Cheaper to send laptop from US to Germany or but using German online site?

Question

Need to buy a laptop for a loved one in Berlin. Would it be cheaper for me to buy one locally at bestbuy for $450-500 and ship it for $130-150 or would it be best to order one online from a German site?

If the diff is $100 I think it's prob best to have everything in German right?

Thanks

Answer 1

It seems cheaper to send a laptop from US to Germany as Laptops are expensive here...but you should check German websites first. You could try US DELL website first and then German DELL website to see the difference. Think a laptop that costs $500 in US costs in Germany €500 but €500 are $740!

Answer 2

Do not forget the customs and import taxes. I can tell you that laptops are customs free (Zollbefreit) but you have to pay 19% Import Taxes when the laptop arrives Germany. So better buy in Germany, as you'll have 2 years guarantee by law and the best service in the world. If you need English O/S and English qwerty Keyboard, you can easily demand this in your inquiry. Sony Germany for example does it, costs 50EUR more, but you'll have English.

Answer 3

Don't forget you will be losing money on the conversion rate alone if you buy it in Euro's.  I'm guessing it is cheaper to send it from the U.S.

Answer 4

You should make sure that your American bought laptop will work in Germany (220V) if not you have to buy and additional transformer or whatever, just include this thought in your calculation.

And check this out, it's a German shop to buy laptops (Notebook) so you can make a comparison to what you want to buy

http://www.vobis.com/shop/mode=catTree/c...