Selling Your Stuff on Amazon Part 11 - Advice for newbies in first two posts

JesaRose

Thanks funkyfunkymonkey for answering my question. I'll just hang around and join in then. I'm just starting out on Amazon and love it so far.

Can anyone tell me of a good barcode scanner to get to help me list quicker? I've tried searching Ebay for the one mentioned in the first or second post but can't find one. All suggestions welcome.

funkyfunkymonkey

Welcome to the club Jesa, maybe Soolin can give you a number if you want one. Not sure what the last number was.

I can't help on the scanner suggestions, because I have the one in the first post. It really is great for 'job lots' with barcoded books.

FFM

JesaRose

I was hoping to get one on Ebay but if no one has any other recommendations I'll order from the website given in the first post. Thanks for helping me

funkyfunkymonkey

I've got a feeling that someone on here recently said you couldn't order from the website and had to phone in Not sure though.

FFM

gmc_3

soolin wrote: »

At some point within 3 months of starting to sell you need to phone HMRC, there is a dedicated number floating around the internet somewhere. Just tell them you are selling books in your own name (or you can use your Amazon name if you prefer) and that you will start your accounts on say 1st october, the date on which you first bought an item to sell.
Usually HMRC will offer you gree workshops on how to trade, I even have a business manager who I can phone for basic advice about expenses or anything really. I'm registered under my real name, not a trading name, as I sell on ebay as well as Amazon and use different IDs for both)

To be really simplistic do your accounts to 5th April each year, I submit mine online and just need all expenses, all income and any other adjustments. I keep a very simple book, all my income is in one place and added up to give a grand total. Then all my expenses are recorded, so postage, stationery (envelopes , paper labels etc), and taking one from the other gives me a taxable profit.

When you do your tax return your personal allowances are usually taken first against your earned income (under PAYE) any unused allowances then can go towards your self employment. If all your allowances are used elsewhere then you pay tax on your net profit. Do it online though and it is all done for you.

Hi Soolin,

How do you account for things you buy from car boot sales etc where you don't get a receipt?

Thanks

funkyfunkymonkey

Hi GMC

I keep a little log book with all purchases listed. When I list each book on Amazon I add an sku that reflects the location where I bought the book and the price I paid. I'm sure that is more than enough to satisfy the tax man. He would probably be happy with just the written log.

FFM

soolin

gmc wrote: »

Hi Soolin,

How do you account for things you buy from car boot sales etc where you don't get a receipt?

Thanks

I make a note in my accounts that I spent xx amount at a car boot on xx date. My business advisor at HMRC said that was OK as there was no other logical way of dealing with it. Unless you get audited no one ever sees the breakdown anyway, and my costs associated with buying books are miniscule compared to the costs of post and packing that I claim.

rare_stuff

JesaRose wrote: »

I was hoping to get one on Ebay but if no one has any other recommendations I'll order from the website given in the first post. Thanks for helping me

there are 2 types of barcode scanner - LED & Laser

LED ones are relatively cheap and can be bought on ebay for around a tenner. They usually plug in between the keyboard and pc (called a keyboard wedge). Usually handheld, they have to placed almost in contact with the barcode and usually rely on you pressing a button. OK for the casual user or those on a budget.

Laser ones are definitely pro, prices on ebay tend to be between £20-£50 used, and are well worth it if you intend listing more than 50-100 books in a sitting. often they come with a cradle so they can be sat on your desk and they can read a barcode at a distance and no button needs rto be pressed. Just 'waving' the book at them does the trick. They often come as 'keyboard wedge' types, but some come with a 'proper' plug for connecting to a pc, which will likely require software, and often they require a power supply as well.

Hope that helps you in making a choice!

JesaRose

Thanks rare_stuff - I'll go have a look on Ebay. I think the latter option sounds like my best bet. It'll be worth the extra outlay I think

numberthree

So which Amazombie out there has kidnapped the selling fairy ? :cool:

She has been rather absent recently on my account :rolleyes:

Had a great September though, so I suppose it all evens out really.