Canyon as a company sucks. Beware.
#26
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The problem is that it's the country's tax laws that matter, not the company's word. They apparently inaccurately described the possibility of a VAT refund, and it would be good of them to give a goodwill credit of the amount. But they're not the decided on when VAT refunds are available.
IIRC, Germany is particularly strict, and the export must be directly from Germany to outside the EU. We had an issue getting a refund because our flight connected in another EU country. So, my guess is that by shipping the bike to France (from Germany I'm assuming) eligibility for a refund was lost.
IIRC, Germany is particularly strict, and the export must be directly from Germany to outside the EU. We had an issue getting a refund because our flight connected in another EU country. So, my guess is that by shipping the bike to France (from Germany I'm assuming) eligibility for a refund was lost.
And yes, if they made a mistake, I would expect them to make it good. Even partially is OK.
#27
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Thread Starter
Having said that, this is not a B&S. I cant imagine any reputable company would do that. This is just wrong info provided by the guys who answered my mails. The thing is I have mails from at least 2-3 of them guaranteeing that this would be qualifying for a VAT refund.
Last edited by StanSeven; 07-16-19 at 01:01 PM. Reason: Edited to remove insulting wording
#28
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#30
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Your experience, while unfortunate for you, applies to approx .00001% of the population who live in countries that Canyon doesn't ship to and want bikes shipped to intermediate European countries.
Not sure that's worthy of a Beware of Canyon notice.
Not sure that's worthy of a Beware of Canyon notice.
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#31
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https://www.germany.info/us-en/servi...-refund/906296 (I realize this for US, but I don't see why departure for India or any other country outside the EU would be different).
Anyway, you can see on that page the possibility of going to a German consulate to apply for a refund.
#32
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There are a lot of instances where this might be a perfectly suitable reply, but I don't think that this is one of them. You clearly have the means to live elsewhere but you choose not to - insinuating that you live in a relative backwater doesn't mean that this isn't a 1%er "problem."
#33
Don't Bug Me
Actually I wanted to say something a lot worse but I make it a practice never to call anyone a demeaning name or attack them on a personal level just because their opinions might be different than mine.
Have a great day.
Have a great day.
#35
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VAT ends up being substantially simpler and predictable than the disaster area that is import/export in the USA.
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-Matt
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#37
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When I buy stuff in Europe (I live in the US), it can go a couple of ways. If I order online for shipping directly to the US, the seller may offer with/without VAT pricing (usually does, in my experience), so I get the VAT-less price. If I'm buying in person (this is usually in Ireland), I pay full price to the seller, but I can present the receipts and my boarding pass to a Customs & Excise booth at the airport, and I get the VAT back in cash from the government. Not saying it doesn't happen, but the seller shouldn't be in the business of verifying that their product has left the EU, unless they're shipping directly to a non-EU address. Since you're shipping to a destination within the EU, they're likely obligated to charge VAT, since the item is no longer under their control, and they can't guarantee that is has actually left the EU. The way VAT works is that their suppliers collect VAT from Canyon, Canyon collects it from the next buyer down the chain etc, and then each link in the chain sends a check to the government. Canyon have already paid VAT, so they're not going to not collect it from you if they can't guarantee that the item has left the EU. If they issue a refund on your say so or on the basis of the docs you provide (and remember that they're not in the business of verifying export docs), but the government ultimately decides that the docs are insufficient, then Canyon will be liable for the VAT that they refunded to you, and I can't see them leaving themselves open to that liability.
There might also be a timing issue. As I understand in, you had the bike shipped to France so you could use it before shipping it to India - correct? The VAT refund system is supposed to allow you to export things that are for use outside the EU. At what point does a bike leaving the EU with a stopover in France become a "French" bike and no longer eligible for VAT relief?
It sucks that Canyon gave you incorrect info, but they're bike builders, and the customer service rep likely wasn't an import/export expert.
There might also be a timing issue. As I understand in, you had the bike shipped to France so you could use it before shipping it to India - correct? The VAT refund system is supposed to allow you to export things that are for use outside the EU. At what point does a bike leaving the EU with a stopover in France become a "French" bike and no longer eligible for VAT relief?
It sucks that Canyon gave you incorrect info, but they're bike builders, and the customer service rep likely wasn't an import/export expert.
Last edited by Litespud; 07-16-19 at 10:47 AM.
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#38
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There are a lot of instances where this might be a perfectly suitable reply, but I don't think that this is one of them. You clearly have the means to live elsewhere but you choose not to - insinuating that you live in a relative backwater doesn't mean that this isn't a 1%er "problem."
#39
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And accusing me of gaming the system was not a personal attack?
Last edited by StanSeven; 07-16-19 at 12:59 PM. Reason: Removed insult
#40
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There are a lot of instances where this might be a perfectly suitable reply, but I don't think that this is one of them. You clearly have the means to live elsewhere but you choose not to - insinuating that you live in a relative backwater doesn't mean that this isn't a 1%er "problem."
#41
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Implying that the OP is somehow less worthy because of his finances and where he chooses to live is very liberal I must say. The bottom line is 3 separate company representatives misrepresented information which drove his purchase decision. His quality of life should not have anything to do with this.
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#42
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#43
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a credit card dispute sounds like it may be your only viable remedy. Plus it sounds like you will prevail.
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#44
#45
Senior Member
I bought a bike from Canyon. I had it shipped to my house... in a country to which they regularly ship. I like Canyon - the bike and the company.
I guess the score's tied now? ;-)
I guess the score's tied now? ;-)
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#48
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#49
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Actually, I did that in Italy when I bought my Colnago Super, used, rode it around some, then brought it back home, and have had it ever since. There was no mention of VAT at the time.
It depends. It is very common between Oregon (no Sales Tax) and Washington (Sales Taxes). I'm not quite sure what the rules are, but if it is something to be consumed in Washington, I generally ignore it. But, for some things I will ask. They simply verify driver's license, then remove the sales tax.
I assume the would do similar for international customers.
Not every place does remove the taxes. But, it never hurts to ask.
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#50
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Thread moved from Road Cycling to Manufacturer Feedback forum.