What should I ask about a store’s online marketplace listings and account ownership?

Online sales can look like part of the business while actually belonging to the owner personally. Ask for a list of every marketplace, the account name, the email used to register and who has the passwords. Find out whether the platform lets an account be sold or whether a new one must be opened. If the latter, ask what happens to reviews, rankings and saved customers.

Then look at the business behind the listings. Request sales reports by channel, the fees taken, returns, and any warnings or suspensions the platform has issued. A strong rating built over years is useful only if it moves. Ask also about shipping set-up, who packs the orders and whether any software subscriptions are linked to the accounts.

Think about the money side. Marketplaces hold payouts for a while, so ask about balances waiting to be paid and amounts the shop might owe back. Write the account transfers into the purchase agreement, with a clear date, and change every password at closing. Have your lawyer check what the platform’s own terms allow before you count on the channel. If the answer is no, ask the seller what the plan is.

Key takeaways

• List every marketplace account with its registered name and email.
• Check whether the platform allows accounts to be transferred or sold.
• Review sales, fees, returns and any warnings issued by channel.
• Reset all passwords and payout details on closing day.