I'm a buisness seller on ebay - can I sell personal items

suzyjane

Hi
I'd reallly appreciate some advice please. I'm a business seller on Ebay but I want to sell a few used bits and bobs from around the house. Does anyone know if I can list these secondhand items on my business account or would I need to open a second personal account? I would of course fully describe in the listings that the items are not brand new.
Many thanks

hermum

You're better opening a personal account, far easier at year end if it's kept separate.

RFW

I've listed several personal items on business accounts, I've got access to far more customers than I would have on a new personal account.

Just keep the items separate on your accounts. It would probably be easier on a new account but weigh up the pros and cons with being able to sell on your business account if it is worthwhile.

Crowqueen

One thing you also have to consider is returns. I'm not sure of the legal standpoint, but if you sell on your business account, your customers may expect your business returns policy - including DSRs if you sell the items at fixed price - to include your personal items.

If you only sell at auction, currently you do not have to offer change-of-mind (COM) returns - so that is a big plus if you are planning to sell stuff on your business account. However, next year, all sales made as a business online will be subject to COM returns - so this may viable for now but is subject to change.

Obviously if you don't mind offering COM returns on anything you sell, be it business or private, then that's not going to be a problem (as an occasional private seller, I've always offered COMs, but not had to come good as yet).

However - and this is a big however, as it is customer perception - I find that when I see a business seller with a mish-mash of business and personal items for sale, I don't find it very professional and I would be sceptical of such a person. Normally, it applies the other way round to your position though - unregistered business sellers thinking they could buy a few job lots of fake tan to sell alongside their kid's toys and old clothes - so I suspect that might not be entirely relevant - though it is food for thought.

soolin

With the returns issue mentioned by Crowqueen in mind, I have still listed some private items on my business account, I just have to remember to record it all properly though my books.

Strapped

Personally, I keep the two separate.

chemical.galaxy

I have always had 2 Ebay accounts, one personal and one business, but they were both linked to the same Paypal account until recently.
Now I have got separate Paypal accounts as well and it makes accounting much easier.
Also I agree with Crowqueen that it looks unprofessional to sell your personal 2nd hand items along with your business items...

StaffsSW

I occasionally sell higher value personal items through my business account, but divert the payment into a personal paypal account.
I feel it gives buyers more confidence when coming from a 30k feedback account than a 300 ish account.

suzyjane

Thank you so much everyone for the great advice :beer: