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