eBay Listing goods including VAT alongside goods excluding VAT

Arunmor

And just think of the hassle if it becomes faulty.  Doesn't bear thinking about!

MyRealNameToo

regency_man said:

Yes, my bad for not reading the small print when I checkout on eBay every single time. But eBay have done their best to make this non-obvious. 

First, eBay are presenting the 'Order Total' above the 'big blue button' identically on the checkout page regardless of whether it truly is a 'Total including VAT' or whether it's a 'Total excluding VAT'. This is misleading. 

When a website is presenting products in 'Price Order', implying the customer is comparing by price, it should be a requirement to indicate which prices are 'total' prices and which prices are 'totals excluding taxes and fees'.  Ebay is presenting them identically, in order, as if they can be directly compared.  This is even more misleading. 

I think they are doing their best to make this as hidden as possible because it increases sales on their platform and they can just hold their hands up and say "you didn't read the small print". I'm sure they are thrilled that they no longer have to collect VAT for EU imports and can pass all that admin onto the seller and delivery company while still taking their cut of every sale. 

Most websites are far less obvious than eBay, normally it's just in the T&Cs that those buying from outside the country are responsible for any taxes and fees due. eBay is relatively obvious in comparison to the majority.

Import taxes have existed for hundreds of years and it's always been the importers responsibility to pay them. We had a brief period of difference whilst in the EEA which allowed tax free movement of goods within the EEA but still the normal rules applied to goods from outside the EEA. Obviously all that ended with Brexit.


You seem very confused by the situation too... prior to Brexit eBay didnt collect tax for anyone. Since Brexit and the other custom changes that happened at the same time eBay now has to collect tax for order under £135 from anywhere outside the UK. Previously it was the buyers problem unless it was a within the EEA purchase in which case it was the seller to pay local taxes. So their admin has increased with Brexit not reduced. They will also be getting more complaints from people who dont understand how international trade works but that doesnt stop them buying internationally.