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Last Post May 12, 2009 6:23 PM by: checkers@ebay.com
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roblinsgarage
Posts: 1,854

New EbayMotors Search Tutorial Thread

Apr 15, 2009 11:12 AM
New EBM Search Tutorial Dicussion

I thought I'd start this so we can talk about contructive ways to search and find what we want on the New EBM.

Keep your negative comments off this thread (there's plenty more topics for that). Those of us that plan to stay need to work with what we have. Period.

If you're having trouble completing your searches, post what you want to search and we'll see if we can find a good way to make it work.

Here's my thoughts:

1) Use the Main Search Bar at the Top of EbayMotors for searching; not the "What are you looking for?" box. It's too confusing and there are too many dropdowns.

2) Unless you are search for parts or a full-size vehicle, search using the model name (don't search Chevrolet when you want Camaro) but search Chevrolet if you want Biscayne

3) If your are looking for a specific part that you know fits multiple years, try it use the two-digit year of the first or last applicable year (ie if you want a 1949-54 Ford Clutch, search 49 Ford Clutch or 54 Ford Clutch) as these will most likely be in the title; but maybe not the middle years.

4) Make sure you are searching for the commonly used term. Is it a door rubber or a door gasket or a door seal? Perform a generic search on the alternatives without a model/year to see the number of returns to find out how most sellers are listing them

5) Start your searches generic and move more and more detailed to narrow your search. If you are looking for a Generator for a 1956-61 Corvette, searching on Corvette Generator may narrow the results enought without entering any years.

6) Spelling Counts. Make sure you're searching for a Distributor not a Distributer!!!

7) Avoid search words that can be presented in many different ways (eg A/C vs AC vs Air-Conditioning vs Air Conditioning vs Air-Cond, etc)

8) Don't forget you can search on title AND description. If you know the part number, a description search may pick it up if a seller has included that information; especially in the new item specifics fields

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Roblin's Garage - Classic Auto Salvage
Demorestville, Ontario, CANADA
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jkjb84
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Re: New EbayMotors Search Tutorial Thread

Apr 15, 2009 4:12 PM
:O
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mr-ed43
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Re: New EbayMotors Search Tutorial Thread

Apr 15, 2009 6:09 PM
OK,
1997 Nissan SX240 Brakes simple search:
Zero items found.........................

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roblinsgarage
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Re: New EbayMotors Search Tutorial Thread

Apr 15, 2009 6:22 PM
Simple.

Refer to point number 6 above. The model is 240SX; not SX240.....

25 matches found / 25 store matches found searching on '97 240SX brake pads'

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Roblin's Garage - Classic Auto Salvage
Demorestville, Ontario, CANADA
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mr-ed43
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Re: New EbayMotors Search Tutorial Thread

Apr 15, 2009 7:01 PM
OK,
Here we go:
1997 nissan 240sx brakes: ZERO results till you scroll down...........

Link

Why would a buyer have to jump thru hoops to find something?
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wizard85
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Re: New EbayMotors Search Tutorial Thread

Apr 16, 2009 1:47 AM
try this one

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wizard85
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Re: New EbayMotors Search Tutorial Thread

Apr 16, 2009 1:49 AM
I don't know how long it will work with the changes but this is what I put in

(1997,97) (nissan,datsun) (240sx,240 sx,sx240,240 sx) (brakes,pads,disc,brake,shoe,shoes)


the spaces between the 240 & sx can make a big difference ..
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atikovi
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Re: New EbayMotors Search Tutorial Thread

Apr 16, 2009 3:34 AM
I've found that the * is your biggest friend when it comes to searching.
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roblinsgarage
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Re: New EbayMotors Search Tutorial Thread

Apr 16, 2009 5:42 AM
> OK,
> Here we go:
> 1997 nissan 240sx brakes: ZERO results till you scroll down...........
>
> Link
>
> Why would a buyer have to jump thru hoops to find something?

Point #3 above. Use the 2-digit year to search instead of the 4-digit year. That's how I got the multiple results in core and you did not.

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roblinsgarage
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Re: New EbayMotors Search Tutorial Thread

Apr 16, 2009 5:44 AM
> I don't know how long it will work with the changes but this is what I put in
>
> (1997,97) (nissan,datsun) (240sx,240 sx,sx240,240 sx) (brakes,pads,disc,brake,shoe,shoes)
>
>
> the spaces between the 240 & sx can make a big difference ..
=============
That also is VERY effective

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corndog2
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Re: New EbayMotors Search Tutorial Thread

Apr 16, 2009 5:47 AM
Good thread Roblin. But my question is what about the 'badillions' of folks that do not come here. And also, the regulars posting here are still finding it cumbersome and difficult and we know more than the average bear! :O

I always start my search for car related things from the regular core Ebay site. It is waaay less cluttery and easier to figure out where to type what you're looking for, with no hidden drop downs, and things to remember to do. Much simpler.
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roblinsgarage
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Re: New EbayMotors Search Tutorial Thread

Apr 16, 2009 5:55 AM
I'm doing this for my own selfish reasons.....I SELL HERE!!!

If the regulars can get comfortable.........and the lurkers can read and understand the information as well........an awareness will slowly filter back to the user base.

Plus I'm convinced that with a few adjustments in the way people search, we can help a lot of people here.

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Demorestville, Ontario, CANADA
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mr-ed43
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Re: New EbayMotors Search Tutorial Thread

Apr 16, 2009 6:14 AM
Roblin,
I can find what I'm looking for, I've gotten used to the
B/S.
I'm approaching this from a casual Buyer's point of view. One that gets a price from the parts store and
decides to check on eBay to see if he can save any money.
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bizzarrt
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Re: New EbayMotors Search Tutorial Thread

Apr 16, 2009 7:03 AM
In regards to "Advanced Search"

After "Enter Keyword or Item#"

You only have 2 checkbox choices
search title AND description
show completed items

It sure would be a bonust to add 2 more boxes
And seperate search title AND descripion
search title
description

As I see it now if you were able to just use keyword search in the description ONLY?
things may? be somewhat easier to find?

Same goes for core Advanced search.


I was looking for a cordless phone "without answering machine" or "no answering machine".

Search results hundreds and hundreds and of course ALL had answering machines:_|

If I was able to search by description ONLY?
I know I would be able find a few without wading through who knows how many pages?:|

Thats my positive 2 cents.
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bizzarrt
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Re: New EbayMotors Search Tutorial Thread

Apr 16, 2009 9:45 AM
Just to clarify I guess?
In regards to an advanced search by "description".

I'm rather aZZuming what is meant by that is,
"description" means the item description?

The information that the seller has put in the item description?
Is that what is meant by that?

Seems like the more I learn, the less I know?
And the more confused I get?:|

I dunno but,
the older version searching sure seemed to be a lot easier to me?

Whether it be Core or Motors.
I still have piece of blank paper next to me and write down as many words related that I can think of and then its pretty much a process of elimination?
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