Customize MBP in retail store

[stevegate]

Hi,

I am going to have a trip to NY in 10 of April and first thing I am going to do is getting myself a MBP in apple store fifth avenue. I would like to ask you guys who has experience about this if it is possible I can get the MBP 15 inch with 2.3 ghz CPU and Hi-Res Antiglare screen ?

Any advices would be appreciated. Thank you

SG

 

[BrianLachoreVPI]

It will probably be a little harder to get the 2.3GHz. Your best bet is to check directly with the store - and see what kind of inventory they have. You can always get them to order you one - and have it waiting for you there.

 

[stevegate]

Thank you for your answer, I am going to stay in NY city for 10 days. If the first day I come and they don't have it and I want to order at their store, do you think I can get the machine within 10 days. Thanks

SG

 

[BrianLachoreVPI]

Well - I'm not sure why you're waiting until then to get it - unless it's just to experience buying on 5th avenue. You could have it delivered to your house well before then.

I can't state with 100% fidelity - but I'm pretty sure they could get it that quickly - although I don't know if that falls under expedited shipping charges or not. Again - highly recommend you just call the store and run it by them - if you're looking to get it at that specific location - and not ahead of time.

 

[chscag]

Thank you for your answer, I am going to stay in NY city for 10 days. If the first day I come and they don't have it and I want to order at their store, do you think I can get the machine within 10 days. Thanks SG

Are you visiting the US (NYC) from abroad or from another state here in the US? It sounds as if you're visiting from abroad. If so, you may not be able to special order and have it within that allotted time. The 5th Ave. store is one of the most frequented in NY and should have a rather large inventory but they may not ordinarily stock the anti-glare screen model.

 

[stevegate]

Thank you for your advices Brian, I am going to try call them before I get on the plane from here(DK). Buying the apple products are way too expensive in Denmark, that's why I would like to get one in US.

Here is what I have to pay for the MBP 15 inch with 2.3 ghz and antiglare, tax included
19579 dkk = about 3645 usd

5th avenue is 2599 usd + about 230 usd tax. Total 2829 usd.

But thanks again for your reply.

SG

 

[stevegate]

Thank you for your reply Chscag. In case, they don't have it, I think I will look around when I stay in NYC. But anyway, I think I will buy it 2 days I go back Denmark even they don't have the model I need.

 

[chscag]

Also... to avoid New York State sales tax and New York City sales tax (yes they have both) you might show the sales person your Danish passport and ask about a tax exempt purchase as you will be leaving back to Denmark. I don't know it they'll honor that, but it's worth a try. The duty free store at Kennedy International Airport sells tax free but unfortunately they do not sell MacBook Pro machines.

 

[BrianLachoreVPI]

Are you visiting the US (NYC) from abroad or from another state here in the US? It sounds as if you're visiting from abroad. If so, you may not be able to special order and have it within that allotted time. The 5th Ave. store is one of the most frequented in NY and should have a rather large inventory but they may not ordinarily stock the anti-glare screen model.

Ahh!! That explains it. Didn't even occur to me. :Blushing: Won't there be a customs tax when you head back to Denmark? Or is it below the value threshold? (assuming you declare it ) You can always shell out for expedited shipping (I did) and you should have no problems getting it to your location in NY in the time frame you're looking at. As chscag already mentioned - I'd expect that store to have a healthy inventory - but I think it will be harder to find the 2.3GHz version in stock rather than the anti-glare screen.

 

[stevegate]

:Blushing: Won't there be a customs tax when you head back to Denmark? .

Well, what I and many other Danish did was we are of course buying the machine for using not for reselling, therefore we are always just bring home the machine or what ever we bought without the box, throw the box away ;D

Thanks you guys for the advices so far

SG

 

[BrianLachoreVPI]

Well, what I and many other Danish did was we are of course buying the machine for using not for reselling, therefore we are always just bring home the machine or what ever we bought without the box, throw the box away ;D

Thanks you guys for the advices so far

SG

Ahh. Well just don't throw out the CDs that come in the box. Good luck.

 

[stevegate]

Oh, I knew that but thanks for your remind

 

[Box215]

The apple store on 5th ave is cool, buts it always so packed its almost unruly. Unless of course you go at 3 am ;D

 

[Herrin811]

Just to toss another idea in....I went thru Heathrow T5 last fall, and there is an electronics store on the 2nd level that sells all things Apple (along with other toys)...What about buying a MBP duty free? Wont be able to customize, but they have them right there in the duty-free zone...But this only helps if you go thru Heathrow...

 

[Box215]

Just to toss another idea in....I went thru Heathrow T5 last fall, and there is an electronics store on the 2nd level that sells all things Apple (along with other toys)...What about buying a MBP duty free? Wont be able to customize, but they have them right there in the duty-free zone...But this only helps if you go thru Heathrow...

Thats not a bad idea. I ended up payng $300+ in tax on my MBP

 

[chas_m]

I live in Canada, not Denmark (both beautiful countries!) -- but if the Danish laws are anything like ours, there's no need to throw the box out (which could very well be illegal, ie you are attempting to avoid legal taxes).

In Canada, a trip of 10 days or more basically allows you an extremely high amount of purchases, at least $750 here. You would pay duty on the remaining value, but by retaining the box and all original materials, you increase the resale value (as well as obey the law AND benefit your country -- what they lose in border declarations, they make up for in income tax!).

As pointed out above, you can probably avoid paying sales tax entirely (or at least get the entire sales tax amount refunded in due course) by simply asking (if the store doesn't know, check with your consulate -- they will). Between this and the savings you are enjoying by buying it in the US, you will save a VERY substantial amount of money ... even after paying duty.