[Mr Creosote]

Was just about to place an order and realised its $1999 dollars in the USA. With the current exchange rate of 1.57 and plus the 17.5% VAT in the UK, that gives a retail price from Apple in the UK of £200 pounds ($300 approx) more than in the USA. Despite some small variances the exchange rate has been pretty stable for some time so I can't see that as the reason, and its not Apple's fault that in the UK we live with a ridiculous sales tax. But despite all that why the heck should I give Apple near an extra $300 US for the same product?
Have I missed something relevant here? Or is it a case of Apple contributing to the "rip-off Britain" malaise?

I'm quite tempted to buy it from the USA and pay the VAT etc on import just so I don't give Apple $300 that they haven't earnt or provided any added value for. It will mean extra agro and risk for me but you have to stick a stake in the ground sometime.

[R1_NUR]

Does the USA price include Tax?

[Mr Creosote]

Originally posted by R1_NUR:
Does the USA price include Tax?

No but then there normally isnt any sales tax, though it is dependent on which state you are resident in.

But the tax issue is somewhat misleading.
Without Tax the US price is $1999, and without tax ( before VAT) the UK price is $2270 dollars on todays exchage rate. Thats nearly $300 MORE than the USA price.

[engaged]

Just about everything in life, including Apple hardware, is more expensive in the UK - this is a recurring topic across various forums at MacNN!