How to Search for a Specific Item on eBay

Searching, unlike browsing, implies that you know beforehand what you are looking for. For example, rather than browse through sports memorabilia, you can search directly for a Mark McGuire autographed baseball. eBay offers many advanced options to ensure that your search is as specific and productive as possible. Understanding how to use eBay’s search engine will help you access the items you are looking for without having to filter through pages of unwanted items.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access
• Computer

1. Visit eBay. The eBay homepage is full of popular items, seasonal gifts, and basic information on eBay’s services. The Search window is also centrally located at the top of the homepage. This is where you will begin.

2. Input your search word or words into the blank search box on the left. The box to the right of this will be full of categories to help you narrow your search.

3. To the right of the two search boxes is a link for “Advanced Search” options. Clicking on this link will open up several different boxes that will allow you to limit your search.

4. Review the results. Your search has brought you many pages of results. Depending on what you are looking for, you may have one, two or hundreds of pages to wade through. The current bid, name of seller and time remaining will be listed next to the name of the item.

5. Narrow the results. You can narrow these pages and pages of results by sorting them in order by price and time remaining. When you have chosen the sorting process, hit “Enter,” and the results will be reorganized.

6. If your search ends with no results, eBay gives you one last option to find what you are looking for. You can create a “Want It Now” posting. These postings alert the millions of eBay users to the fact that you are searching for a particular item.

Tips & Warnings

• Spelling matters when searching for items on eBay. However, sometimes sellers misspell the item that they are auctioning, causing eBay searches to overlook them completely. Purposely misspelling words in your search box can lead you to auctions that few other bidders are aware of.
• When organizing your search results by price, you can have them listed from highest to lowest or from lowest to highest.
• Searching for auctions that are ending within the next few minutes will give you the opportunity to sneak in and place a last second winning bid.
• Always make sure to check the feedback and rating of the seller before committing to any bids. Someone with a history of unsatisfied or angry customers is probably not the seller you are looking for.