Comments for Karl Craig-West

Comment on Where’s the money? by Debs de Vries

Debs de Vries — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:16:38 +0000

Hi Stuart,

I’m really glad this post has helped and knowing you have chosen the right path
is in itself, a gift – even if the path gets really bumpy and dark at times. I
am greatful to Karl for encouraging me to post and thank you for responding.
Debs from http://thewellnessaudioshop.co.uk/blog

Comment on Where’s the money? by Stuart

Stuart — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:05:26 +0000

Karl, thanks for sharing this. It’s so important at those times of panic to remember why we’re doing it; and this post really gives inspiration and reassurance that I have personally chosen the right path!

Comment on Happy New Year of the Dragon by Debs de Vries

Debs de Vries — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:22:59 +0000

I was just unpeeling a banana when your post caught my inquisitive monkey eye! So, we monkeys are getting help from the source of Earth energy – Dragon Power – this year and that is good news. Like all monkeys I love to play, party and create and I am glad of the warning not to fiddle or interfere with how someone else wants to experience their life differently from mine. It is something monkeys have to put up with – not every one wants to be a smart (or irritating) as us!! (And yes, monkey egos are best kept in a cage!!). Useful stuff Karl, thanks.

Comment on Happy New Year of the Dragon by Sharon Schulz

Sharon Schulz — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:14:08 +0000

Thanks Karl – I’m a Monkey too! It get’s really complicated when you cross your Western sun sign with your Chinese Animal sign! How you doing? Met you last at 4N – love the Blog!

Comment on I beat Federal Express – the implications are potentially big by Karl Craig-West

Karl Craig-West — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:17:01 +0000

Hi Andrew,

Glad my efforts could be of help.

the VAT payment is a common misconception. Many people think they shouldn’t pay VAT because they didn’t buy it from the UK.

But I often have to remind people who email me: YOU HAVE TO PAY THE VAT, it’s the law.

Karl

Comment on I beat Federal Express – the implications are potentially big by Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:40:13 +0000

Thanks Karl

I took a look at the thread and it is clear that I have to pay the Royal Mail charges just as I thought. I would like to say that I disputed the FED EXPRESS admin charges and did not have to pay their £10 fee (I followed the instructions above.). I accepted the VAT charges so they still got £90 out of me.
Thanks again.

Andrew

Comment on I beat Federal Express – the implications are potentially big by Karl Craig-West

Karl Craig-West — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:16:19 +0000

Hi Andrew,

this one is a lot more tricky because Royal Mail can and will hold your parcel to ransom until you cough up. This is a constant issue with people who buy from outside the EU through eBay, they think they’re getting a bargain until the Post Office asks for £8 on each parcel.

Fedex, and the like, tend to deliver and then ask for payment, which gives you a bit of wriggle room on the fees.

The big thing to overcome is the fact that what they’re doing is actually legal, or legal until someone takes them to court to challenge the admin charges. And I can’t see that happening over £8.

I think that this thread on MSE sums it all up: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=592233

So, sadly and reluctantly, I have to admit defeat on this one. Sorry.

Karl

Comment on I beat Federal Express – the implications are potentially big by Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:32:08 +0000

Thanks Karl. Another question. I received a note through the door from Royal Mail. They have a parcel for me from Royal Mail. The parcel comes from the USA. They have charged VAT and £8 handling fee. Do you have any idea how I would go about getting the handling fee as the Royal Mail would usually hand the item over after I have paid.

Thanks.

Comment on I beat Federal Express – the implications are potentially big by Karl Craig-West

Karl Craig-West — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:16:14 +0000

Andrew, I know exactly how you feel about VAT but even gifts attract VAT. I’ve bought gifts from all over the world and had to pay VAT many times, it stinks. Buying within the EU is one solution because it’s only goods bought from outside the EEA (European Economic Area) that you’d have to pay VAT on.

But to answer your question: yes the government gets the money. FedEx and all the other carriers have a legal obligation to declare the VAT they’ve charged and hand the money over to HMRC.

Comment on I beat Federal Express – the implications are potentially big by Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:04:49 +0000

I brought a gift for my wife from hong Kong I think and Fed Express had contacted me a week later to tell me about VAT charges. I could not believe It. Item cost was £450 and VAT cost was £90. My item did say gift on it so I think it is unfair that I should have to pay VAT, but non the less, thank you for this email. I can atleast challenge the Admin charge of £10. What I dont understnad is why they want to cheese people off by adding a final VAT charge to the cost of their package. The think is we dont even know if the government will finally get the money and are they agents of customes and excersize?