WHSmith's and Duty Free

CardinalWolsey

I do two or three long haul trips a month, and so usually never browse duty free. I flew LGW to JFK last week, had a bit of spare time on my hands (usually leave getting to the airport until as last minute as possible), and so once I had escaped through the hell of World Duty Free, that you are forced to walk through, was looking at some new gadgetry. I was surprised to find some in WHSmith's, and even more surprised to see a sign up saying that for flights to destinations outside of the EU, VAT would be removed from the price at the till.
I'm flying from LHR this evening, and wondered whether anyone knew if Dixons do this as well? WHSmith's didn't have the headphones I'm after, so if Dixons will do them for 83% of the VAT included price I might well bite the bullet and break a very long rule that I don't buy from Dixons.
Thoughts anyone?
Thanks.

unforeseen

Check the prices first. Shops have to pay hefty rental to be in those places so even the VAT free price could be higher than buying on the high Street due to price loading to cover the rental.

It's like motorway service prices but with bigger rentals to cover.

CardinalWolsey

I've always thought that, and always presumed that's why Dixons guarantee to price match there, but presumably are pocketing the difference between the price-match and the tax-free price as their margin.

agrinnall

This was a big news story over a few years, here's one example:


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/boots-refund-vat-boarding-passes-airports/


which says that WH Smith started to give refunds in 2016.

gettingtheresometime

unforeseen wrote: »

Check the prices first. Shops have to pay hefty rental to be in those places so even the VAT free price could be higher than buying on the high Street due to price loading to cover the rental.

It's like motorway service prices but with bigger rentals to cover.

Not WH Smith but I've been fancying a bracelet for absolutely ages and weirdly enough it's the same price in duty free as it is in the town centre.