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Buying Iphone from USA Unlocked

  • 15-09-2012 5:09pm
    #1
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭


    if i bought a used iphone 4 or 4s unlocked for usa will it work here

    i read online to save money buy a used one on ebay make sure its unlocked so it would take any sim

    is this correct

    thanks


Comments

  • #2
    Atomicjuicer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 290 ✭✭Atomicjuicer


    tajd wrote: »
    if i bought a used iphone unlocked for usa will it work here

    i read online to save money buy a used one on ebay make sure its unlocked so it would take any sim

    It doesn't make any sense to import iPhones any more - you're wasting your time. It used to but it's not cheaper or smarter any more.

    Buy local - trust me. These devices are pointless now without always on internet features so you need a data plan which will subsidize the cost of the hardware anyway.


  • #3
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Atomicjuicer wrote: »
    It doesn't make any sense to import iPhones any more - you're wasting your time. It used to but it's not cheaper or smarter any more.

    Buy local - trust me. These devices are pointless now without always on internet features so you need a data plan which will subsidize the cost of the hardware anyway.


    thanks for the info


  • #4
    culabula
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,213 ✭✭✭culabula


    Atomicjuicer wrote: »
    It doesn't make any sense to import iPhones any more - you're wasting your time. It used to but it's not cheaper or smarter any more.

    Buy local - trust me. These devices are pointless now without always on internet features so you need a data plan which will subsidize the cost of the hardware anyway.

    I don't understand. Why is it not cheaper to buy a cheaper unlocked iPhone?

    And to answer his question, yes an unlocked 4/4s will work over here.


  • #5
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,487 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    Atomicjuicer wrote: »
    These devices are pointless now without always on internet features so you need a data plan which will subsidize the cost of the hardware anyway.

    Not true, I have a 500MB data add-on for my O2 talk & text plan which costs only €7 p.m., that wouldn't buy much of a smartphone! I use Wi-Fi where I can so hardly ever blow my allowance.

    You don't have to take a subsidised phone from one of the networks. They would like you to think so but it just isn't the case if you shop around, especially with so many secondhand iPhones on the market.


  • #6
    jarvis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,497 ✭✭✭jarvis


    It actually is cheaper. Take a look at the us price for the new iPhone 5 32gb is $749, the uk version costs £639 which in dollars is $1036!!!

    I know I'm comparing to uk prices but I haven't seen Irish prices yet.


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  • #7
    Bigcheeze
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,858 ✭✭✭Bigcheeze


    jarvis wrote: »
    It actually is cheaper. Take a look at the us price for the new iPhone 5 32gb is $749, the uk version costs £639 which in dollars is $1036!!!

    I know I'm comparing to uk prices but I haven't seen Irish prices yet.

    Us price does not include sales tax average 8%. Uk price includes 20% VAT.


  • #8
    rebelccfc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 89 ✭✭rebelccfc


    Bigcheeze wrote: »
    jarvis wrote: »
    It actually is cheaper. Take a look at the us price for the new iPhone 5 32gb is $749, the uk version costs £639 which in dollars is $1036!!!

    I know I'm comparing to uk prices but I haven't seen Irish prices yet.

    Us price does not include sales tax average 8%. Uk price includes 20% VAT.

    Still saving over $200


  • #9
    opinion guy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,001 ✭✭✭✭opinion guy


    Bigcheeze wrote: »
    Us price does not include sales tax average 8%. Uk price includes 20% VAT.

    US sales tax does not apply to stuff you buy on the internet


  • #10
    culabula
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,213 ✭✭✭culabula


    Didn't the OP ask about buying a used and unlocked iPhone 4/4s?

    Then the price of iPhone 5 or any other new model or sales tax in the US&A need not detain us.


  • #11
    avalon68
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 689 ✭✭✭avalon68


    I'm thinking of buying one here in the us before I leave....prob the 5, as I know I would like one but I will be moving to the uk and won't have a credit history there, so it's unlikely I would get one from any of the providers. If I show up with my own will I be able to sign up for a plan? Would it be cheaper than a plan that comes with the phone?


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  • #12
    culabula
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,213 ✭✭✭culabula


    avalon68 wrote: »
    I'm thinking of buying one here in the us before I leave....prob the 5, as I know I would like one but I will be moving to the uk and won't have a credit history there, so it's unlikely I would get one from any of the providers. If I show up with my own will I be able to sign up for a plan? Would it be cheaper than a plan that comes with the phone?

    The 5 does not appear to be offered for sale unlocked yet. Typically in the US, that happens 2 months after release. It will be on sale unlocked in the UK next Friday.


  • #13
    jack presley
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,687 ✭✭✭✭jack presley


    opinion guy wrote: »
    US sales tax does not apply to stuff you buy on the internet

    No, but our customs duties do!


  • #14
    avalon68
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 689 ✭✭✭avalon68


    culabula wrote: »
    The 5 does not appear to be offered for sale unlocked yet. Typically in the US, that happens 2 months after release. It will be on sale unlocked in the UK next Friday.

    I'll be here for a few more weeks, but if it's still not out I wouldn't mind a 4s anyway. Have a Samsung that I inherited from someone ( my 1stsmart phone), but I really hate it. Everything else I have is apple and I much prefer iOS, and I like how my other gadgets play well together. Just trying to figure out if I'd be better off getting it here or waiting until I get to the uk


  • #15
    opinion guy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,001 ✭✭✭✭opinion guy


    jack presley wrote: »
    No, but our customs duties do!

    Absolutely but I meant when you are buying from within the US not from here!


  • #16
    prettyboy81
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,579 ✭✭✭prettyboy81


    Different example but I bought MacBook Air yesterday in San Fran, Apple Store, price with tax including a cheap case was $1,144 including tax paid with my visa so will get slightly better exchange rate.

    Price is Irish store €1,099 with VAT...so using xe.com & adding a little on to currency exchange I paid approx €890, difference €200 including a case.

    However, Apple Store confirmed that iPhone 5 will not be sold unlocked straight away in USA so anyone on holidays or have family/friends will have to wait.


  • #17
    Bigcheeze
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,858 ✭✭✭Bigcheeze


    opinion guy wrote: »
    Absolutely but I meant when you are buying from within the US not from here!

    You're wrong. Online purchases are not exempt from sales tax in the US. If you buy anything on the Apple store, US sales tax will be added to the price based on the shipping address in the US.


  • #18
    opinion guy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,001 ✭✭✭✭opinion guy


    Bigcheeze wrote: »
    You're wrong. Online purchases are not exempt from sales tax in the US. If you buy anything on the Apple store, US sales tax will be added to the price based on the shipping address in the US.

    Not true. Apart from the fact I've ordered stuff from the web and got delivery inside the US without sales tax there is this (including Apple - but that was 5 years ago so that could have changed)

    http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505268_162-57473677/sales-tax-on-web-purchases-could-be-coming/

    There are circumstances where you do pay sales tax on online purchases over there but its by no means ubiquitous


  • #19
    Bigcheeze
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,858 ✭✭✭Bigcheeze


    opinion guy wrote: »
    Bigcheeze wrote: »
    You're wrong. Online purchases are not exempt from sales tax in the US. If you buy anything on the Apple store, US sales tax will be added to the price based on the shipping address in the US.

    Not true. Apart from the fact I've ordered stuff from the web and got delivery inside the US without sales tax there is this (including Apple - but that was 5 years ago so that could have changed)

    http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505268_162-57473677/sales-tax-on-web-purchases-could-be-coming/

    There are circumstances where you do pay sales tax on online purchases over there but its by no means ubiquitous

    Go on to apple.com, put something in the cart and enter a zip code. Then come back to me.


  • #20
    opinion guy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,001 ✭✭✭✭opinion guy


    Bigcheeze wrote: »
    Go on to apple.com, put something in the cart and enter a zip code. Then come back to me.

    Since I'm not in the US now and my IP would give that away I see little point...

    I can tell you I bought an ipod in the US aobut 5 years ago from apple.com and didn't pay sales tax then. It may well have changed - but since most online purchases in the US don't include sales tax you would have to wonder what is going on there. (it may be something to do with having a physical store in a given state or not)


  • #21
    avalon68
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 689 ✭✭✭avalon68


    opinion guy wrote: »
    Since I'm not in the US now and my IP would give that away I see little point...

    I can tell you I bought an ipod in the US aobut 5 years ago from apple.com and didn't pay sales tax then. It may well have changed - but since most online purchases in the US don't include sales tax you would have to wonder what is going on there. (it may be something to do with having a physical store in a given state or not)

    I live in the US and every time I buy something online it asks for my zip code when calculating price, so tax is charged .....luckily I live in a state with no sales tax, but when I lived elsewhere, the tax was added on. The only benefit to buying direct here is you deal with apple if something goes wrong, rather than having to deal with best buy etc.


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