Actually, there are a couple of flaws in your argument.
To start with, yes, you can import things without paying VAT. And I'm not just talking about items under a certain value either - it's just not possible for customs and excise officers to check that everything has been properly accounted for, not to mention items that are shipped as gifts.
Your point about the warranty and the point about unlocking the iPhone cancel each other out as unlocking your iPhone should render the warranty as void as if you'd imported it.
Also, while I'm certainly not completely au fait with how one unlocks an iPhone, if the way they are sold in Germany is the same as the way they are sold in the UK, I don't think your comment about them being as easy to unlock as each other is true.
Plus, on top of all that, you've missed half the point of what Rik said (not to mention you spelt his name wrong) - that people in Germany have been able to import iPhones since before they were able to buy them in Germany or even before it was known that they would definitely be sold there. That factor alone will account for a large number of the imported iPhones.
“One wonderful Samsung addition to the traditional Android experience is a "real" camera button on the side, which can even register half-presses for focus.”
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
Actually, there are a couple of flaws in your argument.
To start with, yes, you can import things without paying VAT.
And I'm not just talking about items under a certain value either - it's just not possible for customs and excise officers to check that everything has been properly accounted for, not to mention items that are shipped as gifts.
Your point about the warranty and the point about unlocking the iPhone cancel each other out as unlocking your iPhone should render the warranty as void as if you'd imported it.
Also, while I'm certainly not completely au fait with how one unlocks an iPhone, if the way they are sold in Germany is the same as the way they are sold in the UK, I don't think your comment about them being as easy to unlock as each other is true.
Plus, on top of all that, you've missed half the point of what Rik said (not to mention you spelt his name wrong) - that people in Germany have been able to import iPhones since before they were able to buy them in Germany or even before it was known that they would definitely be sold there.
That factor alone will account for a large number of the imported iPhones.