How do I join a cash&carry warehouse?

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi everyone!
I've had this idea, but don't know how to start off..... I know you will know the answer.
I want to start selling items on ebay, using the DDL name.
How do I/what do I need to buy items from cash & carrys? I'm only me, not a business, do I have to be a business, what proof that I'm me do I need? HELP?
Many thanks!
Bernie aka DDL

[HeyWayne]

Hi everyone!
I've had this idea, but don't know how to start off..... I know you will know the answer.
I want to start selling items on ebay, using the DDL name.
How do I/what do I need to buy items from cash & carrys? I'm only me, not a business, do I have to be a business, what proof that I'm me do I need? HELP?
Many thanks!
Bernie aka DDL

I think you just go along and sign up as far as I can remember...

We used to be members of Costco, but we never bought enough to make it worthwhile (you pay a membership I think).

Good luck with it bernie.

[Hans Mum]

costco is £25 a year membership, think makro is free but you need to belong to a company (ask at work??) or an organisation like guides, pta or if youve got a JTF near you there pretty good and free to join

[SMS6]

They vary, if they are more like the discount type of cash & carry then it's probably open to anyone who's happy to be a member and pay for that privilidge

If it's more of your actual Cash & Carry they tend to only give accounts to businesses and you would need to prove you were one. Some won't even let you have an account unless you have a shop front.

You need to decide what type of goods you're looking at selling and target the appropriate cash & carry then give them a call and ask what their criteria is.

Of course as far as the tax man is concerned you would be running a business

[starwatcher]

I seem to recall somthing about references from when I had my own business in another life DDL

[Nicos]

Give costco a ring!
We joined up last year and I think we just needed a drivers license and utility bill and payed about £25.
When you turn up they'll take your photo for your card- so don't go straight from the lottie!!
As you won't be trade, you can't shop there in the mornings so go in the afternoon if you intend to shop at the same time.

[muckdiva]

With our local one you have to supply a VAT number. Think they might accept a letterhead if you weren't vat registered. Have to say, I don't find them all that cheap for things in comparison to places like Aldi/Lidl/Wilko et al, depends what you are shopping for I guess.

[Snadger]

If you are actually buying stuff to sell on eBay, in eBays eyes you ARE a business.
Hows about 'DDL Enterprises' or 'DDL Independant Trading Co' (Of course you would need to buy a reliant Robin for that one!)

[dexterdoglancashire]

If you are actually buying stuff to sell on eBay, in eBays eyes you ARE a business.
Hows about 'DDL Enterprises' or 'DDL Independant Trading Co' (Of course you would need to buy a reliant Robin for that one!)

Nice one Snadger! I could use "Henry" the 1964 MG Midget - with Dexter sat in the passenger seat!! I didn't realise that those were the ebay rules.

Thanks everyone for your ideas and thoughts - you've certainly given me some useful information. Bernie aka DDL

[NOG]

I want to start selling items on ebay, I'm only me, not a business, Bernie aka DDL

You will be a business cause you will be trading (buying then selling) so you will need to register with HMRC within 3 months. Even if you are not making a profit.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Thanks NOG. It all sounds a lot more complicated than I expected. But I appreciate your advice. Bernie aka DDL

[Novice Gardener]

Our local cash and carry will only let you shop their if you are "trade" you have to supply proof of your VAT registration as well as a company letter headed piece of paper (easy to do on the puter!!) and a letter from someone like your bank/inland revenue showing proof of busines address. If you're going to be selling as a business, you have 3 months to register with the inland revenue. It sounds like the easiest way would be to be a "sole trader". If your earnings aren't going to be very high, then its unlikely you will pay tax, but remember you can offset any expenses such as stationery, fuel costs, use of your personal car for the business. Most tax offices run free courses on what records you need to keep. Give em a call - they are really helpful and rarely bite!!

[NoWayPedro]

It will be of no surprise given my forum name that when Top Trumps made a comeback a few years ago I was buying them in bulk at trade prices and then selling them on e-bay. It was especially good at Christmas time as they are great stocking fillers. I also used to keep some back as the value would increase when they were removed from general sale and then I would list them when I could make maximum profit. I once sold a pack of England Cricket Stars top trumps for over £50!!

It really is true some people have more money than sense...

The site sells a range of tat if you would like to know the address of the website I used to use to get my stock from then PM me. I would put it here but I do not want to be accused of using the forum for advertising purposes as I am a new member. I do not have any other links to this company except that I used to buy from them.