Free shipping from Amazon on orders from £25

noodler · 06-10-2009 01:45PM

ShaneU wrote: »

It's not as if they send over the extra 10% VAT to our government, the company is based in the U.K. so it should charge U.K. tax rates. Until they drop it I can buy 99% of dvds, cds etc. cheaper elsewhere.

Actually it is my understanding that that is exactly what they do. They send over the difference in VAT and the Irish gov doesn't ever stop their packages at high value levels - I thought anyway.

Its more like 5% anyway, where are you getting 10 from?

ShaneU · 06-10-2009 01:47PM

noodler wrote: »

Actually it is my understanding that that is exactly what they do. They send over the difference in VAT and the Irish gov doesn't ever stop their packages at high value levels - I thought anyway.

Its more like 5% anyway, where are you getting 10 from?

woops, you're right, calculated wrong

noodler · 06-10-2009 01:49PM

Can you link me to that 360? Can only find one for 190.

Vic Vinegar · 06-10-2009 01:49PM

noodler wrote: »

I believe HMV are a better bet. They do charge a

HMV charge €2.50 per dvd, really expensive if you're getting a few!

ShaneU · 06-10-2009 01:51PM

noodler wrote: »

Can you link me to that 360? Can only find one for 190.

I was looking at the price before VAT before ordering, my mistake

noodler · 06-10-2009 01:54PM

Bombleswizzum wrote: »

HMV charge €2.50 per dvd, really expenisve if you're gettting a few!

Ouch, on the other hand though, to ship me the entire Blu-Ray series of Battlestar Galactica in a big tin (20 discs) they still only charge 2.50.

Vic Vinegar · 06-10-2009 02:01PM

noodler wrote: »

Ouch, on the other hand though, to ship me the entire Blu-Ray series of Battlestar Galactica in a big tin (20 discs) they still only charge 2.50.

Good point there!

On a side note, it won't be the complete collection for long because "The Plan" will be out soon and will be included in a later one!

noodler · 06-10-2009 02:07PM

Bombleswizzum wrote: »

Good point there!

On a side note, it won't be the complete collection for long because "The Plan" will be out soon and will be included in a later one!

If that ever happens, it will be absolutely ages away. I sincerely doubt they will change the Box Set in October just to accommodate one more disc.

Voodu Child · 06-10-2009 02:15PM

Had a preorder of Win7 on my account, signed in and changed to free shipping. Saved a few quid. Thanks OP

podge3 · 06-10-2009 02:19PM

Voodu Child wrote: »

Had a preorder of Win7 on my account, signed in and changed to free shipping. Saved a few quid. Thanks OP

+1

Drakus · 06-10-2009 02:20PM

darraghn wrote: »

I have two copies of Win 7 on order - just went in and updated the Shipping method to Free. saved approx £10. Thanks OP.

Nice one, did the same. Only saved a fiver but still better in my pocket.

BTW I agree with ShaneU, this extra 6.5% Vat is a con. If I buy a product from a store in say Newry I am not liable for extra tax, ppl do it every day of the week. I really do not see why I am hit for the extra tax just because it is an online transaction. We're just an easy mark.

lindtee · 06-10-2009 02:21PM

Excellent stuff! Wish they had started this last week though as I'd have saved a few bob.

RobertFoster · 06-10-2009 03:03PM

noodler wrote: »

I believe HMV are a better bet. They do charge a small delivery but no Irish VAT.

It works out cheaper to get things from HMV in store, even with their exchange rate, than to pay £2.50/item to get it delivered. I didn't realise this until I bought a game recently from their website. With shipping it came to about €14 (£9.99+£2.50), but I saw it a few days later for €11.99 in store.

I know it's only €2, and you don't have to leave the house, but £2.50 on every item adds up. Of course, if there's no HMV near you, they can be cheaper than some other sites.

Macer123 · 06-10-2009 03:21PM

It's my understanding that Amazon ship from Dublin and therefore charge the 21.5% VAT rate as does every other company based in Ireland. In this case the irish governement gets the full 21.5% VAT and not the difference between it and the UK Rate. VAT is an "ad valorem" tax, it is based on the value of the goods and the supplier only acts as a collection agent for the Revenue i.e. they add the % on to the goods and pay over this same amount to the Revenue.

Some of the other companies mentioned in previous post are not based in the UK e.g. HMV, they ship from the channel Island which is outside the EU and hence don't collect or subsequently pay over any VAT. Deliveries from these companies is the same as if you order from the US and therefore customs can collect the VAT & Duty at point of entry.

Some posters have expressed there dissatisfaction at Amazon because they don't get to see the actual price which needs to be paid until just before confirming the order. In reality this is better/similar that purchasing from sites outside the EU which may be cheaper initally, but if customs collect the duty & VAT a buyer may end up paying much more than they first realised.

Sorry for the rant !!

Cameraman · 06-10-2009 03:26PM

bk wrote: »

A nice first step, but Amazon still have a lot to do to properly service Ireland.

Amazon.co.uk has a number of very serious usability issues for Irish users:

1) The price shown isn't the price you pay as they change vat from 17.5% to 21.5% at the very last step of the checkout process.

2) No idea if third party companies actually ship to Ireland until you get well into the checkout procedure.

3) No indication of how much shipping to Ireland will be for third party companies, anywhere.

Amazon really need to launch an amazon.ie site, where prices in euro (with a fair exchange rate), Irish VAT added on, only third party retailers who ship to Ireland shown on it and their shipping prices up front.

I think part of the problem with (1) and (2) is that they don't know the shipping location until the checkout stage. I often use it to send gifts to other locations (including the UK) and this affects the VAT rate and whether or not they'll deliver. Also, books have no VAT, so I just mentally factor in a few extra % for the VAT for other goods sent to me here - I find it only a very minor inconvenience, as you still see the exact price before you confirm an order.

Regarding (3) - when you choose an alternative vendor - there is usually a link to delivery charges which lets you know the charge.

snubbleste · 06-10-2009 03:30PM

If a company based in the EU ships in excess of a certain volume of goods to another EU country, it must charge the destination country VAT.

jayteecork · 06-10-2009 03:35PM

How about they also start accpeting Laser since they dispatch from and have offices in Dublin?

This sucks though, I bought a camera and some blurays last weeks from amazon and paid a ****load in P&P.

Ogham · 06-10-2009 03:35PM

To get the free delivery you need to choose Super Saver Delivery

I notice they have also reduced the standard delivery charges slightly too - for items that aren't cd/dvd/gamesbooks - it was recently 4.50 per order plus 50p per kg. It is now down to 3.99 per order plus 49p per kg. Most large items are gonna be over £25 anyway - but it's going to be a bit cheaper for smaller items. . See Here
I know I will just be saving up orders until I need £25 quids worth.
Just in time for the Christmas shopping !

scorn · 06-10-2009 03:44PM

snubbleste wrote: »

If a company based in the EU ships in excess of a certain volume of goods to another EU country, it must charge the destination country VAT.

As far as I'm aware, as soon as any state outside of Ireland sell more than €35,000 worth of goodss/services into the republic, they are then obliged to register for Irish VAT at 21.5%

I'd say Amazon ships at least that to Ireland, based on the posts in this thread...

ShaneU · 06-10-2009 03:46PM

scorn wrote: »

As far as I'm aware, as soon as any state outside of Ireland sell more than €35,000 worth of goodss/services into the republic, they are then obliged to register for Irish VAT at 21.5%

I'd say Amazon ships at least that to Ireland, based on the posts in this thread...

Apparently amazon ship from the ROI for deliveries here, so makes sense they charge the Irish VAT rate

lindtee · 06-10-2009 03:52PM

scorn wrote: »

As far as I'm aware, as soon as any state outside of Ireland sell more than €35,000 worth of goodss/services into the republic, they are then obliged to register for Irish VAT at 21.5%

I'd say Amazon ships at least that to Ireland, based on the posts in this thread...

Jaytee worked in the sorting office for the christmas period last year and he said the amount of Amazon parcels was unreal, with this free shipping over £25 and more people shopping online, its set to increase even more. I'll certainly be scouring Amazon for my christmas presents.

Macer123 · 06-10-2009 03:53PM

snubbleste wrote: »

If a company based in the EU ships in excess of a certain volume of goods to another EU country, it must charge the destination country VAT.

Are you sure ?? Do you have a link to the legislation !!

magic roundabou · 06-10-2009 03:57PM

thanks for this note - had an order pending and have been able to change it and got the free posting !! only a few pounds but evey little helps

has anyone noticed that the delivery times are getting longer even when things are in stock ?

snubbleste · 06-10-2009 03:58PM

Macer123 wrote: »

Are you sure ?? Do you have a link to the legislation !!

Recast 6th Directive, Council Directive 2006/112/EC, Title V, Chapter I, Section 2, Article 34.
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/vat/how_vat_works/distance_selling/index_en.htm

Tony · 06-10-2009 04:10PM

Snubb is correct they have registered and pay Irish VAT at 21.5 % , all of it not just the difference between the two rates

Macer123 wrote: »

Are you sure ?? Do you have a link to the legislation !!

ElNino · 06-10-2009 04:49PM

Tony wrote: »

Snubb is correct they have registered and pay Irish VAT at 21 % , all of it not just the difference between the two rates

You are correct Tony except the current top VAT rate is 21.5%.

Tony · 06-10-2009 04:52PM

Thats what I wrote ( after editing my post)

Freudian slip I guess, wish vat was a lot lower.

Thanks for pointing that out.

ElNino wrote: »

You are correct Tony except the current top VAT rate is 21.5%.

eth0_ · 06-10-2009 04:56PM

Sorry but this isn't a genuine bargain IMO.
In the UK I only have to spend £5 to get free supersaver delivery! Yet they want FIVE TIMES the amount before they'll deliver for free to Ireland?

I'll stick with play.com!

noodler · 06-10-2009 04:57PM

Macer123 wrote: »

It's my understanding that Amazon ship from Dublin and therefore charge the 21.5% VAT rate as does every other company based in Ireland. In this case the irish governement gets the full 21.5% VAT and not the difference between it and the UK Rate. VAT is an "ad valorem" tax, it is based on the value of the goods and the supplier only acts as a collection agent for the Revenue i.e. they add the % on to the goods and pay over this same amount to the Revenue.

Some of the other companies mentioned in previous post are not based in the UK e.g. HMV, they ship from the channel Island which is outside the EU and hence don't collect or subsequently pay over any VAT. Deliveries from these companies is the same as if you order from the US and therefore customs can collect the VAT & Duty at point of entry.

Some posters have expressed there dissatisfaction at Amazon because they don't get to see the actual price which needs to be paid until just before confirming the order. In reality this is better/similar that purchasing from sites outside the EU which may be cheaper initally, but if customs collect the duty & VAT a buyer may end up paying much more than they first realised.

Sorry for the rant !!

Last page has been very informative.

I went through the same investigative process with Komplett a year ago so should have known.

I didn't know HMV were liable for customs though, will have to think twice before ordering from them.

noodler · 06-10-2009 04:59PM

eth0_ wrote: »

Sorry but this isn't a genuine bargain IMO.
In the UK I only have to spend £5 to get free supersaver delivery! Yet they want FIVE TIMES the amount before they'll deliver for free to Ireland?

I'll stick with play.com!

I will as well on the few occasions their exchange rate isn't too off putting.

You will find for a start that they won't ship alot of things here but even when they do the extra they add on (not really free delivery tbh) in the euro conversion may make people think twice.

They also take longer than Amazon on average too.

Free shipping from Amazon on orders from £25

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