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tatertot
Joined: 21 Oct 2008
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 Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:45 am Post subject: Apple store in Korea: Prices / tax |
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| I am currently in the US but planning on going to Seoul in August 2009. I noticed on the Apple web site that with the exchange rate as it is now, it is actually cheaper to buy the Mac Mini, iMac, or Mac Pro in Korea than it is in the US. My question is regarding taxes on computer purchases. How much tax do you have to pay on computer purchases in Korea and is there any extra import fee or something? Thanks. |
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tired of LA
Joined: 06 Nov 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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| even with the exchange rate, it is still cheaper to buy macs in the us. the macbook starts at about 1.6 million won, as opposed to 1000 dollars in the states. taxs are included in the purchase price in korea, but even with that, it doesn't make up the price difference. buy it in the states before you come. |
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tatertot
Joined: 21 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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| I noticed that the macbook, macbook pro, and macbook air are all cheaper in the US, but the mac mini, mac pro, and imac are all cheaper in the Korean version of the apple store (online). That is probably because those are all older models and were introduced before the won took a dive relative to the USD. By the time I am in Korea their replacements will probably have been introduced and the Korean prices will be jacked up. Another reason for wanting to buy in Korea is that I would like a desktop machine (mac pro or imac) and it would be a hassle to bring that with me (although I could probably ship it). Thanks. |
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tired of LA
Joined: 06 Nov 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:07 am Post subject: |
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| tatertot wrote: |
| I noticed that the macbook, macbook pro, and macbook air are all cheaper in the US, but the mac mini, mac pro, and imac are all cheaper in the Korean version of the apple store (online). That is probably because those are all older models and were introduced before the won took a dive relative to the USD. By the time I am in Korea their replacements will probably have been introduced and the Korean prices will be jacked up. Another reason for wanting to buy in Korea is that I would like a desktop machine (mac pro or imac) and it would be a hassle to bring that with me (although I could probably ship it). Thanks. |
just so you know, if you ship it over, you will get hit with an import duty, which is like 20%. not sure about the exact number, but i know it is a lot. not to mention the cost of shipping it over will be pretty expensive. it will probably easier to just buy it in korea. |
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red_devil
Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:48 am Post subject: |
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| tired of LA wrote: |
| tatertot wrote: |
| I noticed that the macbook, macbook pro, and macbook air are all cheaper in the US, but the mac mini, mac pro, and imac are all cheaper in the Korean version of the apple store (online). That is probably because those are all older models and were introduced before the won took a dive relative to the USD. By the time I am in Korea their replacements will probably have been introduced and the Korean prices will be jacked up. Another reason for wanting to buy in Korea is that I would like a desktop machine (mac pro or imac) and it would be a hassle to bring that with me (although I could probably ship it). Thanks. |
just so you know, if you ship it over, you will get hit with an import duty, which is like 20%. not sure about the exact number, but i know it is a lot. not to mention the cost of shipping it over will be pretty expensive. it will probably easier to just buy it in korea. |
Or just bring it on the plane. You're allowed a laptop bag + a carry on luggage for most International Airlines to Korea. |
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Dukey77777
Joined: 28 Jun 2007
Location: Chungcheongbuk-do
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| Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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| tired of LA wrote: |
| tatertot wrote: |
| I noticed that the macbook, macbook pro, and macbook air are all cheaper in the US, but the mac mini, mac pro, and imac are all cheaper in the Korean version of the apple store (online). That is probably because those are all older models and were introduced before the won took a dive relative to the USD. By the time I am in Korea their replacements will probably have been introduced and the Korean prices will be jacked up. Another reason for wanting to buy in Korea is that I would like a desktop machine (mac pro or imac) and it would be a hassle to bring that with me (although I could probably ship it). Thanks. |
just so you know, if you ship it over, you will get hit with an import duty, which is like 20%. not sure about the exact number, but i know it is a lot. not to mention the cost of shipping it over will be pretty expensive. it will probably easier to just buy it in korea. |
I bought a brand new Lenovo tablet a couple months ago....I had my dad receive it and mark it as "used" as per someone else's advice from this board - came through to me in flying colors. |
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ppcg4
Joined: 16 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:51 pm Post subject: |
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Definitely buy it in the US. In Korea you'll only get the English/Korean keyboard, which would hurt the resale value should you decide to sell it later.
Just my $0.02. I was going to buy a new MacBook but the price is just ridiculous here. |
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red_devil
Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Also for those that were thinking of buying it in store. I was at the COEX Apple Store today and was dismayed to find that most of the stuff they have on display is sold out or not in stock. You're better off saving yourself the trip and ordering it on the Apple Korea site. |
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ciccone_youth
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:23 am Post subject: |
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| ppcg4 wrote: |
Definitely buy it in the US. In Korea you'll only get the English/Korean keyboard, which would hurt the resale value should you decide to sell it later.
Just my $0.02. I was going to buy a new MacBook but the price is just ridiculous here. |
I totally agree about the keyboard. Buy it in the States. |
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cibomatto
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Joined: 30 Aug 2006
Location: NY
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| Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 12:39 am Post subject: |
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| How much are Mac Minis in Korea?? |
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tatertot
Joined: 21 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 7:26 am Post subject: |
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| cibomatto wrote: |
| How much are Mac Minis in Korea?? |
They start at 690,000 won on the Apple Korea website http://store.apple.com/kr/browse/home/shop_mac/family/mac_mini?mco=MTE3MjI
It is rumored that Apple is going to unveil/release new Mac Minis in January at Macworld though. If they do that, I would expect the Korean Mac Minis to increase in price because of the exchange rate. Although the rumor is that the new Mac Minis are going to cost a little less than the current ones (in the US), so the price may increase only slightly in Korea.
Currently (with the exchange rate at approximately 1,337 won to a US dollar), you get a better deal by buying the Mac Mini, iMac, or Mac Pro in Korea. You get a better deal on the Macbook, Macbook Pro, and Macbook Air in the US, though.
For reference see:
US Apple Store:http://store.apple.com/us
Korean Apple Store:http://store.apple.com/kr |
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cibomatto
Joined: 30 Aug 2006
Location: NY
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| Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 12:50 pm Post subject: |
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Tatortot,
thanks so much for taking your time giving me some info  |
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