AppleCare Rip Off! UK

[randomgeeza]

How skanky is this....?

I bought AppleCare for my 15, 2.9, 512, 2017 MBPTB the other day. I received the invoice today only to find that Apple had charged me a VAT rate of 23%, even though I am UK based and should only pay 20%.

When I called them [Apple] explained that it is because they are based in Southern Ireland and they have implemented the EU rate of VAT. They offered to refund the amount so that I could go in store and buy it. However, in store they charge £329 inclusive of the UK rate of 20%...?

Urgo, they have set the price at £329, and then the VAT differentials are tweaked, to meet that amount.

This is so skanky given the amount asked. And this isn't even AppleCare+ which is still not available in the UK for MBP products.

I can't help but feel hand tied, and cheated over this...

 

[mw360]

Within the EU, services sold to consumers have VAT charged at the rate in the supplier's country, not the consumer's. There is no EU VAT rate - 23% is the VAT rate in Ireland. Setting the same price across store and online is perfectly fair and sensible and you'll probably find Apple playing the exact same game in every EU country regardless of whether the local VAT rate is lower or higher than Ireland. By the way the amount you're upset over is only about £8. And don't call me Urgo.

 

[Brookzy]

I'm not sure what the issue is here - you were still charged £329?

 

[randomgeeza]

Well aside form the cost itself. I'm UK based and was under the assumption whether rightly or wrongly that I pay 20% VAT, not 23% which saves approx. £9 in taxes.

However, as above and as explained by Apple. It seems my understanding of VAT is wrong and as such I paid an extra £9 in taxes because Apple are based in the Southern Ireland, with a higher rate of VAT.

That's my beef.. Whether it's 9p, £9 or £90 ... I feel that I paid more than should.

 

[jetsam]

And don't call me Urgo.

Surely that's not a problem!

 

[Brookzy]

Well aside form the cost itself. I'm UK based and was under the assumption whether rightly or wrongly that I pay 20% VAT, not 23% which saves approx. £9 in taxes.

However, as above and as explained by Apple. It seems my understanding of VAT is wrong and as such I paid an extra £9 in taxes because Apple are based in the Southern Ireland, with a higher rate of VAT.

That's my beef.. Whether it's 9p, £9 or £90 ... I feel that I paid more than should.

I still don't understand how you paid more. You were charged £329, correct?

Even if you are a business who claimed back the VAT, you would be better off in this situation.

 

[tarsins]

Hugely misleading thread title. It's not a rip off. You didn't pay more.