Carphone Warehouse secret VAT charges

Tiggifarfar.

Probably own'fault' for not reading the T&Cs but here goes anyway.

Bought iPhone 6 back in July from my local CPW, paid £175 upfront to keep the monthly bill down to a more manageable £36 a month. My bill's been in the high £40's ever since. I know the first bills always higher for the I'd also been on holiday since & incurred some charges abroad but just check the breakdown & Im also being charged £7 odd a month extra VAT. Just checked my CPW agreement and it says total one off charges £179, Total monthly charges £36. I get plenty of mins, data etc so really I Should never go over this amount & I was in the store for an hour with the sales person insisting what I was prepared to pay & yet VAT wasn't mentioned once! Is this mis-selling? Just feel a bit ripped off. Should I complain? Thanks in advance.

mobilejunkie

The "odd" VAT each month only varies because you choose to use more than your allowance. Although shown separetely, the £36 would include VAT if you stuck to your allowance.

The only "secret" is your lack of basic understanding of how VAT works.

prowla

I think the total amount includes VAT, but the invoice/bill may show it for information.

NFH

Are you saying that CPW quoted you a price exclusive of VAT and then charged you a higher price including VAT? I suggest you read Regulation 6(4)(d) of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, Articles 1 and 4 of the Price Marking Order 2004 and Regulation 7(1)(a)(iii) of the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000.

dmliverpool

I always question staff there and then and get them to write any issues or perk clarification on the contract itself. Then it's in writing.

I did this with my second line for my partner. They quoted a dubious monthly in store discount and I ensured that on the piece of paper it was noted that the discount would apply for the entire contract. I bet that will be removed in 18 months...

Tiggifarfar.

My CPW Order acknowledgement clearly states Total Monthly Charges £36 & as I was there for a while with the assistant & if she knew my limit & knew about the VAT, she should have advised this when I placed my order.
mobilejunkie - I know how VAT works thank you and I understand the bill will vary if I go over my quota.
prowla - that's what I presumed & honestly looking at the order now, there's nothing to indicate this excludes VAT.
NFH thanks I'll look into that
Dmliverpool - I just went with what I was told, live & learn hey!

** update **
Think I've worked it out now: looking at my bill breakdown online, my tariff is actually £30 & the rest must be VAT plus extras so they did include VAT in the monthly charge. My bad for not looking at this in the first place. CPW were really helpful and I was also given a free accessory pack & a £50 currys gift card so I walked out very happy. Thanks all!

mobilejunkie

Exactly as I said.

prowla

Yes, the VAT on £30 is £6 (ie. 20%), so they add up to £36.

SnowTiger

Tiggifarfar. wrote: »

mobilejunkie - I know how VAT works thank you and I understand the bill will vary if I go over my quota.

Really?

Tiggifarfar. wrote: »

** update **
Think I've worked it out now: looking at my bill breakdown online, my tariff is actually £30 & the rest must be VAT plus extras so they did include VAT in the monthly charge

Didn't it occur to you to look at your bill before coming here and ranting?

prowla

SnowTiger wrote: »

Didn't it occur to you to look at your bill before coming here and ranting?

A bit harsh...

(Actually, there have been threads before where people have thought that the company showing the VAT was an additional charge.)

SnowTiger

prowla wrote: »

A bit harsh...

Not really.

OP wrote:

Carphone Warehouse secret VAT charges

[...]

Is this mis-selling? Just feel a bit ripped off. Should I complain?

OP seems to have accused CPW of being dishonest, misselling and ripping them off.

Turns out the OP didn't even bother to read their statement.