1. Check out the eBay Sitemap
If you’re not sure exactly what you’re looking for but you have a vague idea, the eBay Sitemap is a good place to start. It lays out each category eBay has to offer, from books to cell phone accessories and everything in between. It may spark some specific interests, which you can then hone in on.2. Utilize Advanced Search
Narrowing down the parameters of your search can save you a lot of time. Take advantage of advanced search to find what you’re truly looking for. Simply click on “Advanced” to the right of the search bar to see more in-depth search options. You can then narrow down your search by category, price range, buying format, and much more.3. Include descriptions in the results
In the advanced search, you’ll have the option to include descriptions in your search results. By utilizing this feature, you’ll broaden your search possibilities immensely. This is especially useful if you’re searching based on descriptors, as those words may not be included in the title.4. Set up alerts for certain searches
Save yourself some precious time by setting up alerts for your most frequent searches. If you’re an avid collector, this tip on how to search on eBay will be especially helpful. Once you follow a certain search term, you can then opt to receive emails when new items are listed. That way, rather than doing the searching yourself, the search results can come to you.5. Don’t forget typos
This tip may be counterintuitive, but it can score you some truly amazing deals. Each listing on eBay is posted by an individual, meaning there’s room for human error—in other words, typos can be quite common. Avoid missing out on a high-quality or rare item by searching common typos of the item you’re on the hunt for. Those listings will have much less traffic, so you may score a truly great deal.6. Order is important
With the massive number of listings on eBay, it’s virtually impossible to crawl through every relevant result. Tailor each list to your own needs with the sorting feature. Results are automatically ranked by “best match,” but you can adjust the settings to populate according to the price point, the seller’s distance from you, and the item’s condition. That way, you won’t even have to search through results outside those parameters.While eBay’s listings can be daunting at first glance, searching can be a breeze with the right techniques. Make the most of this incredible website with skillful searching—you may just find your new favorite thing.