Monday, November 12, 2012

How to order a Nexus 4 from Germany when Google doesn't sell devices in your country

This post is an evolving description of an attempt I'm making to buy a Nexus 4 through the German play.google.com store for delivery in Belgium. Scroll down for instructions.



The first device I ordered in the US was my Nexus One in 2010. At that time, the Google Store wasn't integrated in the Android ecosystem. All it took to order the device was to use a proxy to pretend you're browsing from the US and to use www.borderlinx.com as a mail forwarding service to get a postal address in the States.

The second device I ordered in the US was the Nexus 7. This time around it was more difficult. Google  was not only checking the location of my computer, but the payment was integrated with Google Checkout, which also checks the location of credit cards issued. This means that all credit cards that are not issued in the US are refused. A first attempt at trying to link my Paypal account to Checkout failed miserably: Google detected there were was no payment service behind my Paypal account that allowed address verification. A second attempt was to use a US issued virtual credit card. This also failed, since these credit cards don't provide address verification. A fourth attempt with a more serious provider of virtual credit cards ended when the issuer asked for a copy of my US drivers license or bank account statement. The fifth attempt was finally successful  The www.comgateway.com BuyForMe service worked fast, but was quite expensive. The original device price of $199 became €268,15 (all shipping, taxes and handling included).

The third device I'm going to try to order tomorrow is the Nexus 4. The device will not only be available in the US, but also in Belgium's neighbors France and Germany. Since I have the most experience with ecommerce in Germany, I'll be trying the German store first. The process should go as follows:


  1. surf to play.google.com via http://www.german-proxy.de/ You need to use a proper proxy, not a web proxy. I found one on http://www.proxynova.com/proxy-server-list/country-de/. 85.195.83.217 on port 3128. Configure it in your OS as 'secure web proxy'.
  2. order the device by creating a new account using your existing account. (apparently Google doesn't mind you having lived in another country before :)
  3. pay with my Belgian credit card. I hope credit card address verification is not in use yet in Europe due to privacy restrictions. If that doesn't work, I'll order a virtual credit card at http://www.mywirecard.com/mastercard.html (The third alternative is their Visa card, but that is only sold in physical format in German shops). UPDATE: I made a test order using a Nexus 7. My current credit card was refused. I deleted the credit card from my account and re-entered the data. I needed to provide a German billing address for the credit card. I used my German address from step 4 for this. It got accepted. (although is might not clear on the actual payment, since I didn't push the final 'kaufen' button on my test order). 
  4. ship the device through my German postal address created using http://www.mailboxde.com/. UPDATE: This got accepted without any problem in my test order.
  5. pay the customs tax via DHL. (they will call you up so you can give your credit card data by phone) UPDATE: No customs tax inside the EU, of course.


If this doesn't work, I already found an alternative to the US-based BuyForMe service from Comgateway in Germany. www.AddressGermany.com is willing to order and ship the Nexus 4 to Belgium for €466. I guess they are miscalculating a bit, since their site claims they only charge 10% handling fee + €9 per package + €8,6 DHL costs. Should I be needing this service, I'll ask them to recalculate their cost before ordering in the US again through Comgateway.

Let's hope the first approach will work. I'll update this blogpost as I find out more.


UPDATE 07/01/2013:
My Nexus 4 finally arrived. The total cost was €13,49 + €358,99 = €372,48
I ordered it through a proxy in the German play store, paid with my Belgian Mastercard (KBC Bank issued) and shipped it to Belgium using mailboxde.com.

77 comments:

  1. Tried it (to buy the nexus7), in step2 the german-proxy fails. Tried making the 'new account' before I went shopping, still the same fail on german-proxy.de when signing in with the new account:

    "The requested resource could not be loaded because the server returned an error:
    404 Not Found (www.anonymous-vpn.de!');">?)."

    Weird thing is too that everything (gmail & play-store) remains in dutch, although I'm going through the german proxy..

    grtz
    Tom.

    ReplyDelete
  2. When I use the proxy I get the Play Store in German. You should not login with an existing account, of course. You can always try other proxies.

    ReplyDelete
  3. No, I made a new account, based in Germany, german phone no.. etc.. after a few successive tries I got in. But, ordered the nexus7 and when I try to click "doorgaan" to make the actual purchase I get a page of jibberish (ie. JS code) ..

    I'll keep you updated on the tries

    ReplyDelete
  4. Via TOR I got further (proxies fail on JS submits I guess)

    at payment Google Wallet still claims
    "Dieser Verkäufer akzeptiert keine Zahlungen von Ihrem Standort. "

    and I used the Mailboxde.com address, so I guess they take into account the VISA-card..

    For now, I give up...

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've gotten to the payment screen but my payment cards are not being accepted

    https://twitter.com/kdegrote/status/268124014902407168/photo/1

    ReplyDelete
  6. Bedankt, Koen!

    Maar waarom niet meteen bestellen in de US? Lijkt goedkoper? Is dat niet mogelijk?

    Groet! Michael

    ReplyDelete
  7. @Michael Ik denk dat de US duurder uitkomt. Als je ziet dat de Nexus 7 van $200 op €268 uitkomt, denk ik voor de $350 op €469 uit te komen. Via Duitsland zou het €349 + €10 for Google shipping + €3 for mailboxde.com + €12 DHL= €374.
    Toch bijna €100 verschil.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ik zou verwachten 349$ is 274.5 eur? En dan nog wat shipping... Niet?

      Delete
  8. I assume you can't simply drive to France or Germany and pick one up in a store? Going to Paris in a few weeks and could bring some if that's an option.

    ReplyDelete
  9. @Koen Is het uiteindelijk gelukt om met je Belgische CC te bestellen?

    ReplyDelete
  10. How do I use a proper proxy on mac osx?

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  11. Thanks Koen! I'll be trying to get my Nexus 4 shipped from Germany to Belgium later this week! Nice to have a guide :-).

    ReplyDelete
  12. setting that secure web proxy in MAC OS X goes as follows:
    (1) In System Preferences go to Network
    (2) From the list of networks choose the one that is green (this is wifi if you are on wifi or ethernet if you are plugged in)
    (3) Go to advanced (right bottom button)
    (4) Choose the tab Proxies (one but last)
    (5) From the list check "Secure web proxy"
    (6) Fill out the IP 85.195.83.217 in the top-field and in the field after the colon (:) fill in the port 3128
    no password is required

    This works for me on mac os x mountain lion. If press ok and apply and you search for nexus 4 in google you will find the google play store link for buying it in germany.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you, I'll try that later!
    I'm actually German but I currently live in Switzerland, bummer ;)

    ReplyDelete
  14. @pieter Thanks, this is indeed how it goes.
    @alex @bart The whole Android world is mourning right now over an 'out of stock' nexus 4. Google sond out within 20 minutes...

    @Anonymous The Google Play store is not a physical store, so driving over there is not an option. However, Media Markt Germany will be selling the Nexus 4 at an acceptable price. So maybe you can wait for that one.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Koen - did you manage to order the Nexus 4

    ReplyDelete
  16. Nope, sold out. We are the 99% :(

    ReplyDelete
  17. I preordered mine at Mediamarkt. Too bad I'll have to wait another month but I will be back in Berlin to pick it up by then anyhow. They're selling it at 395.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Guys, if Google don't want to sell their phone in Belgium you have no other choice than buying a Samsung, microsoft or Apple one

    The other choice is to inquiry the "European Consumer Centers Network" for advices: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/ecc/services_en.htm

    ReplyDelete
  19. @Abdelkrim, why just give up? It's a superb phone for the money and it's worth the effort of trying to get one. I really hope Koen will succeed.

    Will the nexus 4 be available in French stores as the nexus 7 was? A friend of mine went to France to get the nexus 7.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Just got that order set up :D I`m so happy i could order it..i have a friend who lives in germany and he order it for me ...299 euros ..i think everything included but not sure...

    ReplyDelete
  21. I didn't succeed to get one today - I guess my creditcard got recognize as non-UK (was tunneling via VPN).

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anyone who's got new ideas how to do this?

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  23. Has anyone been able to do this? I'm looking to get a nexus 4 as well

    ReplyDelete
  24. @frederic Yes, I have: http://delvauxkoen.blogspot.com/2012/12/buying-devices-in-google-play-store-in.html

    ReplyDelete
  25. I don't see the devices tab working in the German play store. I suppose it's closed?

    ReplyDelete
  26. Same goes for me. I do not see the tab devices (Gerate in German) in the German Play Store. Any suggestions? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Did it today ... Now, I'm waiting for it :) Thx

    ReplyDelete
  28. Just ordered my Nexus 4, hope I'll get it quick. I'll post something when I got it to confirm.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I also ordered a Nexus 4 from the Play store to a mailboxde.com-address.
    Paid with a finnish credit card and am hoping to get it shipped to Finland.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Update: My order is in transit to my mailboxde.com-address.

      I could place my order just fine with a finnish credit card.
      Jus remember to add the card before the order. If you try to add a card of a different country within the order page, it will fail.

      Also, no need for a new account. Just use a VPN or safe proxy to connect.

      Delete
    2. Update 2: Order now requested for forwarding.
      Total cost via DHL (up to 500€ insured): 18,15 EUR.

      Delete
    3. Update 3: My order is now on its way to Finland.
      Fri, 01.02.2013 19:51 h
      Ottendorf-Okrilla, Germany
      The international shipment has been processed in the parcel center of origin

      Delete
    4. Yep, same thing here, the nexus is in the mailboxde.com warehouse waiting to be shipped to Netherlands.


      BTW, the online-based proxies dont work, you need to have a vpn proxy, I used the cyberghost vpn, paid 7 euros for one month.


      As for the card, you can use your own card and enter it after the order, just put the mailboxde.com adress in the card adress field and it will work fine.


      You also dont have to create a new google account, just change your country in your own account. I had no problems.

      Delete
    5. Oh, and the total price was 358 € (phone + google's shipping) + 7 € (vpn) + 18,15 € (mailboxde.com shipping) = 383,15 €


      Not too bad at all, only 25 € extra on the google price.

      Delete
    6. Do the same (proxy, mailboxde.com, french bank card) , but still in google. Shipping estimate : Feb 13. Hope everything 'll be good.

      Delete
    7. "online-based" proxies, such that you use on a website don't work.
      However, Socks5 and HTTP(S) proxies work just fine. They just have to be configured properly.

      But you should rent a VPN as it's safer and easier than trying bunch of random proxies from the net.

      Delete
    8. Update 1 : Packet is out from google. In tansit to mailboxde.com ...

      Delete
    9. Update 2 : Packet is in mailboxde.com. Ready to send...

      Delete
    10. Update 3 : Packet is on way to France with DHL ...

      Delete
    11. Well, this is annoying. The last tracking info on my package is: Sat, 02.02.2013 05:39 h Hamburg, Germany. The international shipment has been processed in the export parcel center

      Still nothing. It's not yet even showing in the tracking of Itella in Finland.

      Delete
    12. Update 4: Package got here today.
      It was FORCED into the mailbox and even though it had 500€ insurance and required signature from receiver, nobody tried to contact me or deliver it to my door.
      Not only that, but is was signed by our local postman and just left into the mailbox.

      Note that this isn't DHLs fault but Itella (local post in Finland).
      I made reclamations for both of them.

      Delete
    13. Update 4: Package got here today.
      It was FORCED into the mailbox and even though it had 500€ insurance and required signature from receiver, nobody tried to contact me or deliver it to my door.
      Not only that, but is was signed by our local postman and just left into the mailbox.

      Note that this isn't DHLs fault but Itella (local post in Finland).
      I made reclamations for both of them.

      Delete
    14. Update 4 : received today. Thanks for the tips.

      Delete
    15. Update 4 : Phone received the February 9. Thanks for the tip.

      Delete
  30. I want to order it to a mailbox from one of my friends. For good delivery shipping needs to be done by either DHL or Deutsche Post.

    Anyone an idea which shipping company Google uses in Germany?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They use DHL in Germany. It also ships from Germany.

      btw, thanks to the op for a fantastic tip!!!

      Delete
  31. I think they use DHL (which is the same as Deutsche Post, btw: they own DHL and Deutsche Post does not have an own package delivery service)

    ReplyDelete
  32. If anyone is curious about Nexus 4 packaging size and weight, for example, if you are calculating shipping.
    My order says this: 0.33 × 0.23 × 0.16 m 0.559 kg.

    Also, the sender (when ordering from Germany) is "Google Commerce, Waidhaus"

    ReplyDelete
  33. If you want to order with your own language, just add hl=CODE to your url, where CODE is for example "fi":

    https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_4_8gb&hl=fi

    I ordered mine from Germany (German IP) with all texts and even confirmation emails in Finnish.

    Funny, as Google doesn't even sell hardware in Finland, however they do have translations for everything.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Toni,
      I to live in Finland, but I am English, and I have a British bank account.
      I really want to get this phone. Would you be kind enough to send some helpful tips or instructions? Here is my email johnbeirne@rocketmail.com
      John

      Delete
    2. Hi Toni,
      I to live in Finland. I am English and have a British bank account. Can you send me some information on how to get this phone sent over. Maybe some instructions on how to do it. Thank you in advance.
      johnbeirne@rocketmail.com

      John

      Delete
  34. How did you guys set up the address for the Mailbox.de delivery? I can't seem to understand what to put in the address field and where to put it!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Use the address from the email you receive once subscribed to mailboxde.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. On the billing address as well?

      Delete
    2. Address is maiboxde.com username ID xxxx etc .... look at the mail once subscribed.

      Delete
    3. Yep, if you mean your card adress in google.

      Delete
  36. is using omgateway for buying n4 safe?
    you mentioned that you bought n7 through comgateway using buy for me feature of the site?
    how much time does it take google to ship the device to the us address?
    I am from india and i was trying to add my mastercard debit card to google wallet but it was generating just errors. the same was happening when i was buying through comgateway.
    do i need to use credit cards only? or some kind of debit cards can also be used?
    plz advice.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Comgateway does not check the country of origin on the credit card. Any supported card (mastercard/visa/amex) should work. Shippin within the US takes 1-2 days. Add another day for Comgateway to handle your package.

    ReplyDelete
  38. It doesn t work for me, i used a proxy from http://www.proxynova.com/proxy-server-list/country-de as mentioned above, i created even a new account, added the creditcard before buying the nexus 4, it is pre-ordered, but then after a few days it is cancelled, i tried this with 2 different credit cards, 2 different accounts

    I did succeed in buying the nexus 10 previously in the same way, any suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
  39. It doesn t work for me, i used a proxy from http://www.proxynova.com/proxy-server-list/country-de as mentioned above, i created even a new account, added the creditcard before buying the nexus 4, it is pre-ordered, but then after a few days it is cancelled, i tried this with 2 different credit cards, 2 different accounts

    I did succeed in buying the nexus 10 previously in the same way, any suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
  40. Guys, how much time between placing the order successfully and Google processing it?

    ReplyDelete
  41. Once you get it, is there any potential problems with using a Google account from a unsupported / different country? For example buying apps from the Google Play store, using other Google services, etc.

    ReplyDelete
  42. One more thing - the play-Store seems to stay in the "foreign" currency if you are logged-in.
    I tried a lot until I found out to fill the shopping basket first and sign-in in your google account at last when paying.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Should using fresh and unblack listed proxy servers. Im high recommended using socks or SSH port forwarding.
    You can get high speed and fresh and longer livetime (none blacklist) ip address by using SSH. You can refering this url for SSH Socks: http://gatherproxy.com/blogs/post/7-how-to-hide-your-ip-address-unblock-websites-such-as-facebook-youtube-using-ssh-tunnel

    ReplyDelete
  44. ​​Should using fresh and unblack listed proxy servers. Im high recommended using socks or SSH port forwarding.
    ​With the SSH Tunnel ou can get high speed and fresh and longer livetime (none blacklist) ip address​​. You can refering this url for SSH ​Tunnel: http://gatherproxy.com/blogs/post/7-how-to-hide-your-ip-address-unblock-websites-such-as-facebook-youtube-using-ssh-tunnel​​

    ReplyDelete
  45. Just ordered the Nexus 4 through a german proxy for only 199 euro (+ shipping) with the address of mailboxde.com. I think I succeeded because the order is my mailbox but they didn't ship it yet.
    Thanks for the advice Koen!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Thank you. Excellent tips.
    (You've made a purchase on Google Play).
    Now waiting for shipment to happen.
    Yes, it's late. But now price is excellent.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Well, it took some time (16 days) but I received my Nexus 4 today. Chose a proxy from http://www.proxynova.com/proxy-server-list/country-de/, got my package delivered to Mailboxde.com, who forwarded it by DHL to my home in the Netherlands. Unfortunately DHL 'misrouted' my package, which delayed the delivery about 6 days...
    Payd with my Dutch Mastercard at Google Playstore. Had to try this 3-4 times though due to 'technical errors', but in the end it just worked out :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  49. Ik heb gebruik gemaakt van de zoekmachine op http://www.proxynova.com/proxy-server-list/country-de/, werkte perfect. Je moet er soms wel een aantal proberen.

    ReplyDelete
  50. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  51. The Czech company Mailboxde.com works really fine. I orderded many things on ebay and other places and it' has always been fast and reliable..

    ReplyDelete
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