Local Shopper Slams Turkish Supermarket Over Mystery £3.84 ‘Tax’ Charge
An anonymous customer has hit out at a Turkish supermarket in Enfield after spotting a suspicious “TAX TOTAL” charge on their receipt. The Fresh Food Centre on Hertford Road raised eyebrows by adding £3.84 tax on a £37.90 shop — despite being a small, independent store.
Customer Furious Over Unexpected ‘Tax’ Fee
The shopper shared a receipt from 13 April 2025 at 10:27pm, showing the extra tax charge. They said:
“I have done some shopping and they have taken TAX PAYMENT from me as a local supermarket. I have taken everything back and requested a refund. They tried not to give it or explain why tax was taken.”
After returning the goods, the customer got their money back but warned others:
“Please share this… I would not want anyone to fall into the same situation as me.”
What Was Bought? The Receipt Reveals
The shopper’s basket included:
- Kinder Bueno and Ulker chocolates
- Watson’s brown eggs
- Tanay Ceylon tea
- Coca-Cola and Red Bull cans
While VAT is a standard tax in the UK, it’s usually included in prices and applies to larger businesses registered for VAT – those with over £85,000 annual turnover. Small, independent shops rarely have to charge VAT separately and must clearly declare it if they do.
The unexpected £3.84 tax total raises questions about whether Fresh Food Centre is properly registered for VAT and if this charge was lawful.
What Should Shoppers Do?
Local residents are being urged to scrutinise their receipts. If you spot strange tax charges, report them to Trading Standards or HMRC.
Experts advise:
- Always ask for a full itemised receipt.
- Check if the business is VAT-registered via HMRC online.
- Report suspicious or unregistered VAT collection to the HMRC Fraud Hotline.
Fresh Food Centre Keeps Mum
So far, Fresh Food Centre has declined to comment publicly on the controversy. The mystery charge has left shoppers demanding clarity and transparency from local retailers.
