VAT number

[matthew1855]

I recently made a purchase of a new item and the seller is registered as a buisness and shows a VAT number under their buinsess details. I have requested a VAT invoice for the item and the seller has told me they operate under the VAT margin scheme and 0% VAT is applied so a VAT invoice can not be issued. If this is the case why are they showing a VAT number in their buisness details ? 

[john1297576]

I suspect that when filling in details for inclusion in their contact details they have a VAT number so completed it as required by ebay.