Should I buy in USA

Originally posted by Highlanders
Hi all
Thinking about buying an ipod and because the GBP is high against the US dollar should I buy in the US. The price is about $490 for the 40 GB ipod which would save me about ?100 ($189) I know I've got to add tax and custom rates? I live in the U.K.

James

Are you thinking of going over to get it, this is the best chance you have of avoiding duty and VAT - although if you get stopped and you cannot prove that you bought the iPod in the UK (which you didn't) then you would still be liable.

I don't know what the duty would be...there are lots of different rates for lots of different goods, and some items are exempt - so you might be lucky.

I've always found HM Customs & Excise very helpful...they even have a helpline you can call, tell them what you're thinking of importing and they will tell you what the duty will be. Have a look at this page for more info:

http://www.hmce.gov.uk/public/shopping/shopping.htm

Let's assume that the duty is 3% - your purchase of ?270 when VAT is also added would be ?326, plus whatever your shipping costs would be (I'm not sure but I think VAT is added to that too), say ?40 from the US via FedEx - you're now not far away from the UK retail price.

For me there is something comforting knowing that I can walk right back into John Lewis and say my iPod isn't working - rather than having to deal with someone half way aroudn the world - and if I would only be saving about 20-30 quid, that's a good peace of mind for me. But hey...it's up to you!!