Korean Job Discussion Forums

[expattarheel]

So i bought a new 13" Macbook (2.4 Ghz, 250gb model) in Myeongdong this weekend at the A# apple store (a legitimate authorized apple retailer in korea).

the korean price for this model was 2,490,000w (same as buying online at the korean apple store). going with the current rate of exchange, this amounted to paying 1,667.00USD. (sadly!)

i'm from the states (NC), and with the applied sales tax, the same model would've cost me 1,711.00 USD.

sooooo, if you're looking to buy a new apple Macbook, this current won meltdown may work to your benefit!

ALSO, don't buy any apple products from the PIXDIX stores, they markup their apple prices (in this case, by 400,000w!)

[ppcg4]

Pixdix is a huge ripoff. I just like to go there to drool.

Congrats on the MacBook. That's an awesome deal. Bet it smells delicious

[ulsanchris]

does apple know about pixdix pricing. Apple is pretty strict about that.

[DCJames]

[jackson7]

If he wanted to buy the same computer in the states these days he would have to buy it in dollars, so, uuuuuuuuuuuuh, he would have to change that money he's getting paid in into the currency they, uuuuuuuuuh, accept there.

Basically, the prices didn't change at all. The price there was much better than the price here, but then the currency here ate poo and died, and now the price here is better, relatively.

[aarontendo]

[Korussian]

[Thunndarr]

[Scotticus]

[poet13]

"but then the currency here ate poo and died"

brilliant. absolutely brilliant.

[expattarheel]

um, as evidenced by my conversion into the same currency, i was strictly talking about "2 people walk into apple stores at the same time, who pays more for the same computer". since, sadly, at this moment, 2.490,000w < $1700, the korean customer wins. in at least some sense, does that not make the korean macbook cheaper than the u.s. one?

i'm sure i'm not the only one who, before buying something, converts the price back into their native currency to decide whether or not the price is too high to buy over here. just thought this price conversion was worth noting, that's all.

i really don't understand why i'm catching heat for this, other than people are intentionally just slamming me for sport. but whatev, i only put this out there for people who enjoy apple products and are considering getting a new one. it was something i found interesting about my shopping experience, nothing more or less.

[ciccone_youth]

i'm jealous, i need a new macbook. i think i'll order it soon from Canada and have it shipped to my parent's house, so when i go back home it's waiting for me.

[Misera]

[expattarheel]

misera, your second scenario is precisely the one i was describing. a snapshot comparing receipts of two possible mac purchases on the same day in 2 different locations using the same currency.

i didn't mean to imply anything about relative currency strength vs. static salaries.

also, since these macbooks are new, apple intentionally set a higher price point for the korean versions (the old macbooks were significantly less, in won) because they saw the direction the won was heading.

and yes, i do understand what you mean about the relativity of pricing to wage earning and inflation. it's just not what i meant or tried to convey in my post. thanks for your well thought out comment, though.

[aarontendo]

Actually yeah I am mostly messin with ya. Had an ibook years ago it was a great lil computer. I'd get a mac these days but it was about 2x more expensive than my Dell I just ordered. I'd be willing to pay a lil more but can't justify that big a jump heh.


But yeah, they're good computers. Ain't tried one with windows on it yet.