Halfords sells bike lights at VAT-free prices

Of the 3 lights I wanted to order under this offer, none were available for postal delivery and the useful collection service was only available if I drove 50 miles to a location that had one in stock.....so yes, I did order mine elsewhere online.

HANDBAGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, big fan of the reserve and collect facility at Halfords myself. Their online range is huge and well-priced and, with their frequent flash sales, they're just as cheap as the "big" online retailers. I then just collect (and pay) the next day on my way home, rather than the ususal story with any of the online places of missing the courier and then having to wait in for a redelivery or drive miles to go and collect the parcel instead.

Some people just want to complain........ If you even bothered to look you can often get huge discounts by just reserving on their website and collecting instore. Also if your a British Cycling member you'll get another 10% off too.

I'm pleased road.cc promoted this. I'm also pleased when they let us know that ALDI and LIDL cycling gear is coming round. I see this as useful information for cyclists not just an advertisement. Most cyclists like a bargain, it goes with the territory.

But also thanks for the heads up that chainreaction and wiggle are also selling them at low prices.

Did Halfords pay for this native advertising?

Road CC should also do an article called "Wiggle, Chain Reaction and others are already selling lights cheaper than Halfords 20% discounted rate".

That is the verdict of my analysis on 3 lights that I have just looked at.

Safety equipment such as helmets are already VAT exempt. Surely lights should be classified as such too... and also anything hi-vis.

If you're fortunate enough to be able to make use of a cycle-to-work scheme at work, you can use it to buy safety equipment which includes lights. You'll save a lot of money and pay over a year.

Unfortunately Halfords have there own scheme but lights are available from other sources that use alternative schemes.

Just for info, accessories and safety equipment include:

Cycle helmets
Bells
Lights, including dynamo packs
Mirrors and mudguards
Cycle clips and dress guards
Panniers, luggage carriers and straps to allow luggage to be safely carried
Child safety seats
Locks and chains to ensure cycle can be safely secured
Pumps, puncture repair kits, cycle tool kits and tyre sealant to allow for minor repairs
Reflective clothing along with white front reflectors and spoke reflectors

Bicycle components such as Frames, etc cannot be classed as safety equipment.

Interesting point raised in jest however. How come lights and other equipment that is >specifically< for safety is not VAT exempt? (I wouldn't include expensive clothing etc that happens to have a reflective logo in this).

This is even better than vat free. The opposite of adding 20% isn't taking away 20%, it's taking away 16⅔%.

This is an advert, not news. It would only be news if the government made lights VAT exempt