Ni number required for an online retail purchase?

[ishaw]

This is bike related. I was looking to buy some spare parts for a bike direct from manufacturer site.

The checkout process asks for my NI number which is a required field so can't checkout without it.

Why would a retailer be asking for this?

I get the HMRC rules on platforms like eBay and vinted etc to check on traders Vs personal thresholds and the like, but to make a simple purchase seems a little over the top?

Anyone know why this is being asked for?

For the record it's for some suspension bolts.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

What the Fk I'd be going somewhere else.

 

[d8mok]

NI numbers should only be given to a handful of organisations or people.

EBay is listed. I doubt whoever you are buying from is.

Who is it?

 

[NorthOfHere]

I don't care what it's for, a retail purchase should not require your NI number. That sounds very shady.

 

[ishaw]

I agree with all of the above. I didn't proceed as a result.

Its Mondraker so quite a specific need to be fulfilled. I've contacted UK suppliers to try and get what I need.

Fingers crossed, but glad I'm not going mad in thinking this isn't normal. First time I've come across it.

 

[slackboy]

Its Mondraker so quite a specific need to be fulfilled

Mondraker are Spanish, and you need to use your nie number (Spanish id) for quite a few things in spain, so it's probably a bad translation.

Id drop the support a line and ask them if there's any problem putting n/a in that field as a UK customer.

 

[Woz]

Not that I want to be the devils advocate. I've posted about this before.

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads...-screw-with-buyers.496957/page-5#post-3803146

The roll-out plan is EUR zone first, the SEPA connected countries with foreign currencies second.

I am surprised a retailer is asking already for your NI. But I'm not surprised either. I'm based in France and all I can say you can kiss goodbye to a lot what we took granted for. I have interests elsewhere in the EU and my admin burden went from low to extremely high since Sept / Oct this year. Bank statements now actually include a digitally signed actual person who prepared them and whom I have had to meet.

And now the crux. A reality experience says even every single domestic transaction is now under the spotlight. It's actually not about tax, it's about holding anyone accountable with a financial transaction in the name of "know you customer". If you don't know the customer, then potentially you are in very very deep water. Those running trading platforms can not afford not being compliant.

The UK is not excluded - far from it, it will just come later. It's something to face.

Our resident @d8mok is very much on the ball (I can't comment exactly in details for the UK, but giving a heads-up).