UK retailer not deducting VAT for non-UK customers - Page 2

I placed an order with M & S and they do not deduct VAT and say:

At M&S we do not charge VAT on non UK purchases but the prices remain unchanged as we cannot charge multiple prices for different destinations.

To me this makes little sense as many other retailers manage to deduct the VAT. I did ask them if they were using the 'VAT' to subsidise the postage but they avoided that question. Amazon manage to deduct the VAT and they are doing free delivery to NZ (Australia as well I think) on some items.

So not too impressed by M & S.

Charles Tyrwhitt used to deduct VAT on overseas orders, too, which was good as it essentially offset the cost of shipping. However, they no longer deduct VAT, either - there was a thread on here a month or two back about it.

EU companies are legally required to collect Value Added Tax on sales within the EU. The VAT is a sales tax - it goes to the government. When they charge the same retail + VAT price to non-EU customers, the "VAT" amount goes into the company's pockets. In effect a 15-25% higher retail price for such customers. Plus whatever the company wants to charge for shipping/handling costs. Personally, I'll go elsewhere, or do without.

Doesn't P Johnson in Sydney also sell Fox umbrella's? Maybe give them a try.

Group buy on Fox umbrellas from the armoury to Australia perhaps?

Podunk = outside of New York City?