Selling as a an entity

[svetlana_chistiakova]

Is it possible to sell on ebay not like an individual, but as a legal entity?

Do they care?

What documents they might require except those which have already listed (I mean all their possible options for paying their fees)

I mean I need the invoice to be issued not to my name, but to the company's name.

Who might know it? 

[lacemaker3]

@svetlana_chistiakova,

In the USA, it doesn't make any difference if you are selling as an individual or as a business. eBay doesn't require any documentation unless you apply for a sales tax exemption as a buyer. Just put the name you want the invoices made out to, as the name on your registration.

In other countries, it does make a difference. You would have to check the policies on the eBay website based in your country, if you are not actually in the USA.

[svetlana_chistiakova]

Hello Lacemaker3,

Thank you for your response. Yes, I'm seeking to sell some hardware soft such as cisco switch and so on in the USA. 

So what are the steps?

I just need to put the company's name on the invoice and choose the preferable payment method?  

[lacemaker3]

You need to read through the selling policies. You have to be able to find the policies, and follow them yourself. If you rely on others to tell you what to do, there's a good chance that you're going to make a mistake and get your account sanctioned or banned if you don't know what you're doing. Here's a good place to start:

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/get-started/new-business-seller.html

As far as payments go, your only option to begin with is PayPal. You need to set your account up first, before you start listing. This page mentions a merchant account, but that is not an option any more. 

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/service-and-payments/get-paid.html

eBay is currently rolling out their own Managed Payments, which will take PayPal's place as the payment processor eventually. But, sellers have to be invited first at this time, and you won't be invited if you're not actively selling.

[svetlana_chistiakova]

Thank you a lot. But anyway I would like to specify about the documents which eBay might require... I read the following: "if you purchase you enter into a legally binding contract to purchase an item when you commit to buy an item" The question with whom the purchaser is obliged to sign the contract? With the seller or with eBay, not quite clear.

[luckythewinner]

---

@svetlana_chistiakova wrote:

Is it possible to sell on ebay not like an individual, but as a legal entity?

I mean I need the invoice to be issued not to my name, but to the company's name.

---

I went to the "Help & Contact" link (which is at the top of every eBay page) and typed "create business account" into the search bar.

Create a business account

If you’re thinking about selling on eBay, you can choose between a personal or business account, depending on how much you’re planning on selling.

If you plan to sell casually, like selling unwanted items, a personal account is the best option. If you want to sell large quantities, or if you have items that you’ve made or bought to resell, register a business account.

If you want to register as a business, select Create a business account on the registration page. We’ll ask for some additional details, like your business name, type, and address.

If you are a US based seller with inventory outside the US, you may have additional tax obligations. You can find more information about these possible obligations in the Seller Center - opens in new window or tab.

If you’re a managed payments seller with a business bank account, you need to have a business account on eBay. If you have a link to your personal account, you can change it to a business account in your account settings.

https://www.ebay.com/help/account/account-getting-started/setup-verify?id=4191#section3

[lacemaker3]

---

@svetlana_chistiakova wrote:
Thank you a lot. But anyway I would like to specify about the documents which eBay might require... 

---

eBay doesn't require any documents. As I said, you can put your real name or your business name on the registration. 

---

@svetlana_chistiakova wrote:
... I read the following: "if you purchase you enter into a legally binding contract to purchase an item when you commit to buy an item" The question with whom the purchaser is obliged to sign the contract? With the seller or with eBay, not quite clear.

---

Nobody is required to sign a contact. A contract doesn't require a signature to be valid, but all that sentence means is that the buyer is supposed to follow through on their purchase. It doesn't mean that they will be forced to complete the purchase.

In practice, that sentence means nothing. eBay can't force a buyer to pay, any more than they can force a seller to complete a transaction. In real life, mistakes happen, items can get lost or damaged, and buyers can change their mind. eBay can't force buyers to pay.

[onlinecentral]

Here is the process in my state.
Maybe 4 times a month the state Small Business Development department sends a teacher/person to my major city.
You go into a classroom full of computers at the site for that week. There are 3 sites.
The registration class takes 2 to 3 hours to complete.
The state teacher and a county person coach you on how to navigate various websites to register your business.
You incorporate with LLC or INC at the end of your business name.
You get a county/state vendor license number to collect and remit the sales tax you collect.
You get a federal EIN employer identification number to file taxes.
They hand you a stack of how-to brochures and checklists for other things you need to complete.
Then you register this business on eBay, Paypal and establish a business checking account with a bank.
You enter your revenue and deduct your expenses into a Schedule C tax form.
Then enter your profit on a 1040 tax form and file.
The required documents are a driver's license, utility bill and etc.