Is this allowed???

[Busyboy]

I went to a rolex boutique in London... I was trying to get a discount on a gold sports piece and really pushing. The sales assistant said I can get 10% off... But I pushed again... Then she said I can claim the VAT tax BACK if I organised some friend or relative to take the watch out of the EU

I was told I'd buy the watch and get a good discount. I'd buy it almost tax free! But I guess I pay a small administration charge. The watch would be mine and Id wear it from that day onwards.. .. But within 3 months I'd need to take my friends passport to the rolex shop, to be photocopied. And give them my watch... Also give my friends flight details to go to "????". and their address in "????" . this is done about a week before they fly

Then the day they fly (within 3 months from my purchase) a rolex courier will meet them in the departure lounge of Heathrow airport and hand the watch over to them

It won't be in a box - they just wear it...as their usual watch and fly then disembark in ???? as usual... The agent told me a lot of people do this. The watch is now not brand new in a box etc - and so is just treated as another of my friends possessions (non of which paid UK vat)

The rolex agent said it was normal and lots of people do it. That's why they set up the courier service - for VIPs - so the papers etc are all done for them in customs - and so is no inconvenience - they just come and hand you the watch when it is processed

When you return to UK. It is just worn on your wrist as usual. No problem!

Clearly if it is actually illegal I wouldn't consider it. Nobody ever told me this before so I just want to check it out

Hope i explained it well enough. I guess I know (non UK) foreigners always claim UK tax back at airport. So the practice is normal... Like if I brought the watch for my friend perhaps I guess.... But what I'm not sure of is do you have to pay anything to legally get the watch ito into "!!??" I'm not sure!!!??

From that point on. I guess you just wear it back to EU same as any other item you own???

[RRGHOST1]

I can underststand the theory about it but it seems too complicated for me. There are plenty of sellers in the Uk and dealers. If you want brand new,there is a shop in Blackburn that is good.

[GoingPlaces]

That's a long way to get home. Just buy from a trusted seller, you will do better.

[bondtoys]

You're really asking if that's illegal?

Of course - it's called tax evasion and I am surprised that a Rolex Boutique would assist by that with those dogdy moves.....

Hope hat one day they offer such a kind of ' service ' to a tax officer....

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Busyboy

I went to a rolex boutique in London... I was trying to get a discount on a gold sports piece and really pushing. The sales assistant said I can get 10% off... But I pushed again... Then she said I can claim the VAT tax BACK if I organised some friend or relative to take the watch out of the EU

I was told I'd buy the watch and get a good discount. I'd buy it almost tax free! But I guess I pay a small administration charge. The watch would be mine and Id wear it from that day onwards.. .. But within 3 months I'd need to take my friends passport to the rolex shop, to be photocopied. And give them my watch... Also give my friends flight details to go to "????". and their address in "????" . this is done about a week before they fly

Then the day they fly (within 3 months from my purchase) a rolex courier will meet them in the departure lounge of Heathrow airport and hand the watch over to them

It won't be in a box - they just wear it...as their usual watch and fly then disembark in ???? as usual... The agent told me a lot of people do this. The watch is now not brand new in a box etc - and so is just treated as another of my friends possessions (non of which paid UK vat)

The rolex agent said it was normal and lots of people do it. That's why they set up the courier service - for VIPs - so the papers etc are all done for them in customs - and so is no inconvenience - they just come and hand you the watch when it is processed

When you return to UK. It is just worn on your wrist as usual. No problem!

Clearly if it is actually illegal I wouldn't consider it. Nobody ever told me this before so I just want to check it out

Hope i explained it well enough. I guess I know (non UK) foreigners always claim UK tax back at airport. So the practice is normal... Like if I brought the watch for my friend perhaps I guess.... But what I'm not sure of is do you have to pay anything to legally get the watch ito into "!!??" I'm not sure!!!??

From that point on. I guess you just wear it back to EU same as any other item you own???

Yes its illegal and called tax evasion, I am sure you would get a much better deal from any other AD outside London especially on all gold slow sellers..

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by bondtoys

You're really asking if that's illegal?

If course - it's called tax evasion and I am surprised tgat a Rolex Boutique would assist by that with those dogdy moves.....

Hope hat one day they offer such a kind of ' sevice ' to a tax officer....

Exactly

[Lordofrolex]

10% discount isn't even that much and yes it's illegal. But I wouldn't be surprised that a lot of people take that offer.

[AF_Rob]

He said a lot of people do this??? It sounds like a real pain in the ass, an expensive one.

[Axl]

Sounds dodgy. If you or your friends are travelling anyway then you could just buy the watch duty free at the airport. There's usually a decent selection at Heathrow.

[Daytona4130]

I'd rather get shot in the knee than go through all that

[Fleetlord]

Just buy the Rolex and stop fooling around.

[RolexAuthority]

Yes it's allowed not a problem at all but also allowed is imprisonment and a criminal record and confiscation and tax penalties and your rights being read to you.

[mike]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Just buy the Rolex and stop fooling around.

Best answer.

[kirksingleton]

Wow, not for me

[RayRay]

Originally Posted by bondtoys

You're really asking if that's illegal?

Of course - it's called tax evasion and I am surprised that a Rolex Boutique would assist by that with those dogdy moves.....

Hope hat one day they offer such a kind of ' service ' to a tax officer....

OP, Bondtoys and others are correct. This is called tax evasion, it is illegal, and you can be held criminally liable. Moreover, insofar as you proceed with this action, you have demonstratable intent as evidenced by this message. It's not worth it brother, so like another has said, I recommend you stop messing around and just buy it from an AD, or order one through the classifieds here.

OP, one more thing: You felt this was nefarious, probably as this reckless imbecile employee was telling you all this. When you feel deep down that something isn't right, usually it is not. No worries man, just trust your gut on these things. Buy the watch clean and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

[FTX I]

Next step would be advise you to rob a bank.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Busyboy

). . .
The rolex agent said it was normal and lots of people do it. That's why they set up the courier service - for VIPs - so the papers etc are all done for them in customs - and so is no inconvenience - they just come and hand you the watch when it is processed

When you return to UK. It is just worn on your wrist as usual. No problem!

Clearly if it is actually illegal I wouldn't consider it. Nobody ever told me this before so I just want to check it out

Hope i explained it well enough. I guess I know (non UK) foreigners always claim UK tax back at airport. So the practice is normal... Like if I brought the watch for my friend perhaps I guess.... But what I'm not sure of is do you have to pay anything to legally get the watch ito into "!!??" I'm not sure!!!??

From that point on. I guess you just wear it back to EU same as any other item you own???

If the "courier service" was set up, it was set up for customers who are, indeed, leaving the country and reside elsewhere, not for the purpose of evading tax.

It becomes illegal for you (actually it was illegal when you used a friend as your accomplice to evade taxes) when you "just wear it on your wrist when you re-enter country". It is at that point that you, as a resident, owe the tax that was not initially paid as required.

[vipergts]

Originally Posted by bondtoys

You're really asking if that's illegal?

Of course - it's called tax evasion and I am surprised that a Rolex Boutique would assist by that with those dogdy moves.....

Hope hat one day they offer such a kind of ' service ' to a tax officer....

it's no worse than the government taking your money just because the say they can.

[Charlie3755]

In the '90's I bought 3 watches from the same AD in Scotland. I am a UK passport holder and worked internationally in the Cruise industry. I paid VAT on each purchase. You had 3 months from date of purchase to leave the EU.

I would present the watch and boarding pass to HM Revenue and Customs counter at Heathrow or Gatwick. They would apply the correct stamp to confirm it was about to leave the EU. I would place the document in a pre-addressed envelope and pop it into the Red Pillar box next to the counter. The AD would refund the VAT to my cc as soon as the document arrived with them.

I don't know about having a friend do it for you as they would check that the invoice was made out to me.

One of the 3 watches was actually shipped to me in Monaco to coincide with the ships arrival. When we departed Spain for North Africa the Spain customs stamped the document for me. That was a week before my 3 months was up. VAT refunded as before.

Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't bother with an AD but would rather buy from a reputable dealer. Much better savings all around.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Busyboy]

I can't believe the shop assistant tried to convince me

I'm so glad I trusted my gut and checked this with you lot

I'm feeling so glad I didn't proceed and get the remorse or dread of realising afterwards

Definitely a path I will never tread

Thankyou all

[beer]

there is a difference between not paying tax that is due, and taking steps to ensure no tax is due in the first place

the first is illegal, the second is called a loophole, is perfectly legal and and it is up to the government to close it

[DaytonaOriginal]

Originally Posted by AF_Rob

He said a lot of people do this??? It sounds like a real pain in the ass, an expensive one.

He is right...in the Netherlands two AD are being investigated as we speak because they are accused of just doing that .

They were accused in April this year ......we are talking enormous amount of money here.

One of those ADs even suggested such an action to a collegue of mine a few weeks ago ...while this freaking investigation was on......can you believe that !!!

[DPE]

I was offered this as a way of getting money back as discount which is not allowed by Rolex. I justed switched off to the silly offer.
Makes you think how did Rolex get around the Monoply of price fixing and not allowing competative prices in the UK in fair competiton of business ??

[kanderson1965]

Originally Posted by DPE

I was offered this as a way of getting money back as discount which is not allowed by Rolex. I justed switched off to the silly offer.
Makes you think how did Rolex get around the Monoply of price fixing and not allowing competative prices in the UK in fair competiton of business ??

It is simple, they "suggest" a selling price by the AD; as it is a suggested price this is perfectly legal under UK consumer law. The fact that they will deny supply to ADs who sell for less than the suggested price is simply covered by a commercial supply contract which lies outside consumer legislation.

[Ritch99]

Most people do the right thing because they're scared to get caught. They're thinking is still wrong. Because if they knew they could get away with it, they would probably do the wrong thing. Right is right and wrong is wrong....period.

When someone does the right thing because it is the right thing, there is no question.... There is no gray area. Its that simple.