For over a decade, eBay has had a program to “certify” sellers to teach others eBay, called The eBay Education Specialist Program. This program provided training, materials, and an eBay-defined certification to allow specialists to be recognized as trainers “trained by eBay.” The program has a handful of instructors. Over the years, many capable and knowledgeable sellers rejected the program because they interpreted it to teach eBay in a way that generates more money for eBay, rather than teaching the best way for sellers to sell. 

The End of an Era for eBay Education Specialists 

eBay released this notice in early June 2016:

eBay Education Specialist Program

eBay sellers could become an Education Specialist by taking online training courses, paying fees, and gaining access to eBay’s branded marketing and classroom materials and curriculum. The downside, and what kept many sellers from participating, wasn’t the cost of the program. It was that Education Specialists were required to stick to the materials and curriculum supplied by eBay, no creative deviation was allowed. Entrepreneurs are creative people so this caveat kept many from even pursuing the program.

Education Specialists paid the following fees for training:

  • $169 The Basics of Selling on eBay$129 Beyond the Basics$89 eBay Stores$249 Business Consultant Program$86 Yearly Renewal Fees (Business Consultant)

Classes could be taught anywhere the trainer wanted including libraries, senior centers, community centers, or even in continuing education programs at colleges. Education Specialists could set their own fees and set up classes on a time schedule of their choosing, such as a four-part class over a month meeting once a week, or an all-day Saturday class. 

Moving Ahead - Other Ways to Teach eBay

All is not lost now that the eBay Education Specialist Program is now defunct. There are still many ways a seller can use her eBay knowledge to generate income and teach others. 

The only thing we can count on in life is change. Now that the eBay Education Specialist Program is over, those trainers will need to adapt to new ways to teach classes, as well as develop their own materials. Technology is on your side because the internet makes it easier than ever to reach people and spread the good word about eBay.