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Boots

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Hazel

Hazel

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Tried to renew my meter today in Boots. Picked what I wanted and took it to the till.

Are you diabetic
Yes
Do you have a VAT exemption card
No never been offered one nor asked for one
Are you registered disabled, due you gave a blue card
I AM NOT DISABLED I AM DIABETIC!!!!!!

Pharmacist then joined the debate

Are you diabetic
Yes why else would I be buying one
Some non diabetics do
Do you want to see my insulin kit
Give the lady the 20% off

Jeez
 
Just out of curiosity Alan, have you heard if a VAT exemption card? Should I speak to the Gp
 
Dont think so Alan. Everyone in Scotland gets free prescriptions
 
Mark T said:
If I recall correctly, you can reclaim VAT on diabetes supplies - thus the VAT card.

I'm sure someone else will post up who knows more.
Click to expand...

You're supposed to fill out a declaration that the seller is supposed to provide and then keep in their records, but no actual 'card' that I'm aware of.
 
Thanks everyone, but can I state again for the record

I AM NOT DISABLED - I AM DIABETIC

Sorry but that really irked
 
Hazel, I know where your coming from, I think most diabetics would say they are not disabled 🙂, but just have a condition that one has.

Unfortunately diabetes can be a disabling illness (condition) which at a guess is why its classed as such. In forms where they have the question are you disabled I always used to tick the no box.

Unfortunately I am now suffering secondary diabetic complications + another illness in which I would have to tick the yes box, depending on what the question relates to.

For example if the task involved operating machinery all day I would have to tick yes. Though if it was for general work like office work I would tick the no box.

Have to admit while I rarely ticked the yes box at work, it could be amusing to others around me when my condition took hold. My immediate workers and boss knew what happens, others out side of the area where I worked, often wondered what the hell was going on.

I don't consider my self disabled, don't have a blue badge, I am not registered as disabled. I am just me, that happens to have a couple of illnesses and complications that can get in the way of day today life.

If ordering over the net and the item is low cost, I would not bother claiming the VAT relief, unless it was just a tick box. Though as its seen as a illness that is classed as qualifying for VAT relief and if the goods are qualifying items I would ask for the VAT to be taken off in shops.
 
Hazel said:
Thanks everyone, but can I state again for the record

I AM NOT DISABLED - I AM DIABETIC

Sorry but that really irked
Click to expand...

I've just been asked to sign a declaration. I've never needed a card.
 
If it's of any help, most pharmacy's do have the VAT exemption forms inbuilt into their tills.
I asked for VAT exemption on a BP monitor and it was done through the till and I just signed the form that came from the till.
I also told Mum about claiming the VAT back from the incontinence pads used for my Dad. The shop assistant didn't want to do this saying it wasn't allowed. So I pointed out it was and the items were VAT free on the net with no problem. What it boiled down to was she didn't know how to do the VAT exemption.
So I suggested she found out and we would be back next week with the receipt to claim it. She did as well 🙂
 
I live in Scotland with free prescriptions, but before they became free for everyone they were always free to diabetics. But I still have got my 20% off in Boots because of VAT exemption, I had to fill some sort of form in. Also I have become "disabled" through diabetes and am registered disabled. I do not take offence at being asked this question as being disabled does entitle you to certain things automatically, let me stress that I do not look disavled and when people ask they are just checking to see if I am entitled to say my 29% off. Maybe the woman just asked to see if you were entitled automatically and not neccersarily thinking all diabetics are disabled ? I didnt class myself as disabled until I went blind, just diabetic.
 
I always ask for VAT exemption when I buy my strips as I don't get them on prescription. They just print the declaration from the till; or if I'm lucky & get the lovely pharmasist she sells them to me for the NHS price as she knows I use them to check diet & then as it is much cheaper (about ?16.00 for the abbott ones) I don't insist on the VAT off as well.

In fact when I go in I don't bother to get them if she isn't there.

Apparently not many of the staff know how to print the declaration off.

Also my late father-in-law didn't pay VAT when he had the bathroom converted to a shower-room due to his diabetes & the complications he developed. I think for that you had to be over 60. Saved him a packet.
 
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