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Company didn't charge VAT - now demanding it six months later
amjack
Posts: 20 Forumite
Hello,
I'm not sure if this is the right board, but I didn't know where else to post.
In February of this year I purchased a desk and chair from a company who specialise in ergonomic/pain-relieving furniture. This was recommended to me by my university (I am a disabled student). When I placed the order, I asked the cust. services agent three times to confirm that the figure she was quoting was the total, final amount that I would have to pay, and each time she quoted me £1414.92 and that it was definitely all I would need to pay. I made the payment over the phone with my bank card.
Six months later, two weeks ago I received an email from the company, stating that they hadn't received ~£286 for the account - the VAT, and that they needed this paid asap. I phoned them and asked them to put this all in writing, and replied to them listing the many problems I had had with their service (too long to list here but the problems started from the first day they visited me to make a physicial assessment). In the letter I said it was unreasonable to demand that amount of money after more than six months, and that since I'd had nothing but trouble I'd ask them to consider waiving the figure as a gesture of goodwill. I've been phoned again saying that it's a "government requirement" that they take the money, demanding my bank card details so that they can take it. I said I don't have nearly £300 to spare, and that I have about £100 in my savings but that was all. The woman on the phone then asked me to transfer the £100 and she'd ask her accounts dept about monthly payments but didn't think it would be allowed. She's since emailed again to say that her accounts department advise that the payment "must be made by the end of this month".
Am I right in thinking it's unreasonable to demand almost three hundred pounds more than six months after the transaction? Especially when the customer services agent assured me that the amount I paid when I ordered was the final, total amount? I have paperwork showing both the pre-VAT price (the same as the figure I paid) and the post-VAT price. When I placed the order I didn't have the paperwork in front of me as I wasn't at home - I won't be doing that again.
Sorry if this is a bit rushed and rambled.
I'm not sure if this is the right board, but I didn't know where else to post.
In February of this year I purchased a desk and chair from a company who specialise in ergonomic/pain-relieving furniture. This was recommended to me by my university (I am a disabled student). When I placed the order, I asked the cust. services agent three times to confirm that the figure she was quoting was the total, final amount that I would have to pay, and each time she quoted me £1414.92 and that it was definitely all I would need to pay. I made the payment over the phone with my bank card.
Six months later, two weeks ago I received an email from the company, stating that they hadn't received ~£286 for the account - the VAT, and that they needed this paid asap. I phoned them and asked them to put this all in writing, and replied to them listing the many problems I had had with their service (too long to list here but the problems started from the first day they visited me to make a physicial assessment). In the letter I said it was unreasonable to demand that amount of money after more than six months, and that since I'd had nothing but trouble I'd ask them to consider waiving the figure as a gesture of goodwill. I've been phoned again saying that it's a "government requirement" that they take the money, demanding my bank card details so that they can take it. I said I don't have nearly £300 to spare, and that I have about £100 in my savings but that was all. The woman on the phone then asked me to transfer the £100 and she'd ask her accounts dept about monthly payments but didn't think it would be allowed. She's since emailed again to say that her accounts department advise that the payment "must be made by the end of this month".
Am I right in thinking it's unreasonable to demand almost three hundred pounds more than six months after the transaction? Especially when the customer services agent assured me that the amount I paid when I ordered was the final, total amount? I have paperwork showing both the pre-VAT price (the same as the figure I paid) and the post-VAT price. When I placed the order I didn't have the paperwork in front of me as I wasn't at home - I won't be doing that again.
Sorry if this is a bit rushed and rambled.
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Comments
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Have you looked at this to see if you could get VAT free equipment?
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/sectors/consumers/disabled.htmIf you go down to the woods today you better not go alone.0 -
You were quoted the total final figure that you'd have to pay. That's enough to end the discussion. Such prices are supposed to include any VAT that is due.
Tell them politely to get lost. They quoted you a total final price and you were entitled to believe it was honestly declared as such by them.
You might wish to politely inform them that you intend to report them to their local trading standards office if they persist in trying to extract more money from you after quoting you a final price.0 -
Annoyingly, the desk and chair aren't covered, although that link will be handy in a month or two when I need to buy a wheelchair, raised loo seat etc for after I've had surgery to rebuild one hip. Thanks0
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You were quoted the total final figure that you'd have to pay. That's enough to end the discussion. Such prices are supposed to include any VAT that is due.
Tell them politely to get lost. They quoted you a total final price and you were entitled to believe it was honestly declared as such by them.
You might wish to politely inform them that you intend to report them to their local trading standards office if they persist in trying to extract more money from you after quoting you a final price.
I'd report them to the HMRC, with copies of the letters/emails they have been sending you. If they are registered for VAT they are meant to charge you for it AND provide you with a VAT invoice. Does the invoice you have show their VAT number?0 -
Ignore them.
They are talking absolute rubbish.
VAT must be charged at point of sale to consumers.
If they failed to charge it, then they will have to stomach it.Be happy...;)0 -
@Jamesd - Just having a look at the copy of the original quote I received. It lists the items I bought, and gives a total price excluding VAT (£1414.97) and including VAT (£1697.96), but nowhere does it state explicitly the total price to pay. As I said, I didn't have the quote in front of me when I placed the order and the agent I spoke to quoted the total, final price to be £1414.97.0
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I'd report them to the HMRC, with copies of the letters/emails they have been sending you. If they are registered for VAT they are meant to charge you for it AND provide you with a VAT invoice. Does the invoice you have show their VAT number?
Yes, the two out of three invoices I did receive have the VAT number at the bottom of the page.0 -
Just inform them that you are a private consumer not a business and any contract was finalised with payment, you paid what was charged on formulation of said contract of sale and that is that.
Any more harassment will result in a claim in the courts for compensation.Be happy...;)0
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