PRS-T1 Play.com selling for £114.99 in UK

Gilmartin · 11-11-2011, 07:03 AM

They are based in the Channel Islands so can charge a lower rate of VAT than the 20% we pay in the UK. None in stock atm, they are showing it as available at end of Nov:
http://www.play.com/Electronics/Elec...3-/Refine.html

I did read a day or so ago that the UK Government is making moves to close down the tax loophole they're using- I believe it will be closed down next April?
I've used Play.com before to buy DVD's and have had no problems. But I see they have been bought over by Rakuten, don't know if this will make any difference or not.
Wonder if the "end of Nov" time scale is meant to tie in with the opening of the UK Reader Store?

Ashjuk · 11-11-2011, 01:40 PM

Not sure how this is going to work.

The advantage of buying from a Channel Islands based company only really works for low value items where HM Customs and Revenue deem the VAT not worth collecting i.e. CDs and DVDs etc.

With an item priced at over £100 I'm sure they would consider it worthwhile collecting the VAT on that - over £20 in tax!

So unless Play confirm the price of £115 is inclusive of UK VAT paid I have a feeling it's going to work out more than that by the time it is delivered.

But I could be wrong.

Gilmartin · 11-11-2011, 02:45 PM

Yes, must admit I'm uncertain. Anyone seriously thinking about buying from there is well advised to check. HMRC have various limits depending on type of goods and whether its mailed to you or brought in by you in person -eg bringing goods back from holiday with you. IIRC the latter allowance is more than the former.

cybmole · 11-12-2011, 02:23 AM

£115 is clearly the total price, nothing on-site says it's coming from channel Isles, its just a retailer discounting RRP (at last) ,which is what I'd expect to see lots of in run-up to Xmas & in Jan sales.

if you go to play via topcashback, then you'll also get some rebate on that price.
http://www.topcashback.co.uk/play/

PS Play sell lots of high value items, like games consoles, TVs, PCs even. if ever any customer had been hit for a VAT surcharge on one of those it would be all over the gaming forums

Ashjuk · 11-12-2011, 03:57 AM

You could well be right about that cybmole. I have never bought any high value items from Play so I thought it only applied to things like CDs etc.

Gilmartin · 11-12-2011, 04:10 AM

At present goods valued at less than £15 are not liable to VAT when imported to the UK from the Channel Islands. That exemption will end in April, although it is likely to be challenged in court. No doubt a foreign one rather than a British one

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-euro...rnsey-15691480

As stated above, there is no indication on the Play.com site that the Sonys will be sent from Guernsey but I'd still be looking for confirmation of that before I place any order.

cybmole · 11-18-2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilmartin

there is no indication on the Play.com site that the Sonys will be sent from Guernsey but I'd still be looking for confirmation of that before I place any order.

where do you plan on looking ???

maybe you should just ask them & post the outcome.

Gilmartin · 11-18-2011, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybmole

maybe you should just ask them & post the outcome.

That's exactly what I intend to do if I decide to buy one. Right now I'm waiting to see if Sony get a fix out for the freezing/page turning problems being reported here.

carpetmojo · 11-18-2011, 06:17 PM

Yup, the loophole is definitely being plugged - but some of the concerns are fairly large, and may opt to absorb a chunk of the VAT. I think that's what some of the health and DVD/CD guys are considering.

If they're well established they may decide to keep an edge, and accept a smaller margin.

cybmole · 11-18-2011, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilmartin

That's exactly what I intend to do if I decide to buy one. Right now I'm waiting to see if Sony get a fix out for the freezing/page turning problems being reported here.

could be a long wait - a better strategy may be to gamble :- buy one - return it for full refund if it shows any freezing symptoms.

Gilmartin · 11-23-2011, 10:02 AM

Just had another look at the Play.com site. PRS-T1 now shown as being in stock, but the price has jumped to £149.19- £20 more expensive than in the Sony store, Currys, PC World and Comet. Odd?
Wonder if the original price was for pre-orders only?

thomasn75 · 11-23-2011, 10:09 AM

i ordered on last night and got it for 114.99 havent checked price today.

JSWolf · 11-23-2011, 10:21 AM

The price today is the normal non-sale price.

Gilmartin · 11-23-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The price today is the normal non-sale price.

Ok, thanks.

thomasn75 · 11-23-2011, 10:27 AM

so i got in there just in time. i had promised to get my farther in law one for christmas

11-11-2011, 07:03 AM	#1
Gilmartin Zealot Posts: 134 Karma: 1244690 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Device: PRS-T1, PW2	Play.com selling for £114.99 in UK They are based in the Channel Islands so can charge a lower rate of VAT than the 20% we pay in the UK. None in stock atm, they are showing it as available at end of Nov: http://www.play.com/Electronics/Elec...3-/Refine.html I did read a day or so ago that the UK Government is making moves to close down the tax loophole they're using- I believe it will be closed down next April? I've used Play.com before to buy DVD's and have had no problems. But I see they have been bought over by Rakuten, don't know if this will make any difference or not. Wonder if the "end of Nov" time scale is meant to tie in with the opening of the UK Reader Store?

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11-11-2011, 01:40 PM	#2
Ashjuk Fanatic Posts: 500 Karma: 3498633 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Surrey, UK Device: Kobo Aura One, Sony PRS 600/650	Not sure how this is going to work. The advantage of buying from a Channel Islands based company only really works for low value items where HM Customs and Revenue deem the VAT not worth collecting i.e. CDs and DVDs etc. With an item priced at over £100 I'm sure they would consider it worthwhile collecting the VAT on that - over £20 in tax! So unless Play confirm the price of £115 is inclusive of UK VAT paid I have a feeling it's going to work out more than that by the time it is delivered. But I could be wrong.

11-11-2011, 02:45 PM	#3
Gilmartin Zealot Posts: 134 Karma: 1244690 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Device: PRS-T1, PW2	Yes, must admit I'm uncertain. Anyone seriously thinking about buying from there is well advised to check. HMRC have various limits depending on type of goods and whether its mailed to you or brought in by you in person -eg bringing goods back from holiday with you. IIRC the latter allowance is more than the former.

11-12-2011, 02:23 AM	#4
cybmole Wizard Posts: 3,720 Karma: 1759970 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: none	£115 is clearly the total price, nothing on-site says it's coming from channel Isles, its just a retailer discounting RRP (at last) ,which is what I'd expect to see lots of in run-up to Xmas & in Jan sales. if you go to play via topcashback, then you'll also get some rebate on that price. http://www.topcashback.co.uk/play/ PS Play sell lots of high value items, like games consoles, TVs, PCs even. if ever any customer had been hit for a VAT surcharge on one of those it would be all over the gaming forums

11-12-2011, 03:57 AM	#5
Ashjuk Fanatic Posts: 500 Karma: 3498633 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Surrey, UK Device: Kobo Aura One, Sony PRS 600/650	You could well be right about that cybmole. I have never bought any high value items from Play so I thought it only applied to things like CDs etc.

11-12-2011, 04:10 AM	#6
Gilmartin Zealot Posts: 134 Karma: 1244690 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Device: PRS-T1, PW2	At present goods valued at less than £15 are not liable to VAT when imported to the UK from the Channel Islands. That exemption will end in April, although it is likely to be challenged in court. No doubt a foreign one rather than a British one http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-euro...rnsey-15691480 As stated above, there is no indication on the Play.com site that the Sonys will be sent from Guernsey but I'd still be looking for confirmation of that before I place any order.

11-18-2011, 06:17 PM	#9
carpetmojo Wizard Posts: 3,117 Karma: 9269999 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony- T3, PRS650, 350, T1/2/3, Paperwhite, Fire 8.9,Samsung Tab S 10.5	Yup, the loophole is definitely being plugged - but some of the concerns are fairly large, and may opt to absorb a chunk of the VAT. I think that's what some of the health and DVD/CD guys are considering. If they're well established they may decide to keep an edge, and accept a smaller margin.

11-23-2011, 10:02 AM	#11
Gilmartin Zealot Posts: 134 Karma: 1244690 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Device: PRS-T1, PW2	Just had another look at the Play.com site. PRS-T1 now shown as being in stock, but the price has jumped to £149.19- £20 more expensive than in the Sony store, Currys, PC World and Comet. Odd? Wonder if the original price was for pre-orders only?

11-23-2011, 10:09 AM	#12
thomasn75 Groupie Posts: 170 Karma: 1085592 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: kobo aura h2o v2, kobo Aura, sony prs t1	i ordered on last night and got it for 114.99 havent checked price today.

11-23-2011, 10:21 AM	#13
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,750 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The price today is the normal non-sale price.

11-23-2011, 10:27 AM	#15
thomasn75 Groupie Posts: 170 Karma: 1085592 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: kobo aura h2o v2, kobo Aura, sony prs t1	so i got in there just in time. i had promised to get my farther in law one for christmas

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