Hello all. I've read and reviewed the
Stealth Book twice and I think I'm *close* to ready to try to establish a new Stealth account; however, I have a few questions.
First, a little context. I am (was) a Top Rated PowerSeller with 100% feedback and high limits who had been selling for years. Was recently 'indefinitely' banned. Though they won't tell me why, I assume it's because I got greedy and sold COVID-19 related items like hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes at high prices. I moralized my way through it because I was simultaneously donating a lot to my local hospital and neighbors and was also giving 10% of each sale to charity through eBay Gives. However, in doing so I violated eBay price gouging policies repeatedly. While I'm saddened that my own moral compass went away from true north (I really shouldn't be profiting from health essentials during a plague), I would like to get back up and selling on eBay as it's a side-hustle that helps support my family. Additionally, I wouldn't mind selling things that are in demand now like sewing machines that aren't related to health during these crazy times.
1.) I used
IPBurger to get a 'fresh' account and have verified it changes my IP address. However, to start a new eBay account I *think* need a 'residential' account (If I'm reading the book and forums correctly). After I've created my eBay account, can I just use use a fresh
IPBurger account or do I need to keep residential?
2.) I rent out my parents' old house (my parents are deceased and it's fifteen minutes away from me). I own it now. Can I use that address? If so, can I deal with any returns by sending a return label through eBay with my actual address on it (the address for the banned account)?
3.) When I was on eBay, I had 100% feedback and high selling limits and made most of my profits from electronics (e.g. 1080Ti graphics cards during the bitcoin mining craze, hard-to-find limited edition video games consoles, etc.). I'd like to get back to selling things like that (for example, Logitech webcams). Is that what paying for an eBay/PayPal stealth account is for? Or does one need to go slow even if they pay for an account? If so, what is the benefit of paying for a high-limit account when compared to just restarting from scratch? Frankly, while I understand most of the things in the eBay
Stealth Book, I don't get why I would pay for an account instead of starting a new one. Would appreciate any guidance/advice related to that.
3.a.) As a corollary to the above, does it make more sense to do
eBay Stealth or pay someone to get ungated on Amazon?
4.) PayPal and eBay have my EIN number. Is getting an LLC the way to get around this, especially if I want to go over those 200 items/10K PayPal limits? I'm not interested in trying to skirt taxes (heck -- I report the income I make from OfferUp!) and would rather just have a new long-term PayPal account.
I know this is a long-ish initial post and I appreciate the advice and help as I dive headfirst into reestablishing an account. Thanks in advance for your responses.