Make sure they are aware of the scam emails that will come to them. Show them how to tell if it is real, or if it is a scam. Same for PayPal.

If in doubt - forward, without adding or changing the email, to spoof@ebay.com or spoof@paypal.com - and they will tell you if it is real or fake.

That would be my best tip to teach. I don't sell on eBay, but I buy things. I have always had good luck. I only buy from people who have excellent feedback and I only will bid if it is a PayPal auction. No money orders, etc.

Are you teaching a "selling" class or a "buying" class?

I'd tell them to ignore all emails now that eBay brings ups a "Your Messages" page whenever you log on.

They'll need to know how to do a search for the item and how to check seller's feedback. Make sure they know to always check shipping costs and payment methods accepted before bidding. Some people have trouble understanding how bidding on an auction works - I've ran into people that think you always pay your highest bid if you win (which of course isn't always true).

I'm assuming you're not teaching them about selling yet?

If it goes like last time, I'll have two or three people at a time. I'll start with buying, and move on to selling if anyone is interested.

I hadn't thought about the scam emails, thanks! I figure I'll list some key points and give them to each person as a handout.

I'll have to see what eBay books the library has. With luck, they'll have the one I learned selling from: Sell It on eBay, by Jim Heid and Toby Malina.

Gosh, I haven't sold anything in so long, I probably can't figure out how! ??

Good luck! Sounds like fun!

Susan, did you get my Email?

Nope, I didn't. Good old GardenWeb email. Try sending me one at Editoria@gmail.com. I'll keep an eye out for it. Thanks!

I would go to the eBay community pages and ask this question there.

I sent another email.

Are you holding 1 day classes? If so, for 3 or 4 hours? And will your class be hands on with each student at a computer or more of a lecture type class?

If you are new to ebay as your students will be, here are a few things I would tell them -
unless they desperately want to buy an item with the Buy It Now feature, they are best to watch the item and bid on it in the last few minutes so they don't get into a bidding war with someone.
Be sure to verify what the shipping is before bidding, what form of payment the seller accepts (your students may need to open a Paypal account) and what are the stipulations for shipping fees - is it straight shipping as given in the postal guidelines or is it shipping and handling, in which case the seller can basically charge whatever they like. There are a number of sellers these days that sell the item for 99 cents but charge a very large amount for shipping so they make their money that way.
What is the return policy if the item isn't as described, arrives broken or never shows up at all.
I would also explain feedback and that it is best to not give negative feedback unless no resolution can be reached with the seller.
If you are going to teach them how to sell, show them how to look up the item in completed listings first - ebay is not like it was years ago and so much stuff sells for only a couple of dollars despite our thinking it might be very collectible. Selling an item can be a time consuming process and if it's only going to fetch a dollar or two, they may feel it's not worth the effort.
If you do decide to teach them the selling part, I can give you lots of tips on what they need to know, feel free to contact me if you'd like my 4 cents worth of ebay expertise.
Suzan J

Thanks, everyone! I don't know what the class setup will be yet. I'm waiting for the person in charge to call me. It's possible the library, like all the schools, was closed today.

Alisande,
Tell your students to check the regular retail price for items - I've seen people pay more than the same thing could be bought locally. Or pay more than the same seller has it priced on their Ebay store site!

Also show them the resources Ebay has on their own site under Community. I just had a problem with a purchase (seller changed payment after close of the auction) and found loads of info how to resolve it in the Answers Forums. It actually helped the seller get her brand new Paypal account sorted out so she could take payments.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ebay Community