Okay, now it's time for a new thread.
I bought some T-Shirts from a US based company and when they arrived I had to pay VAT on them.

In what outrageous ways has "The Man" fucked you over recently?
(Bazongaloid, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:17, 106 replies, latest was 12 years ago)

'The Man' is a fucking gay.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:19, Reply)

Do UK T-shirts not go up to a large enough size for you anymore?

( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:20, Reply)

Yes. I mean No. I mean ...
FUCK YOU!!!!!
(Bazongaloid, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:20, Reply)

I'm hungry, Al
And I've got to spend my lunch break talking to working class people about tyres.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:22, Reply)

Bulk up on sunflower seeds and mung beans - so filling, and so nutritious too!!

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:23, Reply)

Way ahead of you there, sister.

( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:24, Reply)

Oh that sucks.
Why do you need tyres?
(Bazongaloid, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:34, Reply)

To cushion his back wheels when he's up to them in YM?

(localboy purveyor of pisspoor puns, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:50, Reply)

It turns out I've been driving through a field of nails.
Had to change a flat on the way to work this morning and apparently there's a nail in another tyre.
Oh and the front ones are near their tread limit, so I might as well replace all four.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:25, Reply)

This is dull.
Soz.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:25, Reply)

Were the t-shirts worth the extra 20%?

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:23, Reply)

pay rise and bonus
Firm has been lovely and generous, but in fairness I've worked my fucking arse off.

After tax, it's hardly worth it. Fuck the man, right in his taxing-hole.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:26, Reply)

You've been spending too much time with Greggsy

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:30, Reply)

when people say pay rises are no worth it after tax (which I'm aware you didn't)
I always wonder why they didn't turn them down.
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:30, Reply)

like what bitchtits says below me.
surely if he asked for a pay cut his employer would be delighted and he's £40 better off. But for some strange reason, this never happens. I do wonder why.
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:33, Reply)

b3ta.com/questions/offtopic/post1983780
( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:35, Reply)

http://www.b3ta.com/questions/offtopic/post1983785

( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:36, Reply)

www.b3ta.com/questions/offtopic/post1983789
( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:43, Reply)

Easy,
My pay scale has 5 spinal points. Promotion from top of one level of the pay scale to bottom of the other makes me slightly worse off the first year, but years 2-5 I am better off
( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:34, Reply)

That only makes sense if rank = wage
I'm sure if you asked nicely enough they would just pay you less for doing the same job...
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:36, Reply)

Public Sector
If I went to them and said "Please pay me £40 less" They would say something like "This is the pay scale, everyone doing your job gets paid this scale, can't make exceptions. Also if they cut my wage by £40 and the next year I got my increment and went and said Oh I want my £40 back they would tell me to fuck off.
( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:39, Reply)

How many employers do you know who would give you a pay cut one year
and then happily give it back when its good for you?
( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:48, Reply)

Mine, for one.

( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:01, Reply)

Well good for you
But I hope I have explained clearly why I am not handing back my pay rise.
( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:07, Reply)

because you work for arseholes?

( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:25, Reply)

No
Its because I get my increment in september but the tax year starts in April. For six months I will be worse off but overall in the year I will break even. Over 5 years I will be much better off.
( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:32, Reply)

Welcome to the public sector...

(socynicalsohip, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:42, Reply)

THat doesn't make sense, are you saying that they promote you, but lower your wages for the first year?

(Bazongaloid, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:39, Reply)

Oh, I see, you explained below
yes, the tax credits thing is a bit daft.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:39, Reply)

No
I am worse off because my very small pay rise from top of scale 3 to bottom of scale 4 puts me over a child tax credits threshold which means I lose enough tax credits to wipe out my pay rise and more. However in two years time with incremental payrises I will be better off.
( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:41, Reply)

I really don't understand why the governement doens't see this sort of thing and actually sort it out.
They spend enough time getting fucking KPMG and all those other cunts to pore over the tax codes to make themselves better off that they could easily come up with a better system that doesn't have the possibility of making people worse off by ostensibly earning more money.

I mean the obvious answer is to drop tax credits entirely and make companies pay a proper wage.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:48, Reply)

I understand why its happened as they have to have a threshold somewhere
and I don't mind too much because I am currently on incremental pay. If I wasn't then I might be a bit more pissed off about it.
( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:50, Reply)

Well, this whole subthread has been fascinating.

( Amorous Badger NAKED BEA ARTHUR PHOTOS 4U, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:31, Reply)

At least its not whiskey chat

( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:33, Reply)

I think that Tax Chat needs to go on the 'no whiskey chat' list.

( Amorous Badger NAKED BEA ARTHUR PHOTOS 4U, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:42, Reply)

With the stupid child benefit set up
I think there may be situations where you actually do end up worse off after a payrise.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:38, Reply)

Mine was to do with Child Tax Credits
But yes.
( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:39, Reply)

I still insist on taking all the child benefit even though I may end up having to pay some back due to bonuses

(Bazongaloid, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:40, Reply)

Tax Credits are the devil's sperm
They fuck you over in any way possible. We actually worked out we'd get nothing in the next tax year so cancelled them. This then meant we had to pay the previous years allowance back. Cheers for that, YOU FUCKING CUNTS
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:39, Reply)

They're idiots
My other half is an accountant, she gives them the correct information to the penny. Every year they seem to give us a lower amount than she has worked out. Every year she calls and questions this and every year they send us a cheque because of underpayment. Last years was enough for a midweek break at Disneyland Paris.
( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:43, Reply)

Are you caught up in that lovely bit between 100K and 150K where you personal allowance decreases by a two pounds for every extra pound you earn?

(Bazongaloid, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:35, Reply)

I know I am*!
* not
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:38, Reply)

I got a pay rise and promotion
that after deductions and reduction in tax credits puts me £40 a week worse off.
( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:31, Reply)

That's not cricket.

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:32, Reply)

Oh no

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:35, Reply)

The only things I can think of are my company piling more work on me for no additional pay
which is easily fixed; also the solicitors handling my inheritance are stone-walling me every time I try to find out what's going on.
( Kroney, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:42, Reply)

God Kroney, they just lost a friend, can't you be a bit more sensitive?

(Bazongaloid, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:45, Reply)

Average time for courts to grant an application for probate in Australia is, apparently, between three to eight weeks.
We've been waiting fourteen with no word at all. I have no real experience with courts and solicitors, certainly not in Australia, but I can't be wrong in thinking that's way too long to be without word?
( Kroney, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:52, Reply)

Maybe they have a lot of criminals living there.

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:02, Reply)

Maybe you should invite them round for a nommy turnip meal?

(localboy purveyor of pisspoor puns, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:52, Reply)

They've probably pretended to go on strike, to make you feel more at home.

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:54, Reply)

My sandwich hasn't got any tomato, despite being a bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich according to the box.

( Windy Pig I'm naturally quite suspicious about the moon., Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:51, Reply)

Tomato's the worst bit in a BLT
you've had your sandwich streamlined.
( Kroney, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 12:53, Reply)

But I like tomato.
I'm not taking it back, I might give them a bad customer feedback survey.
( Windy Pig I'm naturally quite suspicious about the moon., Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:00, Reply)

I wouldn't have bothered with the lettuce either, to be honest.

( Kroney, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:05, Reply)

Or the bread
Just substitute all the components for moar bacon.
( Two Hats 🎩🎩, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:13, Reply)

Oh internet :o(

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:13, Reply)

cheers
t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRnlRro8iN8Eu422Fvuc6ZFJSWAQ8tF2WAURbMBwFoX1dI8zgQ8
( hartley hare Just some prick who thinks it doesn't apply to him, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:16, Reply)

Jeepers!
Hey, I've got a pint glass of water on my desk, and I'm pretending that it's beer so I can feel like I'm allowed to drink at work.
( Two Hats 🎩🎩, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:17, Reply)

This
b3ta.com/questions/offtopic/post1910532
( hartley hare Just some prick who thinks it doesn't apply to him, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:20, Reply)

Holy moly!

( Two Hats 🎩🎩, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:30, Reply)

The day bacon stops being so irresistible
Is the day I take the pills
( Two Hats 🎩🎩, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:16, Reply)

Nah' man, you need the bread to stop your hands from getting tomarto-saucy.

( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:14, Reply)

Hmm
Maybe cook up some crispy bacon, spread the ketchup on it, then layer all the less crispy bacon onto it...hey preto; ultra bacon sarnie!
( Two Hats 🎩🎩, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:15, Reply)

sandwich dog
tomato nose
despite being a bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich according to the box. and his odour is questionable, to say the least.
( Two Hats 🎩🎩, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:12, Reply)

How does he taste?

( hartley hare Just some prick who thinks it doesn't apply to him, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:13, Reply)

It's Windy Pig
So he has no taste!
( Two Hats 🎩🎩, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:14, Reply)

Hey man, I have got feelings.

( Windy Pig I'm naturally quite suspicious about the moon., Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:32, Reply)

But....you're ginger?

( Two Hats 🎩🎩, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:59, Reply)

It's usually the other way round for me.
I hate when you have to go pick a letter up from the post office due to insufficient postage and it turns out to be advertising or some shit.

Or bloody tv licence letters.

Leave me alone! I am not funding your paedo's!!
Put ads on the BBC. See if I give a fuck.

Anyone here actually pay the licence?
( GeordieJay Bummers are deaf, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:05, Reply)

Yes, I pay the licence.
I happen to think publically funded television is a good idea.
( Kroney, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:06, Reply)

Yes I pay the licence
But I don't watch the thing.
( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:07, Reply)

I just noticed your Sig. scotch video tapelolz

( hartley hare Just some prick who thinks it doesn't apply to him, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:10, Reply)

I need new one

( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:12, Reply)

I'm waiting for someone to actually get mine before I change it

( hartley hare Just some prick who thinks it doesn't apply to him, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:13, Reply)

Hmmm is it something to do with the world cup?

( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:16, Reply)

Fuck, how did you know?

( hartley hare Just some prick who thinks it doesn't apply to him, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:16, Reply)

Intuition

( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:19, Reply)

I suppose if you have to dodge large Tomes.....
most days you soon build that
( hartley hare Just some prick who thinks it doesn't apply to him, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:21, Reply)

Was I actually right
I heard something somewhere about it being better than vuvuzelas in football crowds
( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:24, Reply)

Nail and head
It's the Brazillian version of the Vuvuzela
( hartley hare Just some prick who thinks it doesn't apply to him, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:45, Reply)

Yes, I do

( hartley hare Just some prick who thinks it doesn't apply to him, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:10, Reply)

Just me then :/
I did up until recently. A lot of people I know don't so fuck it.
( GeordieJay Bummers are deaf, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:13, Reply)

They will eventually get around to sending somebody over to your address, btw.
They assume everybody is watching television until proved otherwise. Simply owning any device capable of receiving a television signal makes you liable to pay the licence, as I understand it.
( Kroney, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:15, Reply)

Aye, already had this letter
Im never in so good luck to them.
( GeordieJay Bummers are deaf, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:17, Reply)

Make sure you let me know what you spend that extra 12 pounds a month on.

( Kroney, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:21, Reply)

it's the principle, dammit.
Living alone is costly... You should know this more than most, Kronely.
( GeordieJay Bummers are deaf, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:26, Reply)

Not quite
You are legally allowed to own television receiving equipment without paying a licence as long as you don't watch TV on it. I.e using a 42" TV to watch dvds but not hooking it up to an aerial. You have to declare it though.
( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:18, Reply)

Yes.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:13, Reply)

I don't. But because Lady Pig gets a blind discount, so she just pays the 6 quid s month or whatever.

( Windy Pig I'm naturally quite suspicious about the moon., Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:43, Reply)

I once bought a guitar effect pedal from the states because it was almost half what they go for here
By the time I paid VAT and the fucking import tax (which I didn't know about at the time) it worked out about the same as if I'd bought one here. I was fucking livid.
( Two Hats 🎩🎩, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:10, Reply)

I bought an amplifier from the states as it would work out half price
Theres an american military base nearby and my mate was working there on a contract to service all the photocopiers. I had it sent to him at the base and he just put it in his van. Hey presto, no import tax.
( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:12, Reply)

Nice workaround

( Two Hats 🎩🎩, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:13, Reply)

I was quite pleased
However to repeat the scheme I might have to make friends with a squaddie.
( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:14, Reply)

Quelle dommage
What amplifier was it, by the way?
( Two Hats 🎩🎩, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:16, Reply)

My Ampeg Reverberocket
I prefer the reverb on it to a fender or marshall. It probably my favourite amp of the three I have.
( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:23, Reply)

Ooh nice
I've got an ok reverb pedal, but there's nothing quite like the real thing.
( Two Hats 🎩🎩, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:29, Reply)

It especially nice when you hit a reverb amp and get that crash, you just can't get than on a pedal

( Peej, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:36, Reply)

Variant:
Some countries have parts that are outside their customs laws, IE Heligoland for Germany or Kleinwalsertal for Austria.

The process is thus:
1) Order something to your contact in one of these areas.
2) No VAT or import duty is levied.
3) Have contact repack item into random box, sans manuals, warranty cards, etc.
4) Add dirt (finger smears on screens, sand in shoes, etc.).
5) Have contact reship stuff to you with a note reading 'You forgot this stuff, you twat. You owe me postage and a beer'.
6) Happiness

Saved me a few grand so far on things like cameras and laptops. Customs opened a package with a camera once, but aparrently believed the story it told.
(GermanGuy invaded on, Thu 6 Jun 2013, 9:18, Reply)

THIS LOOKS GOOD DOES ANYONE WANT TO GO?
www.streetfeastlondon.com/#!saturday-events/cp6w
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:13, Reply)

That looks wonderful

( Two Hats 🎩🎩, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:14, Reply)

wonderful like an enormous frothing wankfest
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:44, Reply)

haha jizzy

( glued eel /questions/questionsyoudliketoask/post1648081, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:32, Reply)

Don't forget
"Disco Bistro"
( hartley hare Just some prick who thinks it doesn't apply to him, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:43, Reply)

they sound like the worst people but I would eat their food

( glued eel /questions/questionsyoudliketoask/post1648081, Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:49, Reply)

The page won't load on my phone, so I'm gonna say no, just in case it's a Jews only thing.
I would be so embarrassed.
( Windy Pig I'm naturally quite suspicious about the moon., Wed 5 Jun 2013, 13:33, Reply)