Ancestry.co.uk and Taxes?

chasm · 08-11-2010 8:13pm #1

Hi Guys
I wonder if anybody can help me with this query?

Signed up for a years membership with ancestry and when i looked at my creditcard statement it seems that a larger amount had been taken out.
I contacted my CC (wirecard) and they said they take 1.5% as it's a foreign currency (sterling) and that i should contact ancestry as it appears that they took more moneyy than they should have.

So contacted Ancestry and received this reply:

"The amount charged was based off of the taxes in your home area. We apologize for any confusion in the matter. "

Can someone please explain what these "taxes" are because i don't think i've ever come across it before.

Thanks in advance.

TheDriver · 08-11-2010 8:52pm

difference in VAT between Ireland and UK maybe? Still should have been stated at time of checkout

JohnC. · 08-11-2010 8:53pm

Is it VAT? There's a different rate in the UK than there is here and when they sell to someone here, they are supposed to charge the higher Irish rate rather than the UK rate. That causes a jump in the final price when buying from the UK.

Maybe someone else can answer if they really should be displaying the final price with Irish VAT before the transaction is concluded? I know other places I order from do.

dudara · 09-11-2010 8:16am

Moved to Online Buying & Auctions

it sounds like the difference is due to VAT. Typically prices are quoted inclusive of UK VAT on UK websites. When they ship or supply to Ireland, they need to charge Irish VAT rates.

keithclancy · 09-11-2010 9:37am

Yup, If I buy phone credit for Justvoip I have to pay Dutch BTW (VAT) as thats the billing address on my debit card.

chasm · 10-11-2010 10:19pm

Thanks for the replies guys;)

I often buy stuff of uk websites but have never noticed a charge like this before, i just would have thought that the price advertised would be the price i was billed.

14-11-2010 9:15am

chasm wrote: »

Thanks for the replies guys;)

I often buy stuff of uk websites but have never noticed a charge like this before, i just would have thought that the price advertised would be the price i was billed.

It depends on how much the company is selling to non vat registered customers in the other country.

I think the limit is about €55,000 - if annual sales to non vat regd customers is above this, you must register for vat in that country and charge their ocal vat rates on goods going to that country.

Ancestry.co.uk and Taxes?

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