Originally Posted by
David-A
I don't know the procedures in Italy, however in other countries you would certainly pay the VAT inclusive price upfront, then get the VAT refunded to your card, but this can take weeks or months to be processed when you send the form back.
That hasn't been my experience - in the last few years almost all transactions I make by credit card when in Europe but not resident there
are processed as the OP described - I am charged the "tax free" price (which isn't tax free at all, only 50-60% of the tax is removed) and then I fill in the form at the airport when leaving the EU. I never see the remainder charged to my card.
Originally Posted by
biggestbopper
I contested the charge for the VAT with my credit card as a billing error and that was the last I ever heard of it.
I would do the same - seems like the easiest way of dealing with this.