On 2005-11-05, Chris <chris.hopley@gmail.com.z> wrote:
>
> Brian wrote:
>>
>> You get to phone some destinations for free. You take advantage of
>> this. If all these destinations disappeared tomorrow you would still
>> have your 5 euro. Seems good value to me.
>
> I wanted to add 5 euros to my account to take advantage of the free
> calls to the free destinations, but ended up paying 5 euros + VAT = EUR
> 5.80. That's OK if you realise that the 5 euros quoted is exlusive of
> VAT, but that's not made clear until you get to the checkout. Aren't
> people selling to consumers under an obligation to quote prices
> inclusive of VAT? Apart from that, when I log into my account now, it
> says I have 5 euros credit, rather than 5.80. No mention of VAT
> anywhere. Surely that can't be right?

Thanks for the reminder; I had completely forgotten about the VAT. It
was a little irksome at the time, partly because I could not recollect
Finarea adding VAT to any of my previous purchases. The tariffs are
given with and without tax so it would be consistent to do the same for
payments into an account.

I don't think there is an obligation to quote VAT inclusive prices, but
could be wrong. Didn't advertisers in computer magazines originally
give prices as VAT exclusive until pressure from buyers caused them to
change that policy. There is the argument that Finarea do charge you 5
euro but the government adds 0.80 euro. Which is why, of course, our
credit with Sipdiscount is not 5.80.

Brian.