** Quintessential Crockett & Jones Thread ** (reviews, quality, etc...)

[Winston S.]

On my Drummonds, I received back GBP31.80/$51.01. I don't think I used an agent. You get your paperwork stamped by the customs/duties people and drop it in the mail to the HMRC.

 

[Gdot]

*-Gdot - if you don't mind me asking, how much of the VAT are you able to recover at the airport? The reason I ask is because I am planning to pick up a couple of pairs in London in the next few months and my understanding is that the refund companies at the airport take a slice of the VAT to be refunded (so I'm just trying to figure out whether it actually works out cheaper to ask C&J to knock the VAT off in store and then post the shoes out).

All of the VAT is refundable to you as a non UK resident. I believe the rate in the UK is 18%. You fill out your forms - have them approved at the VAT refund office at the airport - mail in your forms (theres a mailbox right at the VAT ofice) and get the refund direct from the gov'mnt. It can take a few months.
C&J will provide you with EVERYTHING you need right there in the store - including a postage paid envelope.'

 

[Winston S.]

Assuming that you are leaving from Heathrow, if you cannot carry on your shoes for some reason, make sure you leave ample time to get your forms stamped. It could take anywhere from 1 - 2 hours at least from the American Airlines Terminal (3?) If you can carry on, there is a VAT office after security where the line is typically shorter. Technically you have to show the goods to the VAT officer for him to stamp your form, but I don't recall him asking for my shoes when I was last there. I think the time before that though, the VAT officer did ask for my goods.

Not a great picture, but there were 60 people in front of me and after waiting an hour I never reached the front of the line.
That's when I found out about the VAT office after the security line.

 

[Gdot]

Good information to have. I never check luggage so I always go to the office after security check.

 

[StephenJB]



All of the VAT is refundable to you as a non UK resident. I believe the rate in the UK is 18%.

20%, I'm afraid.

 

[mxgreen]



20%, I'm afraid.

VAT is 20% - an item that is £100 prior to imposition of VAT will have a purchase price (after VAT is imposed) of £120. So, to figure out how much VAT you will be getting back multiply the purchase price by 1/6. Or, to figure the ex VAT price of an UK item that is to be shipped directly to the States multiply the purchase price by 5/6.

 

[Gdot]



20%, I'm afraid.

You are correct. I was not aware it had been raised from 17.5% to 20% the first of last year. But upon checking I find that HM revenue and customs website is quite clear in this regard. Thank you for pointing that out to me.

 

[Dib]

Thanks guys, useful information to have.

Winston S - doesn't sound like you got the full 20% back (i.e. if Drummonds are around GBP320, shouldn't you have got back closer to GBP60)?

 

[Winston S.]



Thanks guys, useful information to have.
Winston S - doesn't sound like you got the full 20% back (i.e. if Drummonds are around GBP320, shouldn't you have got back closer to GBP60)?

Yeah, for some reason there is some sort of administrative surcharge when you submit the VAT refund application.

2.What is Tax Free Shopping?

In the UK, Value Added Tax (VAT) is charged on many goods and services. Tax Free Shopping allows travellers leaving the European Union (EU) to get a VAT refund on goods they buy here and take home. It cannot be used for services.

In most cases, the shop or refund company will charge you a fee for using Tax Free Shopping. They will take the money out of your VAT refund.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/sectors/consumers/overseas-visitors.htm

 

[Gdot]

Great! Now that the tedious details regarding a few pence here and there are dealt with we can resume discussions regarding the shoes. No?

 

[wj4]

For those who have Chukkas...what model did you go with?

Dark brown Chukkas are next on my list, but I'm not sure on the model and size.

 

[Mike Ross]

Just received my first pair of C&J today! Dark Brown Edgeware off B&S. They fit well (dare I say perfect), and will hopefully not be my last pair.

 

[John Doe]



For those who have Chukkas...what model did you go with?
Dark brown Chukkas are next on my list, but I'm not sure on the model and size.

I love my Tetburys. Size down a full size e.g. I'm a 8.5 US but I got these in 7.5 UK and the fit is spot on.

Just received my first pair of C&J today!  Dark Brown Edgeware off B&S.  They fit well (dare I say perfect), and will hopefully not be my last pair.

Congradulations!

 

[wj4]



I love my Tetburys. Size down a full size e.g. I'm a 8.5 US but I got these in 7.5 UK and the fit is spot on.

Congradulations!

I see the Tetbury is on the 348 last. All of my C&J's are on the 337 last. I sized down one full size, from a 8.5 US to a 7.5 UK like you. I was told to only size down .5 for the 348 last. Now I'm not so certain. I love England shoes, but man returning them is not cheap!

 

[John Doe]



I see the Tetbury is on the 348 last. All of my C&J's are on the 337 last. I sized down one full size, from a 8.5 US to a 7.5 UK like you. I was told to only size down .5 for the 348 last. Now I'm not so certain. I love England shoes, but man returning them is not cheap!

I was told this also (by a C&J vendor in the U.K.) but after researching various threads here regarding the fit of the Tetbury I decided to size down one full size instead of half a size. That was the right decision for me as my Tetbury's couldn't fit any better. Search for those threads.