Having been given conflicting advice earlier today, I double-checked with HMRC by phone and they now state that since April all imports from the Channel Islands (i.e. even those under £15) are now potentially subject to VAT charges.

However, companies based there can elect to pre-pay VAT on behalf of customers as part of the purchase price. This has to be clear in any Customs declaration attached to packages.

Since HMRC couldn't tell me if HMV, Play or Sainsbury's Entertainments had entered into such an agreement, I've e-mailed all three companies seeking clarification.

In the meantime, apologies if I've lit the fires of panic or confusion!

Well we have time on our side Smudge, so thanks.

As an employee of HMRC, I'm amazed you a) got through and b) got an answer. There's hope for them yet!

.....well said John. Indeed, so much banter about this cover or
that cover or this song or that song being included or not. Sheesh! "Roots strain against the grain."

It's all about the music we love! And that's ROXY MUSIC! HAPPY 40th ANNIVERSARY BOYS! THANKS FOR THE GREAT MUSIC! SPIN ME 'ROUND!

3 cheers for the boys....all together now!

Hip Hip! Hooray!

Hip Hip! Hooray!

Hip Hip! Hooray!

"I am for the man who drives the hammer, to rock you till the grave"

Well I am moaning but will still look for the best bargain and pay out the money, but looking at the cover it will go well with the 7 LP Collection on the mantelpiece.

By the way I bought the 7 LP Collection for about 50 Euros way back when, and recently noticed that Record Collector has priced this at about $220 as being a rare item.

Just a thought, whether any other Roxy items are of any value?,n/y

whatever, keep well, Stephen

Black cat bone
Moanin'

I feel the box/cover is a classic design and think it a clever link to the past and the original LP box set. There is only so much information and images you can have on a small CD box so in this case I think it a good choice, "less is more" as they say.

How could you better the iconic images that the box contains?!



P.S. I think Mr Smudge has qualified for his Boy Scout Detective badge

I was very interested in buying this set because of the high-rez DVD's.

Does anyone know why they have been dropped?

And why were they promised in the first place?

All in all, a botched job methinks....

HMV.com eventually confirmed that the VAT is pre-paid in the purchase price. No replies from Play.com or Sainsburys...

Of course if you want to help a needy musician, you can always buy directly from Phil at www.expressionrecords.com! £49.99 plus a fiver or so for UK postage.

Have just received the following reply from Sainsburys; does this mean we will not be charged any more on delivery?

"Thank you for your email regarding VAT charges.
We work hard to provide excellent service for all our customers. We account for import VAT on all UK sales made from Guernsey to UK customers".

I think that's the woolly worded gist of it! I belatedly got similar responses from both Sainsbury's & Play.com, having already received confirmation from HMV.

Have decided to put Sainsbury's to the test, as they're still cheapest (£45; others in the £52-£55 range) for the Roxy set. Ordered Gregg Allman's hardback autobiography yesterday and it shipped today; hopefully it will help me to judge the quality of their protective packaging...