UK retailer not deducting VAT for non-UK customers

I ordered a tie from Michelsons last year and they did not deduct VAT from it. Then again it was free shipping and the tie cost AU$23 so . By the way my Michelson's tie was ass.

40GBP is far from cheap, unless it some UPS guaranteed 2 day delivery or something.

Some do, some don't.

Not that it necessarily changes things (in the ethical scheme of things), some that don't deduct VAT (some, not all) mark the shipment as a gift so that you don't pay customs. I actually had one retailer say that I pay VAT and they ensure that no further charges are incurred on my end. Of course, in an ideal world you would pay neither VAT nor customs, but when customs amounts to greater than VAT, it can be a trade off.

The Armoury carries Fox umbrellas and you might be able to save (somewhat) on shipping given that you're in Oz and they're based in HK.

Plenty of UK retailers either automatically deduct VAT at POS or refund upon request for non-UK sales; unless the product is somehow unique, I'd just use one of them rather than try to persuade a reluctant one.

So much for ethics.

You should try living here, mostly people convert $-£ 1-1 then call it the UK price. It's often cheaper for me to buy from abroad and have it shipped here, mad as that sounds.

It's not cheap, but it's not a sham either. Umbrella's have unusual dimensions, so it's costly.

As for "mark as gift" option, usually only available from individual sellers not established stores.

On internat sales in the EU officially the place of supply is where the seller is located. They are required to charge VAT and it is the buyers duty to prove that the product is for export and claim the VAT back. It sucks I know but those are the rules

I'm with you stateless, I think this is reprehensible, and would certainly put me off purchasing an umbrella from them. Fortunately, I acquired mine from The Armoury - you might like to do the same?

Hey listen I might be wrong but I think the OP got the wrong end of the stick on this one, to be fair it seems that whoever wrote the email from Fox did not make themselves very clear.

I think what Fox was trying to say was something along these lines...

The prices on the website are inclusive of VAT. Because we do not normally cater to individual customers on a tax free basis we will take the equivalent tax saving off your postage to Australia (and make the tax claim ourselves at a later date/at our convenience).

So instead of your new Umbrella costing GBP98.00 + GBP66.00 postage, it will cost GBP120.00 + GBP40.00 postage (or there abouts)

I grant you the postage seems pretty lumpy, but I'm no posty. Suggest you see if you can email them to see if they can do better on postage.

Willing buyers and willing sellers.....

If people are happy to pay then good luck to them, presumably they balance that against those who do not in deciding if they are bothered about overseas sales.

Quite possibly due to a computer system in the office that is not set up to deal with overseas sales. Unless it is decided to go after international sales and invest in the upgrade required they cannot deduct VAT.

Try contacting Mark (YFYF) or Alan (Toilet duck) at the The Armoury, he sells Fox umbrellas, I bought one in Whangee but not sure if he is is going to be any cheaper.