2 bikes on Cycle2Work scheme?

[EasyPeez]

Hi,

Was told by one local dealer last week that I could buy anything I wanted from him, including the bike I am currently looking for and a second bike for my wife on the bike to work scheme. I said that I thought it only covered one bike and certain accessories but he replied that he'd fill in the paperwork to make it look like one £1,000 bike, and I could get an £800 for me and a £200 for her, or whatever I wanted.

Is this feasible/morally acceptable? Because the dealer I spoke to today says it's dodgy and they won't pull it off as they have to register the frame no. of what they sell on the C2W paperwork.

It will affect my decision both on which bike to buy and where to buy from as the wife did a Bikeability course this week and is looking to get her first ever bike now (bless!) so if I can get 2 bikes for a grand I will, but if not I'll prob go for something slightly higher spec for myself and buy hers separately.

Cheers,
Andy

 

[dawn72]

The rules of the scheme clearly state that the bike must be for the use of the participant and not friends or family members. Personally I would have nothing to do with a dealer who suggests such a practice as I would have no trust in him, even if he's able to circumvent the system

 

[vickster]

Read the terms of your company's scheme. I think it'll suggest the bike is for you to commute to work on

Whether you can morally reconcile an alternate use is up to you

Why not look for an older model which will be reduced in price for your wife and buy on interest free (credit or card), it may actually be cheaper than C2W over the year (when you take into account the end of year payment etc)

 

[Turbo Rider]

I'm pretty sure he could fudge it through the system by not registering the 2nd frame - my LBS told me I could add any accessories on when I was interested in using the scheme and a few colleagues have done this. Sounds dodgy as hell, adding the second bike though and it's probably against the rules, but it sounds like he's done it before. Sneaky, sneaky!

I didnt go for a scheme in the end - didn't like the fact you don't own your own bike for however many years and have to pay monthlyinstallments.

 

[helston90]

So what you're really buying is a £800 bike for you to go to work on and a £200 'Helmet/ Coat/ Lock/ Lights' which happens to look like a bike?
The aim of the scheme is to get more people on more bikes doing more journeys by bike- which it sounds like this will.
Is it outside the T and C's? Yes, Will they check to see your new shiny helmet? No. Can you live with yourself? I could

 

[PradaMTB]

my mate has 3 bikes on c2w! Depends on how strict your company is with the checks etc, I'd do it personally if the shop is willing to fiddle the receipt Nothing to lose have you really, you're still paying it back just minus VAT

 

[martint235]

I'm assuming that everyone knows this is an open website and that HMRC staff may even be members of the site. Just sayin'

 

[vickster]

my mate has 3 bikes on c2w! Depends on how strict your company is with the checks etc, I'd do it personally if the shop is willing to fiddle the receipt Nothing to lose have you really, you're still paying it back just minus VAT

And what happens if there's a problem with the bike and you need to claim on the warranty, what if the shop has gone bust, denies all knowledge etc?

 

[PradaMTB]

fix it yourself... that's a risk he felt worth taking, if one breaks, he's got 2 more anyway. Not saying everyone should do it, just saying its possible, at certain shops that partake in c2w, if you don't mind the things others have stated above like warranty etc... I've done mine all legitimately anyway, didn't even use the whole £1000 allowance

 

[dawn72]

Why would anyone choose to deal with a dealer who is clearly dishonest?

 

[SteCenturion]

Some cycle stores will sell you.a discounted 2013/2014 bike on C2W scheme.

I have covered this before elsewhere but the basics are...

Ex. Cube Peloton Race 2014 RRP £999

reduced to £749
shop loaded +10% onto £749 (due to C2W fees)
bike now costs £824.16

-/minus income tax + N.I contributions at approx 25 - 30% = approx £600 paid
then got to pay a final payment (as yet unknown), but even if it all came to £749 I still have had 0% interest & 12mths to pay it off.

Collected above bike yesterday by the way,

 

[Turbo Rider]

Why would anyone choose to deal with a dealer who is clearly dishonest?

Human nature. People are crooked and will take as much as they can if they can justify it to themselves, especially if they can get away with it.

 

[EasyPeez]

Why would anyone choose to deal with a dealer who is clearly dishonest?

I take your point, but there are levels of dishonesty, and, given that many of us would probably feel that the current tax system in this country is unfair, if not corrupt, already then I don't see that a dealer who is dishonest to the taxman on a bit of paper must also necessarily be assumed to be someone who is likely to be dishonest to his customers face-to-face.
Thanks for your feedback anyway everyone. The warranty issue would concern me somewhat. The morality issue less so. After all, it's not like anyone doing this is robbing food from the mouths of the poor is it? Whatever money I earn through my own hardwork in this life will be taxed not once, not twice, but 3 times by the government, so I feel perfectly comfortable with my financial contribution to the nation's upkeep!

 

[vickster]

Except you're not paying tax on a c2w purchase, the payments are taken pre tax which is the point

 

[EasyPeez]

Whatever money I earn through my own hardwork in this life will be taxed not once, not twice, but 3 times by the government

3 times at least, that is. 4 times if I live long enough to draw my pension.