How stupid is this ?

How stupid is this ?

Didn't find your answer?

Came into the office this morning, feeling great, all right with my little world.

Recent client with VAT surcharges, wanted to check current position. Got through to Debt Management fairly quickly only to be told that they could not confirm that I was authorised. They suggested I ring the VAT helpline to get them to verify me.

I asked why they could not check it out - they do not have access to records of authorisations! So, the system is that you ring VAT helpline - took five minutes or more going through all the prerecorded messages and lots of menus.

Chap confirmed that I was authorised. HE THEN SAT ON HIS 'PHONE FOR TEN MINUTES WAITING FOR DEBT MANAGEMENT TO ANSWER, TOLD THEM OK AND I RECEIVED THE INFORMATION I WANTED.

VAT helpline guy didn't seem to think that was a waste of time.

Who on earth sets these systems up?!

Replies (4)

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By girlofwight
20th Aug 2012 15:34

MP
Frustrating...

However thames a few minutes to write briefly to your MP and ask that they rise with relevant Treasury Minister - you won't change it, but you will get under a few civil servants skin, and eventually, they hear...

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Should Be Working ... not playing with the car
By should_be_working
20th Aug 2012 15:57

Time is money - ours!

"VAT helpline guy didn't seem to think that was a waste of time."

Of course not, he's being paid (by us) to sit there for ten minutes waiting for a 'phone to be picked up.

Yet the PCS-Murphy axis tell us HMRC doesn't have enough people to tackle the 'tax gap'...

BTW, how on earth did you manage to get through to Debt Management so quickly the first time? Were you this year's lucky winner?

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By The Innkeeper
20th Aug 2012 17:19

try this one

Had a letter in today suggesting tjat a ltd co client owed ct. Looked on line and saw some items called 'Misc Transfers' in the clients account. Phoned up DMU ( got through reasonably quickly) and was advised that I need to speak to the CT District. Phoned CT district who advised me that I had to speak to Cumbernauld. Also the CT district hadn't processed a loss relief claim which was part of the issue. Spoke to Cumbernauld ( again got through quite quickly) who advised me what the Misc Transfers were. One happened to be for a bounced cheque - why on earth couldn't the online account show this. Phoned DMU again to advise them what had happened and that we were asking the client for the right amount and would send it on asap.If the systems were sey up properly I could have saved about half an hour. Happy Days

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By bernard michael
21st Aug 2012 09:25

Don't forget that when sitting on the phone on an 0845 number you paying an excessive BT charge rate the profit from which goes into the running of costs of HMRC. However this is probably offset by the NHS costs of your blood pressure tablets

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