Buying from Apple Store

[PowerPC]

I live in Europe and I would like to buy some products from the Apple Store, but I understand it's not possible:

"If you would like to purchase Apple products from outside the US, please see our international store directory to find out if your country is served by an online Apple Store".

If I want to pay by credit card, only those issued by banks from the United States are accepted, assuming that I want to pay from Europe and deliver the package to a certain address in the United States. So, my european credit card is useless.

However, I can see that Cashier's Checks, Money Orders and Wire Transfers are ok.

I am wondering if I can use these as an option of payment and have the products delivered to an address in the USA? I have a friend there and he's returning home in April so he could bring me the stuff (as he doesn't have a credit card issued by a bank from USA, so he cannot pay there for me)?

If you're asking why I don't want to buy from a local dealer it is because the difference is 600 EUR (approx. 700 USD), so it's really huge to me. I am going to be sucked up by a credit anyway, I just don't want to be ripped off twice.

Any help with the info on money payment through a bank of Europe with delivery to an address from USA?

Thanks a lot!

[symphonix]

Where in Europe do you live? Most countries have an Apple Store online for that country. Just check out http://www.apple.com/euro/store/

[PowerPC]

Unfortunately, there's no Apple Store in my country (Romania).

[Gig']

how about looking for the closest country to where you live and see if you can arrange using an adress there to collect the delivery ?

On the price aspect anywhere outside US expect to pay more. I live in Switzerland and used to compare prices in UK and Europe vs US used to be in-line here but no longer the case unfortunately

[Shookster]

I have a similar problem. I live in the US (temporarily) but I can't order anything from Apple's site because I have a UK billing address. I have to go to the physical Apple store BUT they can't give me a student discount on software. They suggested I should try online...

This is an annoying problem. You may be able to order by phone though - it's something that never occurred to me to try. The international call will be expensive but much much less than the money you'd pay by buying it in your own country.

[mdnky]

PowerPC: There's a few US retailers, who are Apple Certified Resellers, that will ship internationally. One is PowerMax and another is CDW.

Shookster, what Apple Store is refusing the edu discount? I've never had a problem with mine before (software, hardware, or iPods). If you're in front of them and have a valid ID from an eligible school, they should give you the discount on any Apple Software without question.

[Shookster]

It's the Apple store in Century City (LA), the nearest one to me. For some reason, they'll give me a discount on hardware but not on software.

[mdnky]

Are your trying to buy Apple software or 3rd party?