Let me preface this by saying that I've ordered many times from the UK and Germany, and have never been charged VAT. Is being charged VAT from Germany something new?
quite agree....I would find another vendor. They are just padding their pockets!!
That last line may provide a clue as to why VAT was applied. Just a thought...You must pay VAT if:
Your billing address is within the European Community
The shipping address is within the European Community
You choose standard postal service as shipping methode
And he should know...No padding of pockets possible in Germany for sure! If you buy in person you may collect the VAT on leaving the EU but if you buy online they shouldn´t charge you at all.