Introducing eBay's Mentoring Program
by Maeve
eBay Staff Member

Whether you are new to eBay or an experienced buyer or seller, eBay's Mentoring Program has something for you. Designed as a way for new members to tap into the knowledge of more saavy buyers and sellers, the program connects people and information. This program is part of our growing base of volunteers, a strong component of the unique eBay community. eBay mentors donate their time and knowledge to help others learn how to use eBay effectively.

In order for an eBay Volunteer to qualify as an eBay Mentor, they must maintain at least a 99 percent positive feedback profile and have been a member of eBay a minimum of six months, with a feedback rating of at least fifty. The mentoring groups are hosted in our eBay Groups area and provide members with a small, semi-private setting to ask questions.

New members who need assistance can apply for help through the mentoring program by following these easy steps:

1. Click here to get to the eBay Groups Center.
2. Search with the keyword "mentor" or "mentors" to find available groups.
3. Email the group leader to find out when they can assist you. Keep in mind that group sizes are limited, and it may take a little while for the group leader to respond.

The Mentoring program is designed to help new members get their feet wet on eBay. Experienced members help make sure they have the know-how to buy or sell by providing personal assistance for several weeks. For members that are not interested in the mentoring program, but who have general questions about eBay, please visit the Community Discussion boards or the Answer Center.

This month we asked some of the new eBay mentors what interests them the most about this program and why they want to help new members. Here's what they have to say:

"I've been around eBay for 7 years. When I first started selling, it was a nightmare. I didn't know anything about HTML or what a URL or ISP is etc. eBay has grown SO MUCH over the years. New features, more pages, longer listing process (because of all the improvements and choices etc.) - I realize that functioning on eBay as a new buyer or (especially) SELLER can be overwhelming. I believe I have an understanding of the frustration or confusion a new eBay member might be feeling and a strong desire to help them get started by answering their basic questions and pointing them in the right direction. Another way of looking at it would be similar to KARMA - what you give in life, comes back to you. I prefer to cultivate positive KARMA. lol"
dottie

"I was excited about the Mentoring Program, as soon as first I heard about it. The eBay Mentoring Program allows me to share my experiences and best practices and give new sellers the motivation and confidence they might need to find their niche on eBay. It is both inspiring and rewarding to share ideas with the new sellers I am mentoring and not only to make them feel welcome in the large eBay community - but moreover, to already make them feel that also a new seller is an important member of the eBay world. I am successful, because of eBay and the unique, global marketplace it created. The Mentoring Program allows me to pass my experience and best practices on to the 'next generation' of eBay Sellers. I definitely have Powerseller material in my group: they know where they want to go, they are just not certain which road to take (yet)... and I enjoy pointing out some of the ways to go on eBay. And, yes: I also learn as I teach - both from my 'students' as well as from other Mentors by sharing of best practices with them."
afternoon-daydreams

"I love the Mentoring Program! It has allowed me to put into practice the 'Pass it On' concept. All the help and mentoring I have received on eBay from other sellers, buyers, and eBay I can now 'pass on' to new sellers. And I also can share and gain knowledge from other Mentors. It is so nice to have a place to help new sellers learn about selling on eBay, to share my experience, and make sure they get started doing it right. But as much as I may be helping them, they are giving back to me so much more. They let me see selling with a fresh new approach. They help me see ways to improve my listings. And most of all they enable me to make new friends on the site. My wish is that every new seller would join a Mentor Group, even be required to participate and 'graduate' when they start selling."
giraffer

"Having someone post something like this -- 'Just made my first listing and dontcha know it...added a table. IN COLOR! *laughs* Haven't been this proud of myself since I started riding a bike! LOL ' -- makes it all worth helping others learn."
cherbear