Private to business help

[thedollshouselady]

I have been told by customer services that I am not able to change from a private seller to a business seller, I can only go to a shop . I sell my own pre owned items, new and handmade.  I was advised on here a few months back that I needed to swap over to a business but customer services have told me I can only do this if I’m VAT registered! I don’t earn that much! I have seen smaller sellers (selling similar items) set as business sellers, so why can’t I? I file my accounts with HMRC. Can anyone help? 

[rainbowtrax]

You've been told complete rubbish by CS. They're known for it. VAT registration is a completely separate thing, the current registration threshold is about £90,000 turnover on a rolling year, but this has absolutely no bearing on having an ebay business account. 

You should be able to change it on this page: Account Settings - click on Edit next to where it says Account Type Individual.

[thedollshouselady]

Hi rainbowtrax, thank you so much. Due to your help I have re tried and have been allowed to open as a business seller. So you were correct the customer service team have given me completely incorrect information! Just before I tried setting myself as a business seller though I accidentally changed to a ‘shop’ at £19.99 per month do you know if I need to cancel this? Do I need both? 

[rainbowtrax]

The fees for business sellers can be found here: Fees for business sellers | eBay. The level of shop you go for, if at all, is really purely down to what is most cost effective for the number of listings you have. Business sellers get charged a listing fee every month on every listing that renews as well as on new listings so the costs soon add up. With the different levels of shop you get a different number of inclusive listings per month and a different price per listing above that.

When working things out, remember to multiply all the fees by 1.2 as the prices shown on that page don't include the VAT you pay on fees so you need to add it on to see what you'll really pay.

[double_o_heaven]

With the number of listings you have,  a shop will actually be beneficial and save you money - in fact you would probably be better off with the next higher level.

My computer is playing silly boogers at the mo, so can't give you the link, but it should be easy to find.

[thedollshouselady]

thanks for your reply do you mean a shop rather than a business seller? if so am i able to change back from a business to a shop? its giving me so much stress.

[double_o_heaven]

No, you can be/have both.

You were right to switch from private to business.

Regarding the shop subscription there are 3 levels, the one you have and 2 higher ones.  You don't need the top one which is hugely expensive, but with the number of listings you have (if I am right in that it is over 1,000), then it will be more effective for you to have the middle level shop, which is about £92 per month, but gives you 1500 free listings.  If not the individual cost of each listing means you will be paying more than that each month.

Still can't access saved links from my PC - can someone pop a table up please where it shows at what level each shop becomes beneficial?  Thanks 🙂

edit - here you go, (I think this is up to date) - the £77 is plus VAT hence about £92.  With the shop you have, you are paying 10p for each listing you have over and above 250.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/fees-credits-invoices/fees-business-sellers?id=4809