Now people in Cross Gates and Wetherby are being given the chance to 'Learn how to eBay', thanks to a series of classes run by Park Lane College.
The site is one of a number of online auctioneers – including the YEP's own 24-7 – enabling people to profit from their unwanted goods.
Tutors Rosemary Hill and Pat Kelly introduced the course, which consists of two sessions over a fortnight, to help people get to grips with the global phenomenon.
In the first 'Learn how to eBay' class, students find out how to log on and how to buy items and during the second, they learn how to sell their own unwanted possessions – making a bit of money in the process.
Childhood
Two courses have already been held at Park Lane Wetherby, with the third starting today.
A course also starts at the college's Cross Gates centre tomorrow.
Christine Solomon is a graduate from a previous course and since getting to grips with the site has bought 14 cuddly toy 'Clangers' because they remind her of her childhood.
In her very first session at Park Lane Wetherby she entered into a bidding war for one of the iconic toys - and came out victorious with the help of her tutor.
She said: "You get a real adrenalin rush when you start bidding and then win the item.
"I was an eBay success the first time and then it became an addiction!"
Amandeep Srao, 31, begins the course at Park Lane Wetherby today and said she was looking forward to clearing out her closets and making some money.
She said: "I've been hearing about eBay from everyone and I was quite interested in the process so thought I'd try it and see what it's like.
"I've got quite a few things in the loft that will be coming out now - I might become a millionnaire!"
Course tutor Rosemary Hill added: "I discovered eBay when I was collecting china and then my husband got hooked on it.
"The whole idea is really to take the mystery out of it and to give our learners the confidence to have a go themselves."
l Got an item you want to sell?
The home page of the YEP's website www.leedstoday.net can link you to our 24-7 auction site.
suzanne.mctaggart @ypn.co.uk

Factfile
piece of the auction
£18.6bn worth of merchandise was sold on eBay in 2004 – equivalent to the GDP of Cuba
By March 2005, 147.1m people were registered users
An angry Newcastle United fan once put star player Kieron Dyer for sale

10 of the most unusual items sold:
A Gulfstream plane sold for $4.9m (£2.7m), the most expensive item
The ball with which David Beckham missed the penalty in Euro 2004, £18,700
Lady Thatcher's handbag, £103,000
Max the Mammoth prehistoric skeleton £61,000
Joanna Lumley's Ferrari, £35,000
Decommissioned nuclear bunker, £14,000
A date with Penny Smith (GMTV presenter), £9,000
David Beckham's Range Rover, £24,000
Ronan Keating's leather trousers, £5,000
Bradford City FA Cup Final 1911 medal, £26,201
Jamie Oliver's scooter, £7,600
Wedding dress (modelled by ex-husband), £2,125