| eBay is the world's largest online auction site, with over | | | | Now auctions. If you don't mind waiting until the auction |
| a billion new listings in 2006. Finding exactly what you | | | | is over, or if you just enjoy the thrill of winning an |
| want can sometimes be a nightmare. There are many | | | | auction, then stick with the Auction format. |
| ways you can compose your search keywords, and | | | | There are ways to limit your results to 'Buy It Now' |
| filter the results to give you the best results, so you | | | | auctions during your search. Use the Search Options |
| can get the best bargains. Your goal should be to get | | | | mentioned in Tip # or even to select regular auctions |
| the highest number of relevant results in your | | | | or Buy It Now auctions from some results you have |
| searches, so that you can either bid on, or purchase | | | | already created. Choose the appropriate results tab |
| the item you're looking for at the cheapest price. | | | | directly above the search results to pick either |
| Unfortunately it is not always easy to zero in on | | | | 'Auctions' or 'Buy It Now' listings. |
| exactly the item you are looking for. Many auction titles | | | | Tips |
| that are not exactly what you are looking for may | | | | 1) Choosing your keywords |
| contain the keywords that you have chosen to search | | | | Choose descriptive keywords, but not so many that |
| on. Also, many sellers use the strategy that if you are | | | | you limit your results. When you enter a list of |
| looking for one item, you may also be interested in | | | | keywords, eBay searches for auction titles that |
| similar items. In a search for a 1969 red corvette you | | | | contain all of the keywords that you specify. |
| may get back results such as: | | | | 2) Search in specific categories related to the item |
| - jacket with 1969 red corvette emblem | | | | you're looking for. |
| - hot wheels 1969 red corvette car | | | | 3) Structure your keywords and choose keyword |
| - 1969 red corvette key chain | | | | operators to tweak the search results. For example, |
| - 1970 blue corvette not 1969 not redeBay searches | | | | use "xbox 360 console" (with quotes) instead of xbox |
| return auctions that contain the keywords you specify. | | | | 360console (no quotes) to get more specific results. |
| As you can see, several auctions contain the '1969 red | | | | Use parens to designate a search for one term OR |
| corvette' keywords, but are not actually selling a 1969 | | | | another. For example, using the keywords |
| red corvette. Using the tips below, you should be able | | | | (ps3,playstation 3) console searches for ps3 console |
| to produce search results in eBay that mainly contain | | | | and playstation 3 console |
| the item you are looking for. There will always be | | | | 4) Negate keywords to remove unwanted auction |
| some extra "relevant" items that show up in your | | | | results. |
| search results, but our goal is to minimize those items. | | | | Use the dash option to remove auctions containing |
| Remember, your goal is to get the highest number of | | | | certain keywords. For example, searching on xbox |
| accurate search results, so that you can select from | | | | 360 console -"playstation 3" removes any auctions |
| the lowest price available, or get several chances to | | | | containing playstation 3 from your search results. |
| win auctions at the price that you are willing to pay. | | | | 5) Use sorting options to filter your results. Some of |
| There are 3 formats for eBay auctions; 1) the | | | | the sorting options are Price - lowest first, Time: Ending |
| traditional auction, 2) a Buy It Nowauction, and 3) | | | | soonest, Best Match, and Location. |
| Classified Ads. I will only be discussing types 1 and 2. In | | | | Using these tips, you can more quickly find the most |
| a traditional auction format, the highest bidder wins the | | | | cost effective auctions that are selling what you're |
| item. In a Buy It Now auction, the seller sets a fixed | | | | looking for. For more detail on these tips, more tips, |
| price, and buyers may instantly purchase the item for | | | | search examples and illustrations, check out the free |
| that price. If you're in a hurry to get your item, you'll | | | | eBook "The Beginners Guide to Searching eBay". |
| want to find auctions ending soon, or shop in Buy It | | | | |