added VAT on top?

greenpixey

I just bought something on ebay. As I paid I noticed they added VAT on top.
Is that alowed? I checked the listing but cant see it stated. Is there something I can do to complain about it. Should I ask to see their VAT number?
Im not happy since it ended costing more than I was willing to pay in the end.

ManAtHome

If they are charging VAT, they have to supply an invoice with their VAT number on it (HMRC rules and regs). They're obviously a trader rather than somebody clearing out the attic, but that gives you consumer rights which you woudn't get with a private sale.

soolin

They cannot add VAT unless it is stated in the auction in the same size text as the rest of the information. Personally if the VAT issue was not addressed in the auction I would email the seller politely and explain that as per ebay regulations you do not have to pay any extras that ar enot clearly stated up front and as such would ask that a new invoice be issued so that you an make payment. Also mention that with VAT added the item becomes expensive and you will no longer require it.

yes I know you can't withdraw from the sale, but you can stall for time and possibly get a report into ebay while they are working out how to respond.

greenpixey

Great advise there solin but I'm not sure if I can follow it since I already pressed the Pay button. I forgot to add that in my first post...sorry

I was so happy to have won it that I didn't see the price of the invoice untill after I paid. :wall:

Can I still email them as you suggested? I only bought the item 45min ago?

soolin

have you paid then inclusive of VAT?

The only other thing is does the total inclusive of VAT equal the same as you were expecting? One company I buy from regularly on ebay split it down on the payment but I only actually still pay the price I was expecting.

3plus1

If the seller is really VAT registered and charges VAT, if they forget to tell you that, it's their problem.

Say the sale is for goods costing £100.

If it says "plus VAT", then you pay the seller £117.50 (assuming the goods are standard rated at 17.5%), the seller keeps £100 and gives £17.50 to HMRC.

If the seller forgets to add the "plus VAT" tagline, then it's their mistake and their loss to suck up and swallow. You pay £100, and they only get to keep 40/47 of that, ie. £85, with the other £15 going to HMRC.

Forget eBay regulations. This is the law. Much more weighty.

greenpixey

[FONT=arial,sans-serif]I emailed them querying the VAT and this is the reply I had.

Hi,
If you scroll down to near the bottom of the page, you will see there are option boxes which provide information on the relevant topic. If you click on ‘Payment’, you will see that we clearly state that VAT will be added at the end of the transaction. You can cancel the order if you like?

Thanks

So I checked the page on the item I bought and there are five buttons at the bottom of the page to click for more info.
About us, Payment, Shipping, Terms, Returns.
So I clicked on the payment button and there it says[/FONT]

We sell our goods to you at trade prices and not retail prices therefore VAT is not included and will be charged on the overall transaction through PayPal. A VAT invoice can be provided on request

I'm not sure where I stand now. Is the VAT information consider to be hidden? I will probably ask him for a refund since I can get it down the road for the same price,

Not happy the way this auction turned out. If he has not shown the VAT clearly as he should have I'm tempted to report him.

[FONT=arial,sans-serif]
[/FONT]

soolin

If you do a search through help on ebay I am quite sure it states that VAT if added must be shown on the auction in the same size. Having to search elsewhere for this info does not satisfy those regulations. If the link takes you to their 'me' pages or anything then it is not binding, only the info shown upfront in the auction is.

However if it i a lengthy auction just do one more search to make sure it is anywhere on the page.

greenpixey

I've been searching ebay for VAT information all morning without any luck.
Can't find anything that will support me.


Solin - The VAT was not mention on the listing unless I go all the way down on the page and then click on a link saying payment.
The VAT was added on the invoice on top of the selling and p&p. If you want to have a look at the auction I can PM you a link.

I did the mistake of not checking the feedback before buying as well.... noticed now afterwards that they are getting quite a few neutrals for not mentioning the VAT. They are fairly new to ebay with only 105 feedback.

DaisyBella_2

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/png-vat.html

at the end of this page it says:

Also, in the item description, the seller should set out clearly the amount or percentage of VAT that will be charged.
If there is no mention of VAT in the item description, the seller should not add VAT to the final item price. In such a case, if VAT is legally due, the seller bears the responsibility of paying that VAT to the appropriate authorities according to any applicable laws and regulations. Again, if there is any question as to the seller's VAT responsibilities, the seller should consult an independent tax advisor and/or local tax authority.

soolin

greenpixey wrote: »

I've been searching ebay for VAT information all morning without any luck.
Can't find anything that will support me.


Solin - The VAT was not mention on the listing unless I go all the way down on the page and then click on a link saying payment.
The VAT was added on the invoice on top of the selling and p&p. If you want to have a look at the auction I can PM you a link.

I did the mistake of not checking the feedback before buying as well.... noticed now afterwards that they are getting quite a few neutrals for not mentioning the VAT. They are fairly new to ebay with only 105 feedback.

If you want to send me a link by pm I'll be happy to take a look.