Buying a new Macbook Pro

[Magnus]

Buy it online if you don't need an arabic keyboard!

To be honest I don't see something like that named as gray market in other countries.open competition in a free market. Customers would of course choose the cheapest if you are aware of. Well for regional sales report, sale growth, this is the first I saw that we have to consider this when you buy a product. Do we need to sacrifice ourselves for the greater good of profit of the distributors?

It is of course up to each individual to make that decision. I am just saying that someone who buys gray market may not have that much reason for at the same time complaining about a lack of regional advertising and localization efforts, for example. It would be different if we were in a market directly served by Apple Inc. but we're not.

Gray market exists pretty much everywhere. Go to bhphotovideo.com, as one example, and look at most products there. Many of them are available as "import" and "us". "Import" is just another name in this case for "gray market".

And it's not about anyone "sacrificing" themselves. I don't think it's as easy as saying that all consumers go just for the cheapest price however.

[edmond]

It is of course up to each individual to make that decision. I am just saying that someone who buys gray market may not have that much reason for at the same time complaining about a lack of regional advertising and localization efforts, for example. It would be different if we were in a market directly served by Apple Inc. but we're not.

Gray market exists pretty much everywhere. Go to bhphotovideo.com, as one example, and look at most products there. Many of them are available as "import" and "us". "Import" is just another name in this case for "gray market".

And it's not about anyone "sacrificing" themselves. I don't think it's as easy as saying that all consumers go just for the cheapest price however.

well i found the way of shopping in this country is weird. You will shop around when you do the shopping in our countries to find out which shop is cheaper but here it's limited and prices are identical.

Also I don't mean only those online websites, I think they're good at least they're doing business on their own. What you could find elsewhere is there're shops other than 'authorized distributors' will also seller the same items that you're looking for with a bargain. They're all legal. Power of free market to drive down the costs, something that it's lacking here?

For regional advertising, did they do anything? I was told a couple of times they're showing a old model of mac here and telling me that's new.

Even Magnus you would find the cheaper way [MacBook arrived] then why saying others won't? it's just coz' how much information costs they're going to spend.

[Magnus]

well i found the way of shopping in this country is weird. You will shop around when you do the shopping in our countries to find out which shop is cheaper but here it's limited and prices are identical.

Also I don't mean only those online websites, I think they're good at least they're doing business on their own. What you could find elsewhere is there're shops other than 'authorized distributors' will also seller the same items that you're looking for with a bargain. They're all legal. Power of free market to drive down the costs, something that it's lacking here?

For regional advertising, did they do anything? I was told a couple of times they're showing a old model of mac here and telling me that's new.

Even Magnus you would find the cheaper way [MacBook arrived] then why saying others won't? it's just coz' how much information costs they're going to spend.

I think you're misunderstanding the point... gray market is not necessarily illegal.

[edmond]

I think you're misunderstanding the point... gray market is not necessarily illegal.

Well doesn't matter Magnus, if you want to look at the wordings you should probably ask someone using the word gray first. To me, the market is market, except it's illegal.

[ultrablue662]

A grey market or gray market is the trade of a commodity through distribution channels which, while legal, are unofficial, unauthorized, or unintended by the original manufacturer. In contrast, a black market is the trade of goods and services that are illegal in themselves and/or distributed through illegal channels, such as the selling of stolen goods, certain drugs or unregistered handguns.

Wikipedia is your friend.

White = LEGAL
Black = ILLEGAL

Gray = Somewhere in between.

[Magnus]

Well doesn't matter Magnus, if you want to look at the wordings you should probably ask someone using the word gray first. To me, the market is market, except it's illegal.

That doesn't make any sense to me...

[edmond]

A grey market or gray market is the trade of a commodity through distribution channels which, while legal, are unofficial, unauthorized, or unintended by the original manufacturer. In contrast, a black market is the trade of goods and services that are illegal in themselves and/or distributed through illegal channels, such as the selling of stolen goods, certain drugs or unregistered handguns.

Wikipedia is your friend.

White = LEGAL
Black = ILLEGAL

Gray = Somewhere in between.

Well thanks for sharing the experience of using wiki, then what's your stance?
I don't quite agree gray is somewhere in between legal and illegal because it's clearly in the definition that it's legal.

[fangpyre]

@Edmond, grey is clearly legal, though it is unofficial.
It is your right to spend your money to support what you want.
But I think it is more than just about advertising.
The local agent makes money over a few channels, and spends a portion of it delivering services.
The main service I personally care about is warranty and support.
As for the number, it makes a region justifiable to Apple.

Also, I think its only fair to mention that a huge portion to the price difference is due to Apple's regional pricing scheme.

For me personally, I buy from both.
I try to support.
But sometimes I just can't justify it.
Its your call, dude.

[ultrablue662]

Well thanks for sharing the experience of using wiki, then what's your stance?
I don't quite agree gray is somewhere in between legal and illegal because it's clearly in the definition that it's legal.

It is in between depending on where you live. In some places for example, if a product is not released via authorized dealers, it is illegal in that place. Also, it may depend on the entities involved.

My stance? Does every one in the world have to have a stance on everything?

I support local businesses but download 50 free songs a day, I am pro life as long as the life is not stupid as per my criteria and over 19, I am anti drugs but believe weed should be legal, I am for the death penalty but dont like violence. I believe animals are nothing but property but have a name for my car, I'm pro democracy and an anarchist...

Yeah, figure dems things out!

And your smarty comment about using wikipedia is somewhat lost in the fact that although it were so simple a task why YOU do it.

[ultrablue662]

That doesn't make any sense to me...

Seems like someone already things weed is legal. (edmond, not you magnus, as that didnt make any sense to me either.)