[CityCM]

As the title says, we're in the process of considering registering voluntarily for VAT. Has anyone done this? Anything to watch out for or think about?

I know financially we could end up a little worse off on each sale, however, it would also open up the possibility of getting trade accounts with more of the bigger suppliers that'll only deal with VAT registered businesses.

[zed]

you will only be financially worse off on a sale if you don't pass on the VAT to the customer.

[oakleaves]

I was previously registered for VAT (voluntarily) but I decided it was not a good idea on the whole in my case.

I have since de-registered.

[StuartPB]

I voluntarily registered for VAT with my PC repairs and IT services company, for exactly the same reasons as you mentioned. I wanted trade accounts with the distributors. I found though, that unless you are buying in large quantities, you aren't making much (if any) savings when compared to buying through non trade channels. I should have realised this before I went and registered for VAT, but I was just starting up and wet behind the ears. Because I wasn't buying in enough quantity I was no better off. I also had to do my returns every quarter too.

This post has been edited by StuartPB: 07 January 2012 - 03:26 PM

[MikeChipshop]

Wouldn't bother unless you're counting on making big business.

[CityCM]

StuartPB, on 07 January 2012 - 03:26 PM, said:

I voluntarily registered for VAT with my PC repairs and IT services company, for exactly the same reasons as you mentioned. I wanted trade accounts with the distributors. I found though, that unless you are buying in large quantities, you aren't making much (if any) savings when compared to buying through non trade channels. I should have realised this before I went and registered for VAT, but I was just starting up and wet behind the ears. Because I wasn't buying in enough quantity I was no better off. I also had to do my returns every quarter too.

What companies did you get trade accounts with out of interest?

[StuartPB]

I've got a few distro's I have trade accounts with:

Computer 2000 - I don't use these very often.

Blue Solutions - I buy all OS'es from here, to install on OEM builds, and OS upgrades.

Entatech - for cases and some components I use on custom builds & repair replacement stock.

I have trade accounts with some other distro's, which I use for the more specialist jobs, usually order in stock as and when required. Prices and discounts for PC hardware can vary a lot between distro's, so we shop around when putting in big orders.

[CityCM]

Thanks Stuart..Computer2000 was the main one I was looking at. Do you have to phone the likes of Blue Solutions to get the best prices as their OS prices don't seem very good.