Searching: The Powerful Way to Find Things

You could browse through the merchandise categories listed on eBay's home page, as I just described, but given the huge number of categories, this might take forever and a dayand, besides, you're never quite sure whether all sellers have picked the right categories for their merchandise. (Does a Batman statue belong in the Collectibles: Comics: Figurines category or the Toys & Hobbies: Action Figures: Batman category?) In most cases, a better solution is to use eBay's built-in search engine.

Using eBay's Basic Search Function

eBay's home page has a simple search box, shown in Figure 7.4, which works fine for simple searches. Just enter one or more keywords that describe what you're looking for, click the Search button, and view your results. It's pretty easy.

Figure 7.4. Simple searching from eBay's home page.

Using the Find It Now Page

More sophisticated searches can be had when you click the Advanced Search link below the home page Search box. This takes you to the Find Items page, shown in Figure 7.5. From here you can:

• Search by keyword, same as you can from the simple Search box

• Restrict your search to a specific category

• Search by both title and description

• Search completed listings only

• Sort your results by time, price, distance, or payment method

• Personalize how you want your search results displayed

Figure 7.5. More sophisticated searching from the Find Items page.

You can also click the links at the left side of the page to perform different types of searches. You can search by seller, by buyer, or by item number. You can also search for items in eBay Stores, or search for specific Stores. In addition, you can search for other eBay members, or search for a Trading Assistant in your area. Just click the link to perform a specific search.

Using the Expanded Find It Now Page

The Find Items page isn't the last word in eBay searches. When you click the Advanced Search link on the Find Items page (not to be confused with the similar link on eBay's home page), the Find Items page expands to include more options, as shown in Figure 7.6. In addition to the options present on the normal Find It Now page, this page offers the following advanced search functions:

• Choose to search for all the words in a query, any of the words in a query, an exact phrase, or an exact match for the query

  Tip

  

  I particularly like searching completed auctions onlya great way to get a handle on final selling prices for various types of items. Note that you can also opt to display completed items after you've initiated a search; when the Items Matching page appears, go to the Display section at the left side of the page, and then click the Completed Items link. When you're done looking at the completed items, click the View Active Items link to return to the current auctions.

  
  

• Exclude specific words from the results of a search

• Narrow your search to items within a specific price range

• Include or exclude items from specific sellers, or from your Favorite Sellers

• Narrow your search to items located in or available to specific countries outside the U.S.

• Limit your results to items located a specified distance from where you live

• Limit your results to items listed in a specific currency

• Search for items offered in multiple quantities or lots

• Narrow your search to items offered with the Buy It Now option

• Limit your results to items that can be paid for via PayPal

• Show only those items that have a Get It Fast option (that is, sellers that offer expedited shipping)

• Show only those items that display a Gift icon

• Display only those items from sellers who donate part of their proceeds to charity, via eBay's Giving Works program

  Note

  

  eBay's Get It Fast program helps you find items that you can pay for and receive quickly. An item with the Get It Fast option will ship within one business day of your cleared payment. Pay via PayPal to further expedite your purchase.

  
  

• Show only those items (in the Real Estate category) that have ad format listings, as opposed to traditional auction listings

• Limit your search to items ending within a specified time period

• Display only those items that have a specified number of bids

Figure 7.6. Even more search options on the Advanced Search page.

Whewthat's a lot of options! The bottom line is that you can use the expanded Find It Now page to conduct very targeted searches, using just about any criteria you can think of. Given the huge number of items listed on eBay on any given day, this ability to generate more targeted results is welcome.

Fine-Tuning Your Search Results

When you click the Search button (any Search button, that is), eBay searches its current auction listings and generates a list of auctions that match your search query. In addition to the matching listings on the right side of the page, the left side of the search results page displays a list of matching categories, as well as the Search Options section shown in Figure 7.7. You can use these options to narrow your results to show only those auctions that match some or all of the following criteria:

• Items listed for shipment in the U.S. only, in North America, or worldwide

• Items located a specified distance from your location

• Items listed with the PayPal payment option

• Buy It Now items

• Get It Fast items

• Completed listings

• Gift items

• Items listed as lots (multiple quantities)

• Listings ending within a specified time period

• Items selling within a specified price range

Figure 7.7. Narrowing down your search results with Search Options.

Select the options you want then click the Show Items button. eBay now filters the search results to match the new criteria you selected.

Complex Searchesfor Simpler Results

Whichever search page you choose to use, you can generate better results by using special commands and operators in your search queries. Table 7.3 lists the commands you can use when searching on eBay.

Table 7.3. eBay Search Commands

To Do This	Use This Command	Example
Search for part of a word	word*	bat*
Search for either word	(word1, word2)	(batman, robin)(NOTE: Do not include spaces after the comma.)
Search for an exact phrase	"word1 word2 word3"	"batman pez dispenser"
Must exclude a word	-word	batman-pez
Must exclude two or more words	-(word1, word2)	-(batman, robin)

Note that eBay automatically assumes that you want to search for items that match all the words in your query. This is the equivalent of inserting a Boolean AND between all the words in your query; a query for batman robin essentially looks for items that match "batman" AND "robin."

Saving Your Searchesand Receiving Notification of New Matching Items

You've taken the time to create a complex search. You figure you'll want to repeat that search at some point in the future, to keep looking for the items you want. You don't want to reenter the query every time you perform the search.

What do you do?

Caution

If you're an experienced searcher, you're probably used to using Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT, and so on) to fine-tune your query. Well, forget your ANDs and NOTs; eBay doesn't permit the use of Boolean operators in its search function. In fact, if you enter Boolean operators in your query, eBay will treat them as keywordsand search for them!

When it comes to repeating your searches, eBay makes it easy. All Items Matching pages (which display your search results) include an Add to Favorite Searches link, at the top right of the page. Click this link, and eBay displays the Add to My Favorite Searches page, shown in Figure 7.8.

Figure 7.8. Save common searches for use later.

From here, you can opt to save this search as a new search or use it to replace an existing saved search; give the search a name; and have eBay email you whenever new items are listed for sale that match your search criteria. Click the Save Search button to save the search, which will now be listed on the All Favorites tab of your My eBay page, as shown in Figure 7.9.

Figure 7.9. Saved searches on your My eBay page.

The last option available on the Add to My Favorite Searches page bears special mention. This option instructs eBay to automatically notify you when new items that match your saved search come up for auction. Just check this option and select a time period to keep watching (from 7 day to 12 months); eBay will send you an email (one a day) when new items that match your search criteria come up for auction. The email contains links for each new item in your search; click a link to open your web browser and display the matching item.

"Mike Sez"

eBay's email notification service is a great tool for active eBay bidders or for anyone searching for that elusive item. I love having eBay tell me when it has something for me, rather than having to log on and do a manual search every day. I highly recommend this service!