Buying a New Macbook From eBay

[raVid]

I am wanting to make a switch to a Macbook for my varsity studies, and upon checking out how expensive they are in SA I thought it would be best to buy one off ebay.

The listing is linked here: http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Apple-MacBook-13-3-Mac-Core-2-Duo-Laptop-Notebook_W0QQitemZ110476019470QQcmdZViewItemQQptZApple_Laptops?hash=item19b8e2470e. The seller has a good rating and the laptop plus shipping comes to a bucketload less than what it retails for here.

I would, however like some advice from the pros here on what to do or not to do, as I have never imported something like this from overseas before. What can I expect to pay on this side? Have people had problems with this method of shipping (USPS Express Mail International) to SA? Will the laptop be under guarantee here if something goes wrong, and what happens if it arrives and something is wrong?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Synaesthesia]

It should be under guarantee, that is internationally valid for a year. As for your other questions, I'd also like to know! I know a few people on this forum have bought iPhone 3GS's on eBay.

 

[bwana]

Laptops come with an international warrantee but if something happens here Core will probably demand to see the invoice before they repair it.

I have used Express Mail International before without problem . . . at least until it hit customs then it's anyones guess. More often than not they've also asked to see my proof of purchase.

 

[Jola]

USPS Express Mail International is typically OK, it links up with SA Post Office EMS on this side. I have once, however, had a Nikon camera stolen out of the EMS Depo in Isando, and the SA Post Office refused to pay compensation, even though the tracking system showed that the parcel disappeared inside their Depo.

I don't know about Apple guarantees, maybe others would know.

The risk of a dead-on-arrival is low, but obviously not zero. The worst case is that you would have to send it back.

You would have to pay 14% VAT on a notebook.

 

[raVid]

Thanks for the quick responses.