Ethel, I suggest some apologies due as I have been trading for over 20 years, employed an accountant, always paid taxes, never collected any dole. Never needed to advertise as my work comes in by recommendation.
Ray you have exactly correct. There is no point in being registered just for the sake of it. All my work is for households not businesses. The point I made about the customer paying Vat on goods is because that is what I paid for the goods and that charge is passed on.I am not going to charge the customer for the goods less VAT, I am not a charity!! Therefore the customer will have paid Vat on the goods.
I merely answered the original question in response to Ethels first answer.
Hope this clears up the situation.