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Forced business upgrade
 

I have had the dreaded forced upgrade banner and email (photos attached below), i've a few questions before i proceed.

Both 100% stealth accounts completely some questions, from the above i guess ignoring it doesn't work? Has anyone tried? Did they restrict selling or not? Less than 50k sales in the last year each so way below VAT threshold

What is the process if i go forward with upgrade? Will they allow to just add a national insurance number? or is a registered business/ VAT going to be required? Is there any other additional re-verififications going to be needed? ID? live face ID? reconfirm bank account? If yes anyone has done this with an online bank attached that ebay no longer accept, did this now fail or was it ok?

Is it instant or is there a delay and are payouts etc held during this delay period? If so how long did it take?

I know they can't verify the name matches the NI number only the correct format, but if i use real insurance number would i have to change the ebay account name to match it (as far as HMRC is concern) or not?

And in attempt to save other accounts this fate before i've figured out a solution, what are the thresholds to avoid this forced "upgrade"?

thanks please give any advice that can help me (and others) prepare. Don't comment if you're guessing thats how threads get derailed

https://ibb.co/FJ772wH

https://ibb.co/d7K3M66

Re: Forced business upgrade
 

Were these accounts created in the last 24 months ?

Re: Forced business upgrade
 

if you are a sole trader it means nothing , business account has marginal differences to personal like displaying business address etc. , they just do it for legal reasons as you sell too much for a private seller

Re: Forced business upgrade
 

Hmmm..it's not quite as simple as that.

As well as displaying your business address you also have to accept returns and IIRC have your returns automated. (happy to be corrected on that, can't remember at the moment). Automated or not, this means you need to have a suitable returns address.
Although not a deal breaker if you're making good money, you also need to pay listing fees.

Anyway, back to the OP. I've been here albeit a little while ago, pretty certain it won't have become more relaxed.

The conversion went smoothly, but shortly thereafter they asked for proof of my employment. Headed letter paper, payslip, UTR details etc. (from memory). I tried to waffle my way through it explaining how a sole trader didn't have some of these, nor was required to but to no avail.

In any event, I was unable to provide the info they wanted to their satisfaction and the account remains suspended.

But on a positive note, if you can convert it and keep it alive it gives you the opportunity to become a Top Rated Seller which, without doubt, increases visibility, buyer confidence and sales.

Re: Forced business upgrade
 

it is as simple as that , returns and business address do not affect selling ability

Re: Forced business upgrade
 

No all at least 3 years old. I've had a nice relaxed few years to be fair prior to that when its was ebay/paypal. i was geatting account axed routinely as part and parcel. More difficult now though as the banking is the difficult part.

If i select sole trader they're going to ask for UTR or NI?

i understand why they do it but i'm trying to figure out what they will be requesting, reverify bank accounts i keep reading but unsure if its in the same situation as i am, will be a pain as they're online bank accounts that ebay no longer accept so likely that will mess me up. Do they ask for invoices etc still or any other proofs of any sorts?

You had to call in during this process? Why did they need your employer docs if you were selling as sole trader? Any details you can give me so i can be best prepared are appricated.

Also all the docs, i assume were to match the account owner details or did you change all the details to yourself?


thanks for the replies so far

Re: Forced business upgrade
 

I don't know whether your being deliberately stupid for whatever motive you may have or have never converted a stealth account but as I made clear there are several considerations which I listed.

If you think OP can simply convert to a sole trader and crack on without addressing the points I mentioned you're in cuckooland.

Why do you think they started the thread then if 'its as simple as that'?

Re: Forced business upgrade
 

as I mentioned, it's about 3 years ago now, but I've had a look at the docs I prepared as I keep everything.

I have ID, a bank statement, proof of address and a UTR letter.

What they now ask for I cannot say, but it's not going to be any less is it? Credit check too???

Will they ask for an NI number on a business account, I can't say but my guess is they wouldn't and would go for the more obvious UTR. Either way, well all know something will be asked for given the law change and what awaits even private sellers.

For the safety of other accounts I have I did not change the details to my own. Do you still have the option to do so or is it greyed out?

True stealth is dying, folk need to get as many of their accounts legitimised, act professionally and pay their taxes. IMO its the only way forward.

As an aside, do you have any potential issues with your business address being displayed and how you will handle returns?

Re: Forced business upgrade
 

business accounts for sole traders on ebay are nothing like amazon , they require almost the same information as personal and sell the same way , the differences are secondary

Re: Forced business upgrade
 

So it seems, and I expect somebody will put me right, that instead of reporting all the personal sellers to HMRC they are making them convert the account to business, or is there a certain figure they do this at anyway now.

Re: Forced business upgrade
 

they have been doing this for years

Re: Forced business upgrade
 

I am yet to click anything through fear of getting stuck in the process, hoping i can be as best prepared then submit everything on deadline day. I can't change these to my details though. If i do have to use my details i'd have to start fresh i think.

i'd have to use drop addresses for returns/ business which isn't an issue.

Re: Forced business upgrade
 

To give an alternative perspective to the previous comments...

Note: I've never been asked to change to a business account, I always change to business after 90 days to get the increased limits.

A a stealth sole trader the changes are minimal

You have to re-enter your bank details , reverify your phone number by sms, confirm the pervious bank account number (even if its the same)

And errm, thats it

Your address and phone number will now show on your listings

You can use business policy templates for shipping/payments/returns

You must accept returns but you can limit this to 14 days, you can avoid automatic
returns by requiring a RMA, that gives you a few days to give an alternative address. This only really affects change of mind returns anyway which are minimal in most categories (other than clothing) all sellers have to accept INAD returns for 30 days.

You don't get free listings

Thats just my experience, other people may have different experiences.

Re: Forced business upgrade
 

thank you for good clear answers :thumb:

Re: Forced business upgrade
 

Never done it so can't say, but whatever happened in the past, given the legislation being forced upon them, this is what will be required as a bare minimum going forward. Ebay can ask for other info, like ID/Passport I guess as part of their own managed payments KYC requirements.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/account/...docId=HELP1769

Re: Forced business upgrade
 

thanks. :thumb:

Re: Forced business upgrade
 

nice clarification

Re: Forced business upgrade
 

well dead line day has been and gone, items are still selling and payouts too. How much longer can i wing this before i have to take action?