eBay Trading Assistants?

[Junie]

Has anyone used an eBay Assistant to help sell any items?

Junie

[Modee]

I am an Ebay Trading Assistant myself.
eBay Trading Assistant Program
I deal with local people only, who have something worthwhile to sell, where I can make a profit. Lately I've been so busy that I've turned down all requests, but I may get back into helping others sell.

The business model is more or less like those stores that used to be sprinkled around the country, that offered to sell EBay goods for people. I insist on having the goods in my possession or at least seeing them before I will list anything, so that I don't get stuck with a completed auction and nothing to ship.

[Modee]

Ebay Trading Assistant Program shutting down

Ebay Trading Assistant Program will shut down September 20, 2013:

Hello eBay Trading Assistants,
Thank you for your participation in the Trading Assistant program and the work you have done to help others sell their items on eBay. We’ve been listening to feedback from many of you and have heard that the program is not meeting expectations or delivering a significant number of sales leads. As a result, on September 20, 2013, the Trading Assistant program will be retired. Please note, this decision has no impact on your eBay account or your ability to buy and sell on eBay.
Here’s what it means to you:
eBay will no longer host a Trading Assistant directory or provide sellers with Trading Assistant program leads
eBay sellers can no longer use “eBay Trading Assistant Program” logos or other marketing materials referring to the Trading Assistant program
To allow time for processing any remaining leads, the Trading Assistant portal will be available until October 18, 2013 to all registered program members.
For eBay sellers who are “Registered eBay Drop-off Locations” or any other sellers who have physical program marketing materials (flyers, cards, signage, etc.), the deadline to discontinue all usage of these items is October 31, 2013. As stated above, use of digital logos, marketing materials or other program marks will be prohibited as of September 20, 2013.
Note: all eBay sellers may however continue to use the eBay brand within the guidelines of the eBay seller agreement. Click here <Welcome to the Intellectual Property Permission Center for eBay Inc. | EBay IP Center > for more details.
Today’s announcement has no impact on the eBay Education Specialist program.
We appreciate all of our eBay sellers and the work you do in your local communities. Our strategy at eBay is simple: provide our customers the best possible selling and buying experience. We are committed to your success. As new programs and initiatives continue to be developed, eBay will make every effort to find more compelling ways to engage with our sellers.
If you have any additional questions, please contact us <eBay Customer Service> .
Sincerely,
The eBay Seller Program Team
Important Dates/Actions Needed:
September 20 – Trading Assistant program is discontinued, public access to Trading Assistant portal/directory is suspended, all digital program logos and other marketing materials must be taken down
October 18 – Registered program members must process all remaining leads from within the Trading Assistant portal queue as access to the portal will be discontinued on this date.
October 31 – Any physical program signage or other program marketing materials may no longer be used


The program simply became unwieldy and many issues arose as trading assistants who didn't know how to protect themselves became caught up in completed auctions where they were unable to obtain the goods sold from the owners.

[Modee]

This program is now called - Ebay valets
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