Sony UK fuels Christmas cheer with VAT back promo

Sony UK is running a VAT back promo with most of the UK's consumer electronics retailers in the Christmas run-up.

In other words you claim a 17.5 per cent discount on a bunch of gadgets bought between 28 October and 24 December. You have until 31 January to claim the cash back from Sony.

The scheme includes "all 3D televisions and Blu-ray products, full high-definition AVC Handycams and selected digital cameras, Readers, VAIO netbooks and iPod docks".

Which is nice. Let see if other consumer electronics vendors follow suit.

Some retail analysts are already anticipating a mini-sales boom in the Christmas season, with consumers rushing to buy stuff before the VAT rise to 20 per cent in January 2011.

Sony says its consumer revealed that the VAT rise is a major concern for consumers, especially in the run up to Christmas.

The company has build a dedicated VAT Back website, detailing what, where and when. And you should be seeing plenty of ads on the TV soon enough, especially if you watch X Factor.