silkstrawberry

With the Aussie dollar doing so well I thought I might buy myself an IPad. Can I buy one at Tom Bradley International terminal when I fly home? Or should I buy in Seattle (rather than LA as the tax is cheaper in Washington State than California)?

Appreciate any advice.

Thanks, SilkStrawberry

gb944

Probably not. That said, buy a new one at an Apple store, charge it up and treat it like an old device that you've had for a while.

PeaceOut

You will need to go to an Apple store to buy an iPad. Some college bookstores carry them, too. Not at LAX, though, that I know of.

Will you be able to get 3G service for it in AUS? I know now that it is available through Verizon or AT&T.

Or, do you just want the wi-fi version of iPad?

PS. I love my iPad!

sf7307

You can buy them all kinds of places now, but I don't know if the Duty Free shop is among them (probably not). They're sold at Apple stores, Target, Best Buy and other big merchandisers.

PaulRabe

Just so you know:

There is almost NOTHING you can buy cheaper at a "duty-free" shop in an American airport than its cost at an American discount store. There was a time, decades ago, when the export tax on a product was more important to its consumer price than the efficiency of the system bringing it to the customer. Those days are long gone in the USA (and perhaps elsewhere -- but my experience is limited to that place).

http://tinyurl.com/26y8b7m

For electronics in the USA, just walk into any discount electronics store (they are EVERYWHERE) and buy the product. I'd be stunned if you paid more for it than you would at an airport store.

PeaceOut

Really? Target and Best Buy sell iPads? I did not know that.

sf7307

Wait a sec - I might be confusing this with the Kindle. Now I have to go look.

sf7307

Nope, not confused:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Computer...at209000050006

Geordie

Tom Bradley terminal at LAX is appalling, no real shops or cafes once you go through security etc

As others have mentioned just buy at an electronics store, although you may have to organize transport as I've found but I'm no expert, that the larger stores are out in the suburbs

Geordie

PeaceOut

Thanks for taking time to double-check, sf7307. That's good news.

SAB

The iPad is no cheaper at Best Buy than anywhere else--Apple does not permit retailers to discount its products. The best you can do is get one from an on line seller that does not charge state tax and ships for free.

As to the original question US duty free shops don't sell many electronics--it has something to do with who shops most a duty free shops.

Jean

There's an Apple store at the Manhattan Village Shopping Center, about 3 miles from LAX. There's also a BestBuy store in Plaza El Segundo, about 2 miles from LAX. One-way taxi fare would be $10-12.

Sales tax in Los Angeles County is 9.75%.

silkstrawberry

Many thanks everyone for your replies. I guess I was thinking that if I bought an IPad duty free there wouldn't be any tax to pay but that obviously isn't the case in the US. In Australia duty free products are cheaper because they remove the 11% GST. We are also allowed to buy products from any store (not duty free) and claim back the GST as long as the receipt is for a total of $300 or more, is purchased within 30 days of overseas travel and that you produce the good/s for viewing at the refund counter at the airport.

The cost of the IPad though is still cheaper if I buy from the US rather than in Australia. And yes 3G is available here in Australia. It was my intention to buy the WiFi + 3G IPad.

In view of the information provided (thanks again) and as I will only be in Washington State and California on this trip, I think I will buy in Seattle as tax is cheaper there.

I really appreciate all the advice.

Silkstrawberry

Surfergirl

If you can nip down to Oregon, you won't have to pay sales tax!

sf7307

Oh, thanks for that reminder - my DH plans to get an ipad, and it so happens we ARE going to be in Oregon soon!

silkstrawberry

Thanks surfergirl, that is good to know. I'll see if I can persuade my friends to take a trip to Oregon.

Silkstrawberry

sf7307

silk, I hope you're kidding --- the amount you would save in sales tax (about $40USD) will pale in comparison to the gas/car wear and or cost of a plane ticket!!!

silkstrawberry

Hi sf7307, yes I am serious My friends, who I am staying with, have talked about their son and grand-daughter who live in Portland Oregon and may be visiting them while I am there. It is only a two hour drive. I don't think they'd take much persuading!

I should have explained that in my earlier reply. I agree with you, without a real reason to go it would be silly to drive all that way to save $60 but if we plan to go anyway, well why not wait and buy in Oregon rather than Washington!

Thanks for looking out for me.

Silkstrawberry

sf7307

Oh, I absolutely agree if you're going to be there anyway. We're going to do the same thing, because we'll be in Portland in January.