eBay created a directory of brokers called Trading Assistants. "Trading Assistants" are experienced eBay members who sell items for others on a commission basis. eBay requires Trading Assistants to meet some basic requirements. They must have had one sale in the last 30 days on the auction site and must maintain a feedback rating of at least 50 with fewer than 2% negative feedback points. Trading Assistants operate independently of eBay, and eBay warns that it does not guarantee their performance.

Trading Assistants set their own fee structure. Some brokers charge a per-item fee plus commission, and some charge a flat commission; typical commissions range from 15% - 30%, and may depend on the final selling price of the item. Brokers use their own discretion in whether to pass along eBay fees to clients.

eBay warns Trading Assistants that they are responsible for making sure the items they list are legal to sell, and that the services they provide to clients are legal. Items such as real estate, cars, or other regulated items may require a license to sell. "Some government agencies may require you to first become licensed as a broker or dealer, to assume obligations to inspect or make disclosures about the condition of the items, or to comply with other legal requirements when selling this type of item for clients."

eBay said it is not charging sellers for participating in the program, although it left the door open for future fees. http://pages.ebay.com/tradingassistants/learnmore.html