Buying hardware in Germany, questions for German MURCERs

[Rakido]

Utwig:

Litec and NB-computer are among the cheapest in Munich, can recommend both. They are approximately 5 minutes away from the main central station.


Rakido

[UtwigMU]

I'll call NB-computer today, they appear to have better choice than Litec. (I'll get an offer from both.)

Thank you for your input so far.

[Brian Ellis]

I don't know about Germany, but I have reclaimed VAT in other countries.

In the countries where I've done it, you must physically take the goods, shown to be unused, out of the EU within 30 days, with proof of serial # as per the invoice. You cannot go back into any EU country with the goods. As a general rule, large stores like MediaMarkt will not do the paperwork nor give you a cash refund for the VAT. As others have said, you will probably have to shop around to find a retailer who will accept the hassle. It is usual for the purchaser to post the Customs certificate of export, along with a copy of the original invoice. The seller then has 60 days to refund the money, normally as a credit on the foreign credit card used to make the purchase. Cash refunds are not always easy, unless you are known at the shop, because it is too easy for anyone to make a fraudulent claim, if the papers go astray or are given to a third party who has no right (not the exporter). Then, of course, you have to pay VAT or equivalent when you import the goods into the next country.

It is a lot of hassle and the essential is to find a retailer who will play the game and then for you to follow the procedure to the letter.

It is a lot easier, if the prices are reasonable, to simply pay the tax. I was in Switzerland last week and bought a digsat receiver and paid the VAT and the environmental disposal tax; it was still half what I would have paid here

[UtwigMU]

Well, we do it all the time here. For instance when buying furniture in Ikea in Austria.

2ndly I talked to nb-computer.de on the phone today, it's not a problem

3dly, I know people who go there on weekly basis, who can claim VAT for me.

W/O VAT refund it's not that much less than here.