone business, will they offer good retention deals for you to stay on their networks? They never subsidised the price of the iPhone further than the standard table of tariffs on prior models. I wonder what O2 will do if I threaten to leave after 9 years of continual service?

Anyway, back on topic, I have emailed Stevie. Will post back if I get a reply.

Never mind all of those people who have been thrown out of work in the past year through no fault of their own. Heaven forbid that in a civilised society we provide a safety net for those less fortunate than ourselves. don't get me wrong I know there are people who screw the system, to assume they are in the majority is an assumption usually made by those who have never found themselves on the wrong end of the downside of capitalism. IMHO.

 

[Yixian]

Never mind all of those people who have been thrown out of work in the past year through no fault of their own. Heaven forbid that in a civilised society we provide a safety net for those less fortunate than ourselves. don't get me wrong I know there are people who screw the system, to assume they are in the majority is an assumption usually made by those who have never found themselves on the wrong end of the downside of capitalism. IMHO.

The only way it would be possible to get through to people like that would be for them to experience struggle or unemployment. Not going to happen, mummy and daddy will see to that, so we might as well save our breath.

 

[One Love 1867]

It's not a bank holiday everywhere in the world, would they delay the international announcement because the banks in Britain are closed? xD

But you're prob right, if we don't get an announcement this week though, well.. that's just bull****.

Well who are you classing as "international" in this announcement? Are Europe necessarily forced to to get their details at the same time as the UK?

 

[freelander]

The only way it would be possible to get through to people like that would be for them to experience struggle or unemployment. Not going to happen, mummy and daddy will see to that, so we might as well save our breath.

Spot on Yixian!
I have always been lucky to stay in work and therefore afford Apples fantastic products. However, the downtime is on its way in my sector. Whoever gets elected in the UK will have to cut public spending big time if the national debt thats been built up bailing out the banks is to ever get paid back.

 

[sibruk]

Never mind all of those people who have been thrown out of work in the past year through no fault of their own. Heaven forbid that in a civilised society we provide a safety net for those less fortunate than ourselves. don't get me wrong I know there are people who screw the system, to assume they are in the majority is an assumption usually made by those who have never found themselves on the wrong end of the downside of capitalism. IMHO.

That's not what I was saying, freelander. I believe the benefits system should be there for exactly that reason - for when people need help. I am purely talking about those who have no intention of ever working, spewing out a new baby every now and then to bump up their child benefits and get a bigger council house, and generally playing the system - the ones who the rest of us subsidise for their entire lives. That's why our taxes have to be higher than necessary! And 1m is not a majority, it's sadly probably an entirely inadequate estimation. Have you watched Shameless?! It's based on real life, you know!

But anyway, I am going to get into trouble for hijacking the thread. So I have to post something relevant too...

It's not a public holiday in the US today.

 

[nomad01]

i know, let me crunch:

499 usd is 330 gbp. So they evidently won't sell it at that price.
Raising the price to 369 would be a levy of about 10% which seems appropriate to me

Current exchange rate is around the 1.5 mark making it £332. The US price doesn't include tax so you need to add on VAT. This takes it to £390.

Now, this all assumes that Apple works on the current exchange rate. Look at the current base model Mac Mini. That was released when we had a better exchange rate but the rate used by Apple in that is 1.38 ($599 US versus £434 UK before VAT).

So I really wouldn't like to be *expecting* any price.

Wish they'd hurry up and put me out my misery!

 

[Yixian]

Well who are you classing as "international" in this announcement? Are Europe necessarily forced to to get their details at the same time as the UK?

UK is in Europe

You're right though I suppose there's no real reason that the UK couldn't get a different release date.. would just be surprised. Would have though EU, Canada and Oz would have gotten the same release date.

 

[Ratty]

I noticed that a UK guy over on the official apple forum said that he bought an iPad whilst in Florida on holiday, he says that the iPad app store wont work from a UK account yet.

Im wondering whether this is because he is doing it from the iPad rather than iTunes itself as there are apps on there (and I have paid for / downloaded some already!)

My iPad is due to arrive on Wednesday (paid £410 from ebay about 3 weeks ago before the mega hype!), however im worried that it'll be a bit crap without access to the app store.

Therefore.... I was wondering whether if I set up a US account to use for the next 3 weeks until the UK store opens, does that mean I will lose everything when I switch to my new UK account. Is the iPad tied to one account?

Thanks

Get a US iTunes account (several ways to do it, google it). I run with both US and UK account together with no problems, it has no effect on the synced content. I have an iPad due on Wednesday from Bundlebox and have already downloaded iBooks etc.

 

[instaxgirl]

Enjoy Edinburgh, it's probably the most beautiful city on the island.

Seconded

I think an entry-level of even 399 GBP would be too high. 350 would be ideal, 369 would be fine.

I don't think they'll sell at anything like £350 simply because it's too close to the price of a payg iPhone. Then again, I can't quite remember the US unsubsidised iPhone cost . . .

If the US price + VAT is pretty much £390 then I'd expect it to cost at least £50-£100 more. Apple prices in the UK have been atrocious the last few years (IMO, obviously )

I'm intrigued to know if you'll get student discount on this . . .

 

[mwitha]

Get a US iTunes account (several ways to do it, google it). I run with both US and UK account together with no problems, it has no effect on the synced content. I have an iPad due on Wednesday from Bundlebox and have already downloaded iBooks etc.

Cool, thanks for the tip. I think I will go ahead and do that if I have trouble on Wednesday!

Hope you get yours then too!

 

[sibruk]

...Bundlebox...

Oh my gosh, thanks for drawing my attention to Bundlebox! Although I'm not sure I will be getting an iPad this way either:

Total shipping estimate:£26.22 (cheapest option, 6-14 days)
Import VAT:£63.26
Handling fee import duty & VAT:£4.35
Total estimate including import duty & VAT:£93.83

Edit: although if I'm going to be paying the VAT anyway... Hmm...

 

[NewGenAdam]

If the US price + VAT is pretty much £390 then I'd expect it to cost at least £50-£100 more. Apple prices in the UK have been atrocious the last few years (IMO, obviously )

I'm intrigued to know if you'll get student discount on this . . .

I believe there's no iPad student discount in the USA, only a 10% discount on bulk education orders. I could be wrong, but I'd say our chances are slim.

When I wished for a RRP of 350 or 369 gbp I didn't realise USA taxes aren't included in advertised prices. UK tax justifies a higher price, but makes me sad =(
So how is VAT paid in the USA?

 

[JonnyIreland]

I believe there's no iPad student discount in the USA, only a 10% discount on bulk education orders. I could be wrong, but I'd say our chances are slim.

When I wished for a RRP of 350 or 369 gbp I didn't realise USA taxes aren't included in advertised prices. UK tax justifies a higher price, but makes me sad =(
So how is VAT paid in the USA?

The equivalent is "sales tax" which is added when you pay for the item... It varies state to state etc. It is never as high as VAT in the UK.

 

[sibruk]

So how is VAT paid in the USA?

It's called Sales Tax in the US, and the percentage levied varies on a state-by-state basis (from 0% in Delaware/Oregon/New Hampshire up to 8.75% in California). So the price you see on US shelves and websites almost always has sales tax excluded. It is added in at the checkout.

It takes a bit of getting used to, and even having lived in the US for nine months, you sometimes forget to take it into account and you get a nasty shock at the checkout! I guess if it's what you're used to your whole life, it becomes second nature.

You can imagine the benefits for retailers especially! At every transaction, you are being shown just how much you're paying for the goods/service and how much is going to the government. And that way is in keeping with the general American fixation on "tax dollars".

 

[NewGenAdam]

The equivalent is "sales tax" which is added when you pay for the item... It varies state to state etc. It is never as high as VAT in the UK.

You can imagine the benefits for retailers especially! At every transaction, you are being shown just how much you're paying for the goods/service and how much is going to the government. And that way is in keeping with the general American fixation on "tax dollars".

ahh, so it's done on point of sale: in-store. or online based on your address?
I suppose that's logical. The USA, after all, is on the scale of Europe; varied taxes are more understandable than, say, in the UK.

 

[TheBigApple2006]

Oh my gosh, thanks for drawing my attention to Bundlebox! Although I'm not sure I will be getting an iPad this way either:

Total shipping estimate:£26.22 (cheapest option, 6-14 days)
Import VAT:£63.26
Handling fee import duty & VAT:£4.35
Total estimate including import duty & VAT:£93.83

Edit: although if I'm going to be paying the VAT anyway... Hmm...

Any estimate I have been for Bundlebox is in the range of 120-160 pounds for their own fees, depending on the model. I guess you have chosen wrong parameters for shipping, it appears to be too low (a letter envelope would cost that much US to UK). Besides, its not a very attractive proposition right now because, should you order from the Apple Store online US, the package would reach Bundlebox US by April 15-20 and to you in late April or May - I would be very surprised if we had no news on the UK direct sales well before that. I guess the BundleBox option only made sense if you really were dying to have the iPad by April 10.

 

[TheBigApple2006]

ahh, so it's done on point of sale: in-store, or online based on your address?
I suppose that's logical. The USA, after all, is on the scale of Europe.

it's based on destination address - Bundlebox given out Kentucky addresses, so you would have to pay 6% on top of Apple US retail price.

 

[QEII Student IT]

This is MacRumors' latest article.

"It feels great to have the iPad launched into the world -- it's going to be a game changer," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "iPad users, on average, downloaded more than three apps and close to one book within hours of unpacking their new iPad."

The way Steve says 'world' you'd think he was talking about more than just America

 

[Axegrinder]

Ok, I'm late to this thread and fed up of suffering in silence (and my wife is fed up of me talking to her about the iPad all the time) so I need to know if it's worth bothering with bundlebox. I'd never heard of it until I saw that people here had ordered iPads through them. Question is, is it too late now? What kind of time frame would I be looking at to receive one if I ordered now?Before UK launch? After? Who knows? Not me, I'm just rambling! All I know is that I want one, and I want it now!

I just had to get it off my chest. Sorry!

 

[0dev]

This is MacRumors' latest article.



The way Steve says 'world' you'd think he was talking about more than just America

To Americans, the USA = "the world". There are no other countries, which is why only something like 20% of Americans have a passport.

 

[Elise]

This is MacRumors' latest article.



The way Steve says 'world' you'd think he was talking about more than just America

Yeah it's probably not the best choice of words here!

 

[baronbuzby]

Ok, I'm late to this thread and fed up of suffering in silence (and my wife is fed up of me talking to her about the iPad all the time) so I need to know if it's worth bothering with bundlebox. I'd never heard of it until I saw that people here had ordered iPads through them. Question is, is it too late now? What kind of time frame would I be looking at to receive one if I ordered now?Before UK launch? After? Who knows? Not me, I'm just rambling! All I know is that I want one, and I want it now!

I just had to get it off my chest. Sorry!

As no stock is available 'til the 12th in the US, I would suggest waiting until the end of April in the UK.