I mean, as a European: have you visited the US and noticed that they don’t even include tax within the price (meaning you’ll pay more at checkout since that’s where it only appears)? It’s ridiculous, most countries include VAT within the price of their goods and services but. At least within the EU, VAT is included within the price making it final without any arithmetic.

  • Buffalox@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    76
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    4 days ago

    I think it’s illegal in Europe to list prices excluding VAT, I know for sure it is in my home country Denmark, that makes it much simpler as a customer in Europe than in USA.

    USA is a country of lawlessness, and lack of consumer protection, where sellers are allowed many “tricks” that are illegal in EU, it’s not just the VAT, but also misleading labeling and marketing.

    • LtDan@lemmy.zipOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      23
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      4 days ago

      The amount of pharmaceutical ads are crazy when I’ve visited the US, sometimes with bogus claims. Their ad campaigns for pretty much everything is over the top since they’re using aggressive tactics.

      • mr_anny@sopuli.xyz
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        7
        ·
        4 days ago

        In Finland businesses that mainly target their sales to other businesses can list with VAT 0%.

        In the consumer market tge VAT is mandatory.

        • Eril@feddit.org
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          4 days ago

          I think it is similar in Germany. Businesses buying from each other don’t have to pay VAT (so they can mark it as 0%, but it isn’t misleading either, because they actually pay 0%), so that the vat is only paid by the end consumer.

          But I am just writing this from memory, so I could be off. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong

      • Buffalox@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        4 days ago

        Exactly, something that isn’t even legal to advertise in EU, is aggressively advertised with misleading claims.

    • Natanael@slrpnk.net
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      16
      ·
      4 days ago

      Here in Sweden you can list with and without, since businesses can buy without VAT (technically they get to subtract the VAT on purchases from their tax bill) so shops which have businesses clients tend to do both while regular shops only list it with VAT

      • Buffalox@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        9
        ·
        4 days ago

        Yes which makes sense, since businesses deduct the VAT anyway.
        I think pretty obviously we are talking consumers here. I also stated consumer protection.

        • Natanael@slrpnk.net
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          3
          ·
          4 days ago

          We have physical stores doing both. It’s not many, but common in office supply stores.

          • mimavox@piefed.social
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            2
            ·
            4 days ago

            Yes, but I’m talking about regular stores. Not the kind that you visit for office supply and such. If you’re aren’t a business owner, you never have to think about VAT.

      • Griffus@lemmy.zip
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        4 days ago

        For this reason, in Norway, prices are always including VAT, but on the receipt it is highlighted what part of the price is product/service and what is VAT, so companies can get the VAT refunded.

    • ohulancutash@feddit.uk
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      4 days ago

      EU prices for consumer goods and services must be listed VAT inclusive, but price listings specifically aimed at exterior export or business customers can quote prices ex-VAT, as long as the VAT rate is also quoted and it is made clear these are b2b prices.

      • Buffalox@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        edit-2
        4 days ago

        Which makes sense, because businesses deduct the VAT anyway.
        I think pretty obviously we are talking consumers here. I also stated consumer protection.