For you London Fogger's

[HowardH]

The family and I are currently in London for a business trip/vacation and I found a dealer called Toucan Tools on Church Rd. in NE London.  Are they a good dealer to go visit?  We are staying in the Westminster area across the Thames from the Eye.  Any better places to go that might be closer in? 

 

[joiner1970]

Not really you won't find many good tool dealers in central London. You need to hop on a tube or drive out slightly theres loads.

 

[sancho57]

they have one of the best selection of festools Ive found here since moving here 7 mos ago.
You also might want to look at toolfest too.

Remember here in the UK the prices arent fixed so they will vary store to store

 

[Stone Message]

they have one of the best selection of festools Ive found here since moving here 7 mos ago.
You also might want to look at toolfest too.

Remember here in the UK the prices arent fixed so they will vary store to store

I can certainly recommend Toolfest - if you order by credit card they might deliver to your hotel!

Peter

 

[HowardH]

very tempting!!  I have some time tomorrow afternoon.  After walking about Harrods, with all their overpriced baubles and such, a trip to the Festool dealer could be just the ticket!  I could save the VAT if I had it shipped, correct?

 

[Jak147]

If only!! I'm afraid the only way to get the VAT back is to claim it against your business earnings.
If you do go down the delivery route I would like to recommend www.powertool-supplies.co.uk

 

[Stone Message]

very tempting!!  I have some time tomorrow afternoon.  After walking about Harrods, with all their overpriced baubles and such, a trip to the Festool dealer could be just the ticket!  I could save the VAT if I had it shipped, correct?

I know a few people who have managed to get the VAT back on UK purchases. I do not know the rules and (after seeing the previous post) they may have changed but if you live outside the EU then it should be possible. You may need to get a form which will require a US customs stamp on your return.

Talk to Warren at Toolfest, he may know about VAT - 01483 727227

Good luck.

Peter

 

[bijeshj]

very tempting!!  I have some time tomorrow afternoon.  After walking about Harrods, with all their overpriced baubles and such, a trip to the Festool dealer could be just the ticket!  I could save the VAT if I had it shipped, correct?

I tried to see if I could claim vat back when I was there a few years ago on a festool purchase and there was a process to be followed. As Peter said you may want to call and find the steps before you purchase.

 

[SMJoinery]

Here you go...
Straight from Hmrc site

VAT refunds for international travellers leaving the UK
If you are leaving the EU, the information below will help you understand if you may be able to get your VAT back on personal exports of goods.
If you live outside the EU
If you are an overseas visitor, to qualify for a VAT refund you must:
live outside the EU
leave the UK for a destination outside the EU with the goods you have bought by the end of the third month after the month when you bought them
show customs officials the goods, your receipts for them and a completed VAT refund document when you leave the EU

When you purchase the goods
First, you need to choose a shop that operates the VAT Retail Export Scheme. Look for a Tax Free Shopping sign. It's a voluntary scheme and not all shops operate it, so you need to check before you buy anything.
To obtain your VAT refund, you need one of the following documents. The shop will give you one of these:
a VAT 407 form
a shop or refund company's own version of form VAT 407
a VAT Retail Export Scheme sales invoice
You need to fill in the form when you make your purchases, in front of the retailer. The retailer will ask to see evidence that you are eligible to use the scheme, such as your passport.
You also need to agree with the retailer how your refund will be paid. Some retailers will pay you the refund directly, others will operate through a refund company, and some will have an arrangement with a refund booth at the point where you leave the UK.
You may not get all the VAT back. The retailer and/or the refund company may make a charge to cover the cost of handling your form. If they do, this will be deducted from your refund before you receive it.
When you leave the country
If you're travelling outside the EU, you must show your goods, receipts and your refund form to UK customs staff at the airport you're leaving from. Make sure you arrive at the airport early so that you have plenty of time to deal with the customs staff before your departure.

Hope that helps...enjoy your stay.
Surprised Harrods don't have a Festool concession in store!

Scott

 

[joiner1970]

very tempting!!  I have some time tomorrow afternoon.  After walking about Harrods, with all their overpriced baubles and such, a trip to the Festool dealer could be just the ticket!  I could save the VAT if I had it shipped, correct?

That's a shame I've been working on a mega mansion refurb/rebuild very near to Harrods. Could have shown you round. Sadly I'm not up there this week.

There's lots of places for you to look around but Warren at toolfest will definitely look after your needs

 

[Ideal Homes]

I can recommend Toucan Tools, I've bought most of my new Festools from them in the last 12 months or so.
They have a good selection of Festools and associated accessories.

They usually have good stock levels, if you can find the item(s) your after cheaper online they will price match for you.

If you decide to take a trip there ask for Tony or Vic, I'm sure they'll look after you.

Just to clarify no connection to them, just a happy customer.

Mo

 

[Bigchasbroon]

I wonder if there was a hypothetical visitor from the USA and they managed to make a VAT free purchase but "accidentally" left the item behind, what then?

I had 20 yanks here last week but they're all home now.  :

 

[Stephen B]

I wonder if there was a hypothetical visitor from the USA and they managed to make a VAT free purchase but "accidentally" left the item behind, what then?

I had 20 yanks here last week but they're all home now.  :

[size=11pt]

Would not work. see post no. 8 above.
Like the  Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) you have to export the goods with your good self via a visit to a customs and excise desk inside the Customs and Immigration Hall where you obtain the tax refund upon presentation of the goods and receipt. Easy to export small items such as cameras, but a Precisio as hand luggage.  [eek]

 

[Bigchasbroon]

I wonder if there was a hypothetical visitor from the USA and they managed to make a VAT free purchase but "accidentally" left the item behind, what then?

I had 20 yanks here last week but they're all home now.   :

[size=11pt]

Would not work. see post no. 8 above.
Like the  Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) you have to export the goods with your good self via a visit to a customs and excise desk inside the Customs and Immigration Hall where you obtain the tax refund upon presentation of the goods and receipt. Easy to export small items such as cameras, but a Precisio as hand luggage.  [eek]

Dang it. I get vat back on festool anyway as I'm a business but I was thinking about a nice breitling.

 

[HowardH]

I guess it would be problematic to place a couple of sysports in the overhead on the plane home...  ;D

 

[Wuffles]

I wonder if there was a hypothetical visitor from the USA and they managed to make a VAT free purchase but "accidentally" left the item behind, what then?

I had 20 yanks here last week but they're all home now.   :

[size=11pt]

Would not work. see post no. 8 above.
Like the  Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) you have to export the goods with your good self via a visit to a customs and excise desk inside the Customs and Immigration Hall where you obtain the tax refund upon presentation of the goods and receipt. Easy to export small items such as cameras, but a Precisio as hand luggage.  [eek]

Dang it. I get vat back on festool anyway as I'm a business but I was thinking about a nice breitling.

Not sure if you're serious or not, but you could fly to Geneva, wear it home, lose the box (depends on currency) - don't try and claim back the Swiss VAT at the airport, it's less than UK VAT and would put you at risk of being poked on your return. Or try Dolezno (UK based and very trustworthy - no affiliation, just a satisfied customer a few times over).

 

[mouppe]

I always get the VAT back when I leave the UK, including on Festools.

It's very simple. You need to be non-resident in the EU to claim.

When you buy the tools ask the retailer for a VAT receipt. When you get to the airport, if you want to check the items in your stowed luggage, go to the VAT desk before you clear security. If the items are in your carry-on, then go through security like usual.

After security, go to the VAT refunds desk, fill out the form and claim your VAT back (less a processing charge). You get more back if you put it on your credit card then if you ask for the cash right away.

Just remember to get a VAT receipt from the retailer and to have the goods with you when you claim the VAT as sometimes the officials ask to see them.