Can I see your boarding pass please?

Chomeur

This is interesting:

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/airport-vat-scam-nice-little-earner-at-travellers-expense-10446141.html

So if it's correct that the only reason that shops at airports want to see boarding passes is that they don't have to pay VAT if you're flying outside the EU then (a) if you're flying within the EU you should just be able to say so and tell them your boarding pass is of no use to them and (b) if you're flying outside the EU you could try negotiating a discount.

HappyMJ

Chomeur wrote: »

This is interesting:

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/airport-vat-scam-nice-little-earner-at-travellers-expense-10446141.html

So if it's correct that the only reason that shops at airports want to see boarding passes is that they don't have to pay VAT if you're flying outside the EU then (a) if you're flying within the EU you should just be able to say so and tell them your boarding pass is of no use to them and (b) if you're flying outside the EU you could try negotiating a discount.

I don't get it...The example states a toothbrush at £1 plus VAT of 20p. If you show your non EU boarding pass you pay £1 and if you have an EU boarding pass you pay £1.20. The trader isn't making any more money either way. It's overpriced in the first place but they do have quite high costs to trade at an airport.

Sometimes alcohol can be much cheaper than a supermarket loss leader despite the higher price as duty is also not due on exported bottles of alcohol. Duty is payable on exports to EU countries.

richardw

I've been refusing the request for boarding pass presentation for years, I just say it's not duty free and nothing happens, the cashier just does the transaction.

Chomeur

HappyMJ wrote: »

I don't get it...The example states a toothbrush at £1 plus VAT of 20p. If you show your non EU boarding pass you pay £1 and if you have an EU boarding pass you pay £1.20. The trader isn't making any more money either way.

The trader is making a lot more money if you're flying outside the EU because you pay £1.20 either way but if you're flying outside the EU the trader doesn't have to pay any VAT to the Revenue out of that.

NiftyDigits

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/retailers-told-to-come-clean-after-being-accused-of-pocketing-millions-from-vat-discounts-on-airport-dutyfree-sales-10446111.html

Westin

I find WHSmith, or the London News Company (which is them in disguise) to be the worst for demanding to see a boarding card. Even to buy a newspaper, which is VAT zero rated, they ask for a boarding card. Why?

At World Duty Free at Gatwick last month I attempted to by two bottles of water. My wife had wandered off and had the boarding passes in her bag. The cashier refused to serve me and process the transaction on two £1.09 bottles of water without a boarding card. The cashiers argument was that they like to track customer spend by flight and destination. Madness.

Moto2

I find WHSmith, or the London News Company (which is them in disguise) to be the worst for demanding to see a boarding card. Even to buy a newspaper, which is VAT zero rated, they ask for a boarding card. Why?

You can employ anyone and give them simple, specific instructions of procedures that cover everything, give them no discretion whatsoever and leave them to get on with it with minimal or zero management.

Saves costs

Chomeur

Westin wrote: »

I find WHSmith, or the London News Company (which is them in disguise) to be the worst for demanding to see a boarding card. Even to buy a newspaper, which is VAT zero rated, they ask for a boarding card. Why?

At World Duty Free at Gatwick last month I attempted to by two bottles of water. My wife had wandered off and had the boarding passes in her bag. The cashier refused to serve me and process the transaction on two £1.09 bottles of water without a boarding card. The cashiers argument was that they like to track customer spend by flight and destination. Madness.

I normally take some water, empty the bottle on the airport forecourt before I go through security and, if I'm thirsty ask a flight attendant for a glass of water while waiting for the plane to take off. Saves queuing, digging out my boarding pass and paying £2 or whatever.

SW17

Westin wrote: »

I find WHSmith, or the London News Company (which is them in disguise) to be the worst for demanding to see a boarding card. Even to buy a newspaper, which is VAT zero rated, they ask for a boarding card. Why?

At World Duty Free at Gatwick last month I attempted to by two bottles of water. My wife had wandered off and had the boarding passes in her bag. The cashier refused to serve me and process the transaction on two £1.09 bottles of water without a boarding card. The cashiers argument was that they like to track customer spend by flight and destination. Madness.

You could ask for a manager as they have no right to refuse service on this basis. Alternatively to avoid such hassle, just tell them a flight number, they can usually enter it manually (though maybe some stores don't allow this, I'm not certain). If flying non-EU and you prefer the VAT to go to the government rather than the retailer, just give them an EU destination flight number.

duchy

SW17 wrote: »

You could ask for a manager as they have no right to refuse service on this basis. .

A shop can refuse service......don't need a reason can simply decline to sell to anyone provided it isn't on the grounds of religion, sex race etc.

Frankly why delay everyone else who are trying to make their flights with such nonsense ? Seems very inconsiderate.

SW17

duchy wrote: »

A shop can refuse service......don't need a reason can simply decline to sell to anyone provided it isn't on the grounds of religion, sex race etc.

Frankly why delay everyone else who are trying to make their flights with such nonsense ? Seems very inconsiderate.

You seem to have a thing about taking part of a post out of context to try and make some sort of point. Very boring. Read the next line of my post, which you conveniently cut off when quoting me.

SW17 wrote: »

You could ask for a manager as they have no right to refuse service on this basis. Alternatively to avoid such hassle, just tell them a flight number, they can usually enter it manually (though maybe some stores don't allow this, I'm not certain). If flying non-EU and you prefer the VAT to go to the government rather than the retailer, just give them an EU destination flight number.

Although I have no issue giving my boarding pass, I would say it is equally inconsiderate of the retailer to refuse to serve someone (and almost inevitably delay other passengers as it would most likely result in a discussion of some sort), for something that is not a legal requirement, and when the customer has nowhere else to go.