Supplier that won't a provide VAT receipt

[mjb1]

A few months ago, we bought some new mobile PAYG handsets from our mobile phone provider (a big one, used to sponsor McLaren F1), via their web shop. All delivered OK and we are happy with the purchase. BUT, the supplier seems unable to provide us with a VAT receipt for them. They double charged us as well (paid online by debit card, then they added the cost to our monthly bill as well), which we are still trying to resolve.

I have contacted them numerous times (yesterday spent an hour on the phone to their collections team, trying to get it sorteed). I've complained through their official channels, but they still keep sending us the wrong VAT invoice despite my explanations. They send me the bill after, which just shows the amount as an 'outstanding balance' from a previous bill, and doesn't include a VAT breakdown for it. So it's not that they're out and out refusing to provide it, just that they are so utterly incompetent that they are unable to.

I've go to the end of my tether with then now, what can I do? It's only a small amount, but I want my accounts to be accurate. Can I report them to HMRC (or somewhere else) for failing to provide a VAT receipt/invoice?

[mjb1]

I'm pretty sure that they will be UK VAT registered Eric. All the regular bills I get from them are VAT invoices.

I've already been via the CEO's complaints process, but only using the contact form on their website. Perhaps I'll try forwarding the emails to the address above, it's the only option left.

[mjb1]

PurpleMoonlight said:

Who was the purchaser, an individual or a VAT registered business.

The is only a legal requirement to provide a VAT receipt to VAT registered purchaser.

My VAT registered limited company.

[mjb1]

PurpleMoonlight said:

You could report to HMRC but I doubt they will give a stuff.

I have a similar problem with O2, their monthly online invoices state 'This is not a VAT invoice' but I put it through reclaiming the VAT anyway. My accountants don't have an issue with it as they know O2 are charging the VAT (the invoice even itemises it), and HMRC don't appear to do VAT inspections anymore.

I had that with T mobile, all of sudden they amended their monthly invoices with the note 'This is not a VAT invoice'. It was six months before I noticed the small change. When I phoned them, rather than send out proper invoices, they just sent me a letter stating that the VAT had been charged/paid on all previous invoices.

What makes you think HMRC don't do vat inspections any more?

[mjb1]

We do have an account on Vodafone's portal already, it's where I download our bill every month (flaky bodge job that is). However, the bill that they took the duplicate payment for is not even listed or available on there! The only place it is mentioned is on the bill after it, where they've tagged on an 'outstanding amount from previous bill'.

Further progress is that they are now saying that our account is further in arrears (even though they've taken the regular monthly direct debits since). Even the monthly bill from last week, that they've scheduled the DD for 1st August, is apparently part of our arrears.

And today they have put a block on our account - can't make any calls on any of our lines with them. To say I'm fuming is an understatement. Spent another half an hour on the phone (from another number, so it's now costing me to call them), and they still haven't made the slightest bit of progress.

[mjb1]

I finally got a VAT receipt out of them a couple of weeks ago. But we have had our numbers barred and disconnected twice now, while Vodafone are still searching for the payment. Thoroughly disgusted with their customer service.