Apple distributor to open two more stores in SA to extend its footprint

"Davis said the Apple Centre stores had the same standard as those in the US when it came to minimalist design, high service levels and free training."

... but in S.A., consumers will have to pay much more than anyone else
in the world. The $1099 (=R8089.52) MacBook will cost R10999 (=$1493.55) here, a handy little $300 profit for the local distributor.

This is no surprise, and nicely matches the most expensive telecoms services on the planet.

Concerned consumers are requested to contact Apple (EMEA division in France) to find out what it is that we have done to deserve being robbed.
 
We'll pay the UK price which is higher than the US price.
 
Also the US don't have a national sales tax which is another reason for it being much cheaper. Sales tax in states that do have it usually have it much less than our 14% VAT (usually in the 4%-7% range).
 
I'll be updating my iBook to a MacBook when the new OS is finished (not to mention the speed bumps by than!). Needless to say, I will be buying in the US and having it brought over via "family transit services." ;)

The SA prices are just over the top for me and my wallet.

EDIT: Project 3 at Cavendish near home has always been very helpful with their service dept for me.
 
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Skip said:
Also the US don't have a national sales tax which is another reason for it being much cheaper. Sales tax in states that do have it usually have it much less than our 14% VAT (usually in the 4%-7% range).
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Interesting thing - the prices shown on US websites exclude sales tax however even if a state does tax the item in question you can usually avoid getting taxed if you purchase the item online. Just one of the many reasons I love Amazon.com. :D Delivered to the door and tax free. :)

EDIT - btw - imagine if the gov did the same thing and waive tax on internet purchases as they did in the states - talk about a booming market then!
 
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bwana v.18 said:
Interesting thing - the prices shown on US websites exclude sales tax however even if a state does tax the item in question you can usually avoid getting taxed if you purchase the item online. Just one of the many reasons I love Amazon.com. :D Delivered to the door and tax free. :)
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You buy hardware through Amazon? :eek:
 
Smallaxe said:
... but in S.A., consumers will have to pay much more than anyone else
in the world. The $1099 (=R8089.52) MacBook will cost R10999 (=$1493.55) here, a handy little $300 profit for the local distributor.
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This R10999 is probably entry level as well? :rolleyes:

bwana v.18 said:
Hardware, jeans, sweatshirts, even poptarts now :D
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LOL!!
Funniest thing I have read all day!! :D
 
Smallaxe : Where do you get $1099 from? Or are you forgetting Vat?

A MacBook from zastore is R9000 at the VAT exclusive price
A MacBook from apple.com is R8080 at the VAT exclusive price

Still a bit more, but given they have to buy the MacBook from Apple and still make a profit, it is not too bad
 
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lilDeath said:
LOL!!
Funniest thing I have read all day!! :D
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Dont mock poptarts :D
JStrike said:
Smallaxe : Where do you get $1099 from? Or are you forgetting Vat?
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He's making a comparison with - what mac buyers pay there vs here. If you purchase online there you generally wont pay sales tax - I know I rarely have to.
 
bwana : You still pay the Tax. The amount is not shown on online stores due to the % being dependent on the state you are in i.e where it is delivered to (Not from where it is sold). Not sure about amazon.com, but this is most certainly the case with most other stores, apple.com included
 
JStrike said:
bwana : You still pay the Tax. The amount is not shown on online stores due to the % being dependent on the state you are in i.e where it is delivered to (Not from where it is sold). Not sure about amazon.com, but this is most certainly the case with most other stores, apple.com included
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Generally the rule is if it's shipped from a different state you dont pay tax for online purchases. I regularly do this and select my delivery address as necessary.

EDIT
Effect of the Internet Tax Freedom Act
Companies selling over the Internet are subject to the same sales tax collection requirements as any other retailers. Remote sellers (including Internet retailers and catalog companies) are generally required to collect taxes where they have a physical selling presence. If they do not have any such presence, they are not required to collect sales taxes.

The Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA) has been renewed through October 31, 2007.
Click to expand...
 
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JStrike said:
bwana : Look at http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/salespolicies.html
under Sales Tax.
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As I said above it depends on if they have a physical presence in the state concerned - that's the gist of the internet tax freedom act.

Amazon is just as much an authorised apple reseller as anyone else so their prices are just as real. If I can - and I do - save 8.5% by ordering from them when I'm in NYC then it suits me just fine and it's legal.
lilDeath said:
OMG, how'd you know??? ;) :D
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Tempted to order some now :D
 
bwana : Ah, I see. And due to Amazon not having any stores anywhere, there is never a sales tax, unlike Apple. Good tip

But the Tax thing still applies when looking at the price from apple.com, which I think Smallaxe was
 
JStrike said:
bwana : Ah, I see. And due to Amazon not having any stores anywhere, there is never a sales tax, unlike Apple. Good tip

But the Tax thing still applies when looking at the price from apple.com, which I think Smallaxe was
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Maybe but IMO it makes more sense to compare resellers as that's all SA has.
 
bwana : True, but we must still look at the VAT exclusive price, as that is a legislative difference, not a difference in price between resellers
 
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