We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.
Ebay - Business or Personal

murphy306
Posts: 409 Forumite
Hi all, a quick query. I have not used ebay since 2014 apparently for selling and they have changed me to a Business Account instead of a Personal one. Why would they have done this and how do I change it back?
0
Comments
-
Hi all, a quick query. I have not used ebay since 2014 apparently for selling and they have changed me to a Business Account instead of a Personal one. Why would they have done this and how do I change it back?
Something on your account will have suggested to them that you were a business. This is quite random, it might be the type of items you were selling, a lot of new things or multiple lots, or maybe just looking like a business, for instance selling second hand clothes in multiple sizes. It is almost impossible to change back to a private account.
Most of the ones I became aware of were second hand clothing, for some reason that appears to be an eBay trigger.
If you really are just a personal seller then even having an eBay business account doesn't mean you need to do anything with HMRC. However, make sure you keep details of the stuff you sell so that you can prove to HMRC in case they ask, that these were truly your own second hand or unwanted items.
If however you are a business, albeit a small one for instance selling things you have made, or buying to resell then you will need to involve HMRC regardless of the status of your eBay account.I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.0 -
The only thing that put me off using it as a business account was the fact you need to offer returns. Some of the clothing I will be selling I would not want back after someone else wearing it or trying it on such as swimwear or underwear (new but not suitable for me). I had been selling a few clothing items in the past and they would have been various sizes and shoes every so often having a clothes room clear out.
Edited - Sorry forgot to add, it will only be unwanted gifts, shoes/bags/clothing of my own etc that I will be selling to get a bit of space cleared.0 -
The only thing that put me off using it as a business account was the fact you need to offer returns. Some of the clothing I will be selling I would not want back after someone else wearing it or trying it on such as swimwear or underwear (new but not suitable for me). I had been selling a few clothing items in the past and they would have been various sizes and shoes every so often having a clothes room clear out.
Edited - Sorry forgot to add, it will only be unwanted gifts, shoes/bags/clothing of my own etc that I will be selling to get a bit of space cleared.
eBay are quite hot on the 'unwanted gift' line and realistically no one is really going to have so many things that eBay radar is triggered. If you are buying a little to sell on then you are a business and as such must allow buyers their rights which include a change of mind return. Up wanted gifts/ clear our items are unlikely to have more than a handful of sales so probably not enough to have to worry about returns at all.
However, even on my private account I offer returns as very few people bother , but if you don't offer returns then it seems more likely that they will go for a SNAD claim instead, which means seller pays return postage costs as opposed to buye paying them for a change of mind return.I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 348.4K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 452.4K Spending & Discounts
- 241K Work, Benefits & Business
- 617.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.7K Life & Family
- 254.2K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards