All Private Accounts to be Forced to 'Upgrade' to Business Accounts

[aircushioncraft]

So, I sold one item last week, and I think the only item in the last year. My account was recently suspended, with the reason being I must upgrade to a business account. I contacted CS last week, to be advised my request would be looked into, and I should hear back within 48 hours. I contacted CS again today to check for any update. I was told, after he spoke with his seniors, that the suspension would remain, unless I ‘upgrade’ to a business account. I asked how it is possible that my selling one item in a year deems me to be a business so far as eBay are concerned, but innumerous businesses with 1000s of items listed are operating with private accounts. He had no answer to that, but what he did say was that eBay are reviewing all private accounts, and that every single account reviewed, if they sell just one item, will be forced to upgrade to a business account. I was so flabbergasted by this, I started recording the conversation (and advised him I was now recording the conversation), and went over the same questions again, and again he confirmed this was the case. To be clear: eBay are reviewing every single private account, and if that account has has just one sale, they will be forced into ‘upgrading’ to a business account. Incredible. RIP eBay.

[aircushioncraft]

Meant to say my account was restricted, (not suspended) from selling and buying. Most of my feedback is from buying, I've sold one or two items / year, all low value. I've had an account on eBay for 23 years, and this is just beyond ludicrous.

[*vyolla*]

Something must surely have gone wrong there - there's no way that you would be classed as a business seller. I even checked your feedback received for items you sold ages ago and there's nothing in there to suggest that you're anything but a private seller.

eBay can't force all private sellers to operate as business sellers, that would just be bonkers.

UK consumer regs and HMRC have clear definitions of what makes a seller a business and what defines a private seller.

Perhaps marco@ebay or Dave@ebay can take a look here and see what's going on with your account.

[vintique*violet]

To be clear: eBay are reviewing every single private account, and if that account has has just one sale, they will be forced into ‘upgrading’ to a business account. Incredible. RIP eBay.

Ebay have lost their mind - ethos - and @xyz@pfft!

What a load of " tosh"... ONE sale = Business. 

I have said on a previous post my thoughts with all the changes  happening they were going to make everyone on here become a " business account" so that they can garner fees for profit.

Makes sense now why they are not " excluding" those who are masquerading in the private. 

Well done for recording the conversation. 

Registered as a business account here means registration with HMRC  - it is ludicrous,.. oh wait... this just confirms for me that Government and Big Business are in partnership to monitor, spy and control everyone and not just on this platform! 

Bye Bye eBay 

Bye Bye eBay 

eBay Bye Bye ...

" sing to whatever tune you like 😉 " 

[aircushioncraft]

I was so taken aback by what he divulged, I asked the question in a number of ways, with the same response, hence why I recorded the conversation to be absolutely sure.

From what I've read of late - what eBay deem to be business / private on their platform, and what HMRC deem to be business / private, are not necessarily one and the same. 

[vintique*violet]

From what I've read of late - what eBay deem to be business / private on their platform, and what HMRC deem to be business / private, are not necessarily one and the same. 

One item sold does not equate to Business trade..Neither does 30 personal items.

If you sell more than 30 items or £1750 per annum your account is reported to HMRC .. Now ask yourselves why with the additional knowledge of your  revealing conversation with eBay. 

[lucy_farmer]

This is mad.

Usually when CS phone helpers talk complete ******ks, it's what you *want* to hear (to get you off the phone PDQ)  not what you *DON'T* want to hear!!

Just a thought; is there anybody else at your home address or even your IP address who also has an ebay account?

[moldosgifts]

Can i ask the op was this 1 item a new item and do you have more than one available?

[4_bathrooms]

@aircushioncraft 

Do you have any other eBay accounts or could eBay have linked you to someone who already has a business account?

The only thing I can see is the reference to the item you sold being a "job lot" but even that shouldn't have triggered eBay's "you need to upgrade" ultimatum. 

[technthread]

I can only think that either it is due to them clamping down on DIY / industrial category listings like screws.

Or have decided your username is a bit business-y like. An argument could be made there but it is a weak one given your low volume sales history.