Filed under: iTS
Torchwood, Ashes to Ashes: Getting your goodies more legally
Earlier today, Nik posted about the new BBC shows on iTunes. For the equivalent of about $3.75 each, you can download and purchase your UK fix -- Gene Hunt, Captain Jack, whatever -- assuming you have a way to create and fund a UK iTunes account. For now, the best way seems to be eBay. A quick search of iTunes UK produced a half-dozen auctions, most run by the same vendor.
A £15 iTunes card (good for about 7 episodes) seems to be running in the low $20's but one went recently for $61--I'm guessing the buyer thought he was buying in dollars not pounds because $31 is not an unreasonable price, while £31 is. If buying, make sure you figure out in advance whether you'll be shipped the card (which can run as high as £5!!) or sent the code by email (should be free).
If you already have an unfunded iTunes UK account (google for it), you might be able to find a friend to send you an email-based gift certificate. These start at £5 and go up to £75. If you can work out a deal via PayPal, you could pay your friend, for example, 110% of the face price to cover time and expenses.
I actually did try buying a card directly from the UK Apple online store (free shipping!) but it balked at my US address. Do you have a better way to fund a foreign account? Let us know in the comments.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
kurt.tappe said 5:08PM on 2-19-2008
I'll hold back until they don't make us jump through hoops to open a UK account. Until they show they really want our money, the method will have to stay "less legally".
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mentalsticks said 5:08PM on 2-19-2008
paying my friends for expenses, fine, but for TIME? I think I'd rather tear up their bill next time they come over to my place for a couple of pints.
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w00t said 11:30AM on 2-20-2008
You send your friends a bill when they come over for a couple of pints?!
You tight bastard!
Joe Stubbs said 5:21PM on 2-19-2008
great article, but im in the U.K and its the same for us with U.S content. We dont get films or anything over here and it'd be great if there was a way to get that content legally, its funny that over the pond you guys are wanting the same thing!
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shaun said 5:24PM on 2-19-2008
Kind of ironic for me, I'm in the UK and I download Lost, Heroes, Prison Break and The Office (going through Veronica Mars atm too)
The TV Show prices here are ridiculous though, especially with the BBC ones being available for free streaming now too.
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Ed said 6:38PM on 2-19-2008
Veronica Mars is good :) Pity they didn't renew it for another season :(
FarSider said 5:30PM on 2-19-2008
I'm in the UK and would like to be able to use a US iTunes account as you guys get far more movies and TV shows than we do in the UK. Would be happy to return the favour!
If a 'I scratch your back, you scratch mine' interests anyone, lemmie know. Not posting my contact details at this time - just looking for any interest
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Ry said 5:50PM on 2-19-2008
FarSider, I'm in the U.S. and I'd be very interested. I have a UK iTS account already and all I would need is the iTS gift certificates e-mailed to me. I could do the same for you.
Alex Brooks said 6:04PM on 2-19-2008
I'd be up for a bit of this, I'm in the UK looking to hook into US content.
Contact me at abrooks[at]brooksnet.plus.com
Eideard said 5:33PM on 2-19-2008
Or if you're not another cheapskate still using your orange-and-black monitor - and have upgraded to an HDTV in the living room, here in the U.S. - you just watch and/or record it on your DVR in HiDef from HDNet's movie channel.
As I did, last night.
The series has improved, this season, btw. Better writing. Not terrific writing; but, better.
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muzzyology said 5:58PM on 2-19-2008
I highly recommend Ashes to Ashes. Think time-travel, wonderful british wit and humor and crime...
and gorgeous Keeley Hawes. Great stuff
paul turner said 6:26PM on 2-19-2008
Time to fire up the Quattro...
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Ed said 6:37PM on 2-19-2008
Someone should start a site for swapping gift vouchers :)
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Keith Duncan said 7:02AM on 2-20-2008
Someone did, Apple shut it down pronto.
Ed said 7:07AM on 2-20-2008
It's illegal? Surely you can give gift vouchers to anyone you want?
Khaled said 6:38PM on 2-19-2008
at least you have an iTunes store. I live in Saudi Arabia and I use that method with the US iTunes store. I'm sure many people in countries without itunes stores are doing the same...
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JayC said 6:46PM on 2-19-2008
i'll keep the "illegal" ones for now and convert to my apple tv to watch.
Hector said 7:00PM on 2-19-2008
Count me on those
Simon Arch said 8:54PM on 2-19-2008
People actually watch Torchwood? O_o
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beto said 8:26AM on 2-20-2008
I do