Companies that pret...
 

Companies that pretend to be in the uk, but aren’t.

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Ordered something from santafixie.co.uk. Despite no indication, turns out they are based in Spain!

Does this mean I’m going to get hammered for taxes when it arrives?

Bike inn is another, obviously I know these guys are based abroad and have a decent rep but I’m assuming if I buy from them I’m again going to be stung for taxes based on not being in the eu?


 
Posted : 07/07/2022 10:27 am
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Prices at strange decimals is always the good giveaway.


 
Posted : 07/07/2022 10:30 am
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never been hit with import or vAT on bikeinn/snowinn stuff.


 
Posted : 07/07/2022 10:32 am
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As @jam-bo, as soon as you see random prices, that's the give away.

Frames for £1032.90?...obviously converted


 
Posted : 07/07/2022 10:32 am
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I've ordered a few things from ***INN companies. Tax only hits over the £130 limit. TBH I mostly there when it's something I can't get from any UK supplier and so just factor that into the equation.


 
Posted : 07/07/2022 10:33 am
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never been hit with import or vAT on bikeinn/snowinn stuff.

They have warehouses in the UK.


 
Posted : 07/07/2022 10:33 am
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Prices at strange decimals is always the good giveaway.

And about 20% cheaper than the UK price


 
Posted : 07/07/2022 10:34 am
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I think BIKEINN and others similar (RUNINN, SNOWINN etc) have a distribution centre in the UK so they can circumvent the duty as the items are already here despite the company being overseas. Not sure about the fixie place though.


 
Posted : 07/07/2022 10:35 am
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Ordered something from santafixie.co.uk. Despite no indication, turns out they are based in Spain!

Bottom of every page.....

Santafixie. Fixed Gear Bicycles and Urban, Accessories, Shop

Santafixie Group S.L. CIF/VAT: ESB65589863. Registered in the Barcelona Companies House, Volume 42643, 202, B.

Headquarters 22@ District . Barcelona . Spain.

About us....

We’re very proud to be the top online Urban Bicycles, Components and Accessories shop in Europe for urban cycling.


 
Posted : 07/07/2022 10:41 am
 csb
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If you do get charged there's a case to be made under consumer regs that the shopfront being .co.uk is misleading customers and it is they who should pay to get the goods here.


 
Posted : 07/07/2022 10:44 am
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I ordered some gear from another Spanish site and wasn't hit with taxes.


 
Posted : 07/07/2022 12:21 pm
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csb
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If you do get charged there’s a case to be made under consumer regs that the shopfront being .co.uk is misleading customers and it is they who should pay to get the goods here

Spanish or U.K. consumer regs?


 
Posted : 07/07/2022 12:33 pm
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Brexit Means Brexit


 
Posted : 07/07/2022 1:30 pm
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No suggestion that they have a UK warehouse or have prepaid duty 🙁

* Any customs or import duties are charged once the parcel reaches its destination country. These charges must be paid by the recipient of the parcel. We have no control over these charges and can't let you know how much they'll be. Policies vary from country to country so it would be a good idea to check with your local customs agent for more information.


 
Posted : 07/07/2022 1:53 pm
 Drac
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If you do get charged there’s a case to be made under consumer regs that the shopfront being .<span class="skimlinks-unlinked">co.uk</span> is misleading customers and it is they who should pay to get the goods here.

Good luck with that.


 
Posted : 07/07/2022 2:14 pm
 csb
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Spanish or U.K. consumer regs?

UK as you are buying from a uk hosted site. Same as if it (if you were buying foods) poisoned you it would fall under uk regs.


 
Posted : 09/07/2022 11:16 am
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UK as you are buying from a uk hosted site. Same as if it (if you were buying foods) poisoned you it would fall under uk regs.

Are you a UK based lawyer or more armchair based?


 
Posted : 09/07/2022 11:35 am
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A .co.uk domain can be hosted on a server in any country. So it's not hosted in the UK, just managed with nominet.


 
Posted : 09/07/2022 1:36 pm
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Are you a UK based lawyer or more armchair based?

🤗🤗


 
Posted : 09/07/2022 8:09 pm
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UK as you are buying from a uk hosted site. Same as if it (if you were buying foods) poisoned you it would fall under uk regs.

You also need to check your cycling related purchases against the warranty legislation of the Cocos Islands and Tuvalu for any tuning issues with your telly.


 
Posted : 09/07/2022 9:04 pm
 csb
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Edited as not going into work stuff here.


 
Posted : 09/07/2022 9:07 pm
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UK as you are buying from a uk hosted site.

My domain name skills are seriously rusty but if I'm reading this right, the site is hosted in US...
https://whois.domaintools.com/santafixie.co.uk

Anyone can buy a .co.uk domain name and host it anywhere, same as everyone looks to buy a .com (back in ye olden days .com was considered a US business domain name, but quickly became a worldwide standard). Just because it is a .co.uk address doesn't mean it is UK-based.

(Aware this isn't helping but I used it more as a wee check instill remembered some of the stuff I used to do a career ago...posting obviously isn't helping)


 
Posted : 09/07/2022 9:33 pm
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I’m fairness a box has turned up and there was no tax to pay …

Not opened it yet but I assume they have sent what what was requested!!


 
Posted : 09/07/2022 11:10 pm
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co.uk isn't pretending to be in the uk, they're a europe-based company that does a lot of business in the uk is all.


 
Posted : 09/07/2022 11:29 pm