VAT and Limited Companies

[IDB1]

Received a quote this morning (for our house move, but that's irrelevant) and a couple of things aren't sitting right..

The quoter has included VAT on the quote but there's no VAT number quoted anywhere - is that usual?
Whenever I've dealt with VAT reg'd companies in the past, I seem to recall the VAT no. on them - or is that for invoices rather than quotations?

And, despite the quote ending

Yours sincerely

x. xxxxxx

xxxxxxxx LTD.

Companies house does not have that company listed - that's not right is it?

 

[lewis1641]

quotes do not have to have vat number on but invoices do.

if they are a limitted co then companies house will list them.

are they a small firm? they could be calling themselves "Dave's removers Limitted" because that's what they think they should be doing if you get me

 

[MikeD]

I'm not entirely sure that they have to provide a VAT number to a private individual - you're not claiming it back so you can't do much with it. I'd usually expect to see it, though. Don't listen to me, though - HMRC have a VAT helpline somewhere.

Companies House thing sounds a bit iffy. Might be using a trading name, but whatever name they've put the "Ltd" after should be on there.

 

[IDB1]

I only looked deeper into it because the quote is £100 cheaper than our previous best quote (which was a bloody good one)..
I'm not usually averse to things being too cheap but this will be the material contents of my life in a van... with someone else at the wheel.

Companies house have no record.. that's for sure..
The quote/invoice thing makes perfect sense.. I have had (and get) far more invoices than quotes. And I do read every single one.

The final nail in their proverbial coffin is that the website that appears on their quote doesn't appear on the 'net...

Bummer.. twas a good quote to be sure..

 

[lewis1641]

are they gypsies? free phone number?

 

[IDB1]

Land line and a mobile number..

Googling the land line number doesn't match the company either.

And there's 3 or 4 different addresses associated too.. it's all smells a bit 'wrong' and, imo, not worth the risk.

Getting away from the point slightly.. we've been given the number of a 'man with a van' who has done removals for people we know..

He wants £45/hr plus fuel and has that personal recommendation which is ever-so-slightly more worthy than some nice headed notepaper

 

[Dr S]

Just hire a seven and a half tonner and do it yourself. We have had six house moves in the last 9 years and have always done it ourselves.

 

[IDB1]

Just hire a seven and a half tonner and do it yourself. We have had six house moves in the last 9 years and have always done it ourselves.

Up until now we've done it ourselves too.. a couple of lutons would sort it.

Problem is, this time, I'm not in a position to do any of the lifting and we don't have any 'muscle' available.. everyone's busy :?

 

[lewis1641]

where do you live?

 

[IDB1]

At the moment.. Clacton (Essex).. moving 40 miles to Stowmarket (Suffolk).

What's not made it easier is that the move is midweek, not at the weekend.

Wife's got the man in the van sorted (he's got a mahoosive luton apparently), he's going to take the strain for us ..

I hate moving :evil: