ExpatinTR
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- Jan 4, 2017
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I recently came across an anomaly in pricing from Shoepassion, a German company, and I wondered how many others have experienced something similar. I should say that I live in Turkey, a non-EU country and I tried to buy via their website.
I wanted to buy a pair of their No: 611 chukka boots from the shoepassion.co.uk website, which were priced at £199.00 but first I wanted to check that 19% VAT wouldn't be charged as the goods would be exported and therefore wouldn't be liable for this sales tax. Shoepassion replied saying I would need to buy from their .com website as only UK buyers can use the .co.uk site, which is fair enough. They did also add in the email that 19% VAT would be charged anyway, which is odd since one of the founders of the company did state on this forum when they were listed as an affiliate that it wouldn't be. That's the first issue, why should I pay this tax when not liable for it? I assume it's because it's too much trouble for them to bother doing the right paperwork, but that means quite a bit extra is charged to non-EU customers. But, the main issue is pricing disparities on their websites, of which there are three that I checked. Prices are listed below.
Shoe No: 611
.co.uk website - £199.00 this becomes US$244.53 at today's rates.
.de website - 229 Euros this becomes US$241.20 at today's rates
but
.com website, which they drive you to use if you are outside of the EU - US$365.00
This makes a US$120 increase, or 30% extra. Now, I do realise there might be extra taxes to pay in some countries, but as far as I'm aware they are the responsibility of the buyer, not the shipper. At the very least non-EU customers should be paying 19% less as either Shoepassion are not paying this and not passing on the saving, or they are paying it when they needn't be, and passing on the unnecessary cost to their customers.
I know there are other EU companies who still charge VAT to non-EU customers, but there are also many that don't, so it is possible for all of them to not pass on this cost.
Still, regardless of tax, those of us outside of the EU are paying so much more and I want Shoepassion to explain why.
Anyway, I thought I'd ask if others have had similar experiences, and maybe I'll put together a list of responsible companies who we can all save some cash buying from.
I wanted to buy a pair of their No: 611 chukka boots from the shoepassion.co.uk website, which were priced at £199.00 but first I wanted to check that 19% VAT wouldn't be charged as the goods would be exported and therefore wouldn't be liable for this sales tax. Shoepassion replied saying I would need to buy from their .com website as only UK buyers can use the .co.uk site, which is fair enough. They did also add in the email that 19% VAT would be charged anyway, which is odd since one of the founders of the company did state on this forum when they were listed as an affiliate that it wouldn't be. That's the first issue, why should I pay this tax when not liable for it? I assume it's because it's too much trouble for them to bother doing the right paperwork, but that means quite a bit extra is charged to non-EU customers. But, the main issue is pricing disparities on their websites, of which there are three that I checked. Prices are listed below.
Shoe No: 611
.co.uk website - £199.00 this becomes US$244.53 at today's rates.
.de website - 229 Euros this becomes US$241.20 at today's rates
but
.com website, which they drive you to use if you are outside of the EU - US$365.00
This makes a US$120 increase, or 30% extra. Now, I do realise there might be extra taxes to pay in some countries, but as far as I'm aware they are the responsibility of the buyer, not the shipper. At the very least non-EU customers should be paying 19% less as either Shoepassion are not paying this and not passing on the saving, or they are paying it when they needn't be, and passing on the unnecessary cost to their customers.
I know there are other EU companies who still charge VAT to non-EU customers, but there are also many that don't, so it is possible for all of them to not pass on this cost.
Still, regardless of tax, those of us outside of the EU are paying so much more and I want Shoepassion to explain why.
Anyway, I thought I'd ask if others have had similar experiences, and maybe I'll put together a list of responsible companies who we can all save some cash buying from.
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