The Top 5 Ways to Buy iPhones for Canadians
So let me get this straight…you have seen the breathtaking, revolutionary device, called an iPhone, right? And now you want to get your scrubby little paws on one? Sounds easy enough, right? Well, think again if you’re not living in the mighty USA or in Europe. To think that Canada is the United States’ largest trading partner, don’t you think we should’ve gotten the iPhone a bit earlier than the rest? Don’t worry, it boggles my mind too. So, where do you go to buy an iPhone in Canada? If you’re a Canuck in the Great White North, what’s the first thing you should do if you’re looking to buy an iPhone? Well, I’m going to tell you…here we go! So let’s get started with the Top 5 Ways to Buy iPhones for Canadians!
1. The Apple Store (in the USA of course)
This is by far the cheapest way for you to buy an iPhone if you’re Canadian. If you are relatively close to the US border (or you have an “Ameri-friend” who can buy one for you) then you should take the plunge and drive down to your nearest Apple Store and pick yourself up an iPhone. Right now it will cost you $399US for an 8GB iPhone. Remember, the Apple Stores now limit purchases to 2 phones per person, and they do not accept cash payments, only credit cards!
Aside from state tax (depending which state you visited), you will have to pay GST/PST if you choose to declare your iPhone to the Canada Customs. There is NO duty on the iPhone, contrary to what you might read online. I would know because I bought my phone from the Apple Store located in Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood, Washington. I paid state tax, declared the iPhone at the border (GST/PST=13%; it’s not worth it to get searched and caught–you’ll get a permanent record that you tried to smuggle into Canada and consequently get searched every time back into Canada, regardless of your point of entry! Falsely declare at your own risk!). I told the Customs officer that I had an iPhone, I pulled over, went inside to pay my taxes (they accept debit, MasterCard, and VISA–and cash!), and was on my way. The total damage? My 8GB Apple iPhone came to $490CDN after state tax and GST/PST. Yeah, I paid $50 in GST/PST…cheating $50 is not worth it to get a record!
2. Craigslist
So let’s say you don’t have the time to struggle with border waits to get your precious iPhone (now with the Canadian dollar at par/higher than the US, waiting times are just that much longer). What to do? Well, hit up Craigslist and buy it from the dudes there! Sure, you’re going to be paying one heckuva premium to buy your iPhone in Canada. Most sellers on Craigslist sell brand new (and unlocked) 8GB Apple iPhones in the range of $520-$600 (Vancouver Craigslist–some phones were as “low” as $490)–yes, that’s right. You’re going to be paying extra to get your little paws on an iPhone. However, if you don’t want the hassle of dealing with the border and driving to the States, and you don’t have a clue on how to unlock your iPhone yourself, Craigslist could be the way to go. Hey, nobody said getting your hands on a “revolutionary device” would be that easy!
3. eBay
Ahh, the auction site that everyone loves. Sure, waiting for your iPhone to ship can be a pain in the butt, but at least you know you will be saving some cash on your precious iPhone purchase (that is if you aren’t scammed by some Nigerian; note to you: don’t bid on “mystery” iPhone auctions, where you bid on a magical envelope!). eBay still dominates the worldwide auction place for cool new and used things–an iPhone being one of them. The highest completed price I have seen so far has been $3900US for a Buy It Now auction (just crazy) to a super low price of $270US.
However, with eBay there is the difficulty of, as I mentioned above, getting scammed. So due diligence should be made for Canadians trying to buy an iPhone on eBay. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Check your seller’s feedback to make sure that other buyers actually received their iPhones. Also, if you do happen to find that magical auction that you feel confident with (aka not receiving an empty iPhone box), be sure to ask for shipping via USPS (United States Postal Service) so you don’t get dinged with the outrageous duties of UPS or FedEx. Another good idea is to make sure the seller has some sort of refund policy, so if the iPhone doesn’t work when you receive it, you aren’t hooped!
4. Online Buy & Sell Forums (Howard Forums, RedFlagDeals, etc)
Are you part of any online communities? If you are, then you should check your online forums in the Cellphone Buy & Sell listings. There is a risk to buying with these online communities as you have no idea who these people really are. Unless you’re buying from a local seller, having an iPhone shipped to you can be a risk. But there are some simple ways to verify that your seller is indeed true and honest! Yes, those people still exist nowadays!
If you find an iPhone seller on your local community forum (Howard Forums is one of the biggest mobile forums on the internet), check to see how many posts this seller has. This usually is a good indication of how long this user has been around, and that means other users will be able to verify the seller’s reputation. When in doubt, ask lots of questions for clarification of the iPhone. Is it new? Used? Unlocked? Etc. Also ask for the username of a previous buyer from this seller. That way you can ensure that this guy/girl is infact real!!
5. “Borrow” Your Friend’s iPhone
So why the heck do YOU want an iPhone? Well, most of the time after actually playing with one, and “ooooo’ing” and “ahhh’ing” and even drooling over your friend’s iPhone, that gets most people hooked. After playing around with the iPhone the first time at an Apple Store, I was hooked. I didn’t buy mine until I visited the Apple Store a second time around (I had plans to buy an iPod Touch instead!) and then took the plunge on the iPhone.
So yeah, if your friend has an iPhone, just ask to see it–then run away! Sure, your friend is going to be mighty pissed at you, but at least you’ll have your sweet, sweet, iPhone. Okay, maybe consider giving the iPhone back to your friend after a few hours, or risk having him steal your girlfriend.
So there you have it folks, these are the Top 5 Ways to Buy iPhones for Canadians! Like with anything, be aware of your purchase and ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” when purchasing an iPhone. After laying down your cold hard cash or credit card, shout “YES I DO!”, smile, and walk away knowing that you will have one of the most amazing handheld devices on the planet! Once you get your iPhone, get ready for your friends to be super iPhone-envy–that’s when this crazy routine will repeat itself, over and over again.
Here are some pictures of my 8GB Apple iPhone in all its glory. Let the unboxing porn begin!!
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I called the apple store in lynnwood and they said I would need a credit card and they woudln’t sell to me as a canadian. How did you buy one??
trav: I went in there, I told them I was a Canadian, and they still sold me one (however that was 3 months ago!). I think the trick is to just be nice, and if you don’t feel like telling them you’re Canadian, just use 90210 as your ZIP code. I was able to tell them my Canadian postal code and it worked (Vancouver). Good luck, let me know how it goes! You’re talking about Alderwood Mall right?
I just bought an iphone from the Walden Galleria Mall in Buffalo at the Apple store for my daughter for christmas. I gave them my Canadian, Ontario postal code and it was all good. I also claimed mine at the border but did not have to pay duty or anything else on it because I was in the US for a week and was allowed 750.00 for the week. Bought it on black friday and giving it to my daughter for Christmas, now I want one sooo bad after playing with hers. I also got it unlocked for 20 bucks and all I had to do was buy a sim card from fido for 30 bucks. What a great device. But I am wondering about the battery while listening to the ipod ? Does it last as long as a normal ipod does ? Let me know if anyone has one and listens to the ipod on it a lot.
Thanks so much
Carrie: Nice work…what version was your iPhone? I’m assuming it was 1.1.1 since you were able to unlock it. After people have seen my iPhone, they always end up wanting one!
Just curious but has anyone had good luck on purchasing an iPhone from Ebay? I thought about ordering on here soon and maybe someone can help me out on a seller that they would recommend? or any help would be great!
Thanks
I bought an iPhone on Ebay for my daughter -or thought I did. It was a scam now I am waiting to get my ($500) money back from PAYPAL
Buyer beware
Ignore my last message, problem has been solved as I got the iPhone already. Ebay works great, just have great communication with the buyer and do ur researching and good luck 🙂
Anyone tried having your family member or friend in US buy iPhone and ship to canada for you as a gift? I guess you won’t pay taxes on this?
Any success by mail?
I would also like to know if anyone has tried getting oe mailed from the US as a gift. This is probably what I will get my brother to do this week…
Hi, I’m planning on picking up an iPhone at the Seattle Apple store.
If I want to use it on Rogers, does it matter what I buy?
Can I specify to the sales people exactly what firmware version I want? Do I even need to anymore?
And once it’s unlocked, can I just pop in my existing sim card?
This is a great site and informative resource, but I’m still a little confused, and don’t wanna end up with a brick.
Thanks, y’all
Hello All
I have read on here that if I buy in Buffalo or any other US city it is $399.00 CD. I have seen on the US site that
1) Two-year activation agreement with AT&T required.
For personal use only, not for resale.
Can anyone verify or clarify this?
Also has anyone purchased from http://www.iphonestealth.ca $649.00 CD included stealth sim
Jim
I don’t quite get how easy it is to purchase in the USA is there not a two year contract with at&t to sign up for? Is there a way around this? I’m looking for step by step here… as I Live in far north Saskatchewan and Rarely make it down to the states, so how can I purchase without any hiccups! Must pay with Credit Card or I can do Cash as well!? Canadian postal code or made up USA one? thanks!
Jared.
First, I’m an American, and bought the phone at a local AT%T store on Feb 5th, they accepted cash, but I am also one of their customers, and had no problems with the usual activation. I did ask them if a 5th line would be OK, they checked the account.
AT&T does accept cash, but they do ask for your phone number with all purchases, so find an American friend with such services and buy the phone. Activation is not done by them, or in the store, its done on your own.
Guys, it’s very simple. Show up at an Apple store and ask to buy an iPhone–no contract needed! Use a credit card and even provide your postal code…no problems!
If I purchase an apple phone do I need a stealth or turbo sim card if your phone is already unlocked, if you have the phone don’t you just put your sim card in from the phone you alrady have and using. Will it work as long as the phone is already unlocked and does the turbo sim card have to have something downloaded on it or it is already to go you just put it in the phone and you are ready to use it, and when I get the phone do I have to go to there web site and down load an Itune or some program for it when you get it and it is unlocked for it to work or when it comes unlocked it is ready to go you just put your sim card in from the other phone and you use it like the one you have.
Hi. Thanks for the info on this blog.
I am planning to go down to Seattle area at the end of March. According to Washington State Excise Tax Advisory 2014.08.193(http://dor.wa.gov/docs/rules/eta/2014.pdf), Washington State Sales Tax is exempt for the purchase of tangible personal property for use outside of Washington State purchased by certain non-residents of states or jurisdiction with less than 3 percent of sales tax, including Alberta, Quebec …, but excluding British Columbia.
Since I am an Alberta resident, do you guys think it’s safe to show my ID to get WA sales tax exemption of $30~40 or don’t you want me to take risk? It’s pretty obvious that it’s for use outside of WA, if we provide Canadian postal code…
Thanks
I just returned from Seattle to Denmark with 3 iPhones i my bag.
It was not a problem to buy them as a foreigner, and they knew I would bring them out of the country!
Regarding unlock, jailbreaking and activation of the iPhone, You can do it all by sw and no stealth or turbo sim i necessary.
Brian,
Because you can righftully purchase an iPhone, there’s no reason not to show them your Canadian ID; in fact, most Apple stores ask for your ID if you’re paying by credit card anyway–at least the ones that I’ve visited do, even in Toronto.
As well, it’s not illegal to own an iPhone just because you’re Canadian, and if it’s personal property then it’s up to you to decide how you’re going to use it. You could use it as a coaster for your beer if you wanted to.
I bought my iPhone in Chicago and showed my Ontario ID. I had absolutely no problem.
Best of luck
Any Winnipeger’s purchase an iPhone from North Dakota to bring back to the peg? What kind of rate plan are you on now with Rogers or Fido? And with it all said and done, what was the final purchase cost?
I’ve been with Telus for a while now, and have no idea what the sim card thing is all about, so buying a sim card from Fido/Rogers would just be added on when I get a plan?
on the apple website it says that you need a contract with AT&T inorder to get an iphone i am going down the the USA nextweekend to pick up my 2nd iphone as a gift for a friend but i am just worried about not being able to get it since i will not be able to sign a contract. so my question is do you need to sign a contract now or is that happen when the iphone is activated?
Thanks
I’m headed down to Orlando for a cruise next Friday. I arrive in Orlando at 1pm, so I plan to drop into the local Apple store to (hopefully) pick up a couple of 16GB phones to replace my (and my wife’s) 8GB models. I called the store and they have no problem selling to Canadians, and no contract is required. When I asked the rep about a contract, I was told that they don’t sell contracts… that’s AT&T.
Basically, the idea is that an American citizen buys the iPhone off of Apple, doesn’t jailbreak it, walks into AT&T to get the phone activated… then they are “forced” into a two year contract. That’s why the Apple site says “with a 2 year contract”. You can buy the phone un-activated for the same price, bring it home and jailbreak it. Sweet deal, no?!! 😀
Now, my only issue is that the store is currently out of the 16GB phone 🙁 and aren’t able to tell me if they will have any in. Hopefully I’ll be lucky!
Just wondering if you can use a candian credit card to purchase the iphone. I just called apple in bellevue and the sales person said that I cannot pay cash, they only take credit cards.
I don’t see why not. I travel to the US quite often on business and always pay by credit card in retail stores. They say how cool my card looks and ask me for ID!! 🙂 You shouldn’t have a problem.
I was down in NY state on business last week and popped into the Apple store in the Walden Galleria. When I asked for an iPhone, the lady at the sales counter asked: “you wouldn’t be a Canadian would you?” I said yes, and must have had a sad look on my face, thinking that I would be out of luck, because she added: “I’ll still sell you one, but just wanted to tell you that there won’t be a warranty”.
I replied that wouldn’t be a problem, and while she processed the purchase I inquired if many Canadians popped in for an iPhone. She replied, “tons”.
The phone was $499, plus about $70 at the boarder. I had it up and running that evening. It was a 1.1.3 out of the box, now it’s a 1.1.4 and unlocked thanks to ZiPhone.
I even made the mistake of changing the root password with ssh (I missed the cautionary note about not doing this during the install). The phone constantly restarted the springboard. I managed to get it into sync mode and redid the 1.1.3/1.1.4/ZiPhone cycle. All is well.
My Razor is now languishing in the desk drawer, and the iPhone occupies the place of honor in my pocket. The more I use it, the more I like it. My wife used it for about 10 minutes, and it now looks like I’ll have to make another trip to the states.
Rogers really needs to get on the ball with the iPhone. It certainly would save me a lot of gas……
Nice work Jim, congrats! 🙂
I am going to penn state tomorrow and there is only an at&t where i am going. i am from canada and i want to buy the iphone, and i will be paying by cash. Do you think they will give it to me if i say i am buyinmg it for my cusin which lives in New york for her birthday and she will activiate it herself?
You have a good chance, I know at Apple stores Canadians can buy them no problem–only with credit cards though.
Can we buy them in a AT&T store? Or we really need to go to a Apple Store?
I went down to Washington State last week and bought two iPhones without paying WA sales tax by showing my AB ID thanks to WA state tax law.
Hi – If I purchase an iPhone, what plan or provider do you recommend for use in Canada? If you want to use the internet features, rogers will charge you if you use 3rd party applications like google. I could not find an all-in data plan – anyone have any tips?
Just got back from my cruise. Flew back from Orlando yesterday. While there, I picked up 7 of the 8GB iPhone at the Apple store in the Florida Mall. Got some interesting information. Maximum purchase of iPhones is 5 per credit card (not per person!). They won’t take cash for the phones, as they use the credit card info to track the number of phones purchased. Why they put limits on quantities is a mystery to me! I think it is to discourage bringing the phones out of the States (they have a sign warning against doing so!!). As soon as I asked for 7 phones (5 on one card and 2 on another), she asked me if I was Canadian! Not a problem she said! Simple to buy and simple to bring home. We were gone for a week, thus allowed $1500 combined. Phones were $2800 plus $200 other stuff we brought home. I paid GST on $1500 worth of phones for a total cost at customs of $75 for everything! Customs stamped the back of my Apple Store receipts for future warranty purposes! That’s pretty good. Each phone (taxes in) cost me $437.94. I have people lined up already for 3 of them @ $599 each. The rest will sell easily (or go as gifts!!). Not bad at all.
FYI everyone – I just went to Alderwood Apple store yesterday, and the iphone is out of stock!! they said all close by apple stores are all out. so I went to an AT&T booth..they said they have it but I have to sign the contract right there. so, I guess the only option for me is to order on apple website or from craiglist :0(
Hey Tim,
I’d be interested in taking one of those off your hands. Looking for buyers or are they all spoken for?
Hey Julia,
Drop me an e-mail and I will give you a my office number to call me. I just don’t want to post my number here. My e-mail is ti*@*******ry.com
Thanks.
Hello all. I am really not good with technology, but am planning to buy an iphone for my husband’s birthday in June. Can I just buy it in the States, have it unlocked and pop-in my husband’s sim card from his rogers phone, with an added data plan, and it will work? If yes do you know of a good place to have it unlocked in Montreal? Thanks a lot guys!
Alionka – I just bought an iphone off craigslist in Vancouver cuz apple store has no iphone in stock. your only choice right now would be apple.com. or maybe the 3G version will be out by June? let’s hope ^_^
I’m not tech either but I used ziphone and unlocked it within mins. check out iphone fan’s link: https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/3rd-party-applications/iphone-113-unlock-video-using-ziphone-25/
so easy!
good lock.
hey i live in canada and im planning to go to chicago to get an iphone from an apple store. I was wondering whether or not i they make you get an AT&T contract? this would be a great help. thanks =)
Mr. iPhone: Nope, you can buy it without the contract at Apple stores. However, if you buy from an AT&T store they make you buy the contract!
Thank you Melissa for your great info. I’ll see with my brother who lives in the States when he plans to visit us and order it online I guess. Just to make sure, once it is unlocked I can just spli-in an existing sim card with data plan, and it is ready to use right?
thanks iPhone fan!
and also would you guys happen to know which firm ware they are using on the iphones avaible right now? aka 1.13 or 1.14? if so can i just unlock it and pop in my rogers sim card? thanks once again =D
Alionka – yes, once you unlock the phone, put in rogers/fido sim and it works like a charm. I don’t have a data plan but I use wifi whenever I’m home or at a coffee shop. I guess I should get a data plan one day.
Do all the features still work properly when buying and unlocking one from the states?
Being Canadian would it be possible for me to buy the Iphone through the http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&node=home/shop_iphone/family/iphone&sf=wHF2F2PHCCCX72KDY
Using paypal? CC might be a problem but I can always look around and use a friends, I don’t want to use craigslist paying a 100-150$ mark up from US prices seems like a rip and Ebay seems bit dodgy with all the clones, exleast off craigslist I can go to the guys house and demand my money back, I’d appreicate and guidance! 😀
how to identify original appla iphone and fake i phone and differents between both fake and original
i want to know difference between original apple iphone and fake model,how to identify original and fake iphones
if you buy an iphone in the states, how do you activate it in canada? like through bell of telus…
Stephanie: The iPhone works on GSM cell networks only, so that means only Rogers. Telus/Bell uses CDMA. Looks like you’ll have to move to Rogers!
im on vacation in california for a week and im a non american citizan looking for a couple of unlocked 16G black iphones 3g. can any one help me? im willing to pay cash.
Did you get that iphone unlocked yet? I am looking at a Euro one factory unlocked from Apple.
It is now December 2008, can I still buy a Iphone 3G at the apple store without a contract. i’ve been reading other sities and they say you cannot leave the store without activating the phone at the store. Is this true?
I got this off the Apple Web Site. Is this true? if it is then that means you have to sign up with a contract right?
Activating iPhone
Before you can use any of iPhone’s features, you must activate iPhone by signing up
for a service plan with an iPhone service carrier in your area and registering iPhone
with the network.
Your iPhone may have been activated at the time of purchase. If it isn’t activated,
contact your iPhone retailer or cellular service provider.
For more information about iPhone, go to http://www.apple.com/iphone.
**FYI** you cannot buy an Iphone 3G anymore without signing the 2 year contract. All phones must be activated in store now.
Yes, you are correct. That’s the way it has been since the 3G came out. Obvious reasons; carrier helps cost of the phone to remain low, and lack of a chance of people buying them to hack them as happened with the first iPhone.
Best Buy and others will now be selling them soon, so even they will set you up with a plan.
Some people have said that you cannot buy an iPhone with out signing up for the data plan. You can’t sign up just for phone, must have data.
hi~ i’m new here. i stay in Alberta, Canada. i wish to buy an i-phone 3g without contract as a gift for my nephew in Malaysia
can 1 buy an i-phone 3g without contact sell how much currently and where is the nearest apple store i can go ? (8G & 16G)
My boyfriend hates rogers and he uses Bell. He was in the Bell store the other day and they told him that in a few months they will be swiching to 3G and sim card system. Obviously you can’t take this as the gospel truth, but he said it would be a done deal by dec ’09. I plan on waiting a few months and see if I can get a better deal with them. Maybe once Rogers has some competition the prices will come down a bit.
How can i buy Iphone in Toronto without having a contract from any cellular company.
Tara – Now that Bell AND Telus are offering iPhones to compete with Rogers, what a surprise they are all offering it at the same price and with essentially the same plans? What the hell kind of monopoly-loving country do we live in? Why can’t we enjoy the same competition as our neighbors a few hundred kilometers south? Goddamn price-fixing, colluding corporations. I swear, whichever government enacts legislation to prevent this kind of crap from happing over and over in our marketplace will earn my eternal loyalty.
Why? Because we whimper and moan, but still hand our money to the one or two corporations running the industry. The CRTC is supposed to protect us and foster competition, but fail us time and time again. But since they’re not elected and people can’t live without their phones, don’t expect a change anytime soon.