There were some comments about international shipping that I didn't see get answered. Basically stating that paying the VAT was shady. This is perfectly acceptable albeit not typical. It is called DDP or deliver duties paid. This puts the responsibility of the duty calculation and charges on the shipper which is why many companies do not send this way. If they miscalculate, they will get a bill for the difference.
The method more often used would be DAP (delivered at place, and formerly known as DDU or deliver duties unpaid). This is what many people are used to and it puts the responsibility to pay duties on the buyer only.
Sending DDP is not an indication of anything shady.
These are just two of the more common terms for small parcels and LTL freight. There are many terms outlined.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incotermsif they paid the vat. no one knows if they paid it or said they paid it. so far no one has received the gear.
Now when a European buyer gets one and says I prepaid vat and have not been charged a second time then you would be fully correct.
At the moment you are hopefully correct. To anyone that paid prepaid euro vat for the gear. please make lots of copies of all the paperwork you have.
as of today my 2 orders are marked paid not shipped not refunded not cancelled.
I will update on and off at least once a week. Until they refund or ship it.