Cheap iPhones from the US Apple Store (with help of mail forwarder)

aeon on 14/06/2011 - 18:17
Last edited 14/06/2011 - 18:17

I just posted this on the Whirlpool forums, posting here for those interested too:

They are now selling the iPhone 4 outright in the US. This means you can get them cheaper than Australian RRP if you have a means to get products delivered to Australia from the US, eg

http://www.priceusa.com.au
http://www.shipitto.com

Outright prices on the US Apple Store are:

16gb iPhone 4 – $649 US
32gb iPhone 4 – $749 US

Which works out to be roughly $609 and $703 respectively (at the exchange rate right now).

If you then add say $50 for delivery, that's $659 and $753 for the iPhone instead of the $859/$999 if you got it locally. You may need to add sales tax if the mail forwarder you use isn't in a state where there is no sales tax – priceusa is in oregon so you don't have to pay sales tax if you get it from them.

Just a heads up for those interested in buying the phone outright rather than going on a plan.

Personally, I much prefer going on a plan as it works out to be a better deal in the end, however being able to save $200 on the outright price is pretty impressive!

I'm not sure what the AppleCare/Warranty implications are if you import for the US, but I believe AppleCare is valid worldwide? I'm also not aware of any issues you may have using an Australian SIM in an American Phone, but you may want to check that.

General Discussion

Comments

  • A3Australia on 14/06/2011 - 19:09

    1) No local (Australian) warranty.

    2) No local (Australian) Out of Warranty support.

    3) No A-Tick (required).

    4) No local (Australian) AC charger included.

    5) No C-Tick/A-Tick on the USDA AC Charger.

    Of course, they are cheaper here on a plan - also prices have dropped. eBay sellers and even some dealers are offering similar prices here in Australia. I got a 32GB iP4 in White for $19 a month ($456) minus a $87 credit ($369) on my $29 cap plan.

    • Trance N Dance on 14/06/2011 - 19:22

      The GSM phone sold in America is exactly the same as the phone sold here AFAIK (apart from which network it's locked to). Therefore the A-tick shouldn't be a problem. And really you're gonna pull the "it doesn't meet Australian standards" line on a product that's sold millions in countries where standards on electronics are pretty much more or less the same. (The back of the Australian iPhone actually has the standards that it adheres to on the back from Europe and America, as well as under settings it will list that it adheres to standards in America, Canada, Europe and Australia)
      As for locked to AT&T, jailbreaking to unlock your phone is not illegal and since you have no warranty anyway that should not be a matter.

      Some people are okay with importing from America and loosing the warranty for a $200 savings, that's not something for you to determine it's for the consumer.
      Chargers for the iPhone/iPod are available by the truck loads for cheap prices, they even appear here on OB, if you're worried about the cheap chargers then just use the supplied USB cable with the computer.

      edit:
      disregard the jailbreaking, the iPhone is now sold unlocked in America.
      haha someone pulled a shifty and removed the AT&T or Verizon lock from their comment or post forgot who

    • Ambiguous on 15/06/2011 - 01:49

      A3Australia - how did you get that deal and where from?

      • djones145 on 15/06/2011 - 13:48

        i think he means 19 a month for phone, 29 for the plan, 48 in total (i.e 1152) but thats with calls included

  • Trance N Dance on 14/06/2011 - 19:32

    Just did a quick google search and the only thing that might be a hickup to this is
    "iPhone may not be purchased for export outside of the United States, either directly or indirectly."

    http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/salespolicies.html

    Also I know that the iPad has international warranty, and depending on what website you look at the iPhone "has" global warranty as well…

  • b3n on 14/06/2011 - 23:52

    couldn't you also buy from Apple HK which is selling for about $600AUD for the 16GB model

  • coreybx on 15/06/2011 - 11:50

    Apple don't ship to mail forwarders so make sure you know somebody that will forward it for you.

  • citybargainhunter on 15/06/2011 - 13:12

    not that cheap, you can get an unlock 16GB iphone 4 on Ebay for around $650. brand new I may add.

  • djones145 on 15/06/2011 - 13:47

    warrenty is international
    i got mines from hk
    and when i took it in store they said warrenty is international and checked i up

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