VAT incorrectly applied

Coopdivi

The reason why you got charged VAT is because they are not safety boots. They don't have steel toe caps.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dewalt-Mens-Hammer-Brown-DWF-50062-103-10/dp/B0043GWCUS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328725684&sr=8-1

If you had a barrow full of bricks drop on your feet while wearing those, I'd hate to think what state your toes would be in.

Safety footwear must have a 200J toecap. This means the toe-cap will withstand the impact of 20kg in weight falling from a height of 10.2 metres.

More details on these links:

http://www.dickiesstore.co.uk/en-personal-protective-equipment/en345/

http://www.healthandsafety.co.uk/hsppe.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel-toe_boot

This is a PDF: http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/fod/om/2009/03app6.pdf

wealdroam

Coopdivi wrote: »

The reason why you got charged VAT is because they are not safety boots.

But, but, but...

You can't say that.

The OP has already told us...

quadbod wrote: »

I am aware of the qualifying factors for VAT exemption and these boots do qualify...

mountainofdebt

So you may have inclusive minutes unlimited internet etc but how much do you value your time?

quadbod

Ifyou check back at post 11 http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=50885497&postcount=11 I did actually say that I had contacted Dewalt to make sure that they were a safety boot. They did confirm that they complied with all current UK HSE legislation.
For your info, the pdf states a minimum requirement of 100J and does not necessarily have to be metallic.


Having said all that, thank you to all that replied and gave advice.

I sent a claim/complaint in at lunchtime and now find a reply stating that the VAT element will be refunded forthwith. Also the boots will be moving from the 'shoes' section of their website.

quadbod

mountainofdebt wrote: »

So you may have inclusive minutes unlimited internet etc but how much do you value your time?

When I am unable to get on outside due to the inclement weather, I don't put a high value on it.

pendulum

It may qualify as exempt, but does a retailer have to charge 0% VAT on an exempt item?
I can imagine it being acceptable for a retailer to charge 20% VAT on an item that may be exempt, if there is some doubt over whether it is exempt or not, or just because they want to! I can't see HMRC complaining about this as long as they're actually receiving the VAT charged.

If Amazon's charged 20% VAT and kept it, I agree that's wrong (and probably illegal).

wealdroam

quadbod wrote: »

I sent a claim/complaint in at lunchtime and now find a reply stating that the VAT element will be refunded forthwith.

Thanks for the feedback.

As predicted in post #19.

somethingcorporate

Yep, I agree. Unlike the OP they have a value on their time well above arguing the toss about £4.

tomwakefield

And, no doubt, they'll still be selling for £24.08.

wealdroam

tomwakefield wrote: »

And, no doubt, they'll still be selling for £24.08.

Hmmm...

well now that vat has been removed, they are selling for...

£30.10 - £33.49