VAT Question?

Google is not helping me. 

Did I make a mistake in NOT claiming back the VAT I paid for items purchased while visiting the UK?  I was under the impression you no longer are able to claim back VAT, but a poster on another community seems to be under the impression that you can claim it back.

I tried finding information to back up either of our claims, but so far I haven't been able to find anything recent.

Okay, found the answer. Apparently you *can*, but it's a right pain in the butt to do.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/sectors/consumers/overseas-visitors.htm