Reception Venue now saying VAT not included

caitybabes

Hello people,

Just wondering if anyone might know where we stand on this...

After viewing our lovely venue in December, we were quite taken with it and got on so well with the banqueting manager there that we booked pretty quickly. We paid the deposit and were really chuffed with the price we got quoted by the banqueting manager. We're getting married at the end of July and we do not want to change reception venue so that's out of the question.

However, the banqueting manager was made redundant and we had to have a big meeting with the general manager who will now be our point of contact and person in charge of our reception. He's a nice enough guy, although we do not have the same rapport with him which is disappointing. The meeting was to go through all the details of our day with a fine tooth comb to make sure everything we had agreed with the banqueting manager was still ok and going to happen.

Most things were alright (although we did have to re-ask for a lot of stuff). BUT, and this is a pretty big thing, he told us that VAT was not included in the prices we were quoted. This was the first time anyone there had even mentioned VAT to us. On the paperwork we received from the banqueting manager it didn't mention VAT at all and we assumed it was included. The general manager said that "none of the prices we quote include VAT because it's subject to change". We told him that this was not clear and that we had not been told this at all before. He made out that it was usual practice and that we'd just have to pay it so we went along with it.

Now, though, I keep thinking that we should go back and make a case for not paying it because it adds about £1.5k to the cost. The trouble is, I really don't want to build up a bad relationship with them because they have control over our big day and I don't want it to be soured.

What should we do?

Cait

shellsuit

If there is VAT to be paid, it should be pointed out clearly, in any paperwork.

If it's not, the manager is pulling a fast one and I'd be telling him where to get off!

tabskitten

Good Grief!!
That is shocking behavior!!

Don't you dare pay it!!

And demand some free something (anything!) to compensate for the rudeness of them having the audacity to ask!!

slummymummyof3

Any paperwork should clearly state that prices exclude VAT or similar wording.

*Louise*

I think he is chancing it. Go through all your paperwork first to double check then ask him to point out where it says 'VAT will be subject to change'

floss2

Is the hotel part of a chain or group? Give your local Trading Standards department a call & clarify with them whether according to your paperwork the VAT is payable.

If you DO end up having to pay, ensure you get a proper VAT receipt stating the amount before VAT, the actual VAT figure and the total payable.

paulwf

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/BeginnersGuideToTax/DG_4015895

There is a HMRC VAT helpline listed there. That page mentions that it is law to show prices inc VAT for business to consumer sales but I would seek clarification as you are dealing with a quotation not an actual sale. I think you should be covered but best to get all your facts in place first.

Horace

If they have said that VAT is subject to change well it was back in December because then it was 15% but it went up in January to 17.5%.

Check your paperwork again because it should say that they have quoted excluding VAT, if they are VAT registered they have to charge VAT.

caitybabes

Thank you so much for all of your replies so far. I think my mum is calling the VAT office today for some advice. It's such a pain because I want to have a good relationship with them but this doesn't seem right at all.

Rob_Quads

Unless the quote specifically says that it excludes VAT then the quote should include VAT. As others have said ask them to show you where it said that VAT is not included.