VAT on food and drink for Wedding

fallenstar_2

Firstly apologies if this post is on the wrong board, but I assume it is to do with consumer rights?

I am in the midst of organising my wedding, and trying to negotiate (and haggle) the costs of catering. Basically, the venue we are looking at is a restaurant who has a large private dining area. When they came to quoting us the price for Food and Drink, they added VAT on top. When we have dined there in the past, VAT was never added on top of the final bill, and I am sure I have never been charged VAT on top of any bill from any restaurant.
I know that VAT is a stipulation, but we had assumed that this was included within the per person price, especially as the food menu was £50 pp!!

When we queried it with the restaurant, they said it was because they usual deal with the corporate sector and with VAT registered companies who can claim it back after an event. I know for a fact that they deal with weddings on a regular basis as well, so I find this hard to believe and also feel that I am being had over the barrel, so to speak.

Just wanted to gauge if this was correct, and if the restaurant are right to charge VAT in this way.

Thank you.

vuvuzela

They have quoted you a price that includes VAT, this is perfectly fine. When you have eaten in a restaurant, the food price included VAT as it is a consumer transaction. Business transactions like meetings etc can be quoted +VAT.
You said the 'W' word. This means automatic price increases sadly. Your choices are 3-fold :
Accept the price.
Negotiate the price.
Walk away.

fallenstar_2

Yeh I realise now that mentioning the 'W' roughly translates as ££££££!

The venue are not moving at all on the price, whether it be for the venue room hire or on the food and drinks packages. It doesn't seem to matter to them that we can pay cash either.

We have yet to pay a deposit, but not sure this will make a difference to the negotiations with this particular venue.

paddyrg

The question is if they should have quoted you inclusive of, or plus VAT. I think you're right that they should have quoted including VAT to a consumer, however in that case they would have quoted £60/person instead. Do you have any paperwork showing a quote of £50/head that doesn't mention VAT being extra? Or was it a verbal agreement (and kinda difficult to prove either way)? Mind you, it makes little difference, the price won't change, you can't force them to charge you £50/head inclusive of VAT, so take it or leave it.

fallenstar_2

The price in the menu packages don't mention VAT at all, in so much that it is or isn't to be added.

paddyrg

That's rather naughty if they are designed for consumers - contact trading standards?

bod1467

TBH - find another venue? It seems to me that you have concerns about their business dealings, so why are you still contemplating giving them the business?

Flyboy152

fallenstar wrote: »

Firstly apologies if this post is on the wrong board, but I assume it is to do with consumer rights?

I am in the midst of organising my wedding, and trying to negotiate (and haggle) the costs of catering. Basically, the venue we are looking at is a restaurant who has a large private dining area. When they came to quoting us the price for Food and Drink, they added VAT on top. When we have dined there in the past, VAT was never added on top of the final bill, and I am sure I have never been charged VAT on top of any bill from any restaurant.
I know that VAT is a stipulation, but we had assumed that this was included within the per person price, especially as the food menu was £50 pp!!

When we queried it with the restaurant, they said it was because they usual deal with the corporate sector and with VAT registered companies who can claim it back after an event. I know for a fact that they deal with weddings on a regular basis as well, so I find this hard to believe and also feel that I am being had over the barrel, so to speak.

Just wanted to gauge if this was correct, and if the restaurant are right to charge VAT in this way.

Thank you.

What are the normal retail prices for the menu you want to serve?

Flyboy152

fallenstar wrote: »

The price in the menu packages don't mention VAT at all, in so much that it is or isn't to be added.

Do the "menu packages" say they are specifically for weddings and/or business uses?

fallenstar_2

paddyrg wrote: »

That's rather naughty if they are designed for consumers - contact trading standards?

Just looked back at the menu's and the 'reception pack' does state VAT excluded from quoted price. However, the pack doesn't include food menu's and only includes canapes, light nibbles and drink packages - very much catering for corporate needs.
In the separate menu for dining it doesn't mention anything about VAT.

fallenstar_2

Flyboy152 wrote: »

What are the normal retail prices for the menu you want to serve?

I celebrated my birthday there back in march with 14 people. The menu they provided was very small - 3 starters, 3 mains and 3 deserts. For three courses it was £29.50.

I have brought this to their attention, and they don;t seem to be fussed about the amount of return business they have gotten from me!