Hey Internet!

I really want the iPad as soon as it comes out. It’s stupid, I know, but goddamn it, I’m a gadget whore and I can’t help it. I was totally bummed when Apple announced it won’t be out in Australia until late-April, when the US will get it April 3rd. Mr. Menz on Twitter put up the suggestion that I should go to the USA and get one. I initially laughed, but then looked into it. Flights are cheaper than ever to LA. $1300 for a return ticket, with Qantas, on an A380, non-stop from Melbourne to Los Angeles. I even have some spare money to afford it. Plus it would be another sad nerd badge next to the one I got lining up overnight for the opening of the Sydney Apple Store.

Because I had nothing better to do today, I did some math on the cost of getting iPads from the USA:

• 16GB iPad (wi-fi only) - US$499 
• California sales tax & credit card charges (because I’m using an AU card in the US) - US$55 
• TOTAL FOR 16GB IPAD ITSELF: US$554 - AU$610

Costs For Bringing the iPad back to Australia

 Having it with me in my luggage will incur GST (10%) and duty (5%), because I’ll have more than one (bringing the total incoming items to over AU$1000, the threshold for incurring tax) - which is approximately AU$83 for a 16GB model (the actual price depends on the currency value at the time).

Bringing it back with me, instead of posting it from the US means you can get the iPad from me as soon as I land in Melbourne (at 8AM - Monday the 5th of April), or shipped out the same day via insured courier (capital cities will get delivery on Tuesday the 6th of April). I could ship it for you directly from the USA, but it’s much faster and it doesn’t work out to be cheaper than paying the duty/GST and the shipping price within Australia. Price to post it from the US using UPS/FedEx or USPS is going to be around AU$120 for a fast (3-5 day) service. Considering the tax is only $85-ish and shipping within Australia only $15, doesn’t make much sense to have to wait longer and pay more. The whole point of this is to get the iPad as soon as freakin’ possible!

So, if you want me to get you one from Los Angeles and ship it to you from Australia, which means you’ll have an iPad at your door on the 6th of April, or be pick it up from me in Melbourne on the 5th of April, this is how much money you need to give me (price includes the cost of the iPad itself, all taxes, shipping and $100 for me to pay for my plane ticket, hah):

• 16GB iPad: AU$795 
• 32GB iPad: AU$945 
• 64GB iPad: AU$1,080 

To put the price into perspective, the local price for an iPad will be either $649 or $699 (probably $699) - so you’re paying a $100 fee to have it a month before anyone else in Australia. If you’re a gadget nut like me, it’s probably worth it :)

If I can get about 8 or so people to pay, I think I’ll probably go to Los Angeles, grab as many as I can and bring them back to Australia for a couple of MacTalkers. If this interests you and you gotta have your iPad AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! (like myself), contact me - http://mactalk.com.au/iwannatalktoanthony - and we’ll talk.

If I can’t get as many iPads as anticipated, I will refund your money in full, whilst I am in the USA. iPads will be given out on a first come, first serve basis. Myself first (duh), then whoever pays first will get the 2nd one and so on. If you’re concerned about me literally fleeing to the USA with your money - I can assure you, I won’t. I have a reputation to uphold (dude that runs MacTalk and all) plus I can give you a scan of my drivers licence, phone number, home address, passport details, etc. etc. I can take money via bank transfer or PayPal if you want to use a credit card or it makes you feel safer.