selling your stuff on Amazon - part 9 - advice for newbies in the first 2 posts

rare_stuff

cat64 wrote: »

Hi Rare Stuff

Could you explain a bit more about this? As I have only got a few books listed (and those aren't selling!) and I'm not buying in bulk I didn't think this was necessary? Don't know a lot about it though. Help!

there's a long thread about tax and registering here -
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=365159

It's pretty simple to register for tax and if you are buying with the intention of selling for a profit rather than selling personal items that you have used you will need to register. If you don't, well, there's no guarantee that the tax man will come after you, but they are getting pretty clever at researching those not registered who are making money on sites like amazon and ebay and this is now done electronically. For instance, it is very easy for the taxman to program their search bot to search for all those who have bought bulk lots of books off ebay! Both of these sites and many others also state it is your responsibility to pay tax on your earnings if applicable.

You don't have to be buying in bulk to eligible for taxation, a nice profit can be earned without doing so. And if you are considering buying to sell for profit you better be keeping records, firstly to see if you are actually making a profit, and secondly for the taxman, as it's very easy for them to prove your earnings but will be difficult for you to prove your expenses if you haven't got the necessary records and receipts.

Though if you are only selling off your personal collection you shouldn't have to worry about tax, though you may have to prove it if you are selling a lot over a length of time, as this could look like you were trading.

Hope I haven't given anyone nightmares!

cat64

Thanks rare-stuff, will have a look at the thread.:D

spiddy100

I haven't sold anything since I got my membership number Think I have jinxed myself!

I guess it's just as well as my little boy has had chicken pox so couldn't have got the PO - that's what I'll tell myself anyway!

Three_Dancing_Dragons

apprentice_tycoon wrote: »

No sure about buying with the benefit of a bulk discount myself, I buy at auctions, boot sales and charity shops

M'kay. I know how to find a charity shop, but how do I find an auction?

apprentice_tycoon

cat64 wrote: »

Those of you who are 'hobby sellers' and buy books with a view to selling them on, how many times do you get it wrong? I seem to be picking the wrong books to sell, often finding some of them are only on for a penny!:rolleyes: As I've often been paying up to £3 for a book sometimes I'm losing out.

Any tips on avoiding this trap?

PS I'm only selling to make a bit of extra cash

Hi cat, I think that you may be paying a bit too much for your books, I'll only pay up to around £2 on an 'almost certainly OK' and only £1 on a 'maybe',

apprentice_tycoon

TDD, I'd google your area or look in yellow pages and phone up your nearest and ask about general sales (not 'art') in most general sales there'll be a few boxes of books under the tables.
Have you tried the library for their discontinued books? where I am they are too expensive to be worthwhile but I know that Soo's library seems to work on a 'fill a bag' basis, because libraries aren't as busy as high street charity shops you could probably go home with a list of ISBNs to check (or use theirs) and come back later and they'll still be there

COOLTRIKERCHICK

yippieeeeeeeeee after a spell without a book being sold..

sold one the weekend....ok.. not exactly one to retire on

(35p)... but hay its a sale...

i have this book that i was just about to list..its called...

the burning candle by mara kay...hardback with dustcover... and the only one listed on amazon is published in 1966.... and my one is 1968..

this is what it says... copyright 1968 by mara kay..

this story, in a different form was published in great britain by rupert hart-davis ltd... copyright 1966

this copy is printed by lothrop,lee & shepard co., inc/new york...

so as i am not a pro seller.... can i sell it along side the other one which is on amazon at mo.. and state clearly... this is diff...

or is that not aloud..

the one and only book listed at mo... is £19.95...

thanks....

rare_stuff

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

can i sell it along side the other one which is on amazon at mo.. and state clearly... this is diff...

or is that not aloud..

yes & yes!

It's nort strictly allowed but as long as the customer reads the description and is happy with it, some may object to american spelling! Though if they're not happy they can make a claim against you and be entitled to a full refund without having to return the book, or if the other seller objects, or any other random person, reports this your listing may be removed and possibly other listings closed in a worse case scenario, though it's pretty unlikely! (I hope)


Seems I'm becoming quite the scaremonger! I'll try and find something to reply to with a more positive angle!;)

COOLTRIKERCHICK

thanks rare_stuff....

so basically go for it and see if anyone complains....

or if i was a pro-merchant i could list it seperately....

i have a few books that are not listed.....so i might put them on a sperate bookself.. and when i get quite a few... it might be worth me becoming a pro just to list them...

when you sign up to become a pro-merchant.. is there a min sign up or can you say sign up for a month or 2 and then cancel..?

boston_uk

when you sign up to become a pro-merchant.. is there a min sign up or can you say sign up for a month or 2 and then cancel..

you can cancel with effect from the next renewal period at any time