MacBook Shipments Have Begun?

[SoonMacBuyer]

if you compare the prices of the us store and german store you can see that the prices a hardly the same

i also think in the us store all prices are without taxes because every state has different taxes

 

[tr0jan]

because when they go through customs they get loads of tax on them

yepp.. we have to pay the mac + shipping costs + 35 % customs tax + 20 % sales tax.. and we also need a new power supply.. the only way to get a cheap mac is to travel to USA, buy one, travel back to Europe and "forget" to declare it.. 😱

 

[tr0jan]

if you compare the prices of the us store and german store you can see that the prices a hardly the same

i also think in the us store all prices are without taxes because every state has different taxes

aehm..

US Store: Macbook Pro 1999 $
German Store: Macbook Pro 1799 € (=2629 $)

 

[SoonMacBuyer]

aehm..

US Store: Macbook Pro 1999 $
German Store: Macbook Pro 1799 € (=2629 $)

take the dollar course from 2006 when the macbook pro was inventet

 

[Ninja-Mage]

You guys know nothing of pain.

[typed straight outta my G3 original iMac]

I use a 2000 Compaq laptop booted with Windows ME because it will blow up if it boots either XP or Vista. Mind you it's for school only I have a nice desktop for everything else, but for the 8 hours a day i'm at college that hour long battery supply (If i'm lucky) is the definition of pain, infact I think pain would be the wrong word to use. 😛

Anywhoo enough ramblings - I'm rather hopeful we don't get screwed till jan on these new MBP's because as my other block of text so states i'm ready to upgrade... bad..

 

[aleksandra.]

yepp.. we have to pay the mac + shipping costs + 35 % customs tax + 20 % sales tax.. and we also need a new power supply.. the only way to get a cheap mac is to travel to USA, buy one, travel back to Europe and "forget" to declare it.. 😱

Are you in EU? Because there's no import duty on laptops in EU (some sort of WTO agreement from 1996 IIRC), so there's only VAT to be added. If you aren't, I must admit your situation is even worse... and I completely agree, there're many people who buy laptops abroad and no one asks them about it. I think it should be legal, as long as you aren't bringing more than one and it's unpacked (meaning used, meaning you can't sell it as new). Besides laws that aren't possible to execute are demoralizing 😉.

1999$ / 0,8 (Dollar/Euro 2006)*1,09% taxes =2723,6375

take the dollar course from 2006 when the macbook pro was inventet

Trust me, if the dollar went up they would've adjusted prices before you knew it. And there're many companies who adjust prices annually no matter which way currencies go (i.e. IKEA). Apple resellers only lower prices when they absolutely have to - new models are coming and they realize they still haven't sold their fist shipment...

And besides it goes more like $1999 * 1.19 * 1.09 = 2592. It'd be too good to multiply by 1.09% 😉

 

[Phrasikleia]

yepp.. we have to pay the mac + shipping costs + 35 % customs tax + 20 % sales tax.. and we also need a new power supply.. the only way to get a cheap mac is to travel to USA, buy one, travel back to Europe and "forget" to declare it.. 😱

You don't need a new power supply, just a prong adapter, which costs less than a euro.

 

[aleksandra.]

You don't need a new power supply, just a prong adapter, which costs less than a euro.

It depends - you don't need it for devices that are portable by definition, like MacBooks. They usually come with a power supply you can use around the world. Desktops, for example iMacs, are different matter. They're usually sold with an AC adapter that operates only on low or only on high voltages. So it's possible to immediately fry your imported computer with its own power supply (or at least it used to be some time ago). And in most stores prong adapters are a bit more expensive, though I agree the cost is insignificant.

 

[Phrasikleia]

It depends - you don't need it for devices that are portable by definition, like MacBooks. They usually come with a power supply you can use around the world. Desktops, for example iMacs, are different matter. They're usually sold with an AC adapter that operates only on low or only on high voltages. So it's possible to immediately fry your imported computer with its own power supply (or at least it used to be some time ago). And in most stores prong adapters are a bit more expensive, though I agree the cost is insignificant.

Hmm. I have to admit I've never tried to use a US desktop computer in Europe. However, I have brought over a desktop LCD monitor, a router, laptops, external hard drives, an iPod, and other assorted electronics.

I go back and forth a lot, often for six or more months at a time, so I'm always schlepping an array of gear with me. And I can't even tell you how often people ask if I'll bring over a laptop or a DSLR or something from the US for them. (I always say no.)

 

[Clayne]

How many Tuesday have we passed where someone said "new macbooks this Tuesday!" And everyone waited.

and they didn't come.
?

 

[aleksandra.]

Hmm. I have to admit I've never tried to use a US desktop computer in Europe. However, I have brought over a desktop LCD monitor, a router, laptops, external hard drives, an iPod, and other assorted electronics.

I didn't try it myself either, but there're some stories about fried iMacs and they sound authentic. I've just checked and see iMacs should be safe ("Line voltage: 100-240V AC"), but Mac Pros not necessarily so - "Line voltage: 100-120V AC or 200-240V AC", meaning two different kinds of adapters.

I go back and forth a lot, often for six or more months at a time, so I'm always schlepping an array of gear with me. And I can't even tell you how often people ask if I'll bring over a laptop or a DSLR or something from the US for them. (I always say no.)

Even to a family member? 😉

How many Tuesday have we passed where someone said "new macbooks this Tuesday!" And everyone waited.

and they didn't come.
?

0, it was last Tuesday 😛.

 

[Toe]

Must. Stop. Following. Thread.

Biggest. Timewaster. Ever.

😉🙁😕🙄😡😀

 

[Phrasikleia]

Even to a family member? 😉

That's where it gets tough. I do have one family member who wants me to bring a MacBook for him next time, but I'm always carrying my own MBP with me, so it would just be asking for trouble. Besides, what if it got lost, stolen, or damaged? Too risky.

 

[Aranince]

How many Tuesday have we passed where someone said "new macbooks this Tuesday!" And everyone waited.

and they didn't come.
?

Far too many

 

[jbrenn]

forgot sales tax.

And besides it goes more like $1999 * 1.19 * 1.09 = 2592. It'd be too good to multiply by 1.09% 😉

In Texas most cities the sales tax is 8.25%. The lowest tax rate i have seen in the us was 7.25%. The prices in the Us apple store doNot include tax The average price you will pay in Texas for a MBP 2163.92 if you are not a student.

 

[fishy007]

I think I'm obsessed. I had a dream last night that new Macbook Pros were out. They had the '1080p' logo all over them, brushed aluminum, all the ports you could ever want (including HDMI with audio) and a wonderfully lit screen.

I was in my office and everyone was crowded around my desk watching me order one online.

God, I need a life....or at least a freakin' MBP.

 

[Erindipity]

In Texas most cities the sales tax is 8.25%. The lowest tax rate i have seen in the us was 7.25%.

In Massachusetts, the sales tax is 5%. 😎

 

[Sander]

take the dollar course from 2006 when the macbook pro was inventet

I have a supply of vintage 2006 dollars, can I buy euros from you against the 2006 exchange rate..?

🙂

 

[aleksandra.]

In Texas most cities the sales tax is 8.25%. The lowest tax rate i have seen in the us was 7.25%. The prices in the Us apple store doNot include tax The average price you will pay in Texas for a MBP 2163.92 if you are not a student.

I know it. I did not forget it.

My calculation (basing on 2006 dollar/euro exchange rate) included 9% VAT in Germany (if it is 9%, I didn't check). So, it doesn't refer to me going to Texas and buying a Mac, it refers to Macs being sold in Germany. US sales taxes have nothing to do with it. Although if one thinks about it, exchange rate from 2006 shouldn't matter either.

What about sales tax in Delaware and Oregon?

 

[discoforce]

US State Sales Tax Rates

New Hampshire = none
Delaware = none
Oregon = none
Alaska = none
Montana = none

Vermont = 6, but it's worth every penny

 

[specialbuddy]

In Texas most cities the sales tax is 8.25%. The lowest tax rate i have seen in the us was 7.25%. The prices in the Us apple store doNot include tax The average price you will pay in Texas for a MBP 2163.92 if you are not a student.

No sales tax in the state of Oregon.

 

[.Chris]

No sales tax in the state of Oregon.

and I hope there will never will be..... ORegon is a good state. $7.95 an hour is min. wadge and its going up to like $8.40 an hour in january

 

[Phrasikleia]

In Texas most cities the sales tax is 8.25%. The lowest tax rate i have seen in the us was 7.25%. The prices in the Us apple store doNot include tax The average price you will pay in Texas for a MBP 2163.92 if you are not a student.

Yeah, people outside the US often overlook the fact that tax is not included in the pricing here. Also, the tax rate is much lower here. Tax in the EU ranges from 15-25%, with most falling at around 20%.

In addition, companies have to pay import duty on the products they intend to sell, which is not the case for Apple in the US, of course.

So: before you go blaming Apple for gouging consumers outside the US, take these two factors into consideration. The profit for Apple works out to be pretty similar both inside and outside of the US.

My calculation (basing on 2006 dollar/euro exchange rate) included 9% VAT in Germany (if it is 9%, I didn't check).

VAT is 19% in Germany.

 

[tr0jan]

Are you in EU? Because there's no import duty on laptops in EU (some sort of WTO agreement from 1996 IIRC), so there's only VAT to be added. If you aren't, I must admit your situation is even worse... and I completely agree, there're many people who buy laptops abroad and no one asks them about it. I think it should be legal, as long as you aren't bringing more than one and it's unpacked (meaning used, meaning you can't sell it as new). Besides laws that aren't possible to execute are demoralizing 😉.



Trust me, if the dollar went up they would've adjusted prices before you knew it. And there're many companies who adjust prices annually no matter which way currencies go (i.e. IKEA). Apple resellers only lower prices when they absolutely have to - new models are coming and they realize they still haven't sold their fist shipment...

And besides it goes more like $1999 * 1.19 * 1.09 = 2592. It'd be too good to multiply by 1.09% 😉

wow, i dont know that.. i googled a little bit on our tax-office website and found that you dont have to buy sale taxes on computers, laptops and so on.. but you have to pay import taxes (19%)

mhmm a vicious circle.. btw taxes in germany are 19% (arent they?)
im from austria.. we have 20 %.. 🙁

 

[aleksandra.]

wow, i dont know that.. i googled a little bit on our tax-office website and found that you dont have to buy sale taxes on computers, laptops and so on.. but you have to pay import taxes (19%)

mhmm a vicious circle.. btw taxes in germany are 19% (arent they?)
im from austria.. we have 20 %.. 🙁

http://www.wto.org/english/docs_e/legal_e/itadec_e.htm - it should work for entire EU (even though signed back in 1996), since there're no import duties inside EU.

So I've no idea about this 19% tax and how it could exist, but it doesn't mean I'm right, of course. Maybe there's some import duty after all, however, it seems unlikely (UK prices without VAT are very similar to US without sales tax).

I don't know about VAT in Germany, but 9% seemed to good to be true 😉 I've used the value given by someone here earlier, I suppose it was a typo. Didn't bother to check, turns out I should have.

We have 22% VAT...

In addition, companies have to pay import duty on the products they intend to sell, which is not the case for Apple in the US, of course.

So: before you go blaming Apple for gouging consumers outside the US, take these two factors into consideration. The profit for Apple works out to be pretty similar both inside and outside of the US.

Since inside EU you don't pay customs, it should work the same for every country. What I really meant was difference in prices between UK, France etc. and some other countries, where Apple doesn't set prices directly. High-end MacBook Air is 65% more here than in US (without sales tax). In UK it is 22%. So they do have 4.5 percentage points lower tax. It still doesn't account for the really big difference.

I'm not complaining about taxes, it's not about it, even though I really don't like them. I'm complaining about resellers ruling the market. They even at some point tried to refuse warranty service (even though it's international) for Macs purchased outside of Poland, to stop people from buying them abroad. They've changed that policy since then (I suppose they had to), but it doesn't change the fact that their high prices make people reconsider all less convenient options before buying from them, especially when it's perfectly legal to buy in another EU country.

Edit:

To keep it from being completely off-topic... have anyone heard something about those new MacBooks in the last few days? 😉