So who wants Apple stuff from the US?

[Magnus]

I'm not sure there is enough market just for another gray market seller especially if you - presumably - will sell at or close to the price of the other gray market sellers. Perhaps you can think of offering some special service?

[yoganadaz]

What do the grey market guys offer? What would be a special service, free shipping or something?

[Magnus]

What do the grey market guys offer? What would be a special service, free shipping or something?

Well you're thinking about selling, what are your ideas?

[SandyBear]

I seriously doubt it would be worth trying to sell "grey" hardware. See this calculation:
http://www.emiratesmac.com/forums/wa...html#post29838
Unless there is a way to get around the sales tax and then very cheap shipping, it seems meaningless...
However, maybe some other products, specialized software, other service items....???

[ultrablue662]

If you buy the items in a university shop you will not be charged tax (or a student tax, in AZ it was 2%) PLUS get an education discount.

My old iBook should have costed 999. It costed me 750 WITH Office and VDT. So if someone can somehow capitalize in this avenue it might be worth it.

[yoganadaz]

I've been thinking that I would like to be a person shopper rather than an automated system. This way I can focus more on customer service and personal attention. I would prefer to video conference with the customers first to get to know them and discuss things.
I think I might charge a shopping fee of 5% (to start) above the total purchase price. Note: I would be purchasing the Apple products from Oregon which is state that DOES NOT have any sale tax, zero.

I looked at shipping prices with USPS and for a brand new Macbook Pro 15" the cost is @ $30 to $60 US from here to UAE.

I willing to work a far deal with the customers I shop for.

What do you think? Does this sound far?

Well you're thinking about selling, what are your ideas?

[Magnus]

I've been thinking that I would like to be a person shopper rather than an automated system. This way I can focus more on customer service and personal attention. I would prefer to video conference with the customers first to get to know them and discuss things.
I think I might charge a shopping fee of 5% (to start) above the total purchase price. Note: I would be purchasing the Apple products from Oregon which is state that DOES NOT have any sale tax, zero.

I looked at shipping prices with USPS and for a brand new Macbook Pro 15" the cost is @ $30 to $60 US from here to UAE.

I willing to work a far deal with the customers I shop for.

What do you think? Does this sound far?

Ok, so you would charge about $65 for the purchase of a $1299 MacBook, for example. How much time do you expect to put into an average purchase of a MacBook?

Also, what about after-sales service, once the item is in UAE? Returns? Warranty? Arabic keyboard?

[yoganadaz]

It would take me about 2 - 3 hours to buy, package and ship products.

Looks like I would require buyers to purchase AppleCare with every mac purchased through me. This way the Mac is covered by Apple and I can make enough money to make it worth doing.

Warranty coverage: AppleCare is covered globally according this:
AppleCare FAQ link: Apple - Support - AppleCare - FAQs

After sales service is covered with AppleCare for up to 3 years.
Warranty is covered for first year without AppleCare and 3 years with.

Returns: I can return items for up to a year from purchase with a small service fee. I'll make this a legal document signed on purchase agreement.

Arabic keyboard options.

Keyboard stickers: Mac English-Arabic keyboard stickers Mac English-Arabic keyboard stickers [Mac English-Arabic keyboard keyb] - $5.69 : THE BEST KEYBOARD STICKERS, ::www.4keyboard.com::

Keyboard covers: Foreign Languages

I'm looking for Arabic keyboards.
Here's a forum from Kuwait Mac Community regarding keyboards: looking for an arabic keyboard " Macbook pro" - Kuwait Mac Community
A person claims to have called Mac & More regarding the purchase of a Macbook keyboard and the said the price would be about 75KD or 1,028 AED.

I chatted with the US Apple Store regarding an Arabic keyboard and they said they only sell English and Spanish. I then asked where to purchase an Arabic keyboard and he didn't have a clue they even made them. This person was unaware that Apple makes foreign language keyboard besides English and Spanish ..

Ok, so you would charge about $65 for the purchase of a $1299 MacBook, for example. How much time do you expect to put into an average purchase of a MacBook?

Also, what about after-sales service, once the item is in UAE? Returns? Warranty? Arabic keyboard?

[SandyBear]

So, to make it easy for us in UAE, or GCC for that matter, why not present us with a pricelist or at least a price example, then compare that with these approximate prices:
Prices New MacBook MacBook Pro : Shufflegazine - Apple Lifestyle Magazine
Should not be hard to do, and intersting for all parties...

[Magnus]

It's in essence rather simple: you have to be either significantly cheaper, or be about the same price as here but offer something extra. What business model you will follow is of course up to you. But like with any business you need to figure out what differentiates you, why should customers go to you and not your competition. And this is a market where it'll be hard to enter with a brand new value proposition to customers, I think, so you'll have to think hard about it.