Ebay & VAT

[Chassis 33]

Folks, I've just won an item on ebay and it appears the seller is attempting to charge VAT on top of the cost of the auction despite no mention of VAT in the listing.

From http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/listing-link... it would appear that if they want to add VAT they must mention it in the listing not just link to their homepage.

"Sellers may provide one link to further describe the terms and conditions in the listing. This page may not include any links to Web pages outside the eBay online marketplace. Remember that the relevant portions of the terms and conditions must be included on the listing page as well as on the separate Terms and Conditions page. This relevant information includes:
...
Any taxes or VAT that may apply"

Any thoughts? The company is a fairly well respected automotive manufacturer selling on ex display items etc.
Regards
Iain

[agent006]

Tell them to shove it and put in a complaint to Ebay. The VAT thing is a common trick and needs to be stood up to.

[spikeyhead]

Ask them for their VAT number and tell them if they can't provide one then they can't charge VAT.

[Chassis 33]

They're VAT registered, that's for certain, I could claim the VAT back too via my company if I really wanted to, but that's not the issue here its a private sale for personal use.
Regards
Iain

[bobda]

agent006 said:

Tell them to shove it and put in a complaint to Ebay. The VAT thing is a common trick and needs to be stood up to.

Agreed.
Pay them the final value fee, plus the postage and point them to the relevant Ebay rules.

[Chassis 33]

The feckers just seen in their payment instructions hidden at the bottom of the page...
Seller's payment instructions

Congratulations on winning ... Please make your payment within 2 days of winning. Please note that if you remove the tax from the payment we will not despatch your order. This should be added automaticaly on the paypal site system.

...ho hum guess I'll have to stump up!
Regards
Iain

[andy400]

Chassis 33 said:

The feckers just seen in their payment instructions hidden at the bottom of the page...
Seller's payment instructions

Congratulations on winning ... Please make your payment within 2 days of winning. Please note that if you remove the tax from the payment we will not despatch your order. This should be added automaticaly on the paypal site system.

...ho hum guess I'll have to stump up!
Regards
Iain

Why does that mean you have to stump up. That message is post-auction, shirley?

PS Can you PM me with the seller name so I can avoid it like the plague?

[Chassis 33]

Andy, YHM.
Regards
Iain

[g_attrill]

Chassis 33 said:

The feckers just seen in their payment instructions hidden at the bottom of the page...
Seller's payment instructions

Congratulations on winning ... Please make your payment within 2 days of winning. Please note that if you remove the tax from the payment we will not despatch your order. This should be added automaticaly on the paypal site system.

Nope, tell them to read this page:

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/png-vat.html

"As eBay is primarily a consumer marketplace, from February 20th 2008, users will no longer be permitted to add VAT to the final item price after the item has been won. "

[Chassis 33]

OOOO hello. Thanks!

Regards
Iain

[S3_Graham]

how did you get on out of interest??

[dave_s13]

On a similar note.

I rang up for a skip yesterday and he said it was going to be £135.

I have a feeling that he will roll up with said skip on saturday and then say 135 "plus the vat m8". Might not though. Could I argue the toss if so (might not get my skip though!)?

Anyone else noticed how anything related to building and a lot of motor trade will quote you ex vat prices....what feckin use is that to me!!

[Eric Mc]

Always ask whether VAT is included in the quoted price.

[Chassis 33]

OK, here's a thought, if I kick up a fuss I run the risk of not getting the goods, and TBH even with the VAT added its a good price, but its the principal that pisses me off. What if I pay via Paypal then once the goods arrive complain to ebay/paypal and get a refund of the VAT from Paypal?

Or is this a bit naive to think that eBay/Paypal will look after anyone other than themselves?

Regards
Iain

[andy400]

Chassis 33 said:

Andy, YHM.
Regards
Iain

Ta muchly!

[m4tt]

Chassis 33 said:

OK, here's a thought, if I kick up a fuss I run the risk of not getting the goods, and TBH even with the VAT added its a good price, but its the principal that pisses me off. What if I pay via Paypal then once the goods arrive complain to ebay/paypal and get a refund of the VAT from Paypal?

Or is this a bit naive to think that eBay/Paypal will look after anyone other than themselves?

Regards
Iain

In my experience unless the seller agrees to a partial refund, Paypal will just say send the item back for a full refund. They tend not to encourage partial refunds for some reason.

[Chassis 33]

Update.
I asked for a revised total linking to http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/png-vat.html and quoting it threatening shopping them in etc., looks like the first thing they did this mornings was send me a revised invoice.
Regards
Iain

[satchbot]

Glad to hear it!

[Morningside]

Hmmm. Thats very interesting. There are quite a number of parts sellers that quote VAT to be added to final invoice.
So, (being thick here) - That means they are ALL breaching the rules then?

[Chassis 33]

Morningside said:

So, (being thick here) - That means they are ALL breaching the rules then?

As I understand it, you are correct. If you look at that last link I posted there is a link to report such items.
Regards
Iain