Watch out for new hidden charge

[YuriyProneBone]

I was about to reload my usual $79 bundle when I noticed this extra VAT charge that was never there before:

I'm not sure if they are doing the same with the renewing subscriptions, but this is concerning. I noticed that XXX just recently came back to the forums, and I don't know what's happening, but I almost felt for it. I even tried VPN, but the same thing happened.

Hopefully they can fix this soon, maybe @Kapwn or anyone else in charge can take care of this situation because it is certainly troubling. I was about to support, but this immediately stopped me from doing it.

[xxxVIPERxxx]

That VAT charge has been in place for over a year I believe.
Every time you want to recharge with your membership bundle for the 120 tickets, VAT is added.

It has been happening for a long time now...

[YuriyProneBone]

So how come this is the first time it says Pay $96 with your card now, when it always said $79 before? I also looked up all my purchase history and I was never charged that 21% tax before.

[YuriyProneBone]

By the way, I did my last reload only a few days ago, and I didn't have this issue. This is completely knew for me.

There was a moment where videos didn't download normally and I had to use VPN to download them. Maybe that has something to do with it.

However I wasn't using VPN this time, and it is still adding this VAT thing that I have never seen before since I started purchasing a few years back.

I have no idea what to do because this tax thing is definitely a big no go for me. That's an insane tax.

I hope this gets fixed soon.

[abaco73]

Maybe not a full year, but this VAT appeared many months ago.

[avanfurwet]

By the way, I did my last reload only a few days ago, and I didn't have this issue. This is completely knew for me.

There was a moment where videos didn't download normally and I had to use VPN to download them. Maybe that has something to do with it.

However I wasn't using VPN this time, and it is still adding this VAT thing that I have never seen before since I started purchasing a few years back.

I have no idea what to do because this tax thing is definitely a big no go for me. That's an insane tax.

I hope this gets fixed soon.

1. I think this is an issue for the Support board, to establish what the company's actual policy is, before setting hares running.

2. Is VAT 21% in the Czech Republic perhaps?

3. Didn't you post recently about changing your IP location to the Czech Republic by VPN?

[avanfurwet]

There is possibly also a wider issue here.

In my country (UK) prices for goods and services sold to consumers must be displayed inclusive of VAT, so the headline price you see is the final price you pay.

I always thought that was the general rule for VAT throughout the EU. But I might be wrong.

[davebowman]

This has been going on for months - maybe a whole year - and there have been multiple threads about it here. I'm also in the UK and can confirm that this 'hidden' VAT charge gets added at the last stage. What with general scene price increases and the whole ticket devaluation event, plus now another 21% tax on top, scenes are now effectively twice the price of what they were only a few years ago. It's no wonder so many studios are struggling with sales.

[Ultra-Gape]

For me I didn't start getting charged VAT until I was forced to update my card. It's been happening for ages as others have stated though.

[avanfurwet]

This has been going on for months - maybe a whole year - and there have been multiple threads about it here. I'm also in the UK and can confirm that this 'hidden' VAT charge gets added at the last stage. What with general scene price increases and the whole ticket devaluation event, plus now another 21% tax on top, scenes are now effectively twice the price of what they were only a few years ago. It's no wonder so many studios are struggling with sales.

But the studios presumably receive most of the sales revenue, minus the percentage to PB for hosting and sales admin.

So, if high prices per scene were causing a big drop-off in numbers of copies sold, then individual studios could adjust their selling prices to sell more copies.

Of course, we customers don't know how price elasticity works in the porn market. XXX said Gonzo studio couldn't make it work at low prices.

Maybe the studios have discovered that it's beneficial for them to sell fewer copies at current higher prices, rather than vice versa?

[YuriyProneBone]

It autofixed today. So I'm happy to say I will continue to support. I bought my tickets immediately as usual. I probably a was something with the VPN causing the problem, but I'm glad it has been taking cared of already.

[davebowman]

So you got around paying the tax charge - how? What country are you based in, or is your VPN going through?

[YuriyProneBone]

By removing VPN I believe it went back to normal, but I'm only guessing. i had it set on Czech Republic, and maybe that was the trouble.

[Ultra-Gape]

By removing VPN I believe it went back to normal, but I'm only guessing. i had it set on Czech Republic, and maybe that was the trouble.

Where do you actually live?

[MackZatis]

XXX said Gonzo studio couldn't make it work at low prices.

Maybe the studios have discovered that it's beneficial for them to sell fewer copies at current higher prices, rather than vice versa?

Don't believe everything you read....
There's only a few left, but some of us remember tkt prices in the 1-3 range for both studios.... and it was that way for YEARS! This price rise is a relativly new phenomenon, and really escalated in the past year +
I'm sure it's been scrubbed from the site, as I've looked for it, but only for a short time. But when XXX was pressed on WTF was going on with reselling 10yr old scenes at 100%+ markup he said something to the effect of; I'd rather sell fewer to the rich with the most disposable income than more to the masses.... NOT A QUOTE, kind of a summary of a statement he made

[avanfurwet]

XXX said Gonzo studio couldn't make it work at low prices.

Maybe the studios have discovered that it's beneficial for them to sell fewer copies at current higher prices, rather than vice versa?

Don't believe everything you read....
There's only a few left, but some of us remember tkt prices in the 1-3 range for both studios.... and it was that way for YEARS! This price rise is a relativly new phenomenon, and really escalated in the past year +
I'm sure it's been scrubbed from the site, as I've looked for it, but only for a short time. But when XXX was pressed on WTF was going on with reselling 10yr old scenes at 100%+ markup he said something to the effect of; I'd rather sell fewer to the rich with the most disposable income than more to the masses.... NOT A QUOTE, kind of a summary of a statement he made

Well, isn't that exactly what I said? So, who shouldn't believe what?

[xxxVIPERxxx]

I have not got around paying for the VAT surcharge without a VPN, or with a VPN set to another of the bigger countries. For a year, it is something that I have to pay with each ticket re-load.

Has anyone got any advice, or is there actually a real way to legally and legitimately not require this extra surcharge payment?

[avanfurwet]

I have not got around paying for the VAT surcharge without a VPN, or with a VPN set to another of the bigger countries. For a year, it is something that I have to pay with each ticket re-load.

Has anyone got any advice, or is there actually a real way to legally and legitimately not require this extra surcharge payment?

I don't think so. If it was that easy everyone would be doing it. The vendor and payment card processor know what country your card is issued from, probably also your home address. If you pay on your phone they know what country your SIM is registered in. I think what happened to Yuri was an error.

[xxxVIPERxxx]

Yuri is a very lucky man to have escaped the VAT surcharge for so long!