jeroeng
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Post by jeroeng on Aug 4, 2022 9:10:30 GMT
Hello, At first I didn't want to address this into the community, but after a discussion on www.discogs.com I decided to do it after all. My latest purchase at Queenonline (the Another World/On My Way Up releases) had several things going wrong, all of which were fixed in the end, except for one thing: I was charged double VAT. Now I actually would like to know if this happens with more people, because reading reactions of several people and the answers by Queenonline/Universal staff makes me think this is the case. The Discogs forum topic that triggered me discussing it on this forum is here: www.discogs.com/forum/thread/958043#9716516 (plus answers below this post) What happened, in short. Queenonline/Universal is based in the UK, I am based in the Netherlands, so EU. For the complete picture it's good to know that I chose standard delivery at first, and this package never arrived. It has been sent a second time, but that one never arrived as well. We decided to not sent it a third time, but instead I was refunded with a voucher, which I used to re-order everything with courier delivery this time. That package arrived within a few days. Everything stated below is about that third package. My invoice for Another World/On My Way Up stated: 1 x Another World €23.99 1 x Limited Edition 'On My Way Up' Blue 7" €10.49 1 x On My Way Up €5.99 1 x Another World Deluxe Edition €12.00 1 x Another World Picture Disc €27.99 1 x Another World €12.00 Sub-Total €92.46 Delivery Charge €20.08 (courier instead of standard delivery) Order total €112.54 Voucher CV7412220.1 −€108.38 VAT included (Netherlands) €19.52 (21%) Final Total €4.16 I would say that "VAT included (Netherlands) €19.52 (21%)" means that VAT has been paid. Despite this the exact same ammount ("€19.52 (21%)") was charged to me by customs (+ €17,55 customs handling costs) So I contacted Queenonline/Universal about this. I was wondering if I understood everything correct, so I asked them to explain it to me. First answer was the standard "After January 1st 2021, additional charges for customs clearance will have to be borne by the recipient. We have no control over these charges and cannot predict what they might be." In the second answer they tried to convince me that I confused VAT with import charges and repeated the above. Then, when asking about their IOSS, they answered: "We understand that you're wanting to know if we're IOSS registered. To be clear at present we aren't IOSS registered, please also note that an IOSS number would be used on some occasions to avoid any possible import charges, which again would be illegal to avoid. Please note, as outlined previously, we are not responsible for any charges that the customs office would charge for delivery of parcels. I would suggest you contact them in relation to these charges as once again we have no control over these." .... and that was it. As said they refunded my previous order that got lost by standard mail two times by offering a voucher, which I used to re-order the same items with courier mail. At the same time that they replied to my last E-mail, they refunded €18.38 to me, claiming this was the ammount of the first order (which was already completely refunded by the voucher, so technically they didn't need to refund anything for that). This however was only a small portion of the order, namely €18.38 instead of €108.38 (not the missing 0 ) . This happens to be around the same ammount as the double charged VAT €19.52 (by coincidence or on purpose, I don't know?) In practice this means that I got back the ammount of the VAT, but this of course is only a solution for this particular order, it won't solve the the same issues on future orders. Reading these answers by two Discogs users: "That's an outrage of an answer! They either use IOSS or they don't. They can't do it selectively. I'm going to assume that you got an agent caught in the cross-hairs and they typed out a random Google search .." "I would add that the Queen store doesn't necessarily have to be IOSS registered to collect and remit NL VAT. They could instead be registered for VAT in the Netherlands. Seems unlikely, and from their communication they don't seem to know what they're doing, but I think that is a possibility at least." I suspect that indeed they don't seem to know what they're doing. You either charge VAT on the invoice and you see to it that VAT isn't charged by customs again, or you don't charge VAT and let customs do that. But right now they're charging VAT, don't document that correctly and let customers be charged VAT at customs again. And since hardly any customer knows about this or don't want to go through the hassle they keep it that way and the customers (we) are victims for that. I would like to know if more (EU) fans encounter this, and if Queenonline/Universal ever did something to correct this. I have the feeling that Queenonline/Universal doesn't work according to the (new) current VAT custom rules, and if so, they should change this. They won't do this however if people don't complain. |
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Lord Fickle
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Post by Lord Fickle on Aug 4, 2022 9:24:18 GMT
I don't want to get too involved, because I'm based in the UK so this doesn't directly affects me, but just to clarify, you said that the NL VAT was charged to you by QOL on their original invoice, yes? Then the VAT appears to have been charged again by NL Customs?
Have you taken this up with NL Customs? I'm only thinking that if you have the invoice from QOL, you can prove that the NL VAT has been paid, and that they shouldn't have charged you again. If they're saying that they haven't received the VAT, then I would have thought that should be an issue between them and QOL.
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jeroeng
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Post by jeroeng on Aug 4, 2022 10:06:01 GMT
I don't want to get too involved, because I'm based in the UK so this doesn't directly affects me, but just to clarify, you said that the NL VAT was charged to you by QOL on their original invoice, yes? Then the VAT appears to have been charged again by NL Customs? Have you taken this up with NL Customs? I'm only thinking that if you have the invoice from QOL, you can prove that the NL VAT has been paid, and that they shouldn't have charged you again. If they're saying that they haven't received the VAT, then I would have thought that should be an issue between them and QOL. I indeed have taken this up with NL Customs, and they said that QOL didn't clarify on their package that VAT was already collected, which they are obliged to do if they already collected it. There DDP/DAP postage and IOSS comes into sight, which QOL should use if they want to do it correctly. However they didn't. NL Customs simply say: QOL should have clarified that VAT was already collected, they didn't, so it's not our fault, take it up with QOL. So I did. And QOL simply said 'we are not responsible for any charges that the customs office would charge. I would suggest you contact them'. So both point to eachother to fix this. I have the feeling that QOL wanted to be done with me, because I kept on sending E-mails saying that things were not OK, and they were fed up with that, so they refunded me part of my previous order (that was already refunded by voucher) for the ammount around the VAT ammount (claiming it was the complete order ammount) , hoping that I would stop complaining, so that they didn't need to really address the issue of charging double VAT. Of course I can't prove this, but it all looks too fishy for me. Please note that QOL/Universal is not the only company that don't seem to have their shipment to EU in order. I have heard and read this many times now, and the fact that QOL/Universal is a big company doesn't change that (in fact, there are more big companies doing it wrong). However, if no one complains, this won't change, and EU customers will be getting doublecharged for VAT all the time, with most of them not even realizing it. |
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Lord Fickle
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Post by Lord Fickle on Aug 4, 2022 10:37:58 GMT
You definitely seem to be caught in the middle, and although things were made more complex by Brexit, companies should really have got things together and made the relevent adjustments by now.
One question is - what's happened to the extra VAT? I don't really know how it's meant to work, but if QOL charged it, and NL Customs charged it again, someone is getting more than they should and if this is happening on a wide scale, that's quite a bit of extra money circulating somewhere.
Good luck with raising awareness and hopefully things will change.
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Post by Brian's Wig on Aug 5, 2022 13:30:24 GMT
Did you pay for this on a credit card rather than a debit card?
We have consumer protection in the UK on credit card purchases. Perhaps you do too?
Give your card company a ring and explain the situation and see what they say.
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Post by angusscrimm on Aug 5, 2022 13:50:28 GMT
It's not great, BUT...at least you got to contact your customs for an explanation (even if they didn't give an answer you liked). In the UK, if charges are made, they say they won't enter into any discussions.
I once was charged customs on an item being RETURNED to me on eBay! (Japanese buyer bought a Live At The BBC US picture disc from me, signed by Brian. He asked repeatedly before he bought it if the hype sticker was on it, which I told him repeatedly it was not and even referred him to the picture of the actual item. After he received it, he initiated an immediate return because it didn't have the hype sticker! Well, FFS...)
I was not allowed to question the charge from customs. He sent it as though he had sold it to me!
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jeroeng
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Post by jeroeng on Aug 5, 2022 17:37:53 GMT
Did you pay for this on a credit card rather than a debit card? We have consumer protection in the UK on credit card purchases. Perhaps you do too? Give your card company a ring and explain the situation and see what they say. Mastercard. But I don't desire an actual refund for this particular order anymore, as I already got sort-of refunded, albeit not through the correct way. I do want that they change their policy though, so that it won't happen again with future orders from EU citizens. It's not great, BUT...at least you got to contact your customs for an explanation (even if they didn't give an answer you liked). In the UK, if charges are made, they say they won't enter into any discussions. To be honest, the explanation was not given by the customs office themselves, but by the postal service DHL. They encounter these kind of problems frequently, so they could exactly explain to me how dutch customs work. |
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mkls
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Post by mkls on Aug 5, 2022 17:39:25 GMT
They just overcharge us with the UK VAT, knowing exactly that in the EU, when the package goes through the customs, you will be charged again with the local VAT. They should not charge any VAT for export outside the UK. THe invoice looks dubious too. I paid double VAT several times in the last 2 years.
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jeroeng
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Post by jeroeng on Aug 5, 2022 17:45:06 GMT
They just overcharge us with the UK VAT, knowing exactly that in the EU, when the package goes through the customs, you will be charged again with the local VAT. They should not charge any VAT for export outside the UK. THe invoice looks dubious too. I paid double VAT several times in the last 2 years. Thank you for clarifying that it didn't only happen to me. This seems to be a general problem happening to EU customers, and it will only stop if we all complain about it. Everybody have to follow the rules concerning VAT and posting internationally (EU or non-EU), and QOL is no exception to that. |
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Lord Fickle
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Post by Lord Fickle on Aug 5, 2022 19:11:26 GMT
If VAT fraud is being suggested, that's quite a serious allegation, and something that needs to be dealt with by the relevant authorities.
My suggestion would be to report any concerns to HM Revenue & Customs, assuming you have the required evidence to make a case.
That said, my gut feeling is that an error or miscommunication between QOL and NL Customs has taken place, rather than deliberate fraud, and an appropriately worded letter to both parties, detailing any evidence of the double VAT charge, and setting out intentions to pursue this through legal channels if necessary, may indeed bring the results you want.
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BrƎИsꓘi
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Post by BrƎИsꓘi on Aug 5, 2022 21:26:36 GMT
agreed. this is NOT something for discussion here. if you have views concerning you online transactions, our forum can have no opinions, nor can we offer guidance on this subject.
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pg
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Post by pg on Aug 6, 2022 8:05:54 GMT
My suspicion is that QOL are NOT collecting NL VAT.
I think the likeliest explanation is that QOL are charging UK VAT on all shipments, irrespective of destination, which means they can't complete the paperwork in a way that prevents NL customs adding VAT at import.
If they're "clever", they could keep that false VAT as extra profit, which would be why they'd be relaxed about giving partial refunds to anyone that notices. Or, they could just pass it on to HMRC, who would therefore be the unknowing beneficiaries of the extra.
Judging by the way the Brian May Guitars website is phrased, it looks like they've got it covered more accurately - non UK sales have a VAT-less price - so that might be a distinction to draw if OP wants to try and influence a policy change.
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jeroeng
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Post by jeroeng on Aug 6, 2022 21:05:38 GMT
If VAT fraud is being suggested, that's quite a serious allegation, and something that needs to be dealt with by the relevant authorities. (...) That said, my gut feeling is that an error or miscommunication between QOL and NL Customs has taken place, rather than deliberate fraud, and an appropriately worded letter to both parties, detailing any evidence of the double VAT charge, and setting out intentions to pursue this through legal channels if necessary, may indeed bring the results you want. I never implied that deliberate fraud was being committed, I always said that my suspicion was that QOL was unaware what is expected from them when sending from the UK to the EU under the new rules, just like many many other big and small companies. That's why I tried to contact dutch customs and contacted the dutch postal DHL department, who gave me explanation and said they can do nothing about it, and I contacted QOL, who at first simply said that I didn't understand a thing of it and later showed that they didn't understand everything about what is expected from them when sending from the UK to the EU, and ended the conversation stating that they can do nothing about it. agreed. this is NOT something for discussion here. if you have views concerning you online transactions, our forum can have no opinions, nor can we offer guidance on this subject. To be honest I don't see why this can't be discussed here. It was never my intention to bash QOL in any way, my main goal was to check if I was the only one encoutering this problem or that this is something that happens more... What better place to find out than on a Queenforum? And guess what, apparently I indeed am not the only one, it occurs more, and not only between the UK and NL apparently. (On a side note, there's multi of bashing QPL on this forum as well and that seems to be no problem, although for me personally it could be a little less, and as said it was never my intention to bash QOL or anyone at all) My suspicion is that QOL are NOT collecting NL VAT. I think the likeliest explanation is that QOL are charging UK VAT on all shipments, irrespective of destination, which means they can't complete the paperwork in a way that prevents NL customs adding VAT at import. (...) Judging by the way the Brian May Guitars website is phrased, it looks like they've got it covered more accurately - non UK sales have a VAT-less price - so that might be a distinction to draw if OP wants to try and influence a policy change. If QOL are not collecting NL VAT they should not call it that way on their invoice. It clearly states "VAT included (Netherlands) €xx (21%)", so as long as they call it that way I have to assume that they collect NL (or any other EU country) VAT. And if they are collecting UK VAT on a package sent to the EU, I doubt that this is the correct way. It's of course not my expertise, but collecting UK VAT on a non-UK package does not sound correct to me. Thank you for pointing me to the Brian May Guitars website ( shop.brianmayguitars.co.uk/ ). That clearly shows how pricing should be done ("non UK sales have a VAT-less price") and this at the same time proves right away that the way QOL are handling things is not correct. I will use this as reference when it should be neccessary to contact QOL for future purchases. |
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BrƎИsꓘi
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Post by BrƎИsꓘi on Aug 6, 2022 21:26:41 GMT
To be honest I don't see why this can't be discussed here. It was never my intention to bash QOL in any way, my main goal was to check if I was the only one encoutering this problem or that this is something that happens more... What better place to find out than on a Queenforum? And guess what, apparently I indeed am not the only one, it occurs more, and not only between the UK and NL apparently. (On a side note, there's multi of bashing QPL on this forum as well and that seems to be no problem, although for me personally it could be a little less, and as said it was never my intention to bash QOL or anyone at all) TBH i couldn't care one way or the other about QPL/QOL bashing - they've more than merited every bit of bashing they've received down the years and whatever is to come. not this is about two things, really: ♦ we (as a forum) are unable to advise you on this. the complications of of VAT, Customs Duties, VAT on Customs Duties and Additional Handling Fees are way above the Average Joe - which, after all, is what we are here. ♦ the other reason is more of a pre-empt. like many other discussions regarding buying from overseas, it WILL at some point descend into a an anti-Brexit/anti-EU slanging match, and politics are banned on this forum. stiil, as long as you wish to discuss what's gone down with your purchase and folk don;t descend into the "B-Word" then it's all good. |
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jeroeng
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Post by jeroeng on Aug 6, 2022 22:02:16 GMT
not this is about two things, really: ♦ we (as a forum) are unable to advise you on this. the complications of of VAT, Customs Duties, VAT on Customs Duties and Additional Handling Fees are way above the Average Joe - which, after all, is what we are here. ♦ the other reason is more of a pre-empt. like many other discussions regarding buying from overseas, it WILL at some point descend into a an anti-Brexit/anti-EU slanging match, and politics are banned on this forum. stiil, as long as you wish to discuss what's gone down with your purchase and folk don;t descend into the "B-Word" then it's all good. It indeed is a complicated topic. I myself don't understand much of it, but I've talked to several people with more understanding by now to realize that things were going tricky (to put it mildly) with my latest order. As said my main goal was to inventorize if more people have experienced this by simply asking two questions: 1) was VAT to your (EU) country stated on your invoice? 2) was VAT collected by customs of your country? If both are answered with 'yes', it happened to more people besides me. Concerning anti-Brexit/EU slanging, that's the last thing I want to discuss, and if people would address this, personally I prefer to silence them. Everybody has their opinion on that, but it has nothing to do with the actual topic. |
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Post by jimmydean on Aug 7, 2022 0:22:24 GMT
If you’re a UK vendor, advertised prices must include VAT.
As a Canadian when I buy from Amazon.co.uk, they adjust the price upon checkout after verifying my address is Canadian. So if the price is 50 pounds before checking out, it ends up being a lower amount… like 43 pounds plus import fees and shipping.
When I buy from QOL, they do not remove the VAT. Presumably because they don’t know how to verify if I’m Canadian (hint: shipping address). One could argue fraud but I’m pretty sure it’s partially ignorance and partially simpler to not adjust. It’s only fraud if they do this on purpose to benefit from it. I highly highly highly doubt this is the case.
As a result I only buy from QOL if it’s an exclusive item. Ie. Vinyl Picture discs.
I can argue and email etc - but I just suck it up and move on. Non-resident buyer beware!
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pg
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Post by pg on Aug 7, 2022 7:35:01 GMT
Jeroen, when I wrote of the possibility of fraud, I was responding to the entirety of the thread, not just your posts.
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pg
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Post by pg on Aug 7, 2022 7:38:24 GMT
Please don't do that, it comes across as insisting on having the last word, which I'm sure you'd agree looks childish and therefore gives a false impression of you. |
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BrƎИsꓘi
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Post by BrƎИsꓘi on Aug 7, 2022 9:16:39 GMT
It indeed is a complicated topic. I myself don't understand much of it, but I've talked to several people with more understanding by now to realize that things were going tricky (to put it mildly) with my latest order. As said my main goal was to inventorize if more people have experienced this by simply asking two questions: 1) was VAT to your (EU) country stated on your invoice? 2) was VAT collected by customs of your country? If both are answered with 'yes', it happened to more people besides me. Concerning anti-Brexit/EU slanging, that's the last thing I want to discuss, and if people would address this, personally I prefer to silence them. Everybody has their opinion on that, but it has nothing to do with the actual topic. hi Jeroeng - I never implied that you might take this into an anti-Brexit/anti-EU direction, but experience has taught me where these kind of threads often end up. As a responsible Admin we have to ensure that this doesn't end up a political row. All items - no matter where they are sold in the world, should have an element of purchases tax included in the sale price by the retailer. Any other VAT applied externally of this will need to conform to the rules of the territory applying it. |
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BrƎИsꓘi
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Post by BrƎИsꓘi on Aug 7, 2022 9:50:18 GMT
jeroeng highlander mklsit would appear that QOL have done exactly as they should. A simple google search yielded the answer to this. This isn't about QOL applying the VAT incorrectly - they have applied it as they should. The whole question is about how Import Duties/VAT are applied once an item is exported between UK/EU (in either direction). There are three thresholds: ♦ Less than €22 = No Import VAT
♦ Between €22-€150 = Import VAT due
♦ Greater than €150 = Import VAT & Duties Due
The shipment value includes the shipping costs.
Sellers from GB (England, Wales & Scotland) delivering to an EU address
When you sell into the EU, whether as a business or private seller, your items will be subject to import VAT at the destination EU country and this import VAT, import duties or any other duties will be payable by the buyer.
The exact import VAT threshold and duty treatment may vary depending on the country or items involved. We have set out some general information to the left.www.ebay.co.uk/sellercentre/news/brexitAs you can see QOL, The Netherlands Courier Service and the Dutch Govt appear to be complying completely with these new rules. So, unless anyone can prove otherwise, all appears to be as it should (legally).
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jeroeng
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Post by jeroeng on Aug 7, 2022 10:48:44 GMT
There are three thresholds: ♦ Less than €22 = No Import VAT
♦ Between €22-€150 = Import VAT due
♦ Greater than €150 = Import VAT & Duties Due
The shipment value includes the shipping costs.
Sellers from GB (England, Wales & Scotland) delivering to an EU address
When you sell into the EU, whether as a business or private seller, your items will be subject to import VAT at the destination EU country and this import VAT, import duties or any other duties will be payable by the buyer.
The exact import VAT threshold and duty treatment may vary depending on the country or items involved. We have set out some general information to the left.www.ebay.co.uk/sellercentre/news/brexit According to the people I spoke to at the postage service that is outdated information. They said import & VAT nowadays apply from €0 on, there is no bottom limit. All items - no matter where they are sold in the world, should have an element of purchases tax included in the sale price by the retailer. That does make me wonder how it is possible that for example shop.brianmayguitars.co.uk/ can charge non-UK-residents a VAT-less price and QOL/Universal apparently can't. (To emphasize once more: I'm not against paying VAT, we all have to do that, but only once) |
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Lord Fickle
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Post by Lord Fickle on Aug 7, 2022 16:36:26 GMT
I've just spent the best part of an hour trying to find something that explains the VAT issue clearly, and it seems an absolute minefield, so I'm not surprised there's confusion. From what I have read, it does seem as though QOL should have declared that the VAT has been paid, and therefore, it shouldn't need to be paid again by the EU recipient, so it appears there's been some sort of slip up there, but from what I can see there's no real evidence as to which side is at fault, and the consumer sits uncomfortably in the middle. I could pick bits out of the various websites I've looked at, but none of them really seem to offer a clear and concise resolution for UK online shops shipping goods to the EU, other than that they should declare whether the VAT has been paid, so I don't want to post information that might not be correct. I'm sure you've done your own research into this, but you might find some useful information here: www.bdo.global/en-gb/microsites/tax-newsletters/indirect-tax-news/issue-2-2022/european-union-commission-proposes-solution-to-address-double-vat-on-distance-sales-of-goods-fromwww.asd-int.com/en/brexit-how-to-avoid-double-vat-payments-by-your-uk-customers/ |
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BrƎИsꓘi
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Post by BrƎИsꓘi on Aug 8, 2022 6:24:34 GMT
That does make me wonder how it is possible that for example shop.brianmayguitars.co.uk/ can charge non-UK-residents a VAT-less price and QOL/Universal apparently can't. (To emphasize once more: I'm not against paying VAT, we all have to do that, but only once)
♦ Between €22-€150 = Import VAT due
♦ Greater than €150 = Import VAT & Duties Due
The shipment value includes the shipping costs. re: above my best way to illustrate my own experience is that if you were to try buying on ebay - from an overseas retailer - business seller (important, not a private seller). The sale cost of ALL items purchased from retailers everywhere in the world includes purchase tax (VAT or equivalent) - where the company is (VAT or equivalent) registered. However, once a purchase is made from an overseas seller, rules similar to those above are then applied to the purchase in the recipient's country/territory. This has always been the case and is applied to all (VAT or equivalent) registered businesses. Ebay tend to apply this in one of two ways: ♦ Global Shipping Programme - If you use the GSP to make an overseas purchase, the second element of VAT/duty is calculated for you and added to the purchase cost prior to checkout. ♦ Ordinary Post - (in addition to any VAT already applied in the sale listing - remember VAT-registered businesses' prices include VAT) the buyer will pay any further VAT/duties due once the package arrives. Courier will not release to buyer unless payment is made. The "second lot" of VAT is really more to do with import levies and handling fees - as per the thresholds above. Purchases between UK/EU were not subject to the second "hit" prior to 2019 (the final Brexit date) as The EU (which included UK at that time) were deemed one territory. Similarly, no second "hit" would be applied between movement of goods within any single territory. There are some exceptions - for example, some individual US states have their own tax rules. |
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Post by jimmydean on Aug 8, 2022 13:55:53 GMT
I've just spent the best part of an hour trying to find something that explains the VAT issue clearly, and it seems an absolute minefield, so I'm not surprised there's confusion. From what I have read, it does seem as though QOL should have declared that the VAT has been paid, and therefore, it shouldn't need to be paid again by the EU recipient, so it appears there's been some sort of slip up there, but from what I can see there's no real evidence as to which side is at fault, and the consumer sits uncomfortably in the middle. I could pick bits out of the various websites I've looked at, but none of them really seem to offer a clear and concise resolution for UK online shops shipping goods to the EU, other than that they should declare whether the VAT has been paid, so I don't want to post information that might not be correct. I'm sure you've done your own research into this, but you might find some useful information here: www.bdo.global/en-gb/microsites/tax-newsletters/indirect-tax-news/issue-2-2022/european-union-commission-proposes-solution-to-address-double-vat-on-distance-sales-of-goods-fromwww.asd-int.com/en/brexit-how-to-avoid-double-vat-payments-by-your-uk-customers/Correct. And yes they should disclose VAT on the invoice. QOL/Universal - should be more transparent and recognize their customers aren’t only UK residents. |
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jeroeng
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Post by jeroeng on Sept 30, 2022 7:17:51 GMT
queenchat.boards.net/post/60603/threadNothing has changed in Queenonline/Universal's incorrect VAT policy, as again I got double charged for VAT for the Outsider Tour release. So again EU citizens are screwed, pay double VAT and Queenonline/Universal doesn't care.
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fcb101
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Post by fcb101 on Sept 30, 2022 8:39:12 GMT
queenchat.boards.net/post/60603/threadNothing has changed in Queenonline/Universal's incorrect VAT policy, as again I got double charged for VAT for the Outsider Tour release. So again EU citizens are screwed, pay double VAT and Queenonline/Universal doesn't care. Exactly the reason why I don't buy from the official site anymore. Been let down 1 time too many. |
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Post by bootLuca on Oct 1, 2022 14:23:35 GMT
same thing happened to me buying from eBay from US and Canada (I live in Italy), if you have the receipt of what you paid to the postman, you can ask eBay for a refund of the VAT paid in advance, and they usually refund you, but if instead you don't have the receipt (in Italy you have the receipt of the VAT payment only if you collect the package at the post office, if instead the postman delivers it to you, he doesn't issue any receipt, also if required), in this case you can hope to get your money back by contacting some consumer associations, but it's difficult, it's been more than a year that I have 2 open cases without any developments
Best
Luca
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jeroeng
Dragonfly Trumpeter
Posts: 192
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Post by jeroeng on Oct 5, 2022 8:42:56 GMT
I have sent another E-mail to Queenonline/Digital Stores Customer Support (as a follow up to my previous E-mails) complaining once more about the incorrect VAT handling.
I also referred to this forum discussion, and to the Brian May Guitars website, where the correct procedure is being used, and asked them to correct their procedure accordingly.
I won't hold my breath that they will do anything about it, but at least they are being reminded again about the complaints, who knows they maybe get tired of it at one point.
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Lord Fickle
Global Moderator
Posts: 26,112
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Post by Lord Fickle on Oct 5, 2022 10:02:22 GMT
I have sent another E-mail to Queenonline/Digital Stores Customer Support (as a follow up to my previous E-mails) complaining once more about the incorrect VAT handling. I also referred to this forum discussion, and to the Brian May Guitars website, where the correct procedure is being used, and asked them to correct their procedure accordingly. I won't hold my breath that they will do anything about it, but at least they are being reminded again about the complaints, who knows they maybe get tired of it at one point. I don't really use either myself, but do they have a Facebook or Twitter page you could comment on? Often a public complaint gets more of a response. |
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jeroeng
Dragonfly Trumpeter
Posts: 192
Likes: 178
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Post by jeroeng on Oct 5, 2022 13:14:01 GMT
Already got an answer from Digital Stores Customer Services, but I'm not sure if I can do anything with it...
They answered:
"Thank you for your message.
Unfortunately, we do not have an IOSS number, but our VAT number is GB 246 2974 39.
You should be able to claim any VAT paid back through your local tax office.
If you require any further assistance, please let us know."
Has anyone ever tried contacting their customs service to get the double paid VAT back using the VAT number of the company in question?
I don't have the slightest idea how this should work, and if I would make any chance to be so lucky to get the double paid VAT back this way.
Apart from that I have the opinion that Queenonline/Digital Stores is the one failing to correctly handle things, so it doesn't feel right that I should repair their fault. They should do it, but it's clear that they won't.
Ah well, we now have the VAT number of Queenonline/Digital Stores, so other people can try it as well.
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