SINGAPORE EXPATS FORUM
Singapore Expat Forum and Message Board for Expats in Singapore & Expatriates Relocating to Singapore
where is the best place to buy an Apple product?
where is the best place to buy an Apple product?
I would like to buy a Mac air but I do not know where would be the best place to buy it in terms of the price
-
- Reporter
- Posts: 621
- Joined: Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:35 pm
The prices for Apple is quite consistent between SG & US (you can compare from the apple site online). I am not sure about HK but was told its cheaper to buy in HK.
Within SG, the cheapest place would be the airport, as it is tax-free. If you want a standard Macbook Air, you should be able to walk-in and get one. If you need one with specific modifications, you should probably call the shop and arrange for it to be ready, when you are passing through the airport.
Within SG, the cheapest place would be the airport, as it is tax-free. If you want a standard Macbook Air, you should be able to walk-in and get one. If you need one with specific modifications, you should probably call the shop and arrange for it to be ready, when you are passing through the airport.
The airport is a good place.
HK is supposedly cheaper but Australia has had some very good prices in the past when you take into account the 10% GST rebate at the airport (which unlike here you get in full). US is also a good place.
Having said that, buying online can also give you a lot of points/air miles with cards that generate extra points for online purchases, so buying from the online SG store might not be a bad idea after all.
HK is supposedly cheaper but Australia has had some very good prices in the past when you take into account the 10% GST rebate at the airport (which unlike here you get in full). US is also a good place.
Having said that, buying online can also give you a lot of points/air miles with cards that generate extra points for online purchases, so buying from the online SG store might not be a bad idea after all.

@GND
Base model in SG = S$1348 (incl of GST @ 7%, i,e, $88)
http://store.apple.com/sg/buy-mac/macbook-air
------------
'Goods and Services Tax Relief
...You can enjoy GST relief up to the following values of goods, excluding cigarettes, tobacco, liquors and petroleum products.
Period away from Singapore - Value of Goods
48 hours or more, S$600 - Less than 48 hours, S$150
Holders of a work permit, employment pass, student pass, dependent pass or long-term pass issued by the Singapore Government and crew members are NOT eligible for GST relief.
http://www.customs.gov.sg/leftNav/trav/ ... Relief.htm
-----------------
In town, S$1260+$88 = S1348
Bought at Changi after 48hrs or more away =
S$1260 +$0 GST in shop, but +(1260-600)*7% = $46 to ICA = $1306
Difference 3% less = $42
or
If you are away less than 48hrs, you save 0.75%, a whole $10!
That's if you are a tourist. But if you have any form of SGn non-citizen or non-PR residency, you get Big Fat Zero GST relief! Difference nil. I must say I found that quite surprising. All it would take is for ICA to stop you, inspect the computer, call the shop upstairs and read out the serial number. Oh and you can't 'accidentally discard' the receipt between shop and ICA, as without it you can't register the guarantee.
I'd start by looking down at the Funan Centre, especially at the end of a month when salesmen are trying to hit sales targets, and seeing if you get any worthwhile discount.
Hope that's some food for thought to the OP.
Base model in SG = S$1348 (incl of GST @ 7%, i,e, $88)
http://store.apple.com/sg/buy-mac/macbook-air
------------
'Goods and Services Tax Relief
...You can enjoy GST relief up to the following values of goods, excluding cigarettes, tobacco, liquors and petroleum products.
Period away from Singapore - Value of Goods
48 hours or more, S$600 - Less than 48 hours, S$150
Holders of a work permit, employment pass, student pass, dependent pass or long-term pass issued by the Singapore Government and crew members are NOT eligible for GST relief.
http://www.customs.gov.sg/leftNav/trav/ ... Relief.htm
-----------------
In town, S$1260+$88 = S1348
Bought at Changi after 48hrs or more away =
S$1260 +$0 GST in shop, but +(1260-600)*7% = $46 to ICA = $1306
Difference 3% less = $42
or
If you are away less than 48hrs, you save 0.75%, a whole $10!
That's if you are a tourist. But if you have any form of SGn non-citizen or non-PR residency, you get Big Fat Zero GST relief! Difference nil. I must say I found that quite surprising. All it would take is for ICA to stop you, inspect the computer, call the shop upstairs and read out the serial number. Oh and you can't 'accidentally discard' the receipt between shop and ICA, as without it you can't register the guarantee.
I'd start by looking down at the Funan Centre, especially at the end of a month when salesmen are trying to hit sales targets, and seeing if you get any worthwhile discount.
Hope that's some food for thought to the OP.
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- 1 Replies
- 1024 Views
-
Last post by Haruki
Tue, 05 May 2020 6:28 pm
-
- 6 Replies
- 3094 Views
-
Last post by Lisafuller
Mon, 24 May 2021 12:09 pm
-
-
Cheapest place to buy kids essentials in Singapore
by Pinkydot1984 » Mon, 11 Mar 2019 9:13 am » in Parenting, Family & Schools - 9 Replies
- 6720 Views
-
Last post by sundaymorningstaple
Mon, 22 Mar 2021 3:53 pm
-
-
- 0 Replies
- 2288 Views
-
Last post by montree
Mon, 18 Mar 2019 4:42 pm
-
-
Any one know some good product to kill bedbugs
by sundaymorningstaple » Wed, 27 Nov 2019 5:29 pm » in Travel & Holidays - 4 Replies
- 3428 Views
-
Last post by abbby
Mon, 14 Sep 2020 10:50 am
-
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests