(COMMERCIAL)First time ever...trader refuses to refund out of Europe charged VAT

[robh]

Shipping to the Canary Islands is somewhat more complicated than to other parts of Europe, I accept that..... I pay import duties and local VAT on everything that comes here, every purchase, trade packet and gift.

But most companies/traders have their webstore correctly configured and invariably those that don't will refund the incorrect VAT when the problem is raised with them. I have no problem paying the duty and tax, I just don't like paying it twice.

However a purchase I made before Christmas has left me with a very sour opinion of a trader known here on LAF. I have asked 3 times for the overpayment to be refunded or allocated to a credit against future orders, to no avail. This trader will not help.

The trader is MINIATURICUM..........
 

[Belgian]

Original comment removed - wasn't aware that the Canary Islands are VAT free.

[The Dozing Dragon]

I was wondering about VAT as they are based in Germany however their site shows a 19% tax.

[robh]

Original comment removed - wasn't aware that the Canary Islands are VAT free.

We are not VAT (IVA in Spain) free, we pay the equivalent tax called IGIC plus import duty and whatever usurious fees the local Post Office charge for the "admin" of delivery of foreign mail.
I have the same difficulty even when buying gaming materials from Spanish sellers.

[emosbur]

Sorry robh but I don´t understand. Germany is in the EU as well Spain, so you have to pay VAT. I pay VAT for all the stuff from Euirope I buy, and I live in NW Spain.

[Westfalia Chris]

Sorry robh but I don´t understand. Germany is in the EU as well Spain, so you have to pay VAT. I pay VAT for all the stuff from Euirope I buy, and I live in NW Spain.

The situation is a bit different since robh is situated in the Canary Islands. These are classed as a non-EU-countries under the VAT regulations, so traders are allowed to waive charging VAT on goods they sell to private consumer residents of said countries to compensate for increased shipping and import taxes. Please note that, in B2C relations, under German VAT law this is not obligatory and left to the discretion of the selling company if selling below certain value thresholds.

[grant]

VAT is a contentious issue for those of us outside Europe.

The best traders have their stores set up to be exempt, but there many who don't. I've asked for it off on bigger orders and never been denied.

Very frustrating.

[PaintsByNumbers]

Refunds still cost the consumer money.  He has paid a currency exchange fee to his credit card company, both on the sale and on the refund.