32 replies to this topic

[ItchyTasty]

actually it was more likely he wanted to know who they were for so he could apply vat exemption, this despite the fact that anybody should be able to walk in from off the street and buy upto 200 pads without any hassle.

It's not as easy as that, they HAVE to be registered having a disability or medical condition and for personal use with the HM Revenue & Customs, or they face severe penalities is what I've read on many sites selling incontience products.

[ItchyTasty]

Also my very local area has 2 chemists in the same high street.
The small chemist and only sells Tena pants pullups,Drynites and babies nappies.
You can buy in there, the people who serve in there don't ask questions or give funny looks.

The much larger chemist,I've seen Tena slip maxi and Tena slip super in there, Lille supreme fit maxi, Lille insert pads and plastic pants, all at expensive prices (like £20 ish for the Tena slip maxis), but then it works out the same when you pay postage for them online.
As well as the Drynites,Tena pants pullups and babies nappies.
Some questions asked and odd looks once (I bought a pack of each once, and they must have knew it was for me).
Especially as I was shaking,sweating and had a red face.
But carrying them home was easy as I brought along a very large bag from from John Lewis to put them in to hide them.

[rubbercatsuit123]

I've bought at a local mobility shop before and I just ask for a particular brand and size which I have written on a piece of paper with me, works a treat as it then looks as if you have no idea exactly what you are buying!

[foundationbaby]

In the states, where I live, I have no problem going into the drugstore (as we call them) buying what I need and leave. I rarely get funny looks or if I do I don't pay attention. I don't really care what other people think...I guess being incontinent has made me desensitized to it. It could be for my grandmother for all they know or presumably care. I do really prefer to order online, because it seems like the stuff I want for daytime use is never available.It makes my life less complicated. I am glad that I don't get harassed by staff at the stores asking who it is for or if I should seek medical attention. That would get annoying in a hurry.

[Angela Bauer]

I have not routinely bought any adult diapers in a store since 1988. By then several dealers were selling the smaller Attends I need by snail mail and/or phone orders. At the same time physical stores were concentrating on medium and larger adult diapers. Back in the day when I was buying Attends in stores I never felt harassed.

These days I buy lots of Pampers in stores, always Size 4 Cruisers or Extra Protection. Perhaps strangers assume I am the grandmother or had a baby when I was past 40. I could care less. The managers of the two stores where I buy the bulk of my Pampers have known me for years. Certainly, if they cared, they would have concluded my baby has not grown over the years. Probably all they want is to be sure my credit card charges are approved by the computer.

[FlexiGirl]

It's not as easy as that, they HAVE to be registered having a disability or medical condition and for personal use with the HM Revenue & Customs, or they face severe penalities is what I've read on many sites selling incontience products.

4.5.4 Examples of equipment and appliances qualifying for relief:

• Braille embossers;
• incontinence products - but see below;
• long handled pick up sticks;
• text telephones;
• whistling cups for blind people;
• white canes for blind people;
• vibrating pillows for deaf or hard of hearing people;
• transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator; and
• wheelchairs.

Eligible incontinence products, for retail sale, are zero-rated on the shelf. In practice, this means that there is no requirement for the customer to provide a written declaration to the retailer confirming they are eligible for VAT relief.
Supplies of eligible incontinence products over the Internet or by mail order also qualify for VAT relief providing they are made to individuals and not institutions.
We will expect retailers, Internet and mail order suppliers to have a signed declaration, or other supporting evidence that the supply is to an incontinent individual and not to an institution such as a nursing home, for customers who buy more than:

• 200 disposable pads;
• 50 washable pads;
• 5 collecting devices; or
• 10 pairs of waterproof or leak-proof underwear.

http://customs.hmrc....tyType=document

[iddo]

As i live with my (very intrusive on everything that gets sent to me in the mail that is bigger than a card) parents i only buy in person.

Initially i was embarrassed but then i realized nobody really cares about affairs other than their own, also boots pharmacy are used to it and don't say anything about it.

Never been asked "why are you buying these" ever, thankfully.

[eddiesh]

The first time I brought nappies at a chemist here, I was nervous. The problem was getting them home without getting caught.

[Paulo]

I've had the same thing... Before getting my driving licence I used to buy from a chemist in town. I was very nervous especially with the younger ladies serving, who would give me the odd look. But the real challenge was getting home and that involved a train journey. I used to buy a packet of tena and get as many as I could into my work bag before dumping the rest in a bin. So many nappies gone to waste : (

I still shop at the same chemist and I've bought from Lidl.

[plasticpant addict]

Clearwell Mobility store in Sussex are great and sell lille disposable nappies and readi clear plastic pants.I was only asked once but for ages I just ask for what product I want and mostly now they don't charge the VAT.also their staff are very helpful.highly recommended.

[tibsy]

I got a £20 radio/alarm clock, and the pushy BA***rd wanted my details and such to take out insurance... guess how much? £20.

 

 

I remember as a child buying some AA batteries at Tandy and the cashier asking for my address to fill out a detailed receipt. There was certainly no malice or prying intended, just old fashioned service and attention to detail, now you can buy a TV or microwave at a supermarket and if its anything like my local supermarket they don't even bother to give you the automatically printed till receipt unless you ask!

[tibsy]

A few years ago I plucked up the courage to go and buy some nappies from a mobility shop rather than buying online as I ususally do. I thought it would be an easy job; walk in, ask, buy and walk back out again. Unfortauntely the chap in the shop wanted to know who they were for so he could add the details to a mailing list for a catalogue and then started to write out an invoice which he wanted an address for. I got through it (with a bright red face of course) but it's hardly the annoymous, quick purchase that I think many of us would prefer.

 

Just have a name and address in mind.  I used the name and address of a deceased relative once (I'll burn in hell I know!) but you could use anything preferably a correct one with matching postcode but not someone clued up / near enough to home etc.!

[freswith]

Thank god for Amazon is all I can say.

 

Unfortunately I live quite close by the Amazon depot.  There is always the thought that the person handling the order will be a neighbour!