I believe that discussions such as this are valid for discussion on the CR. I once had the experience of trying to order a vintage part for an English dealer via a search engine query. The dealer tried to add the VAT, even though I explained that I am American and he was sending to a USA address.
The English dealer (name protected to prevent them from embarassment) quoted me a price for a Brooks Pro seat and then tried to add on the VAT at the last moment as they tried to assume the sale. I was prepared for this possibility because I knew that the VAT does not apply to overseas purchases. When I protested and asked the VAT not be included, they declined to sell me the item with their last minute 17% markup in the total price.
The bottom line is that the CR helps to teach its members about all things that are bicycle classics, and learning about the VAT helps prepare inexperienced members for some of the challenges they face with unethical pricing.
I believe this CR discussion is worth pursuing...
Regards, Steve Neago
"Silent in Cincinnati, OH"
> I thought this was a Classic bike list and that totally OT, sarcastic,
> mildly offensive, and poorly researched (we stopped paying the poll tax
> years ago) comments such as these were not acceptable or has Dale written
a
> new set of rules?
>
> > From: Garrison Hilliard <garrison@efn.org>
> > Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2001 14:05:55 -0800 (PST)
> > To: Hugh Thornton <hughwthornton@hotmail.com>
> > Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> > Subject: Re: [CR]Re: VAT and other evils (OT)
> >
> > On Sun, 9 Dec 2001, Hugh Thornton wrote:
> >
> >> ripped off at the 17.5% rate that the Brits do. But the Brits will put
up
> >> with anything and pride themselves on their stoicism.
> >
> > Including the Poll Tax and TV Permits!
> >
> > p.s. Really, folks... don't you miss the Empire?
>
> Bob Reid
> Stonehaven
> Scotland (where the word "brit" is reserved for Geri Haliwell types,
> newspapers and magazines with as much intelligent content as the National
> Enquirer, and by people with no sense of national identity)