Ex VAT/+VAT dilemma

Hello,

We hired a piece of machinery last week and were quoted €x for the week. He never mentioned +/ex VAT at the time, and as consumers and not a business we are used to being quoted prices including VAT.

Now tonight when I asked him to when he was collecting it, he said he wants cash and I said, no I was giving him a cheque as I don't have the cash. He then turned around and said, well then the price is €x +21%, unless I pay €x in cash. I am bloody fuming, as obviously the €x cash would go into his back pocket!

I don't have access to the €x in cash, so looks like I have to pay him his €x+21% or do I?

G

Pay him the lower amount in cash. Then when he's happy, ask for a VAT reciept.

give him a vat number of some old receipt you have.

cuchulainn said:

give him a vat number of some old receipt you have.

Click to expand...

How will that make a difference?

What kind of outlet is it? Is this a hire shop, or just a bloke in his garage?

The VAT rate on hiring tools may be only 13.5%? I'm not 100% certain but hiring tools is a service and services are usually 13.5%...

Give your man a cheque made out to 'Cash' for €x and let him sort it out, it's not your problem he quoted the wrong price, or that he didn't make the price clear. Presumably your quote was verbal and not written so maybe you will have to pay x+21%, in this case just pay him the cash if you want to save the money.

ub: think I am getting a bit mixed up. know that if you are building a house in the south and you get a genuine vat number of a friend and you buy your building materials in the north , they will accept the southern vat number and don't charge british vat.