Know Your Responsibilities as an eBay Trading Assistant

By Marsha Collier from eBay Business All-in-One For Dummies, 2nd Edition

What is an eBay Trading Assistant? Simply put, an eBay Trading Assistant sells merchandise for people on eBay. A more complex definition is that a Trading Assistant sells items on consignment for those who are not familiar with the eBay site or simply don’t want to bother to learn the ropes.

The first thing to consider before becoming a Trading Assistant is making sure you're familiar with the eBay site and its rules and regulations and — most of all — are experienced in selling items at a profit. To be a successful Trading Assistant, you need to know how to research items on eBay and how to parlay keywords into winning auction titles.

The Find a Trading Assistant page.

To find a Trading Assistant in your area, click the Find a Trading Assistant link on the Trading Assistant hub page, and you’ll be taken to a search page. Potential customers can search for a Trading Assistant to sell their items by city and state, zip code, eBay ID, or name. Because this page is promoted on the eBay site to new users and in eBay promotions. being listed on this page will help your customers find you.

eBay makes it very clear that whether you fulfill the requirements for Trading Assistant or not, being a Trading Assistant is a privilege. If eBay receives complaints about your services, they have the right to remove you from the Trading Assistant directory. Following are eBay’s requirements:

Listings: You must have sold at least ten items in the last three months.
Feedback rating: You must maintain a minimum rating of 100 or higher, with a minimum of 98-percent positive comments.
Activity: You must have continued to sell (at least ten items in the previous three months).
Follow Terms: eBay offers a style guide that outlines the use of the eBay brand. eBay takes the use of its name and graphics seriously, so if you intend to become a Trading Assistant, you must hold them in high honor. You can see the details on the Trading Assistant User Agreement page.

buySAFE bonded sellers receive choice positions in search results.

As a Trading Assistant, you acquire merchandise and sell it on eBay on consignment. You are also responsible for the following:

Consulting with consignors about their items.
Researching the value of the item.

Many non-eBay-users may have unreasonable expectations of the price their items will sell for. It’s your duty to check this out beforehand and explain the realities to them. If you don't think you can fetch the price your potential customer wants, don't accept the consignment.
Coordinating the listing. Take digital photos and write a complete and accurate description of the item.
Keeping a close accounting of fees and money collection.