Student discount + VAT back? ( UK )

[chameleon81]

Hi,

Although I handed out my thesis I' m still considered as a student in UK and can benefit from the student discount. On the other hand I might leave the country and since I'm not from UK or EU I can claim my VAT back.

I asked Apple store yesterday if I can get both . And the guy said no you can not. The reason he told me was that School promo is subsidized by government and government does not want to subsidize someone who is leaving the country ( which makes sense )

But the whole thing didn' t make sense to me. Why would UK government subsidize APple so they can sell more Apple computers?

Did the guy just make up a story or is it real?

Thanks

 

[gnasher729]

But the whole thing didn' t make sense to me. Why would UK government subsidize APple so they can sell more Apple computers?

Why wouldn't the government subsidise students buying computers? They had a huge program that allowed employees to buy computers out of their untaxed salary (so if you paid the highest tax rate of 40 percent, you could buy a £1000 computer and have £600 less in your pocket), which couldn't be used by students; why shouldn't students be subsidised as well?

 

[chameleon81]

Why wouldn't the government subsidise students buying computers? They had a huge program that allowed employees to buy computers out of their untaxed salary (so if you paid the highest tax rate of 40 percent, you could buy a £1000 computer and have £600 less in your pocket), which couldn't be used by students; why shouldn't students be subsidised as well?

Government should support students but not just for Apple computers ( It is fine with me since I m going to buy an apple. I haven't seen HP DELL student discounts here in UK )

And my question isn' t about if students should be subsidised or not . I'm trying to find out if the story is true or not.

So no unnecessary discussions please

 

[logana]

You can only claim VAT back if you buy something from a retailer who is a member of one of the "Tax Free for Tourists" schemes.

It would appear that Apple are not members of any scheme so you cannot claim the VAT back when you leave the country. The HE discount is equivalent to the tax-free price anyway....

 

[chameleon81]

You can only claim VAT back if you buy something from a retailer who is a member of one of the "Tax Free for Tourists" schemes.

It would appear that Apple are not members of any scheme so you cannot claim the VAT back when you leave the country. The HE discount is equivalent to the tax-free price anyway....

Apple is a member of "Tax Free for Tourists" scheme.

So if I don' t get student discount I can get the VAT back for sure.

 

[kokoui]

Hello, I delivered my thesis and I bought a 24 " Imac after a few days with the student discount. Three days after I bought the Imac I left the UK without any problems so you can buy your apple product with the student discount . I do not think you will have any problem with that.

 

[chameleon81]

Hello, I delivered my thesis and I bought a 24 " Imac after a few days with the student discount. Three days after I bought the Imac I left the UK without any problems so you can buy your apple product with the student discount . I do not think you will have any problem with that.

Did you get VAT back?

 

[chameleon81]

no-one from UK?

 

[kokoui]

nop i am afraid i didn't

 

[leighonigar]

I didn't realise that it was subsidised, but the HE store does mention the 'National Higher Education Computer Agreement' or something. The PC side of this operation is RM as far as I know.

 

[logana]

Sounds as if you can get one (HE discount) or the other (VAT refund). They are both equivalent to 15% discount.

Possibly Apple is a member of the "Tax-free for Tourist" scheme but the HE site is not. That is what it looks like.

You could also buy a Mac at the airport and again the discount would be around 15%.

HE discount with 3 year warranty, £95 off iPod and free printer seems the best deal at the moment.

 

[ptjh]

Does the fact that you bought with educational discount show up on the recipt or does it just show the price?

 

[chameleon81]

Does the fact that you bought with educational discount show up on the recipt or does it just show the price?

You can not use any receipt for VAT tax refund. You must get a special receipt for it.

Apple web store does not participate for VAT scheme but retails does.


You said HE comes with 3 years warranty. I bought an iMac with my He discount and got that. But then I asked sales people at apple retail in London they are unaware of sth like this?

are you sure we still get 3 years warranty?

 

[logana]

You said HE comes with 3 years warranty. I bought an iMac with my He discount and got that. But then I asked sales people at apple retail in London they are unaware of sth like this?

are you sure we still get 3 years warranty?

3 year warranty with HE purchases online or by phone..

If you buy instore it appears to be 12 month warranty with the option of purchasing full 3 year AppleCare for £40 odd (plus VAT) depending on whether iMac or MB/MBP/MBA.

 

[macandi]

so can you still get a VAT refund if you buy from a apple retail store, say the one in birmingham? if you are a student studying in the UK? thanks alot

 

[chameleon81]

so can you still get a VAT refund if you buy from a apple retail store, say the one in birmingham? if you are a student studying in the UK? thanks alot

By the way , you can get VAT back when u leave the country and do not come back for a period of time. ( It is not like businesses claiming VAT tax back. )

 

[Doshka]

buying online form the apple store and claiming VAT back?

I just bought a new 2.8 macbook pro 15" online from the apple store
I dont live in the UK and im leaving in a week back home, I was was wondering of i can claim back the VAT when i leave at the airport. and if i can how do i do it as i never claimed back VAT. If anyone knows please tell me as it cost me a bundle and if i can save any money it would be great.

 

[Bbusyb]

To claim VAT Back you need to fill out a Global VAT Refund form, for which the retailer need to be part of the scheme.

Online retailors can only participate if they have a retail presence, but as far as I'm aware Apple online is separate from their retail apple stores, so does not participate. So You will not be able get a VAT Refund from them.

Apple states on their website

"VAT refunds on exports
Apple are not permitted to refund any VAT charged on UK purchases due to local legislation restrictions. The Apple Store (UK) is not a part of the Retail Export Scheme, as this scheme does not apply to Internet Sales."

Link: http://store.apple.com/uk/help/payments

 

[Doshka]

buying online form the apple store and claiming VAT back?

Thx BbusyB, You are right i checked around and the only way to get a VAT refund is to buy it form the apple retail store, an not from the online store
That sucks because i the reason i ordered mine online was because i couldn't get my macbook pro 15" upgraded with the 7200 500GB HD. The only way to get that option is to order it online.

Anyway hope the difference in HDD speed is worth it.

 

[Bbusyb]

Thx BbusyB, You are right i checked around and the only way to get a VAT refund is to buy it form the apple retail store, an not from the online store
That sucks because i the reason i ordered mine online was because i couldn't get my macbook pro 15" upgraded with the 7200 500GB HD. The only way to get that option is to order it online.

Anyway hope the difference in HDD speed is worth it.

Ouch that bites.

The other option is to buy the standard Model in store, and upgrade your HD yourself (It is a user replaceable part, so will not void your warranty) . You'll probably save money that way, as Apple's HD upgrade prices are through the roof.

While Changing the HD on the Unibody's is not as easy as it was on previous generations, it is still not that difficult.Check out the manual available on the Apple site, and it will talk you through the whole process.

Still in the end you have to conside what your time and effort is worth. and if you are leery of opening up your computer, then this self upgrade is definitely not for you.