Buying American vs Canadian

From what I have gathered, it is not possible to buy from the American Apple store.

They do not accept Canadian billing addresses on Credit cards nor will they ship to Canadian addresses.

The only way around this is to have an american billing and shipping address.

I have been told that you can order over the phone and wire money to them, thus no need for an american credit card. and as for the shipping address, if you don't have an american address to ship to (ie: a friend), you can ship it to a UPS store down there and pick it up. As for the cost of that, I have no idea. Can someone help here?

And if you do have an american shipping address, the cost to ship it back up may introduce even more $$ because Canadian customs may charge you on whatever you are importing.

The American Apple Store does not ship to Canadian addresses.

Obviously the american store doesn't ship to Canadian addresses.

Sorry I should have made myself more clear. So let me restart:

"In Theory" if one could buy from across the boarder it would save them a bit? (i'm guessing this goes for most products these days).

I have a family trip coming up on Thanksgiving weekend. I was thinking the same thing about the money. What I noticed just from the web stores, is that the USD seems to be the same as the CDN Edu store.

My thoughts were about walking in to bestbuy/circut city (no apple store where I'm going I don't think) and bringing home an iMac. if only because with the money on par, I don't have to try to use the edu store.

VNJ85 said:

Sorry I should have made myself more clear. So let me restart:

"In Theory" if one could buy from across the boarder it would save them a bit? (i'm guessing this goes for most products these days).

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This only results in savings if you have a reason to go the U.S. other than to buy a Mac. The money you "save" will be lost in trip expenses and cross-border costs.

I'm planning on a trip to Walden Galleria next week. (a weekday)

Which is the best border crossing? (coming from TO)

adagio said:

I'm planning on a trip to Walden Galleria next week. (a weekday)

Which is the best border crossing? (coming from TO)

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If you are crossing in the AM on a weekday then the shortest will likely be the Rainbow bridge. The peace bridge gets lots of truck traffic that can snarl it up for hours.

The Queenston Lewiston gets a fair share of trucks too but they have a dedicated truck lane to alleviate that.

Its cheaper to return via either the Queenston Lewiston or Rainbow bridges. The peace for some reason charges more to cross when you return.

Sadly the Whirlpool Rapids bridge is now just for commuters. It was sort of a secret shortcut for years to save up to several hours off the crossing.

Cross before the stores open on the US side and you should save time in the crowds crossing too. Long weekend and weak US dollar will surely bring the bargain hunters out.

Steve

Thanks, Crewser. That's exactly the info I wanted.

Heres an idea think of going to the states as an opportunity to buy things they dont sell in Canada just now for cheaper than it used to be. I think if you go rushing around looking for bargins you will get caught up in that.

They have tones of stores we dont have, people can ask where did you get that shirt or what ever.

When I go over I bring back Pop and cereal we dont have here, that makes me happy until I run out of Code red mountain dew.

One thing I have always found cheaper though is footwear, and you can always leave your old shoes in the parking lot lol

Electronics might be a fraction cheaper. But is it worth it? The benefits don't always outweigh the cost. Consider the new iMac. You'd save $100 by buying state-side, but those savings are largely erased by the 8% State sales tax that you pay, the 2% exchange premium charged by the banks, plus PST and GST at the border, fuel costs, time wasted on the road, and extra hassles should you require warrantee servicing later...

but it'll make a good story someday!

j/k j/k

(( p g )) said:

Electronics might be a fraction cheaper. But is it worth it? The benefits don't always outweigh the cost. Consider the new iMac. You'd save $100 by buying state-side, but those savings are largely erased by the 8% State sales tax that you pay, the 2% exchange premium charged by the banks, plus PST and GST at the border, fuel costs, time wasted on the road, and extra hassles should you require warrantee servicing later...

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All valid points save for the warranty comment. Purchasing your Mac in the U.S. does not void your warranty if you bring it back to Canada. Place of purchase is irrelevant in terms of receiving support from any AASP, assuming you stay on the same continent on which you bought the Mac(s) on.

Lars said:

All valid points save for the warranty comment. Purchasing your Mac in the U.S. does not void your warranty if you bring it back to Canada.

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I was at the Buffalo store yesterday and they made it quite clear that a purchased iPhone that's brought back to Canada will not be honoured by Apple Canada for warrantee matters. Other products are different but if warrantee matters a lot, then it's not worth the added hassle and FUD to save a couple of bucks.

(( p g )) said:

I was at the Buffalo store yesterday and they made it quite clear that a purchased iPhone that's brought back to Canada will not be honoured by Apple Canada for warrantee matters.

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The reason behind this is obvious:

The iPhone isn't sold or supported in Canada at this time.

When you're talking Macs or other Apple products, there is no issue with warranty and related support from any AASP up here in Canada.