Buying an I pad in US

[Portugal1000]

Probably a silly question but are I pads in US Compatible to use in UK. Sons 13th birthday the day before we come home. Wondering if they are any cheaper over there. I know he would love one ( and me!)

 

[Cyrano]

Our 1st iPad was bought in the Florida Mall. The only thing was that we had to purchase a UK charger at home.

Definitely cheaper than buying here

 

[snookhams]

We bought two Ipads last year - the boys Christmas pressies - from the Apple store at the Florida Mall, staff were really helpful and they were alot cheaper, we didn't buy a new charger, they use their ipod chargers but also bought two us to uk adapters!

Probably going to get anther one this year for me and DH to use.

 

[Laurafoster]

We got ours in Walmart last May. Can't remember the exact price but was quite a bit cheaper than over here. We have a UK charger but tend to charge it off a PC anyway.

 

[Elise79]

We have bought iPads and iPod touches from the Apple Store in the Florida Mall.

All you will need it the 3 pin part to go on the adapter for charging otherwise there are no issues.

Warranty is valid here too - recently had an issue with DD iPod touch and it was dealt with here no problem.

 

[Sunset_Princess]

Apple products have a year warranty, does this apply for the US ones and if you needed to take them to an Apple store to be fixed, can you take them to a UK one?

 

[Elise79]

Apple products have a year warranty, does this apply for the US ones and if you needed to take them to an Apple store to be fixed, can you take them to a UK one?

Yes

 

[Goofey's Girl]

Sorry if this is a silly question but are there any issues with regards customs when you fly back?

 

[chmurf]

Sorry if this is a silly question but are there any issues with regards customs when you fly back?

There is no issue (except for the gemini cricket inside your head) as long as you don't get a customs random check at the airport back in the UK

Each passenger had a customs allowance. Which means that you can bring back goods up to a fixed amount (don't know how much it is for the UK). Chances are that, with an iPad (and the other stuff you'll bring back) you'll be over that limit/allowance.

If you exceed that limit you will need to pay duties for the merchandise.

You could still pretend that the iPad is yours to begin with (it's harder to pretend when it's still inside the box ) and if the customs officer is smart enough he/she'll discover the US plug ...

Anyway, there are a lot of DISers here who can testify that they had no problem. Just be aware of the "Law" and happy shopping

 

[london75]

The cheapest iPad 4 16GB with wifi can be under the limit if you got a good exchange rate.

The only thing I'd say is there is an iPad 5 due shortly (best guess is 3 months) so it might affect supply depending on when you are there. Generally in the first couple of weeks of release which could be August/September they'll be difficult to get so perhaps don't rely on being able to get one.

iPad mini is also expected to get a decent screen upgrade worth waiting for although the iPad 4 is near perfect in my book so the 5 will need to be pretty special.

I don't have either, I foolishly switched to Android a year ago and sold the ipad to fund two android tablets for the kids and really missed it ever since.

 

[Goofey's Girl]

Thanks guys that's really useful. I really hate boxes anyway. Already have an ipad 2 which I love but like the look of the minis for quick searches etc. my son would like a new iPod touch as well.

 

[edinburghlass]

I'm at Disney now, disaster struck this week when my iPad mini fell and totally smashed the screen, dangerous to swipe with all the cracks. Apple won't repair but replace at a reduced rate of 219 plus tax. I stupidly hadn't made an appt so had to wait quite a while but guys were great backed up everything and restored to new one.

 

[wayneg]

My Son bought ipad 2 in 2011 then the latest ipad last year.
He has the 32GB Wifi at $599 + tax = £415 at todays rate. UK price £479
http://store.apple.com/us/buy/home/shop_ipad/family/ipad

Exchange rate is not great just now so not as cheap as they were.

Personally I would buy a refurb from Apple UK, same model as above would be £369, still comes with 12 month Apple warranty. (others available)
http://store.apple.com/uk/product/FD329/refurbished-ipad-with-wi-fi-32gb-white-3rd-generation

If you do buy in US I advise to keep the box, they fetch more money when selling with the box, if customs pull you they will not care if you have the box or not, they can tell with the serial number when and where it was bought.

 

[Goofey's Girl]

Yes that makes sense I have always kept boxes for electicals and always got a great sell on price.
I have an honest face for the customs people. sadly the two teenagers walk around looking slightly drug crazed. They aren't of course just on another planet.

 

[Goofey's Girl]

I'm at Disney now, disaster struck this week when my iPad mini fell and totally smashed the screen, dangerous to swipe with all the cracks. Apple won't repair but replace at a reduced rate of 219 plus tax. I stupidly hadn't made an appt so had to wait quite a while but guys were great backed up everything and restored to new one.

Gutted for you. I dropped my ipad 2 64gb last year. Got charged £200 for a replacement. It hurt!

 

[Elise79]

Sorry if this is a silly question but are there any issues with regards customs when you fly back?

You can bring back up to £390 worth of good per person (including children) so the cheapest 16Gb model would fall under that.

Just be aware you can not pool allowances for a single item - if you have one item that exceeds the £390 you should pay duty/VAT on the whole amount.

More on your allowances here:
HMRC - Duty free allowances

 

[Goofey's Girl]

Thank you very much Elise that's more than I expected. Lots of clothes to buy as well.

 

[V a n e s s a]

Is it possible to use an ipad wifi plus 3G outside the US - is it possible to use a sim card from a different carrier; or are they blocked?

 

[bazzanoid]

Generally they're not locked to any particular network, and they operate on the same set of frequencies over here as over there. The only thing i would say is be suspicious of any dirt cheap bundle deals that come with a particular carrier's sim card, as there is a small chance they may have it locked to get the subsidised price.

Avoid any 4G offerings though - the US 4G standard is entirely different to ours at the moment (but that's another discussion!)

 

[edinburghlass]

Gutted for you. I dropped my ipad 2 64gb last year. Got charged £200 for a replacement. It hurt!

Not my day today either, had my phone in my shorts pockets and picked them up beside the lockers at discovery cove and out dropped my phone to the concrete! It's covered by insurance so will wait till I get home. It's usually my daughter who drops or looses her phone