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Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Hey Guys,

after selling on eBay for about a month, I got a call saying that the coffee makers I was selling were 'high risk". I told the lady that I was buying them from Overstock, because I was, and she said to just fax in receipts of the purchases and everything would be fine.

I did that, and 4 days later got a message saying that I was indefinitely suspended. After calling them back in shock, I learned that a) my documents were denied, and b) there's no way to talk to the people who review accounts on the phone.

So, out of all the items I had listed (about 20 sales), they targeted coffee makers. No idea how coffee is high risk....pretty annoyed, but really want to make eBay work.

My questions:

1. If I begin using this stealth method, how long can I expect accounts to last? I don't want to build up feedback and selling history just to have it all washed away again.

2. How high (and how quickly) can I get the selling limits increased?

3. What about when tax time rolls around and Paypal tries to send 1099s?

4. My current PayPal account is still active. I've had it for quite awhile. Is there any risk of that being limited as well? I don't expect my buyers to have any complaints, as the items are all legit and have been delivered promptly.

Thanks!
Matt

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

If your item was branded, then that is the likely reason for the suspension. Talk is cheap from ebay staff.

My questions:

Like asking how long is a piece of string. Accounts will last as long as the seller handles the ebay game correctly. Learn that, and you will be in the game for a long time.

When you learn to walk. Lots to read and understand about running a new account on ebay.

Since that paypal is associated with a suspended ebay it should not be used near ebay again.

Questions are good. You do need to read the forum to increase your own understanding. Do not rush into making any new account until you are confident.

:mod:

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Let me guess... They were keurig.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

It totally depends. I still have a stealth account I set up about 5 years ago. I have several that are more than 3 years old.

How long they last depends on how you treat your customers, WHAT you are selling and a bit of good luck thrown in for good measure. Sometimes you can do everything right and STILL lose an account.

Popular brand name items are always going to be problematic because counterfeits exist. Even if your merchandise is 100% authentic, they could still be suspicious.

Ditto for any items eBay defines as "high-risk". Anything that can be ⊗⊗⊗⊗d, such as jewelry, is considered high-risk. Autographs and coins are some other iffy categories. And, even if the item in question is not a brand name and cannot be ⊗⊗⊗⊗d, the higher the dollar amounts involved, the more closely they will look at you.

Most of my accounts that have survived are selling non-branded items that cost no more than $25. I keep the higher-dollar stuff on a VERY solid account that I have had for a long time. And I avoid selling any brands that are known to be problematic.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Yep. Do people get banned selling those a lot?

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

How were u selling all on one account or do u have many accounts and spread the sales out??

If this was just from one account u won't last in ebay , u need to fly under the radar , did u do anything like call in or have many sales on one account to get a Manuel review and asked for invoices.

If u open many accounts and sell a little over multiple accounts u have a better chance of not breaking ebay a radar and in that case they have no idea what u r selling or doing ur basically invisible once u trip up there security software u get a human eye on ur account and they will find everything wrong it's unbelievable , u could be getting emails saying congrats ur a TRS , etc and when a human looks at it u get the oposite from congrats to limitation

So become like a stealth fighter and avoid all radar and fly nice and smooth

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

I have my original stealth from 2003 long before any of us knew what stealth actually was.

10 years old and still running strong.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Yeah I sold 4 of them over the course of 3 days. Got asked for invoices which I faxed in within a couple hours, and now they say my appeal and the receipts were denied.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

That's amazing Sandy D!
Nice job!

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

And I have my original 1995 account.

I baby them both to pieces.

The stealth from 2003 I am extremely careful with because I believe I created what was maybe the first stealth account and did it playing around trying to see if I can make an account with different details.

What I did not know is the giant I had created back then.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Some lasted not even 24h when I made newbie mistakes. My longest stealth is 12 months now.

It is important to invest time in doing it right the first time. I cut corners on some accounts I made and later you have to spend time with ebay or pp trying to sort out red flags your accounts has triggered.

Once you have the method, then you are good.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

I agree once u have the technique of making and operating stealth down , that constant fear goes away of waiting for that MC999, when I first started I had 2 accounts taken down because of a link, but that was 8 months since any problems like that, I'm now going on almost 11 months stealth , my original account lasted 2 months but just 6 weeks of selling

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

All in the learning curve of stealth.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Everyone repeat after me:

Shortcuts are the KISS OF DEATH!
Shortcuts are the KISS OF DEATH!
Shortcuts are the KISS OF DEATH!
Shortcuts are the KISS OF DEATH!
Shortcuts are the KISS OF DEATH!

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Wow after I said it 5 times Meg Whitman appeared in my mirror!!

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Stealth accounts operated well - low risk sales, slowly building, good customer service, etc. - can be expected to last for years.

Takes time to understand the method. Good luck OP

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

my oldest account now is about 1 year and a few months.

but i have lost a few accounts due to paypal stop accepting my payments and wanting a EIN or SSN then i would have to get another Stealth account and work to build those new accounts up again until i reach 200 or more transaction and then i have to start all over again..

but i have become very good at flying under the radar but i put so much hard work into those perfectly good stealth accounts i hate that i have to move on to another.

so i dont see how all those saying they have accounts that or 3yrs and 5yrs and older are still running without paypal asking for EIN or SSN..so maybe you guys know something i dont

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

so in short the expected lifespan of a stealth accounts if you have 10 or more if you spread your sales throughout each they will last about 1 1/2 years before paypal comes knocking because you reached 200 transactions or 20k in sales

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Users supply EIN to stealth accounts.

That is doable.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

ok i will try that but i thought EIN numbers will be trace back to you because it is required that you put a SSN when creating an EIN

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

@krimson

You supply the SSN to create the EIN.

IRS only sees the SSN and gives you an EIN to use for paypal.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

got it thanks a lot if this works you are a lifesaver

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

oh wow,

So if I register an EIN, my big fear of not being able to build accounts past that $20k limit is solved? :)

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

We all need a picture of her on our wall because she gets credit for helping us expand our ebay business and make more money.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Yes. Keep in mind that PayPal CAN ask for an SSN on ANY account at ANY time for identity verification. But an account that has an EIN attached and is being properly run is UNLIKELY to be asked for the SSN. PayPal asks for an SSN when they are worried about risk.

Things that could trigger an SSN request other than for tax reasons:

1. Unresolved customer issues
2. Customer complaints of counterfeits
3. Lots of negative feedback
4. Low DSR's
5. Suspicious activity
6. Applying for the PayPal ATM Card

Suspicious activity could mean anything, but really it means anything where PayPal perceives an increase in the risk on your account. For example, you have a stealth account with an EIN attached and it is 2 years old. Over the 2 years, you built it up to selling $5k per month. You sell HDMI and printer cables and low dollar value PC accessories - under $25. All of a sudden, you start listing hundreds of $1,500 laptops for sale. THAT could trigger the SSN request. And PayPal is required by US law to get an SSN for US customers when they apply for any product that gives you access to the financial system - specifically debit cards and credit cards. So don't hit the APPLY button for those.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Thanks!! You guys are awesome.

So, when I register an LLC, it has my name and address attached to it.

When I sign up for eBay and PayPal, do I join with the LLC name as my name? Or do I have to use some other actual name other than my own?

Such a big learning curve compared to the "list items, sell items" routine of 2 weeks ago lol

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

You can use your real information to register the LLC in your state. Also use your real information to get the EIN from the IRS. NEVER give any ⊗⊗⊗⊗ information to the IRS!

Then, start a PayPal account with a stealth identity. You can register it as a business account right away, but I always prefer to start it as a personal account and then switch to a business account later, like when they ask for a tax-id. That way, if the account is on shaky ground and gets banned in a couple of weeks, I have not wasted an LLC and EIN.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Gotcha!

So if I register a stealth account with a different name and address, and then PayPal requests a tax ID, they won't care that I only decided to make it a business account after they requested the SSN?

Also, does the address on the LLC registration have to match the address on the eBay account and stealth PayPal?

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

No and No.

Edited to add: The first time one of my PayPal accounts got hit with the tax-id request, I was nervous about that. In fact, I couldn't find the upgrade section on the account to change it to a business account. So, I called PayPal and gave the rep a line of BS about my accountant telling me to make sure everything was properly in place so that my business income was separated and properly reported to the IRS. He said he understood and walked me through the process. 5 minutes later, I received the email from PayPal confirming the switch and the addition of my tax information.

I WOULD suggest having an LLC and EIN ready for their request. When you apply for an EIN, it can take up to 2 weeks for the information to be updated in the IRS database. You don't want PayPal to think you just applied for the EIN - I'm not sure it would matter, but better safe than sorry.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Alright so

1. Register an LLC and EIN
2. Make PayPal account using random name and different address
3. Make Stealth eBay account using LLC name and same address as PayPal
(Question: Will the "person's name" appear anywhere on eBay, or just the LLC name?)
4. Upgrade to business account and provide EIN when requested.

Got it.

Last question for the night:

Where do I register for an LLC? And I do that first, and then request an EIN from the IRS right?

**disclaimer to admit how clueless I am about all of this** lol

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

@matt

What you must do is speak to a tax professional. Discuss everything.

Also read thro' this site

Internal Revenue Service

It is user friendly and has the in-depth info you need for your business.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Expected lifespan of stealth accounts


It is ALL about what you sell,,,Plain and Simple,,,If you sell Rubberbands, expect your accounts to last FOREVER

If you sell Exercise DVD sets like P90X,,your accounts may only last MINUTES,,,and there is a fair chance that you will also wind up in court as well,,,

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Depends on how much you move. Past couple years it was more sales dollars and projected sales. Now I have gotten more and more requests at lower sales less than $10k. My speculation is that they could be going off the 200 transactions as well. Seems like you get three emails from them requesting Tax ID then you can no longer close or receive funds. Will be interesting to see if those limitations are lifted in 2014. Unfortunately, from everything I have heard and seen. Stealth accounts for US members have lost value in terms of payments you can receive this year. You never know though how it will play out year to year.

For myself included as the long term members preach. That is why you need to have a lots of extra accounts primed and ready to go.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

And the rate of sales revenue since PP will kick your account if PROJECTED rate is 20k/200

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

I have had a record number for sales every on ebay this year and so far this year by spreading sales over tons of accounts I have not received a single request for tax info.

Knock on wood but I last year got one as low as 5k in sales.

I have several accounts sitting with only some browsing going on for a few months to hammer in November and December for large volume of sales.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Thanks Greenie!

Back to the LLC option for one second:

Will PayPal/eBay ever ask for a driver's license or utility bill if it's under an LLC?

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Yes, If they want to they can also ask for your SSN

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

What do you do then?
Or better yet, how do you avoid this?

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

this is the how long is a peice of string question................


You create accounts that are run in such a way as to stay under the radar.....


That is how I run my USA accounts.

:juggle:

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

You avoid this by aiming to keep sales low and rate low - if you are asked this then not much you can do but move on to next account and wait out the holding period.