Why Do Garages Not Include V.A.T?

[swain90]

Hi All,

Why is it whenever you seem to have some sort of work done on your car the garage always tells you the ex V.A.T price?

It just seems pointless as why not just include the full price?

 

[Zero Pope]

My garage always tells me the price inclusive of VAT.

 

[rodenal]

I just ask if the price is VAT inclusive, if it isn't they'll happily tell you it. Problem solved

 

[[TW]Fox]

They do it to make the price sound cheaper and to try and catch you out. They are obliged to quote VAT inclusive prices if the majority of the business they do is to consumers.

Many excuses as offered as to why they quote the prices ex VAT but frankly they are all just that - excuses. It's to make them sound cheaper.

 

[floatindolphin]

just add 20% of the quoted price on.

I think they do it so yo think you're getting a better deal and by the time the VAT is added you already decided what a wonderful deal it is...

 

[swain90]

My experiences have always been I need to ask for total price including VAT.

Perfect example, my car has gone in for a full service today, I get a phone call from the garage saying all in all it'll be ~£300. But I double checked to see if that included VAT...guess what....it didn't, so when in fact it'd be more like ~£360. Why not just give me that figure in the first place?!?!?!?!

 

[swain90]

They do it to make the price sound cheaper and to try and catch you out.

Sounds about right.

 

[sanofi]

When you say "garages" are we talking main dealer garage or small independent? Cost breakdowns by main dealers are pretty comprehensive in my experience.

 

[mike gunnz]

My local indy always does this and it used to drive me insane. Until the penny dropped that he gives a decent 'discount' for cash.

 

[cheechm]

20% discount?

 

[rhysduck]

My garage always tells me the price inclusive of VAT.

This. Never had it without.

 

[robj20]

Garages charge VAT, news to me

 

[mike gunnz]

20% discount?

No chance

 

[MikeTheNative]

The garage I go to definitely includes VAT.

 

[MooMoo444]

They do it to make the price sound cheaper and to try and catch you out. They are obliged to quote VAT inclusive prices if the majority of the business they do is to consumers.

Many excuses as offered as to why they quote the prices ex VAT but frankly they are all just that - excuses. It's to make them sound cheaper.

Kinda puts you in a hole too. They quote you x, you say "sure that's fine - do the work", they do it.. then they say, right then sir, that's x+20% please.

And you're like

 

[ci_newman]

Maybe it's so you can offer to pay cash

 

[Jonny69]

They do it to make the price sound cheaper and to try and catch you out. They are obliged to quote VAT inclusive prices if the majority of the business they do is to consumers.

Many excuses as offered as to why they quote the prices ex VAT but frankly they are all just that - excuses. It's to make them sound cheaper.

Well worded

 

[The Running Man]

Smaller places might not have vat adding tills and quotation systems so they give you a price as they see it because they buy ex vat and will then drag out a calculator if you want tax adding on.

toyota always quote me ex vat do they think im a sole trader or something?

 

[[TW]Fox]

Smaller places might not have vat adding tills and quotation systems

Pull the other one.

 

[Scania]

I paid the ex VAT price to have my e38 serviced a few years back, never even noticed until the next time I went in they pointed it out to me!

In fairness, they only charged me 10% of the difference and subsequently altered the invoice to prominently include VAT at the amount due part!