Seems to be common practice here in Ecuador as well. Ordering stuff online from anywhere outside of Ecuador is kind of a last resort, because of very high impo

Seems to be common practice here in Ecuador as well. Ordering stuff online from anywhere outside of Ecuador is kind of a last resort, because of very high import duties for many items (and a small but real risk of your items getting "lost" by customs). However if you are bringing that stuff back on a flight, that's exempt from import duties if you stick to the 2-item limit (e.g. don't come back with a suitcase full of iPhones, but if you're traveling back with your existing old phone and a new phone for yourself, that is allowed). If you're rich enough to afford an iPhone here, you're not buying locally. You plan a shopping trip to Miami once or twice a year, the ticket cost is basically evened out by the savings of all the stuff you're buying in the USA and many people have family there as well they can visit (which is an extra reason to travel, and you're not staying in a hotel).