Is Apple cheaper in Europe?

[DotCom2]

I will be going to Europe in the Fall. Namely to Germany, Spain, France and Italy. I live in the US.
Is it cheaper to buy Apple products in Europe as opposed to here in the US?
TIA

 

[MRrainer]

Most likely not.
Esp. compared to some of the "tax free" sellers in the US.

Switzerland has pretty competitive prices on electronic gear - provided you don't have to pay taxes importing the goods into your home country...

 

[Janichsan]

Make that "definitely not". There's a reason why Europeans who aren't bothered by an US keyboard layout occasionally travel to the States to buy Apple products.

 

[MRrainer]

Make that "definitely not". There's a reason why Europeans who aren't bothered by an US keyboard layout occasionally travel to the States to buy Apple products.

It makes sense if somebody else is paying for flight+accomodation.

Though, I've read of people who bought (pre 2013) MacPros (when the price-difference was more extreme) and made a profit even with the flight...
Those times have long since gone, though.

Most of the "desirable" things in Europe (from a US perspective) aren't really consumable or for sale:

- affordable health-care
- more paid vacation
- extensive maternity/paternity leave (well, maybe not in Switzerland)
- less violent crimes
- not much worrying about guns
- several hundred years of history and tradition

Other things are consumable:

- light alcohol at 16 (Germany), hard alcohol at 18
- Kinderüberraschungseier ;-)
- raw milk and raw milk cheese ;-)

 

[bingeciren]

Make that "definitely not". There's a reason why Europeans who aren't bothered by an US keyboard layout occasionally travel to the States to buy Apple products.

I do most of my Apple shopping while I visit US, or order online and have them brought to me by friends and relatives who live there.

To the OP, some Apple products are on par if you factor in the standard 2 year warranty in most EU countries however a lot of other items are much cheaper in the US or even in Canada, even if you add the Apple Care on top of it.

Check country specific Apple online stores, compare prices and make up,your mind accordingly.

 

[gnasher729]

Apple products are more expensive in Europe because you pay for VAT (for example 20% in the UK), and because you have better consumer protection laws in the EU.

You will be able to get the 20% VAT back, but Apple will likely not be helpful. And the consumer protection laws won't help you, because Apple is not responsible to fix problems for up to around 2 years, but the store where you bought, which would be somewhere in Europe. In addition you need new plugs, and you are unlikely to be able to buy a device with a US keyboard.
[doublepost=1498398588][/doublepost]

- Kinderüberraschungseier ;-)

Kinder Surprise eggs are actually illegal in the USA! Millions and millions of children in the EU have enjoyed and survived them, but they are too dangerous for American children.

 

[DotCom2]

Thank you all. I guess I'll stick to the good ol' U.S.A.

 

[Alrescha]

but they are too dangerous for American children

As America is in the middle of a great cycle of infantalization, pretty much everything today is too dangerous for American children.

A.

 

[MRrainer]

Apple products are more expensive in Europe because you pay for VAT (for example 20% in the UK), and because you have better consumer protection laws in the EU.

You will be able to get the 20% VAT back, but Apple will likely not be helpful. And the consumer protection laws won't help you, because Apple is not responsible to fix problems for up to around 2 years, but the store where you bought, which would be somewhere in Europe. In addition you need new plugs, and you are unlikely to be able to buy a device with a US keyboard.

I think the online store here allows me to select a US keyboard. At least for the iMac. Even a UK keyboard, if I fancy having a weird layout and a Pound-sign on it.

Wouldn't say consumer protection is better in Europe. Maybe... different.
And in Switzerland, it's worse anyway.

I sometimes compare prices between Switzerland and Germany. Ex-VAT, Apple Store prices aren't that different and accurately reflect the FX-rate.

Switzerland has a number of aggressively-pricing resellers, though, where you can close great deals. And you pay only 8% VAT vs. 19% in Germany, regardless.

Apple doesn't care where you bought it. If it has Apple Care, they'll service it.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Bwahahahahahaha!!!

...Oh wait, you are serious?