# Pie VAT — user reviews > 355 indexed App Store user reviews of Pie VAT by PieSystems, rated 4.80/5 from 7,957 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pie-vat/id1438421140/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pie-vat/id1438421140.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 7,263 · 4★ 350 · 3★ 107 · 2★ 49 · 1★ 188 ## What do users think of Pie VAT? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🚀 Easy and efficient process - 👍 User-friendly app - 💰 Quick refund processing - 🙌 Excellent customer service - 🏆 Best VAT refund system **Cons** - 💰 High service fees - 🤔 Unclear fee disclosure - 🐛 App crashes and bugs - 🔒 Security and privacy concerns **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes when loading documents - Issues with photo uploads and login **Most requested features** - More transparent fee structure - Compatibility with more countries and merchants ## Newest reviews (10 of 355) ### 2/5 — Higher handling fee *2026-08-17* The handling fee is around 3-4% of the 10% tax refund amount. After deducting the handling fee, you will only receive 6-7% of the tax refund, which is much less than other agencies that can give you 8-9% of the tax refund. Besides, their tax refund application is more complicated than other agencies as well, which will reduce your willingness to apply for a tax refund. ### 1/5 — Take 30% of YOUR tax back *2026-07-23, version 3.32.0* Wouldn’t bother claiming the tax back. As a tourist you are entitled to 10% tax refund however the app takes 30% of that 10%. Shocking just leave the tax waste of time claiming it back. ### 1/5 — Theft of data *2026-07-20, version 3.32.0* Be careful and read the fine print. This is a third party entity that is trawling a lot of data for a small return on VAT. Protect your data. Is not worth it for the small refund - this is where they are scamming you. Many data collection disguised as convenience exist just want to write to be careful. Your personal data is worth more than the refund. ### 1/5 — 太麻烦 *2026-07-18* 太麻烦 ### 1/5 — Be ware of the hidden fees!! *2026-07-11* I really hate PIE VAT as they are scamming people’s tax refund by charging twice; the 15% fee AND the transaction fee when you try to get refund to your credit cards. I will never use PIE VAT or buy anything from stores that use PIE VAT. ### 1/5 — Scam *2026-07-06, version 3.31.0* The fee this site is 30% from the returned amount ### 1/5 — App doesn’t work / identity theft? *2026-06-27, version 3.30.2* The point of this app is for stores to be able to claim that they offer the tax refund but not actually do so. The app doesn’t work. It rejects user photos of their passport to prevent users to claim tax refunds. I suspect the app is a scam to collect user personal information for identity theft. ### 1/5 — Misleading Process *2026-06-26, version 3.30.2* The app is fine but the process in the brochure you get at the sales point is misleading. The brochure does not state that you still need to show your purchases to Customs officials on exit. I bought some nice glassware that was securely wrapped by the sales assistant and there is no way that it is going in hand luggage (because of the bulk) or getting unwrapped before I get home. So, this is a criticism of the purported process rather than the app. ### 1/5 — Takes a cut of your tax return *2026-06-22, version 3.30.2* This app sucks. Charges you and provides no benefit to the user. You get charged full price by the retailer then wait on this company to refund the tax after they take a fee. What a joke. ### 5/5 — Goodbye Service Desk *2026-06-12, version 3.30.0* I hope this is better than waiting in line at the service desk to get your refund, especially if you’re making many purchases, this should be faster, we will see. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — 繁琐 *2026-08-18* 太烦了 ### 1/5 — 退税程序太复杂 *2026-08-16* 越退越少 ### 1/5 — Not user friendly and too much ad *2026-08-10, version 3.32.2* Not user friendly and too much ad ### 1/5 — 差评 *2026-08-09* 增加了无比多的难度 体验感很差 ### 1/5 — 退税一年都不到账 *2026-08-08* 退税迟迟不到账，也不提示原因 ### 1/5 — 非常难用 *2026-08-08* 不好用，一直下载不顺利 ### 1/5 — Complete rip-off *2026-08-02* 1.5% commission is outrageous. Will not buy again from Garmin Japan, and will ensure to avoid other retailers using this service. ### 1/5 — 非常差 *2026-07-30* 太麻烦 浪费很多时间 操作很复杂 ### 1/5 — Horrible Receipt Photo Experience *2026-07-30, version 3.32.2* I had to redo this not once, twice, but SEVEN times. Absolutely trash app. Broken and had to complete the flow on the website. Terrible app, should honestly cease to exist. ### 1/5 — 앱은 편리한데… *2026-07-23* 환급을 해주기가 싫은 거 같음 절차가 너무! 번거로움 ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Easy and efficient! *2026-08-18, version 3.32.2* Easy and efficient. Excellent communication. ### 5/5 — 很方便 *2026-07-27* 购物退税真的很方便、操作简单 ### 5/5 — 굿입니다 *2026-07-23* 빨라요 ### 5/5 — So fast and easy *2026-07-18, version 3.32.0* So fast and easy: highly recommended ### 5/5 — Easy refund *2026-07-11, version 3.31.0* Of all the VAT refund programs, this app makes it so easy to recoup your funds. ### 5/5 — 好评 *2026-07-06* 方便，快捷 ### 5/5 — Way Better than Global Blue *2026-06-24, version 3.30.2* If you have the option, don’t use global blue. Pie VAT was simple, seamless and very quick. And the best part is you don’t have to speak with any rude people at the global blue booths that make it difficult to get your refund. I think it’s their business plan. And global blue takes forever for the refund. I got home, sent a picture of my item that day and had my refund the next day. All from the simple to use App. ### 5/5 — Awesome! *2026-06-22, version 3.30.2* Pie VAT has simplified this process and made it convenient and easy to get a refund. I hope more retailers move to this system. I could never justify the airport lines, times, and inconvenience when traveling that I experienced with other refund services. Thank you!! ### 5/5 — Awesome system *2026-06-18, version 3.30.1* So easy and with no fuss congratulations to however designed the system ### 5/5 — Australian Travellers *2026-06-15, version 3.30.1* Pie VAT apps looks like a great refund apps not sure if I am loosing more than my 10 percent duty free refund to there commission. Plus not all outlets do this except the shopping centres. Thanks again happy duty free shopping in Japan. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*