Is this a business or personal sale?

anno1664

Scenario 1

I buy a book from Waterstones and keep the receit as proof of purchase. I read the book within two days, and then offer it for sale on eBay or Amazon straight away.
If sold is this a business or personal transaction.

Scenario 2

I have bought another book and read it, but have offered if for sale 6 months later
Again if sold is this a business or personal transacation

I ask these questions as I am about to list books within these two scenarios, and my head is spinning deciding under what catagory I should list, especially scenario 1

emby

In my opinion, I would say both situations are personal sales.
Did you go into each scenario with the intention of selling the book after reading [not sure if that changes things because you've had your use of them].

alfiesmum

If you run a business and intend to keep the receipt to put through your accounts, then the sale of the book would go through your accounts too. If you buy a book, with the intention of selling on for a profit, it's a business sale. But if you bought it for yourself, used it, then sold it on, second hand, that's a private sale.

It doesn't have any bearing on which category its listed in though. Would affect which eBay account you should use if you have both private and business.

anno1664

That was my problem. I do have two accounts but did not know which one to put it in.
The books are not bought to profit from, but if I do put them in my personal account and then they sell for a profit, if I was inspected, what is Mr Taxman going to say?

TurkishDelight

Personal for both.
We do it all the time for dvds- cheaper than a lovefilm sub!

Point out it's been read, and since you bought a new one there should be no issues.
(there shouldn't be anyway, but it helps I guess)

anno1664

Thank you for your replies