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Claiming vat back on online purchase in UK.

833

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 05 March 2013 - 18:38

I'm in the UK at the moment and want to buy a new camera. The one I would like is a deal that they seem to just have online. I spoke to a salesperson in John Lewis who advised me to order the camera online, then return it, buy back straight afterwards and in that way I could claim the vat back. Has anyone done this? Does this actually work? TIA!

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2192

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 06 March 2013 - 15:07

Primark do it as well !

833

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 06 March 2013 - 15:05

Thanks so much for your advise! I'm going yo go for click and collect as I want to have a look for some other things as well. Good to know that it is possible.

1042

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 05 March 2013 - 23:35

If it's from John Lewis no need to return it. Take the delivery slip to a John Lewis store within 3 months of purchase. Go to the Exports department at Customer Services. They will issue you with a form for VAT Export Scheme. Then you can claim VAT back at the airport. Selfridges will do the same. Harrods will not and House of Fraser are a little clueless on how to for items ordered by post (fine for items bought in store). I do this every summer when I'm in the UK. I save up all my John Lewis and Selfridges receipts and delivery slips for items bought online and take a trip to Oxford Street a few days before leaving to get the forms done. Needless to say I no longer buy from House of Fraser or Harrods anymore. <em>edited by RuthM on 05/03/2013</em>

4747

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EW MASTER

Latest post on 05 March 2013 - 21:35

yes most stores that are in the voluntary scheme will charge an admin fee, so sometimes its not worth much as you then have the hassle of sorting it out at the airport. normally you cannot get a vat refund if done online, but if you can reserve to the store and pick up there and they are in the scheme, you need to fill out the correct form, they will need to see your passport etc (have only done it at marks and thats what they needed) be aware that in the case of marks you needed to have a minimum spend, dont know what it is with JL.

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EW GURU

Latest post on 05 March 2013 - 20:54

Be aware that JL charges a commission for VAT refund as they use an outside company so if you can combine some purchases at JL, only do one VAT form.

101

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 March 2013 - 18:55

I've done it too. I took the paperwork to the customer services dept and the form was filled in there. They wanted to see my passport (not all stores do), so best to have it with you.

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Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 March 2013 - 18:55

I have not tried it but sounds like a good idea! You can simply return it if this doesn't work out.

63

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 March 2013 - 18:52

It should do. just when you purchase the camera online, select to collect it at your nearest JL. when you go to collect it just explain the situation and I'm sure they'll sort out the paperwork for you. I bought two lapms from JL and they completed the paperwork for me there and then and I claimed the VAT back at Heathrow. Hope this helped ;)

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