Posting in Ask a Mentor when could get a faster answer elsewhere
Summary: The discussion revolves around the limitations of the "Ask a Mentor" forum, where only mentors can respond, leading to delays in getting answers. adamcartwright expresses frustration that the system prevents quick responses from knowledgeable community members when mentors aren't available. Some participants suggest applying to be a mentor, but adamcartwright and others feel they lack the necessary knowledge, experience, or time commitment. There are varying opinions on the effectiveness of the mentorship program, with some advocating for it while others believe the system needs improvement to allow more diverse responses. Additionally, there are technical issues noted with the inability to tag certain users in discussions.
I just saw a posted question that I could quickly answer.
Then realized it was in the Mentor forum, so I couldn't respond to help the person (who posted an hour ago with no responses yet).
The old system was better -- if a mentor wasn't around, you could often still get a quick answer from someone else.
*casey*
·3 weeks ago · Edited@eburtonlab
"further discussion to Ask a Mentor "
I believe that more answers to:
@dbra5946 "Status of accepting a buyer's counter offer "
would include :
1) The item remains for sale to anyone...until paid for
2) If no one pays, the accepted offer expires after 96 hours
meme6253
·3 weeks agoThe old system was way better, I hardly bother with this system anymore, & I did not know that there was an actual Mentor forum.
tobaccocardyahoo
·3 weeks agoThe major benefit I see to AAM is that the threads are shorter and include less variation in responses.
The major deficit I see in AAM ia that the threads are shorter and include less variation in responses.
puremichigand
·3 weeks agoOkay, so folks are saying that mentors need to know policy and they have the AAM board set up so that those that have a demonstrated knowledge of policy can respond. Out of curiosity, I went to AAM, and found that only 3 of the most recent posts were policy related. The other seven were more in need of help from experienced sellers and were more nuanced than a simple policy-related question. Seems to me that eBay should do a better job of letting people know that the AAM is strictly for black-and-white policy issues.
eastlaneave
·3 weeks agopuremichigand
AAM is for questions that buyers and sellers have about using eBay. It isn't just for policy questions, it's how to have successful transactions.
Here are some example questions off the top of my head:
How to do combined shipping
What to do if I've already mailed 2 items with 1 label, eBay is holding funds on the 2nd item
How to cancel a label
Why doesn't my payout match the 'what I earned' on order details
How to create a variation listing
What to do when the item I shipped is coming back due to an incomplete buyer's address?
Why I am paying shipping when the listing was 'buyer pays shipping'?
Why is the shipping the buyer paid less than what I must pay for the label?
What to do when I get a surcharge from USPS, FedEx, UPS
How to file insurance claims (who should file insurance claims)
I've changed banks and am having trouble adding my new bank
What are business policies?
How do I opt out of business policies
What to do when your are a buyer and eBay removed the seller from the platform
What to do when your are a seller and eBay removed the buyer from the platform
What to do when an item doesn't arrive
What to do when a buyer claims an item doesn't arrive
What to do when an item isn't as described
What to do when a buyer says an item isn't as described
How to avoid defects as a seller
How to avoid being scammed as a buyer or seller.
Why was my listing pulled down for _____ policy. Can I relist it?
How does authenticity work for a buyer and a seller
Why does my item not have a blue authenticity check mark while similar items do?
How do I use the latest listing tool (format)
Why don't I have the cost of goods field?
How can I get a SKU/custom field
How do I create a mark down sale or a coupon or a bundle option
Why can't I create sale?
I've moved, I changed my address but my label has my old address, how to fix that
Why do my listngs show they are shipping from my old address
How do I reach a person at Customer Service
Why can't I revise my listing?
I bought something as a guest... it hasn't arrived or is not as described, what do I do?
I bought something and it was delivered by "the river" or a big box store, why is that?
What to do if buyer or seller is harassing me through messages
I listed my first item 12 hours ago, but I can't find it... what did I do?
Just some ideas of topics that are asked and answered in AAM
arraus
·3 weeks ago@mam98031
Side topic... Mam, any idea why @puremichigand can't be tagged? Setting or bug? You've been very astute finding issues with the new forum, so I thought I'd ask.
comics-scifi-collectibles
·3 weeks ago@arraus That's a Bevy glitch. We have a thread for it in the Lounge.
puremichigand
·3 weeks agoI wouldn't think that is a glitch. If is is a glitch, they should let it stand. @arraus you can't tag me and other folks that have profiles set to "private."
sigh This just one more demonstration as to why mentors are a bad idea, especially when they confuse titles with competency. Just positing it on a regular-joe thread would have gotten an answer to you pretty quickly.
comics-scifi-collectibles
·3 weeks agoI have not been able to tag MANY members whose profiles are NOT private. So there is something wrong with the system.
We used to be able to tag members whose profiles are private so you are right that may be the reason in your case.
puremichigand
·3 weeks agoOdd, because I just went though a bunch and the tagging seems fine. Maybe user error. Regardless, seems to me that if the combined technical prowess and inside-the-box thinking of the policy mentors haven't helped to come up with a solve, maybe you aren't the right group to tackle the issue.
mam98031
·3 weeks agoIt is a problem in the programming. I is not aimed at you or anyone in particular. I have seen it happen off an on with threads since the New Community started.
mam98031
·3 weeks agoThat is a great question @arraus , I have noticed this issue since the changeover to this new Community. The members we can tag are very limited and not always representative of the thread we are on. Meaning I noticed if they didn't appear on the drop down list once you enter the @ sign, you could not tag them. I have reported this but IDK how long it will take to get resolved. It must be complicated because it has been awhile. I have no idea what causes some to be on the drop down menu and some don't. I honestly have not found any logic to it as it does happen often. But if you ever find a logic to it, let me know if you would like as I can try to get the info to the right people.
arraus
·3 weeks ago@puremichigand The mentors that don't have a lot of current selling experience do their best. They certainly put in a lot of time and effort. I do understand what you are saying. That is why I just joined to be a Mentor even though I could be using my time elsewhere (i.e. selling). PLEASE, encourage experienced sellers and buyers to join the team. Other Mentors know things I don't and vice versa. We need all types!!! ;-)
oldwestgold
·Sep 9, 2026 at 12:17 AMeBay Mentors are far from 100% correct in the advice they provide.
mam98031
·3 weeks ago · EditedVERY TRUE! I agree 100%. After all we are just mere humans. No one,
notno matter what they may claim is 100% correct all the time.puremichigand
·3 weeks agoGoing through some AAM posts actually answered, I'd put "sufficient" responses at around 5%. Sure, majority are technically correct, but woefully lacking in context, variety of viewpoints for OP consideration, etc..
mam98031
·3 weeks agoSo what standard are you trying to have us meet? I don't understand what you are after? Anyone can poke holes in most any program, especially programs that have to do with humans. If you are wanting us to be more like AI, I would say that is something that isn't likely going to happen or maybe at some point there will the an Ask the AI a question board. I just don't know what you want. Perfection??!!? From VOLUNTEERS ???!?!?
If you feel you can improve the program, then apply and join us if you can and help steer us in the right direction.
puremichigand
·3 weeks agoWhat in the world? I have no idea what you are on about. Who asked you to be more like AI? I don’t have an issue with mentors, it is just a horrible program. Noble experiment that has poor results and does a disservice to those looking for help.
mam98031
·3 weeks agoIt was simply a question, nothing more.
What makes it a "horrible" program? I'm sorry you feel that way and I would like to better understand [sincerely] why you feel that way.
Poor results by who's standards?
It isn't an "experiment", we have been around for many years [2018]. You may not have noticed us, but we have been here.
12345jamesstamps
·Sep 8, 2026 at 10:44 PMI asked a mentor a question about shipping labels.
eBay email stated buyer still waiting for item even though it got shipped untracked long ago.
So I bought the label and didn't use it(for fear of a defect)....Label stated late shipping.
I got a 'defect' for 3 days and then it disappeared.
Happened again and this time didn't buy the label after item already shipped.
Nothing happened.
I don't think one answer from a mentor helps when several in the general public can.
mam98031
·Sep 8, 2026 at 8:52 PM@adamcartwright Only Mentors or employees of Ebay have EVER been able to post on the Ask a Mentor's board. Even in the old system. Now the OP of a given question asked in the AAM, could respond on the same thread, but not on any other thread in the AAM. I'm not sure what you feel you saw, but only Mentors can post on the AAM. Hence the name.
adamcartwright
OPSep 9, 2026 at 5:07 AMI don't think I saw that Mentor forum in the old format, because, as I recall, it was in a dropdown menu on one of the top tabs, wasn't it?
In this new forum, it's highlighted as a main forum in the left column, so seems eBay is now encouraging people to use it.
mam98031
·3 weeks agoYou are correct. All the Forum categories were handled in drop down menus. The left rail is new to our new Community Format. Just another thing to get use to. Lots of changes. No conspiracy, just lots of changes and lots of choices.
iamalwaysright
·Sep 8, 2026 at 3:30 PMI think when I signed up here I shortly after saw the ask a mentor question. No offense but I soon clicked around and had an idea how it worked. I thought involving myself into that section in any way wasn’t to my benefit in at all compared to just being active in the Seller section. I still believe that.
mam98031
·Sep 8, 2026 at 9:16 PM@iamalwaysright May I ask why? What did you or do you feel prevents you from wanting to be a mentor? Just curious.
iamalwaysright
·3 weeks agoOh I meant involving myself as in asking my questions or getting help in there versus in the general Seller section. I'm one for getting answers from multiple people if possible (even if the answer is exactly the same) to be thorough. I've gotten my share of wrong info from 1 individual who claimed to be knowledgeable on the subject and burned me in the butt later on (i.e. customer service agents).
As for being a mentor myself, I don't like to generally commit myself to things like that. Call me a bit selfish, or I don't want the responsibility of being the ONLY source anyone has for their question. I'd much rather answer questions in the general sections at my leisure.
gurlcat
·3 weeks agoAGREE 100%, and most often AAM posts get only 1 reply, if that.
arraus
·Sep 8, 2026 at 3:23 PM · Edited@adamcartwright @fabrics24 @*casey* @eburtonlab @jonathanbrightlight @ten_o_nine @chapeau-noir
I posted this as a reply below but wanted to put it higher. Become a Mentor!
Mentors only need to answer 25 questions every quarter (3 months). Most do much more than that... but it's not a HUGE commitment and helps so many.
I encourage anyone that can help others, be empathetic and patient, and provide accurate responses (can skip what you don't know) to apply!!!
BE A MENTOR!! :-)
https://community.ebay.com/forum/about-the-community-57910/topic/community-mentor-program-463426/
fabrics24
·Sep 8, 2026 at 3:33 PMAhh, no thanks. 😅
I'm waaaay too new to eBay and unfamiliar with policies to be a mentor, and I already spend more time here than strictly necessary.
Everyone in the general Buying and Selling forums responds so fast and is very patient with me.
eastlaneave
·3 weeks ago@arraus
@eburtonlab is a mentor
@jonathanbrightlight recently retired from being a mentor
arraus
·3 weeks ago · Edited@eastlaneave Thanks, I was not aware. I just tagged everyone in the thread to invite. :-)
Sorry to muck up
gurlcat
·3 weeks agoCongratulations on your retirement @jonathanbrightlight . I have an array of gold watches you could choose from ... albeit El Cheapo ladies watches with scratches and dead batteries and such. 🤣
fabrics24
·Sep 8, 2026 at 2:54 PMI have no reason to enter the Ask A Mentor category, and getting unreads in it is a huge pain.
No shade to the Mentors, of course; it's just so much faster and you get more varied responses here.
mam98031
·Sep 8, 2026 at 9:19 PMThe Unread icon means YOU have not read it yet, not that a Mentor hasn't. I'm not sure if I like that icon either. I'm on the fence about it. We have it here in the other forums too.
fabrics24
·3 weeks agoBut I don't wanna read iiiiiit 😫
mam98031
·3 weeks agoThen simply don't read it. But I get it that it is annoying at best.
*casey*
·Sep 8, 2026 at 4:36 AM · Edited"Years ago when I saw a question I could answer on the Mentor board where I could not respond, I copied the question, reposted it as a quote on another discussion board such as the Buying board, tagged the original poster and provided the response I would have posted on the Mentor board if I could have posted there"
What a good idea eburtonlab
If some of the answers could be shared with non mentors, the results may be quite different.
Without fail, I get told I'm scaremongering so I won't list any of the problems I predict in the following thread from the Ask a Mentor board :
"Buyer Looks Like Possible Scam"
New Seller (4)... $ 1500 electronic item... Freight Forwarder ...NIGERIA
Let me guess , FF = Newcastle DE ??
I believe this WILL end in heartache for the seller if she goes ahead with the transaction.
eburtonlab
·Sep 8, 2026 at 1:45 AMYears ago when I saw a question I could answer on the Mentor board where I could not respond, I copied the question, reposted it as a quote on another discussion board such as the Buying board, tagged the original poster and provided the response I would have posted on the Mentor board if I could have posted there.
adamcartwright
OPSep 8, 2026 at 4:26 AMI did, thx.
redmodelt
·Sep 8, 2026 at 1:39 AMThe old system was the same. The people replying were Mentors. Mentors are not eBay employees; they are other buyers and sellers that have been accepted into the mentorship program.
adamcartwright
OPSep 8, 2026 at 4:14 AMNo, it wasn't the same. There wasn't a forum locked down to only mentors answering.
eburtonlab
·Sep 8, 2026 at 4:22 AMeBay has had a community "Ask a Mentor" board where only mentors could reply since at least 2018.
adamcartwright
OPSep 8, 2026 at 4:28 AMThx, I didn't even know that. I always just looked at Sellers before, and Mentors answered quite often there.
The way this new left column is, I now see Ask a Mentor featured prominently.
eburtonlab
·Sep 8, 2026 at 4:47 AMI believe the old forums had a popular "Buying and Selling" link to multiple discussion boards that did not include the "Ask a Mentor" forum which appeared under a different heading entirely, so that many community users could easily view all the discussion boards they could reply to without seeing the "Ask a Mentor" board at all, though it was available for viewing and posting to.
The new forums are organized differently, and the "Ask a Mentor" board is often included along with the open discussion boards in most multiple category discussion board links I have seen.
redmodelt
·Sep 8, 2026 at 2:49 PMBefore the change, when I look at the posts by just clicking on Community, I would often see posts from Ask a Mentor and others that you had to be a member of that I could not post on.
Early on with the new layout, many people were defaulting to post their questions on that board, so our feeds showed a large number of those posts. That dropped off but still am seeing post from Ask a Mentor along with a few from boards you need to be a member of.
jonathanbrightlight
·Sep 8, 2026 at 2:56 PMThere was, I was a Mentor for quite a while and we were the only ones that could respond. However, it was always more than we could consistently respond to, so some always went unanswered or took a long time to be answered, and on the new boards it's in a far more prominent position so a much higher percentage of questions are being asked there.
simply-the-best-for-you
·3 weeks agoIt was exactly the same @adamcartwright it was just in a different location on the old platform. It's been the same way for years.
ten_o_nine
·Sep 8, 2026 at 1:16 AMWhy not become a mentor?
adamcartwright
OPSep 8, 2026 at 4:29 AMI'm not mentor material.
chapeau-noir
·Sep 8, 2026 at 6:35 AMI guess one can apply, though I was asked (I am no longer a mentor as I'm only part-time and don't keep up with all the changes these days), and I thought it was on a referral basis.
arraus
·Sep 8, 2026 at 3:19 PM · EditedMentors only need to answer 25 questions every quarter (3 months). Most do much more than that... but it's not a HUGE commitment and helps so many.
I encourage anyone that can help others, be empathetic and patient, and provide accurate responses (can skip what you don't know) to apply!!!
BE A MENTOR!! :-)
https://community.ebay.com/forum/about-the-community-57910/topic/community-mentor-program-463426/
mam98031
·Sep 8, 2026 at 8:56 PMAnswering those questions is NOT the only requirement to be a mentor. There is a difference between becoming a Mentor and retaining the Mentor's status. I do however agree with you that answering questions out in the regular community or in the AAM is very important.
arraus
·3 weeks ago · EditedYes @mam98031 that's why I included the link with all the information.
It's always good to read the requirements and expectations of the Mentor position.
mam98031
·3 weeks ago@arraus It is public information. Not hidden. It is accessible to everyone, anytime they want to review it as you found out. I'm sorry if I repeated something you previously shared and it rubbed you the wrong way. No disrespect was ever intended. I don't always read all the other posts before posting something in this new format.
gurlcat
·3 weeks ago · Edited@arraus I heard you have to type the word NOT in all-caps at least 75% of the times you use that word.
Just a rumor maybe, I dunno.
mam98031
·Sep 8, 2026 at 8:54 PMYou do not have to be asked, you can apply to be a mentor, if the vetting team feels you are a good candidate, they will then invite you to join and explain the requirements. Not everyone that asks to join will pass vetting, but members such as yourself should be just fine @chapeau-noir . We are not expected to know everything as none of us do. You can be selective on the questions you answer and just do what you are comfortable with.
chapeau-noir
·Sep 9, 2026 at 12:07 AMI was a mentor but quit when I went part-time here. It's really a worthy program!
mam98031
·Sep 9, 2026 at 12:12 AMI think you are hear enough that if you still wanted to, come back. You do help many all the time. I hope you will reconsider.
mam98031
·Sep 8, 2026 at 9:22 PM@adamcartwright What do you think prevents you from being "mentor material"?
adamcartwright
OPSep 9, 2026 at 5:18 AMKnowledge, experience, time... the basics.
mam98031
·3 weeks agoYou have a lot more knowledge than you are giving yourself credit for. And you spend a decent amount of time on the threads, so not much would change there in the time you had available to participate. We all have schedules of some kind to keep and times when we simply aren't available.
simply-the-best-for-you
·3 weeks ago · Edited@adamcartwright FWIW, I disagree. I have been seeing your comments for quite awhile, you are very knowledgable & experience by itself is not a requirement. I'm always impressed with your many correct & well worded answers. That said, I have no insight into whether the time commitment works for you personally, but don't sell yourself short.
adamcartwright
OP3 weeks agoThank you so much!
powell-collectibles
·Sep 8, 2026 at 3:48 PMEven though I was invited, I wouldn’t be a mentor. It really is just a bad system. The mentors are fine usually. But I think that a variety of opinions in input is what people want and need. And people that come to the ask a mentor board might have the misconception that they’re dealing with experienced sellers. It is so often the opposite – you don’t need any real experience in buying or selling to be a mentor. I wish they would just rename the board something like “policy clerk“ and that would give people a reasonable idea of who is responding.
mam98031
·Sep 8, 2026 at 9:02 PMThe AAM is NOT just for sellers. It is for Buyers too. And as I've explained to you before, not all Mentors use their main selling or buying ID to post in the Community. You do NOT know if the system is "bad" as you have never been a part of it. You are assuming it is "bad" because of your personal opinions, not the facts of the program, which you can not know unless you are a Mentor or have been a Mentor.
I get it that you are entrenched in your opinion of this program, but it doesn't change the facts. All mentor's are vetted and all mentors are experience with Ebay whether a buyer or a seller or both.
All members have the option of posting a question here in the Community to ask all participating members for their advice or opinions, or they can go to the AAM and specifically talk with Mentor's. That is a CHOICE each can make for themselves. There is NOTHING that prevents a member from asking the Community at large for their take on whatever situation they have.
powell-collectibles
·Sep 8, 2026 at 9:24 PMThere isn’t a requirement of significant buying or selling experience. Just forum, participation and that you understand policy. That’s it. Mentors they are not. Policy clerks. Nothing wrong with it – some people need a good policy clerk every once in a while. Gurus or mentors or highly experienced in buying and selling you don’t have to be to be a mentor at eBay.
mam98031
·Sep 8, 2026 at 10:35 PMI understand that you don't think some Mentors are qualified to be mentors. I get that and I'm not trying to argue that point as you are entitled to your opinion, I completely respect that. However you have no experience inside the program and I do for many years. I can say with great clarity that the current active mentors are well versed on the rules and help many members on a daily basis. Your opinion being of the opposite changes nothing. The facts are what they are. I can speak to this with years of experience in the program, you can not.
https://community.ebay.com/forum/about-the-community-57910/topic/community-mentor-program-463426/
Here are the boxes you need to check to become a Mentor:
Active eBay buyer or seller
Post frequently in the Community
Positive Community participant for more than 6 months
Willing to mentor others
All Mentors must agree to follow both the Community and Mentor Guidelines
A Non-Disclosure Agreement will be required due to receiving eBay behind the scenes information
During the vetting process, the team can tell if the member has a good handle on the rules and guidelines from what they post and how their account or accounts are doing in regards to the requirements / rules of Ebay.
You are absolutely correct, someone that is very versed in how Ebay works for both buying and selling do not have to be a Mentor. It is a voluntary group of members that have made the choice to spend some of their personal time trying to help other members. Again a choice. No right or wrong answer.
simply-the-best-for-you
·3 weeks agoI just want to add, for anyone considering becoming a Mentor, a thorough knowledge of eBay policy is NOT a requirement. eBay policy changes regularly! I've been here for 29 years & on the boards since they started, there have been more policy changes than any 1 human being could possibly keep up with!
Some of us are really good with policy & some of us are really good at looking up policy lol (me) but we each have strengths in certain areas. Some questions delve deep into the technical side of things & we have several mentors who excel in that area, others are great at keeping it simple & concise, which is an advantage on the AAM board where the users are mostly new & can be easily overwhelmed with too much information, yet others are experts on some of the unfortunate fraud situations, some know eBay Motors very well, others eBay Live. We also can easily network when we know a particular question would be best answered by a different Mentor who has special knowledge in one area.
It's a robust & well rounded group who each have in a variety of areas & there are definitely those amongst us who are not policy experts or even policy quoters. We have a lot of freedom in how, when & why we respond.