Vinted, a few months ago i was advise i had to become a pro seller, now i have to provide business

pete1975

Morning,I started selling on Vinted last year to clear out items I had accumulated. For context, I went through a period of binge buying and collecting things like backpacks, slings, and EDC/travel gear (I use to travel alot for work at the time). I’d often buy multiples of the same item over period of months, and sometimes the excitement was more about the delivery than the item itself. I’ve since had some support, understand why I was doing it, and now limit myself to one purchase every couple of months. Just to add it isn't just bags and travel items on there, I've got children's books,  a e reading tablet, a chair etc

Because of all the duplicates, I decided to sell them on eBay and Vinted. Within a few months, Vinted flagged my account and accused me of being a trader/reseller. I explained it was just personal belongings, but they didn’t acknowledge this and told me I had to switch to a Pro seller account if I wanted to keep using the platform. I accepted this and have been selling as a Pro seller for around 6 months, it seemed that i just had to allow 14 days for disputes and to get funds into my account. 

I’ve made around £3.5k in total sales, and my current balance is about £850. When I tried to withdraw it yesterday, Vinted asked me again to complete identity verification (passport, driving licence, etc.) — which I’m fine with — but also to provide proof that I’m a business. I already had to do all this when I first switched to Pro, so I don’t understand why I’m being asked again.

The issue is: I’m not a business. I’ve told Vinted this before, but because of the duplicates they said there was “no other way” and forced me into the Pro account. I have 54 positive reviews, never had a single issue, and I only have a few more items left to sell. Honestly, I don’t mind closing my account after this, but I don’t want to lose the £850 I’ve already earned.

So my questions are:

• Can Vinted legally keep my balance if I can’t provide “business proof”?

• Would registering as a business just to satisfy them cause problems (since I’m not actually one)? Would that even count as fraud?

• I understand there are financial regulations to follow, and I’ve already provided ID, passport, driving licence, and bank details - so they know I am who I say I am.

Any advice or experiences would be really helpful - especially from anyone who’s been through something similar with Vinted.

Thanks.

soolin

Vinted can't legally hold the balance for ever, but they can hold until this is resolved. If you register as a business with HMRC then they will expect self assessment tax returns from you to explain the income, and depending on your other circumstances you may have to pay income tax. However, there is a trading allowance of £1000 so as long as you have no other self employed income, you can use that to reduce your turnover rather than have to do full accounts , if your total income per tax year from self employment is less than £1000 then you wouldn't even need to prepare a tax return.

Incidentally, having read a few of these posts on various forums it seems Vinted are happy with a 'business' name and UTR number. The business name is easy, I do run a few small businesses but I trade as a sole trader in my own name, so my business name is my name, i didn't have to register that anywhere formally. The UTR number is easy as well, just go to the HMRC Gov site and request one, they will need to ID you , but the most recent one I helped someone with took a few minutes as they had a passport and driving license. 

soolin

Just to add, I believe you also have an ebay account? if so and if the turnover on that is over £1000 in any tax year or over 30 sales then ebay will also report that to HMRC - so you may get questioned about the ratio between business and private. It's not the end of the world, I have both a sole trader income and sell privately - I just keep fairly good records.

pete1975

soolin said:

Just to add, I believe you also have an ebay account? if so and if the turnover on that is over £1000 in any tax year or over 30 sales then ebay will also report that to HMRC - so you may get questioned about the ratio between business and private. It's not the end of the world, I have both a sole trader income and sell privately - I just keep fairly good records.

thanks i did at the start create an excel with what i sold and where it sold and how much, i have got receipts for some of the bags, but thanks yes i understand about the tax, my daughter recently had a letter through from hmrc as shes been selling her old clothes on there.  

pete1975

soolin said:

Vinted can't legally hold the balance for ever, but they can hold until this is resolved. If you register as a business with HMRC then they will expect self assessment tax returns from you to explain the income, and depending on your other circumstances you may have to pay income tax. However, there is a trading allowance of £1000 so as long as you have no other self employed income, you can use that to reduce your turnover rather than have to do full accounts , if your total income per tax year from self employment is less than £1000 then you wouldn't even need to prepare a tax return.

Incidentally, having read a few of these posts on various forums it seems Vinted are happy with a 'business' name and UTR number. The business name is easy, I do run a few small businesses but I trade as a sole trader in my own name, so my business name is my name, i didn't have to register that anywhere formally. The UTR number is easy as well, just go to the HMRC Gov site and request one, they will need to ID you , but the most recent one I helped someone with took a few minutes as they had a passport and driving license. 

thanks,  i have my own UTR that i used for when i used to do self assessment,  funny enough when i had to put in a business name i did the same thing because there are five of us in the family just put in fivesmiths but i haven't registered that anyway and the likely hood of me continuing to sell when the last bag has gone is low. 

soolin

pete1975 said:

soolin said:

Just to add, I believe you also have an ebay account? if so and if the turnover on that is over £1000 in any tax year or over 30 sales then ebay will also report that to HMRC - so you may get questioned about the ratio between business and private. It's not the end of the world, I have both a sole trader income and sell privately - I just keep fairly good records.

thanks i did at the start create an excel with what i sold and where it sold and how much, i have got receipts for some of the bags, but thanks yes i understand about the tax, my daughter recently had a letter through from hmrc as shes been selling her old clothes on there.  

If your daughter is only selling her own unwanted items then she wouldn’t need to pay income tax , but she may have to explain all that to HMRC as something has obviously triggered their suspicion. 

pete1975

I managed to upload my passport via the web not the app it kept crashing,  and today i received the following message from vinted
''
Unfortunately, your identity verification was unsuccessful. What went wrong? A document you provided doesn't meet the verification requirements. How can you fix it? 1. Upload a document that meets the verificiation requirements. 2. Please provide proof of registration from HMRC, dated within the last 3 months (with the date visible on the document), or the latest Self Assessment Tax Return. Please in the account detail update the legal name with the legal representative name. Please try again here: https://www.vinted.co.uk/e/payments_identity Read more information about identity verification here: https://www.vinted.co.uk/help/111 Thanks, Team Vinted
''

I'm going to respond to this, but i know vinted rarely respond to messages because i remember previously they just kept repeating that i need to switch my account to a pro seller. 

''

I am writing regarding my account. My current balance is approximately £850, and I have been asked again to provide identity documents and business proof when withdrawing my balance.

To clarify:

• I am not a business or trader. I am simply selling personal belongings, mostly duplicate bags, and travel items that I purchased over the years but never used. I explained previously before being asked to be a pro seller  and even sent examples of receipts where they had been purchased from amazon and online shops,  I paid more for them and I don’t want to keep explaining the mental issues I had but I was binge buying not just bags but lots of other items,  which vinted (electronic tablets) wouldn’t allow to list as there are no categories for them.
• I explained this previously when my account was moved to a “Pro” profile at your request, despite me not operating as a business.
• I am happy to complete the identity verification (passport, driving licence, etc.) as required for financial compliance, even though I did the same only a few months ago.  However, I cannot and should not be asked to provide “business proof,” as I am not a business. My concern has always been if I register as business then it could be considered misrepresentation which could lead to further issues.
• I do not complete a self-assessment, I am PAYE so cannot send a latest copy of my self-assessment.

As per UK consumer law and financial regulations, funds from legitimate sales of personal belongings remain my property. While I understand Vinted may temporarily freeze withdrawals for checks, Vinted cannot legally withhold or retain my funds permanently.

I therefore request the following:

1. Allow me to complete the ID check as an individual, not a business.
2. Release my current balance of approximately £850.
3. If Vinted no longer wishes to host my account, I saddened that the account to be closed after my balance has been paid out, despite me obtaining 100% good feedback I don’t feel I have broken in laws or been a bad seller on vinted at all.  

Please confirm how you intend to resolve this matter promptly.

Do you think this is OK, ideally I don't want my account closed but there really is no point if every few months I have to do this.