Bike to Work scheme - the Megathread - Read post #1 before posting

byrnem31 · 10-01-2022 9:48pm

Good holy lord its stressful trying to buy a bike in these days. Im willing to wait a few months for a cube agree c62 but the next one that the shop gets in is already sold. They dont know when they could get me one so there is no point in taking my ctw off me. Its madness out there. Im not willing to get anything else so that's not helping either.

MojoMaker · 11-01-2022 12:32pm

I know a shop with an Agree in stock and no buyer. But size 58 - probably too big?

loyatemu · 11-01-2022 2:38pm

I have a Cube on order since August, they emailed me this week to say it would be built in May!

Getting tempted by PlanetX again now they've sorted their VAT issues, but it's still a bit of a lottery as to whether I'd have to pay customs on it, and obviously no comeback if the sizing is off, so I should just wait for the Cube. I should...

byrnem31 · 11-01-2022 4:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118454580#Comment_118454580

Yeah too big thanks though.

byrnem31 · 11-01-2022 4:05pm

https://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=167075

This is what you're up against if buying a bike these days. 1050 for a claris alliminium that looks like it was welded by stevie wonder. Its not the shops fault, it just whats out there.

seantobin43 · 02-02-2022 10:21pm

I'm confused with the bike to work scheme. So I work for my father its just the two of us in the business. I'm looking at a bike at the moment and it's €1024. I understand that he has to purchase my bike but can I just pay him back for the bike in full minus the taxes and get it cheaper instead of the salary sacrifice over the 12 months?

Idleater · 02-02-2022 10:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118573007#Comment_118573007

No, you get paid €1024 less, but from your gross pay.

magicbastarder · 02-02-2022 11:19pm

AFAIK it's between you and your employer whether your salary will drop by 1024 in total over 12 equal monthly deductions or whether it's done with bigger deductions over a shorter period. it's not really a case of you paying him back for it. he just pays you less.

CramCycle · 03-02-2022 7:35am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118573007#Comment_118573007

As others have said, nope, the company has to buy the bike and then just pay you 1024 less over the next 12 months in regards your gross pay. The tax saving is from your non payment of tax on that amount of your wages, not VAT or any other tax

GrumpyMe · 12-02-2022 2:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118573992#Comment_118573992

As far as I know, if your employer, the company, wants they can waive any repayment by you and let you have the bike tax free, free gratis and for nothing.

Idleater · 12-02-2022 2:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118620448#Comment_118620448

Citation needed.

Who owns the bicycle?

I have no doubt that a company can purchase a bicycle, but would do so outside the BTW scheme, and would pay taxes as part of the the transaction. It would be company property though.

Squidgy Black · 12-02-2022 11:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118620473#Comment_118620473

Revenue say it on their site about the bike to work.

”Your employer may buy the bicycle and not require you to pay for it. In this case, you will be exempt from tax on the benefit of the cost of the bicycle up to €1,250. If the bicycle is a pedelec or ebike, the exemption is €1,500.”

https://www.revenue.ie/en/jobs-and-pensions/taxation-of-employer-benefits/cycle-to-work-scheme.aspx

CramCycle · 14-02-2022 8:24pm

Have yet to meet a company who do it though

14-02-2022 10:03pm

Our place gives €250 on top of the scheme, not gotten around to finding out how it works.

I assume it's due to the fact that many in the company are relatively young wouldn't be on the higher tax rate so it's to make it more worth while for those people. Mental note to self to find out this week.

CramCycle · 15-02-2022 12:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118631685#Comment_118631685

You can give a gift of €250 tax free as a bonus (one 4all cards etc.), I imagine that is how they got around it

seanin4711 · 18-02-2022 1:44pm

contracting atm with a medical device company.

Seems like i am limited to Bricks and mortar shops in ireland,not even online.

why cant i avail of online offers in Germany etc?

thanks

J

cletus · 18-02-2022 1:56pm

It's down to the company what shops they will deal with. The scheme itself doesn't dictate this

DaveyDave · 18-02-2022 3:46pm

There's nothing stopping companies offering online sales, they just don't want to. I'm not sure what companies find off putting about it but my application was very quick, no questions asked.

My employer specifically didn't want to use an outsourced company because they take a cut for very little work. I think they literally just make the payment on their behalf and that's it?

CramCycle · 18-02-2022 8:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118653925#Comment_118653925

Your employer is very decent then and smart to realise it really adds no extra work but takes money out of your pocket and the shops

magicbastarder · 18-02-2022 8:15pm

my company also has a policy of only using bricks and mortar shops in ireland - partly because the payment method is simply the team assistant ringing them and paying over the phone. not something you can really do with canyon, i guess.

plodder · 21-02-2022 3:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118633928#Comment_118633928

Nothing to do with BTW, but that's only technically allowed if it's given to all employees. Our company was audited on this, and because they were doing it thru what amounts to a voluntary, salary sacrifice, they were pulled up on it. They stopped the whole scheme over it. It's worth €1,000 a year now, and we can't avail of it any more. 😣

andyd12 · 02-03-2022 1:44pm

Are bikes bought through the scheme from chain reaction cycles/wiggle exempt from import charges?

Do we have to buy from someone on the supplier list?

Bikediscount.de offer real well spec'd Radon bikes. Wondering does my employer have to stick to the official list

Seth Brundle · 02-03-2022 5:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118719293#Comment_118719293

I know that they (CRC) used to say something to the effect that the price you see is the price you pay but I can't see it listed on their website - their Brexit FAQs page still exists but I don't think it is linked to from the rest of the site.

I do see this on the CRC T&C page:

If your delivery address is outside of the UK, you may be required to pay import duties and taxes when your CRC order reaches your destination country. These and any additional charges for customs clearance are your responsibility. All orders are fulfilled and despatched from the UK.

Delivery costs will be charged in addition; such additional charges are clearly displayed where applicable and included in the 'Grand Total'.

As for a "supplier list" - there is none unless your company limit you to one. Even CRC outside of the EU facilitate the scheme. If your employer is happy to buy from BikeDiscount then that's fine.

magicbastarder · 02-03-2022 9:45pm

i can't see why bikes bought through the scheme would be exempt from import charges.

as to whether you can buy through someone on the supplier list, you can buy from anyone your employer will allow you buy from, as long as it's a retail purchase.

JMcL · 03-03-2022 10:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118720940#Comment_118720940

You had me in a bit of a panic for the moment as I'm waiting Godot like for an Elite trainer to appear on the Fastway tracking page, however looking at their delivery page (https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/customer-service/my-delivery-faqs#will-i-be-charged-customs-charges-and-how-much-will-these-be) the have the following:

[b]Will I be charged Customs charges and how much will these be?[/b]

Items shipped to the EU and Norway

No customs or import taxes will be charged

[b]Will my local Value Added Tax (VAT) or Goods & Services Taxes (GST) be included in the product price?[/b]

Items shipped to the EU and Norway

The relevant rate of local VAT will be applied based on the product(s) included within your order, the VAT will be displayed in the product price and no further charges relating to VAT will be incurred.

So what you see is what you pay - they deal with Revenue and submit the Irish VAT (well, hopefully they do!)

Also, I didn't get charged for delivery contrary to what the "Brexit FAQs" page says, so I would assiume that's now out of date

Seth Brundle · 03-03-2022 11:00am

Cool - I went looking for that note yesteray and obviously didn't find it.

sandy2000 · 10-03-2022 11:23am

Sorry for another question but couldnt see the answer in the thread. I had a bike on order through the CTW scheme but it's been delayed massively so having to cancel it. My employer uses BTW and they had started salary deductions already. They're claiming that the BTW salary sacrifice cannot be cancelled and repaid. Does anyone have any idea if that's right? Seems odd that the scheme applies even if the bike ordered doesnt actually show up?

magicbastarder · 10-03-2022 11:34am

if the BTW has been cancelled, have your employers been refunded the money? if they have and they are still applying a salary sacrifice, they've basically pocketed the money which should be your salary.

hard to tell what a way out of this is for you though, you need to talk to your employer again.

loyatemu · 10-03-2022 12:34pm

had they paid the supplier yet?

I've had a bike on order since August but I paid the deposit myself and won't setup the C2W payments until it arrives.

Seth Brundle · 10-03-2022 1:10pm

Are your employers using one of the middlemen companies ~~who do nothing to help either side really but still take a massive cut~~? It is possible that they have been paid but not yet paid the bike shop as the bike has not arrived.

CramCycle · 10-03-2022 1:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118761577#Comment_118761577

It can be if it hasn't been paid out yet, if it has they would have to wait until it comes back to them. Did the bike shop get the money?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118762171#Comment_118762171

The money might be in the middlemens account or the bike shop have already taken it. Find out where the money is. Legally it should go back to your employer and then they refund your salary sacrifice, fairly simple. If the bike shop have it in their hand, they may offer you the illegal option of cash into your hand. Not illegal for them but it is illegal for you (tax avoidance).

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118722516#Comment_118722516

They aren't exempt, CRC just has them included.

sandy2000 · 10-03-2022 3:14pm

Thanks everyone. I suspect the money is still with the middlemen that my employer uses. Theyre the ones claiming it can't be refunded. Ive queried it anyway so hopefully it will get sorted.

Seth Brundle · 10-03-2022 4:27pm

You should be able to get the ~~thieving feckers~~ middlemen to change the retail outlet

Jesper · 30-03-2022 1:24pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118763518#Comment_118763518

I'm looking at getting my first BTW this year. I can tell you most bike shops I've spoken to already absolutely hate the middlemen and the 12.5% they take. But also how they want to put them on credit and keep them in backlog. 2 companies refuse to go with them. One said they will go with them but I have to pay the 12.5% surcharge. Apparently a new provider is entering at a 6.5% charge.

My company uses TravelHub - Bike to Work. I don't know if that is owned by one4all - which is vehemently hated.

Anywhoo,

Trek Domane AL3 €1,199 vs Giant Contend AR 3 €1,279. Any other options I should look at? apparently a few Trek's coming to Ireland this week.

Seth Brundle · 30-03-2022 2:14pm

My company uses TravelHub - Bike to Work.

Check with your company and explain the situation to them. Once my HR dept realised, they were happy to allow payments directly to the LBS.

byrnem31 · 03-04-2022 7:15am

Its tricky getting a bike now due to stock issues as some employers will not pay for the bike unless you physically have it yourself. That means, if you order a bike now and it arrives november for example, you notify employer and they start taking huge payments out as it has to be paid by end of year, ie. December.

CramCycle · 03-04-2022 7:49am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118872942#Comment_118872942

It's 12 months, not the end of the year to pay it off unless your employer has specific rules.

cletus · 03-04-2022 9:43am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118872979#Comment_118872979

Different payrolls have implemented their own rules.

In my place, it's paid over 11 months, January to November.

In my wife's place, payments are made over 12 months, but there's a six week window in the year when they will process the payments.

I haven't heard of employers not releasing the money until you actually have the bike before, though.

griffdaddy · 02-05-2022 10:10am

Has any civil servant managed to purchase an ebike priced more than €1500 through Peoplepoint? They say they'll reject any invoices more than €1500 so that would exclude pretty much, well, all ebikes?

magicbastarder · 02-05-2022 10:12am

just get the bike shop to issue a split invoice - one for €1500 and one for the balance you'll be paying?

FFVII · 02-05-2022 9:31pm

why is their a shortage of bikes??

cletus · 02-05-2022 9:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119007445#Comment_119007445

A combination of factories having been closed during various lockdowns, and a spike in bike sales, due in part to the same lockdowns.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.omniaretail.com/blog/bicycly-industry-supply-chain-crisis-growth%3fhs_amp%3Dtrue

FFVII · 02-05-2022 9:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119007458#Comment_119007458

OK, so how is that means to hike the price?

cletus · 02-05-2022 10:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119007485#Comment_119007485

I don't have an answer to that

fat bloke · 02-05-2022 10:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119007485#Comment_119007485

More customers for less product. -Has that not always been a recipe for price hikes?

magicbastarder · 02-05-2022 11:07pm

yep, if you'd sell 10,000 bikes at €1000, and 5000 bikes at €1,200, and 1,000 bikes at €1,400 - and you only have 1000 bikes available anyway, you up the price to €1,400 and sell them.

and that's facilitated by your competitor only having 1000 bikes to sell too.

FFVII · 02-05-2022 11:31pm

I'm starting to get a bit peed off looking at the likes of Kingspan and billionaire heirs to food companies raking in even more billions simply cuz they are hiking the sh1t out of prices with no extra costs to themselves and just saying "Uh, brexit and covid ya know"

MojoMaker · 03-05-2022 8:11am

Oh for sure there's an element of opportunism at play here too.

byrnem31 · 11-05-2022 7:06pm

Ok, my cube agree c62 has been cancelled until August meaning i will miss the season after waiting 8 months for a bike.

I used my ctw to pay 1500 off the bike. The shop has been paid. Is it cheeky asking for my 1500 back to add to the 1500 i have and try my luck elsewhere or go 2nd hand? Can it be done?

griffdaddy · 11-05-2022 7:09pm

Double post

Bike to Work scheme - the Megathread - Read post #1 before posting

Comments

[b]Will I be charged Customs charges and how much will these be?[/b]

[b]Will my local Value Added Tax (VAT) or Goods & Services Taxes (GST) be included in the product price?[/b]