Zebra misleadingly priced.

[Bastiaan from Tone2.com]

....a lot of self employed people claim their tax back. And Urs is self employed, so technically he could claim his back too.

I'm afraid that is not how it works though. Urs could get his VAT back, but he is only able to recover VAT on the materials and services that he used to make further supplies or services directly or indirectly sold to end-users.

Value Added Tax (VAT) is a government applied tax, the company acts as a collector and the government receives what is collected.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_added_tax

[snigelx]

I am very sorry but in my opinion this thread is beyond ridiculous. One single click on the buy now button reveals a 19% VAT (value added tax) which, by the way if you understand anything about taxation in your country or here in Europe, Urs has nothing to do with. This is quite standard practice when purchasing software from EU. And honestly, if approx 40USD is going to detract you from purchasing an amazing professional software synthesizer like Zebra2, it was not meant for you in the first place. One poster has already recommended that you investigate the "Dinosaur Crossgrade" option..which is also clearly explained directly under the Buy Now button. You should do that perhaps.

[kodama]

If I had to pay more for luxuries like Zebra(or TVs or iPods), but necessities like health care, healthy food, education, and actually affordable housing were much more accessible, I would totally take that trade off.

Back on topic, consider Zebrify to be your happy surprise to make up for the VAT bad surprise!

[elxsound]

Anything, be it a vst or any regular product in a store, should be advertised as a tax inclusive price. You've got to pay it, so it shouldn't be 'misleading'. IMHO.

But not everyone has to pay the tax. I didn't. Zebra cost me exactly $199.

>< How did that happen ?

I've changed the thread title to misleadingly as yes it is misleading not incorrect.

Because not everyone is in EU!

I do think it could be helpful to add below the price "(VAT not included)"

The price should not automatically include the price as VAT can vary depending on your location, as it can be irrelevant for US consumer that don't have to pay any VAT. (disclaimer: Just stating fact, not intending to open a discussion of fairness and politics in reference to positives/negatives of paying VAT).

Now I personally don't see anything wrong with not including the phrase "VAT not included" as for US consumers it is common practice that tax is not shown as it completely depends on your location in the US (both the amount and if you even need to pay tax at all). Granted, VAT is much higher on average compared to the highest state/city sales tax here, but again I don't see anything wrong nor misleading. The price is accurate, and he is simply conforming to local tax laws which are required depending on the location of the purchaser.

[eduardo_b]

...there are people(politions)who would like to see the US have a VAT tax.

Economists, actually.

My experience -- given that most of the software I buy is out of Europe -- is that VAT is included when price is in euros, but not when the price is in dollars, so some probably use the IP address and others the billing/shipping addresses to determine if VAT is applicable.

[LeVzi]

I am very sorry but in my opinion this thread is beyond ridiculous. One single click on the buy now button reveals a 19% VAT (value added tax) which, by the way if you understand anything about taxation in your country or here in Europe, Urs has nothing to do with. This is quite standard practice when purchasing software from EU. And honestly, if approx 40USD is going to detract you from purchasing an amazing professional software synthesizer like Zebra2, it was not meant for you in the first place. One poster has already recommended that you investigate the "Dinosaur Crossgrade" option..which is also clearly explained directly under the Buy Now button. You should do that perhaps.

This is the kind of crap I was hoping would stay out of this thread tbh, opinions are valid anywhere, nothing is ridiculous.


$199 seemed a fair price, I was prepared for that, clicked buy now, which was my intention to buy now. Next thing the tax was added. Now to some that may not be a big deal, but to others like myself it IS a big deal. I was going to purchase this synth as I felt like something new not that I need it, but I wanted it. I don't work, my budget isn't massive, I was going to borrow money to get the Komplete 6 upgrade but that fell through, so with the money I had anyway, I was looking at this, only to find it wasn't $199 at all.

Omitting the VAT from anything in the UK is confined to traders shops, not general public. And all other VST purchases i've made have had the VAT added. So I was unpleasantly surprised to see that addition.

[elxsound]

I am very sorry but in my opinion this thread is beyond ridiculous. One single click on the buy now button reveals a 19% VAT (value added tax) which, by the way if you understand anything about taxation in your country or here in Europe, Urs has nothing to do with. This is quite standard practice when purchasing software from EU. And honestly, if approx 40USD is going to detract you from purchasing an amazing professional software synthesizer like Zebra2, it was not meant for you in the first place. One poster has already recommended that you investigate the "Dinosaur Crossgrade" option..which is also clearly explained directly under the Buy Now button. You should do that perhaps.

This is the kind of crap I was hoping would stay out of this thread tbh, opinions are valid anywhere, nothing is ridiculous.


$199 seemed a fair price, I was prepared for that, clicked buy now, which was my intention to buy now. Next thing the tax was added. Now to some that may not be a big deal, but to others like myself it IS a big deal. I was going to purchase this synth as I felt like something new not that I need it, but I wanted it. I don't work, my budget isn't massive, I was going to borrow money to get the Komplete 6 upgrade but that fell through, so with the money I had anyway, I was looking at this, only to find it wasn't $199 at all.

Omitting the VAT from anything in the UK is confined to traders shops, not general public. And all other VST purchases i've made have had the VAT added. So I was unpleasantly surprised to see that addition.

The only thing that might be uncalled for in that statement is suggesting that this is not for your because of price... on the other hand...

What he did say is true about standard practices. As someone living in the EU I fail to understand how others don't assume that there will be VAT when a company they are purchasing from is also located in the EU. Furthermore, the price being listed in Dollars instead of Euros should have ALSO been indication that VAT was not included.

AND... you keep on about the price of $199 being a fair price, well it is a fair price. Urs has nothing to do with requiring VAT. End of story there. If you like this thing for $199, I'm sure that after buying you'll see that this is worth more as many of us here have (which is the reason no one is breaking there neck to support you here).

AND... as mentioned there is a dinosaur crossgrade. Using this makes the price cheaper (with VAT included) than the $199 price you said was fair. So now that you know this is available why are you still complaining about the price?

[deleted]

DELETED

[cybertron]

I am very sorry but in my opinion this thread is beyond ridiculous. One single click on the buy now button reveals a 19% VAT (value added tax) which, by the way if you understand anything about taxation in your country or here in Europe, Urs has nothing to do with. This is quite standard practice when purchasing software from EU. And honestly, if approx 40USD is going to detract you from purchasing an amazing professional software synthesizer like Zebra2, it was not meant for you in the first place. One poster has already recommended that you investigate the "Dinosaur Crossgrade" option..which is also clearly explained directly under the Buy Now button. You should do that perhaps.

This is the kind of crap I was hoping would stay out of this thread tbh, opinions are valid anywhere, nothing is ridiculous.


$199 seemed a fair price, I was prepared for that, clicked buy now, which was my intention to buy now. Next thing the tax was added. Now to some that may not be a big deal, but to others like myself it IS a big deal. I was going to purchase this synth as I felt like something new not that I need it, but I wanted it. I don't work, my budget isn't massive, I was going to borrow money to get the Komplete 6 upgrade but that fell through, so with the money I had anyway, I was looking at this, only to find it wasn't $199 at all.

Omitting the VAT from anything in the UK is confined to traders shops, not general public. And all other VST purchases i've made have had the VAT added. So I was unpleasantly surprised to see that addition.

I guess what Im hearing you say then is that you are dissapointed. You were geared to buy some gear and turned out it was, at present, beyond your reach.

it happens to all of us, and its probably a good thing (I'll let you figure out how it can be a good thing - but it is true, it can be). I wouldnt blame Zebra or the manufacturer however.

As others have rightly indicated, the tax applied varies by purchaser. One should never assume the price of something until you've seen the final bill.

Never count your chickens until they are hatched, and treated with anit-biotics and steroids in an environmentally controlled sterile building....or something.

[firepile]

I was more than happy with the $199 price, then without warning that goes to $260

Is the VAT rate 30,6%?

[snigelx]

I am very sorry but in my opinion this thread is beyond ridiculous. One single click on the buy now button reveals a 19% VAT (value added tax) which, by the way if you understand anything about taxation in your country or here in Europe, Urs has nothing to do with. This is quite standard practice when purchasing software from EU. And honestly, if approx 40USD is going to detract you from purchasing an amazing professional software synthesizer like Zebra2, it was not meant for you in the first place. One poster has already recommended that you investigate the "Dinosaur Crossgrade" option..which is also clearly explained directly under the Buy Now button. You should do that perhaps.

This is the kind of crap I was hoping would stay out of this thread tbh, opinions are valid anywhere, nothing is ridiculous.

You are correct. I was out of line. I think that I have a hard time to understand the heartache in your issue. It was only one click to discover a VAT addition and before this it states on the button 199$, which is on USD. We know they do not pay the VAT. However fairly standard for Share-It purchases within EU.

Furthermore, I understand your situation is special because you are out of work and cost is a critical consideration. It is not easy to make buying decisions in this environment. Yes, it is true. Some companies post a price that is inclusive of VAT and then at checkout you see VAT was added beforehand but they also do not post the sale price with a "$". I am curious, have you looked at the aforementioned Dinosaur Crossgrade at all? I highly suggest you reconsider your purchase if you can make use this option. It is perfectly adapted to someone in your situation. I own many VSTi, including the Alchemy but nothing can replace my Zebra (and Zebrify) nor ACE. There is a very special sound coming from both. I am very surprised they do not cost more than they do.

[LeVzi]

Cybertron is exactly right in what happened, sorry if I am not getting this across right, it is not the price of $199 I am annoyed with it is the fact that it is more, and I had geared myself up for having Zebra, which is something a lot of people rave about, so when it was put out of my reach, I felt disheartened that this wasn't mentioned on the page with the synth, as then I could have said ok, well thats one for another time, like I have done with others, and I felt mislead by the lack of the mention of taxation. I might be a good idea if that was put under the buy it now bit, just a small footnote stating price is exclusive of tax.

As for the tax rate being 30% well I was working it out from £138.80 with tax it reaches £165 which is around £27. I work to the ratio that £1 = $2.2 so £27 = $60 (ish) was a rough estimate. But this is taxation we are talking about, its not as simple as that.

Also the charge of 19% is being used for VAT, yet in the UK it is 17.5% lol How deep does this rabbit hole go ? I am paying an additional 1.5% tax to who though ? This is nothing to do with it mind you, but does make me think. I don't know how the system works fully, but the original intent of this was to hopefully get the BUY NOW price have a footnote stating price is exclusive of tax, then ppl wont feel mislead (Even if it is unintentional) Just makes for better feeling all round.

[LeVzi]

I am very sorry but in my opinion this thread is beyond ridiculous. One single click on the buy now button reveals a 19% VAT (value added tax) which, by the way if you understand anything about taxation in your country or here in Europe, Urs has nothing to do with. This is quite standard practice when purchasing software from EU. And honestly, if approx 40USD is going to detract you from purchasing an amazing professional software synthesizer like Zebra2, it was not meant for you in the first place. One poster has already recommended that you investigate the "Dinosaur Crossgrade" option..which is also clearly explained directly under the Buy Now button. You should do that perhaps.

This is the kind of crap I was hoping would stay out of this thread tbh, opinions are valid anywhere, nothing is ridiculous.

You are correct. I was out of line. I think that I have a hard time to understand the heartache in your issue. It was only one click to discover a VAT addition and before this it states on the button 199$, which is on USD. We know they do not pay the VAT. However fairly standard for Share-It purchases within EU.

Furthermore, I understand your situation is special because you are out of work and cost is a critical consideration. It is not easy to make buying decisions in this environment. Yes, it is true. Some companies post a price that is inclusive of VAT and then at checkout you see VAT was added beforehand but they also do not post the sale price with a "$". I am curious, have you looked at the aforementioned Dinosaur Crossgrade at all? I highly suggest you reconsider your purchase if you can make use this option. It is perfectly adapted to someone in your situation. I own many VSTi, including the Alchemy but nothing can replace my Zebra (and Zebrify) nor ACE. There is a very special sound coming from both. I am very surprised they do not cost more than they do.

No worries, I too would love to add Zebra to my synth collection. I do adore Alchemy tbh, it's been my goto now for a while, and probably always will be, but today I got let down by finding out you cannot upgrade to Komplete 6 from Kontakt 3 Edu version, which was my intention (with a little help financially) so when I found out I didn't need the loan I said I had enough to get Zebra without, then find out I couldnt get it, I didn't want to go back to the guy n ask again, would have felt embarrassed. Anyway, maybe Urs will add that bit under the price part to avoid this again.

[elxsound]

LeVsi have you looked into the Dinosaur Crossgrade yet?

Seriously, man, footnote aside (which I do agree would make things easier) check out the deal and contact Urs about it.

You won't be sorry about picking up Zebra and this will fit your budget (with the crossgrade discount + VAT).

[Gamma-UT]

Also the charge of 19% is being used for VAT, yet in the UK it is 17.5% lol How deep does this rabbit hole go ? I am paying an additional 1.5% tax to who though ? This is nothing to do with it mind you, but does make me think.

That's the way VAT works in the EU. A vendor has to charge the VAT of the country from where they are selling it to you, as though you'd travelled there to buy it. Large companies can charge you the UK rate because they have a UK office. That 19% goes to the German government. If you think that's bad, don't try to buy any downloads from Denmark.