Can you save a lot of money on an exorbitantly priced Apple MacBook Pro? Not in India, but if you consider a shopping vacation in Vietnam, there’s a lot to be saved on Apple’s flagship laptop. An Indian consumer showcased their smart purchasing skills by getting their MacBook Pro from Vietnam and managing to save a whopping Rs 36,500. Apple India doesn’t offer such deals on its more expensive MacBook Pro models.
An Indian Reddit user has garnered significant attention online after documenting their journey to Vietnam to purchase a MacBook at a considerably lower price, all while enjoying an 11-day vacation. The trip resulted in substantial savings compared to what they would have spent while buying from India, thus highlighting the impact of import duties and taxes on tech products in India.
Reddit user saves big on MacBook Pro purchase
The individual decided to travel to Hanoi specifically to avoid the steep import fees, Goods and Services Tax (GST), and general premium pricing associated with Apple products in the Indian market. They reportedly booked the most economical round-trip flight to the Vietnamese capital, where they combined remote work with sightseeing.
During their stay, the Redditor visited over 15 stores in their quest for the desired MacBook deal. They also advised fellow consumers to diligently inquire about VAT (Value Added Tax) refund documents to maximise savings. The strategic approach paid off handsomely. The MacBook Pro, which would typically retail for Rs 1.85 lakh in India, was acquired for just Rs 1.48 lakh in Vietnam after successfully claiming a VAT refund. This translated into a direct saving of Rs 36,500 on the device compared to what Apple would charge in India.
Vietnam vacation and MacBook Pro cost less than Indian model
The total expenditure for the entire 11-day shopping vacation, including the flight, accommodation, living expenses, and the MacBook purchase (after the tax refund), amounted to approximately Rs 1,97,000. This breakdown effectively means the entire vacation cost roughly Rs 48,000, a seemingly modest sum considering the significant savings on the laptop.
The escapade shared by the user has since gone viral, inspiring many others to consider similar international trips for exorbitantly priced tech purchases. Many other Reddit users were, however, more curious about how they managed to save a lot of money on flights and accommodation while staying for 11 nights in Vietnam. The original poster confirmed that they originally wanted to take a work vacation to Vietnam and the MacBook purchase was just an idea they tagged along.
