Ebayer trying to open Amazon Business Account

November2

I'm currently trying to open an Amazon Business Account however I'm having trouble verifying my business.  They keep emailing and asking for proof.  I have an Ebay Business account and am registered as a Sole Trader.   Has anyone on here opened an account and what proof did you use?   They are asking for the self assessment tax form with UHT number which I have sent them, however they are also asking for a letter head, pay slip, business invoice with the name of the company on it.  I've tried sending them the Ebay account profile which shows my name and business name, I've also sent an Ebay invoice but neither have been accepted.  I have no idea what else I can send, I have nothing that shows the name of the Business other than Ebay.

mrcol1000

Good luck. I spent three months trying to open a business account. I was also just selling on Ebay at the time. I sent them endless stuff with my business details on and various self assessment letters from HMRC. As well as statements from my business account. All were rejected. 
In the end I gave up and cancelled the application. I then registered as a private non business seller. I was accepted within the week. I still declare the income to HMRC but Amazon obviously have a very narrow selection of what they accept from businesses. 

I find Ebay far better. Amazon is just a race to the bottom price. Most of the items on Ebay I sell for more than my competitors. 

November2

Hi, thank you, I'm actually not interested in selling on Amazon I just want a Business Account to purchase business related items as they are cheaper via a Business Account.   Doesn't sound like they want sole traders though.

martindow

I've always found it laughable that companies ask for letterheads to be proof of a business when these can be produced in a few minutes on a computer.

November2

martindow said:

I've always found it laughable that companies ask for letterheads to be proof of a business when these can be produced in a few minutes on a computer.

That thought had occurred to me!
I really thought the Ebay Account page would be sufficient as it not only showed my full name but also the business name, but no.  

Marcon

November2 said:

Hi, thank you, I'm actually not interested in selling on Amazon I just want a Business Account to purchase business related items as they are cheaper via a Business Account.   Doesn't sound like they want sole traders though.

If the savings of having an Amazon business account make it worth doing, could you get round Amazon's 'system' by registering a limited company? Cheap and easy to do online: https://www.gov.uk/browse/business/limited-company

Depending on what Amazon demands, perhaps you could then close it pretty much immediately, or run as a dormant company?

RFW

Marcon said:

November2 said:

Hi, thank you, I'm actually not interested in selling on Amazon I just want a Business Account to purchase business related items as they are cheaper via a Business Account.   Doesn't sound like they want sole traders though.

If the savings of having an Amazon business account make it worth doing, could you get round Amazon's 'system' by registering a limited company? Cheap and easy to do online: https://www.gov.uk/browse/business/limited-company

Depending on what Amazon demands, perhaps you could then close it pretty much immediately, or run as a dormant company?

You won't save enough from an Amazon business account to justify setting up a limited company and all that goes with it. Even just leaving it dormant requires some paperwork.

RFW

A business bank account should help. Several were also offering Amazon Business Prime discounts with new accounts. Barclays were one. Starling are quite easy to open a quick account with.

On invoices, if you've bought something recently ask the seller to send an invoice to your business name. Failing that just buy something and have it invoiced to your business name.

Amazon can be officious but they do want you to open an account, especially business ones, although I suspect that hasn't been too successful from what I see, I'd guess it may be dropped quietly next year, or substantially changed.
They can be helpful on Twitter so may suggest alternatives that would satisfy their departments.

November2

Thankyou for your replies, don't think I'll bother with it, just too much hassle.