Prices without VAT...

[Dosco]

...is annoying and at least misleading to the retail punter.

Just checking out prices for a wheel refurb job and looking at one company's seemingly competitive prices I noted "prices do not include vat" I can understand this for 'trade only' indeed some who also sell to the 'public' show both prices, but it is misleading when their business is aimed at the 'end user'

I thought that practice went out years ago

 

[Alex M Grieve]

...is annoying and at least misleading to the retail punter.

Just checking out prices for a wheel refurb job and looking at one company's seemingly competitive prices I noted "prices do not include vat" I can understand this for 'trade only' indeed some who also sell to the 'public' show both prices, but it is misleading when their business is aimed at the 'end user'

I thought that practice went out years ago

And there was Alistair Darling, living off the VAT of the land!

Be especially careful when reserving hotel accommodation. Rates frequently do not include VAT (or breakfast, or the VAT on breakfast). That can add 32.5% to the bill @ current rates.

In the USA, the "sticker price" in shops does not include State or local taxes, nor do hotel bills.

 

[David P]

I got shafted in a hotel in London the other month. £60 for the night. So I go down for brekkies - which was bacon and eggs - and then check out.

Breakfast? £30! I tell you what, I would have eaten that kitchen to a standstill if I had known.

PLUS the VAT! Suddenly £60 has become £103-50.

Bugger, eh?

 

[Alex M Grieve]

I got shafted in a hotel in London the other month. £60 for the night. So I go down for brekkies - which was bacon and eggs - and then check out.
Breakfast? £30! I tell you what, I would have eaten that kitchen to a standstill if I had known.
PLUS the VAT! Suddenly £60 has become £103-50.
Bugger, eh?

Absolutely David - and when you see how much tourism and passing trade there is in London Hotels, there is not the opportunity for most victims to learn by this experience!

Tell all your friends.

 

[television]

I got shafted in a hotel in London the other month. £60 for the night. So I go down for brekkies - which was bacon and eggs - and then check out.

Breakfast? £30! I tell you what, I would have eaten that kitchen to a standstill if I had known.

PLUS the VAT! Suddenly £60 has become £103-50.

Bugger, eh?

My £58 room ended up at £72 a few weeks back, I don't think that this happens with the likes of holiday inns, as my bill was always what it said on the tin

 

[Miffy]

Its better to quote prices + vat for the retailer as they do not have to make changes to their base prices when ever the vat rate changes, ie from 17.5 to 15 and soon back to 17.5

 

[Dosco]

Its better to quote prices + vat for the retailer as they do not have to make changes to their base prices when ever the vat rate changes, ie from 17.5 to 15 and soon back to 17.5

Might suit the seller but what about the customer!!

 

[television]

Might suit the seller but what about the customer!!

As most Hotel rooms are booked by companies, then the VAT rate does not matter, at least if it say plus VAT as long as the print is not too small

 

[stats007]

My prices are always plus VAT and cleared listed as so. The majority of my work is trade, however.

 

[Dosco]

My prices are always plus VAT and cleared listed as so. The majority of my work is trade, however.

...and that is fair, but most retail customers would not have a clue how to add 15% or whatever the rate might be in the near future so I still maintain a retail price inclusive of VAT should be shown so the customer knows exactly what they are going to have to pay.

A garage who quoted a price to fix a problem with my wife's car she agreed the price and booked the thing in only to find when she called to collect it the bill had gone up by the VAT content she refused to pay him and went down to the Cit's Advice people who phoned him and told him they thought he was on the edge of sharp practice by not declaring the VAT content on the quotation and in the past the small claims court have taken a very dim view of such practice - he relented and accepted the vat less amount.

 

[Cnics]

As a business, i'm VAT registered and i fully agree with what is being said here. BOTH prices is the ideal solution, but if you MUST put the exc vat price only, make it CLEAR that its exc vat IF and ONLY IF you are dealing with retail, the end user, the NON vat registered customer.

My website has all prices EXC vat as i mainly deal (90% or so) with other business or VAT registered clients, but it does clearly state at the top, before you get to read any prices that prices are EXC vat.