iPad Pricing Released – MyUS Being Dishonest

SMH broke a story early this morning about Apple releasing the iPad pricing for Australia last night as well as confirming the official launch date as being the 28th of May, less than a month after the US release.

So was I close?

iPad Pricing (AUS - Predicted)

Official iPad Pricing (AUS)

I wasn’t too far off at all (around about 5% over). The other thing to check is the cost of bringing in a unit from the USA and see if it still makes sense.

iPad Pricing (USA Sourced - AUS Currency)

As you can see, in most cases it is cheaper to buy locally unless you want the 32GB or 64GB  Wi-Fi + 3G models. The largest saving to be had is on the 16GB Wi-Fi model where you can get it for $20 locally whilst you’d need to pay nearly $15 more for the top of the line 64GB Wi-Fi + 3G model.

Again, it’s up to you as to whether or not the modest saving or additional expense is worth it. I originally intended to get one via MyUS with the hope of getting one on 30th April in the USA however I have hit a bit of a snag.

It’s been well publicised that Apple have been cancelling orders going to freight forwarding companies to preserve stock for the US market. Now, MyUS have been spruiking their ability to source iPads on Facebook and Twitter and have gone as far to buy Google AdWords when searching for “iPad” in Google.

MyUS (Google AdWords)

So you’d think they would have some sort of reliable process to get an iPad, right?

Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to be the case. I ordered two other items with the iPad through the “Personal Shopper” service in MyUS. One mysteriously had no packing slip whilst the other one did. MyUS even took photos of the items.

iPad Case (MyUS)

iPad Dock (MyUS)

Packing Slip (iPad Dock)

I’ve blotted out some of the personally identifiable information of the person who ordered the iPad dock to protect their identity.

As you can see, there is an order number (also blotted out) on the right hand side. When I go and check the order at the Apple website, I get the following:

Apple Order (iPad Dock)

As we can see that there is a FedEx tracking number (again which I have partially blotted out). Of course, we need to go further down the rabbit hole and see what the FedEx website says.

FedEx Tracking Page (iPad Dock)

Delivered to a residence?

Customer not available or business closed – at 1:52PM on a Friday?

Then left at the front door?

This is an acceptable business process?

If you don’t believe me, here is the delivery address in Google Maps (what I believe it to be anyway, the scan was a bit poor):

FedEx Delivery Address (Google Maps)

I don’t like the idea for one moment that an item that I have purchased was left on a residential doorstep halfway around the world.

That aside, my iPad delivery date has shifted several times. Originally, I had anticipated the 30th of April which came and went. Then I was assured by MyUS that the iPad would arrive by the 7th of May which has also passed with a new delivery of the 14th of May. MyUS have not been able to confirm a delivery date as they seem to be using “an anonymous supplier” and that whilst Wi-Fi units have been arriving, there have been no Wi-Fi + 3G units to date. I also don’t like the idea that they have been cagey with order and tracking information, especially since I have paid them upfront for the device.

I expected a more robust procurement process to be honest and it has diminished my faith in MyUS and I would even go as far as revoking my recommendation of using them in the future. The online chat consultants have repeatedly set false expectations, withheld tracking information citing “privacy reasons” and failed to fully disclose they way in which iPads were being purchased. Disappointing to say the least.

I have not yet cancelled my iPad order but unless something happens by COB Monday, I am pulling the plug and getting it locally. This will subsequently delay blog updates covering the  unboxing, preview and review of the iPad but I guess that is life.

Stay tuned folks.