i have a friend who owns a phone shop in london....he said he will have one for me if i want it....

Yep, avoid Apple stores if you can.

Hi everyone.. so i just wanted to know the rules regarding photography at igi T3.. Do they allow taking pics of the airport and the planes?

While photography at T3 is very common, there are technically rules against it based on archaic "national security" laws, and you always run the risk of dealing with an official on a power trip...

You can get permission for photography from the DGCA, but it's a complex process and a total headache.

So long story short: go ahead and taken pictures, but if requested to stop, comply.

Then he should also issue you the paperwork to get the full VAT back and not the paltry 10%! ;)

Didn't they lift the complete ban on photography at 'aerodromes' and in the air a while back?

IIRC, photography while in the air is allowed but not in the aerodromes ..

Basically you get 20% back but the retailer charges silly fees for every refund so it works out around 12% that you get back.

So yes I agree with you, Keyser you should get the full 20% back.

I think its not the retailer but the company processing the VAT refund right ?

I have a funny feeling its mostly the retailer. I have seen admin fees vary from £15 to £40 odd pounds even though the refund company is the same. Maybe they build the refund companies fees into their charge?

Am not sure about UK, but in Germany , Austria , Czech I guess its the processing company..Once I managed to take a refund form from one shop which did not have the ( cash refund at airport facility) and he gave the full refund of 17-18% but the process was lengthy..( Take the goods abroad, get custom stamp at airport, bring that custom stamped form back to the shop and they gave the refund to me in their shop itself)..

thanks

I believe its the same two companies that offers the service across Europe.

Yup, Global Blue and Premier Tax Free IIRC.

there are some charges that the company processing the vat will charge....after that it comes down to anywhere between 10-12% if i'm not mistaken....either way, if my buddy wants to make £15-£20 off me then so be it....:)