Ebay seller wanting to add vat

[flh801978]

As title theres an item of kit I want to buy its got 8 days to run but in the description they state that vat will be added to the total
I want the item but dont feel like adding 20% to the final bid which may be £400 or so
Ebay dont allow that sort of thing
Do I tell the seller that ebay dont allow that
report the auction? but which series of buttons for that offence?
or wait till i hopefully win and tell them the hammer price is what i'll pay and risk peeing them off and possiibly loosing item

Ian

 

[RogerP]

Ask them to clarify their sales terms as on eBay VAT can't be added to an item's final auction price.

 

[flh801978]

So if they say " tough thats what we are doing"
what do i do
I have to go and collect
I do want to win this item

 

[deema]

Report the item to eBay

 

[RogerP]

Well it would be best to find out first if they are expecting to add VAT.

If they are then point out eBay don't allow that.

Report the item to eBay http://ocsnext.ebay.co.uk/ocs/sr?query=1732&st=7

 

[Dee J]

Regardless of what the Ebay policy is, they are being clear as to what the purchase costs are - and any competing bidder (if paying full attention) will be bidding on that basis. If another bidder bids £x + vat and you are not willing to bid £x+1 +vat then you won't be able to buy it. Whilst you could argue that they have to take the vat out of the hammer price - then any competing bidder will be working on that basis too and you're back where you started. If vat is due then it is due. If you report to Ebay and they bother to follow it up then the auction will probably be withdrawn and relisted as vat included in hammer price - but then any observant bidders will work on that basis and the resultant hammer price will be higher.

 

[flh801978]

Ive looked at reporting but utterly confused about which buttons to press
there is no option to just say "seller expecting to add amounts/ vat"

 

[flh801978]

I do sometimes wonder if people do read the description properly though so I may be bidding knowing I have to add 20% but others may not

 

[RogerP]

eBay are quite clear. VAT cannot be added - end of.

 

[Dee J]

I do sometimes wonder if people do read the description properly though so I may be bidding knowing I have to add 20% but others may not

Auction bidders overbid for all kinds of reasons - so there is no certainty that you can win the item at the price you want - or that is appropriate to the item 'value'.
If Ebay wont take any action, then you can always 'ask the seller a question' to clarify the vat situation and hope other bidders see the response.
But waiting 'til the auction is over and then refusing to pay the vat may well give you the moral high ground, but probably won't get you the item you want to buy.

 

[flh801978]

Seller replied to my query

Hi, as our eBay account is for business use and not personal use we are able to input the VAT rate at 20% this will be added to the final value, a VAT receipt will be issued.

I hope this helps.

 

[Ali]

if you want the item and you need to go collect the item, then you will have to pay the VAT.

Ebay does not have a facility for this and obviously you can report the seller but the seller should not care. He is registered for VAT, this item is probably shown on their books so he needs to pay the VAT on the sale.

Hopefully there are not too many other buyers involved but I would be prepared to pay VAT. ebay will be powerless to help you get the item if you do not agree.

 

[doctor Bob]

If you win before you pay the additional 20%, ensure you get a vat receipt to prove he is Vat registered. Otherwise he is just conning you.

 

[doctor Bob]

The vat receipt will have his vat number on it, if it doesn't it's not a vat receipt.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

He is registered for VAT, this item is probably shown on their books so he needs to pay the VAT on the sale.

So do millions of other sellers. That's not the question, it's whether he can add it afterwards.

 

[RogerP]

eBay says...

As eBay is primarily a consumer marketplace, you can't add VAT to the final item price after the item has been won. Please state the item price including VAT in your listing.

For more information about what you can and can't charge on top of your sale price, see our selling practices policy

 

[woodpig]

Seems quite clear. If the seller wants to sell stuff on eBay the winning bid must include VAT.

 

[Ali]

He is registered for VAT, this item is probably shown on their books so he needs to pay the VAT on the sale.

So do millions of other sellers. That's not the question, it's whether he can add it afterwards.

My point is, yes he is breaking ebay's rules by demanding VAT after the final bid price, but what can the buyer or ebay do if he refuses to sell at that final bid price? Pretty much nothing. Ebay can't demand the seller hands over the goods, it has happened to me plenty of times when I have been the single bidder and the seller refuses to sell at a low price.

All you can do as a successful bidder is either come to a compromise with the seller or do a "take it and leave it" offer to the seller.

Ebay doesn't have much power in the real world.

 

[Beau]

I don't get the fuss.

His pricing is clear
You know what it will cost you

Yes is being sly as he won't pay Ebay fees on 20% but that probably means the seller can part with it for less money so in your favour.

 

[RogerP]

I don't get the fuss............

....... millions of other business sellers play by rules but there's always the odd "del boy" trying to make an extra buck by getting around them. Frankly I would trust a seller who is this devious.