Rant. "Private" business sellers (again...)

DaveAshton

Is anyone else noticing an increase in the number of sellers that are registered as "private", but are buying stuff to re-sell on the same account (I don't mean the odd item, anyone can buy a dress that doesn't fit or a book they don't like)? It seems every week you get a hundred new sellers that're buying items in the thousands and sticking them straight back on ebay as "private" sellers.

Yes, some people will say "good for them, it's costing ebay money because they don't pay listing fees". But, ignoring ebay's bank accounts for a second, if they're not registered as a business on ebay, they're probably not registered with the HMRC either (so tax evasion). Surely it's therefore illegal for ebay to ignore reports of these kinds of members???

I'm tempted to send Watchdog an email (signed Disgruntled from N.Wales, obviously ), but having seen how they over-reacted to the last few things they got involved in ebay-wise (try buying a half-decent knife and you'll see what I mean) I'm very hesitant. Knowing them, they'll make it a business-only site, which would balls it up for millions of users :rolleyes:.

juju11_2

Does this have an effect on your sales then? Doesn't everyone have a personal tax allowance of around £6k before they have to pay tax?

borders_dude

Why does it bother you so much DaveAshton?

wigglebeena

Not to worry if you're a media seller. All the 99p listers will be ****ing off elsewhere as of tomorrow with the introduction of free P&P.

bylromarha

My private account sells new bits here and there when I see a deal that'll make a profit on ebay.

No way I cover £6k personal allowance, but no way I'm a business either.

Strapped

bylromarha wrote: »

My private account sells new bits here and there when I see a deal that'll make a profit on ebay.

No way I cover £6k personal allowance, but no way I'm a business either.

You are a business if buying to resell at a profit.

StaffsSW

borders_dude wrote: »

Why does it bother you so much DaveAshton?

Because those of us trying to earn a decent and HONEST living, are effectively doing so on an uneven playing field. The honest sellers will have to take into account the cost of taxation on our sales.

Still - I can sleep well at night not having to worry about my listings being pulled overnight, or a brown HMRC enevlope landing on the doormat, or a knock on the door from Trading Standards.

juju11_2

stevew8975 wrote: »

Because those of us trying to earn a decent and HONEST living, are effectively doing so on an uneven playing field. The honest sellers will have to take into account the cost of taxation on our sales.

Still - I can sleep well at night not having to worry about my listings being pulled overnight, or a brown HMRC enevlope landing on the doormat, or a knock on the door from Trading Standards.

Perhaps some other people can only sleep well at night by knowing the bit of extra cash they are making from selling some stuff in this way on eBay is putting food on the table/paying the bills/clothing their children...

chezba

juju11 wrote: »

Perhaps some other people can only sleep well at night by knowing the bit of extra cash they are making from selling some stuff in this way on eBay is putting food on the table/paying the bills/clothing their children...

So is it alright then if they're unemployed and claiming benefits as well as making a living on ebay?!

Re. The £6k allowance - if you also have a salaried job that allowance will most probably be taken up in that so anything made on ebay as a business would be taxable.

juju11_2

Chezba - no it's not ok to do that (IMHO) because if an unemployed person on benefits can pull their finger out of their a&@e to go looking to buy and sell on eBay they can most certainly make the effort to get a job and stop living off state handouts!

I am talking hypothetically about a housewife/homemaker who receives NO benefits, is raising a family whose spouse works but brings in barely enough income to cover bills etc. Hypothetical housewife is also not exceeding personal Income tax allowance per year either!

Perhaps said housewife and spouse would be better off living on state handouts but prefer to earn a living instead - even if that means supporting dole bludgers by handing over a huge amount of hubby's income in tax.

StaffsSW

So having kids give people an excuse to evade tax and business responsibility.

I'll remember that one on my next tax return. I'll see how far it gets me.