EBay - tips and tricks for an efficient parts search
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| − | + | =Introduction= | |
[http://www.ebay.com eBay] is the world's largest online auction site. With millions of buyers and sellers conducting transactions every month, this site has become a major source of automotive parts, tools, book and memorabilia for many people across the globe. the automotive business on eBay has grown large enough that the website has created a separate section for it called [http://www.motors.ebay.com/ eBay Motors]. | [http://www.ebay.com eBay] is the world's largest online auction site. With millions of buyers and sellers conducting transactions every month, this site has become a major source of automotive parts, tools, book and memorabilia for many people across the globe. the automotive business on eBay has grown large enough that the website has created a separate section for it called [http://www.motors.ebay.com/ eBay Motors]. | ||
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| − | + | =What You Will Learn= | |
This article will serve as a tutorial for those who are not familiar with using some of the advanced features for searching on eBay. These techniques can also be used to search for information on all search engines found online ''(Google, Yahoo!, Bing, Ask.com, etc)''. All tips provided by eBay will be covered in a step-by-step format, complete with images. | This article will serve as a tutorial for those who are not familiar with using some of the advanced features for searching on eBay. These techniques can also be used to search for information on all search engines found online ''(Google, Yahoo!, Bing, Ask.com, etc)''. All tips provided by eBay will be covered in a step-by-step format, complete with images. | ||
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| − | + | =Searching= | |
| − | + | ===Basic Searching: eBay vs eBay Motors=== | |
''Coming soon.'' | ''Coming soon.'' | ||
| − | + | ===Advanced Searching=== | |
According to the eBay website, the '''''Advanced Search''''' is a feature you can use ''"to narrow your search to specific sellers, locations, price ranges, and more. You can also use it to find completed items, eBay Stores, or other members. Once you've got a search you like, you can save it to use again."'' | According to the eBay website, the '''''Advanced Search''''' is a feature you can use ''"to narrow your search to specific sellers, locations, price ranges, and more. You can also use it to find completed items, eBay Stores, or other members. Once you've got a search you like, you can save it to use again."'' | ||
''More Coming Soon.'' | ''More Coming Soon.'' | ||
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| − | ===== | + | ===Boolean Logic: Limiting Search Results using Search Operators=== |
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| + | ====Quotes: " "==== | ||
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| + | :'''''What is it?''''' | ||
:Using quotes in a search limits the results to only the word or phrases placed in the quotes. | :Using quotes in a search limits the results to only the word or phrases placed in the quotes. | ||
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| + | :'''''How Do I Use It?''''' | ||
:Depending on what you are searching for, wrap key words and/or phrases in quotes to narrow down the results. | :Depending on what you are searching for, wrap key words and/or phrases in quotes to narrow down the results. | ||
:''Example:'' '''''"1995" "Impala SS" "LT1" "Hotchkis TVS"''''' ''or'' '''''"1995 Impala SS LT1 Hotchkis TVS"''''' | :''Example:'' '''''"1995" "Impala SS" "LT1" "Hotchkis TVS"''''' ''or'' '''''"1995 Impala SS LT1 Hotchkis TVS"''''' | ||
| − | + | ====Asterisk: *==== | |
| − | + | :'''''What is it?''''' | |
:Described by eBay as "a wild card operator", the asterisk is used to find all items that begin with a certain word. The one rule to using the asterisk is that it cannot be used at the beginning of a query; there must be at least two characters before it. | :Described by eBay as "a wild card operator", the asterisk is used to find all items that begin with a certain word. The one rule to using the asterisk is that it cannot be used at the beginning of a query; there must be at least two characters before it. | ||
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| + | :'''''How Do I Use It?''''' | ||
:''Example:'' Piston* will list results that include anything word that starts with piston: ''piston, pistons, pistonrod, pistonring'' | :''Example:'' Piston* will list results that include anything word that starts with piston: ''piston, pistons, pistonrod, pistonring'' | ||
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| − | + | ====Parentheses: ( )==== | |
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| + | :'''''What is it?''''' | ||
:Parentheses work as an OR operator. | :Parentheses work as an OR operator. | ||
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| + | :'''''How Do I Use It?''''' | ||
:If you are looking for an item that could be described one of two or more ways, or came with two or more features, the put the descriptors in parentheses, separated by comas. | :If you are looking for an item that could be described one of two or more ways, or came with two or more features, the put the descriptors in parentheses, separated by comas. | ||
:''Example:'' '''''4th generation Camaro (lt1, ls1)''''' will list all fourth generations Camaros for sale with either both ''LT1'' or ''LS1'' in the title. | :''Example:'' '''''4th generation Camaro (lt1, ls1)''''' will list all fourth generations Camaros for sale with either both ''LT1'' or ''LS1'' in the title. | ||
| − | + | ====Minus Sign: -==== | |
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| + | :''''What is it?''''' | ||
:The minus sign works as a NOT operator. Using the minus sign in a query removes specific keywords. | :The minus sign works as a NOT operator. Using the minus sign in a query removes specific keywords. | ||
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| − | :''Example:'' '''''2005 Mustang -(V8, Manual)''''' will list all 2005 Mustangs without ''V8'' and ''Manual'' in the title. | + | :'''''How Do I Use It?''''' |
| + | :''Example:'' '''''2005 Mustang -V8''''' will list all results ''(cars and parts)'' for a 2005 Mustang without ''V8'' in the title. | ||
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| + | ====Combining Operators: ( ) * - " "==== | ||
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| + | :''Example:'' '''''2005 Mustang -(V8, Manual)''''' will list all results ''(cars and parts)'' for a 2005 Mustang without ''V8'' and ''Manual'' in the title. | ||
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| + | :''Example:'' '''''200* Mustang -(V8, Manual)''''' will list all results ''(cars and parts)'' for Mustangs made between 2000 and 2009, without ''V8'' and ''Manual'' in the title. | ||
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| + | :''Example:'' '''''200* Mustang -(V8, Manual) (Black, Red)''''' will list all results ''(cars and parts)'' for Mustangs made between 2000 and 2009 in black or red, without ''V8'' and ''Manual'' in the title. | ||
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| + | :''Example:'' '''''200* Mustang -(V8, Manual) (Black, Red) "California Special"''''' will list all results ''(cars and parts)'' for Mustangs made between 2000 and 2009, without ''V8'' and ''Manual'' in the title, but will include ''California Special'' in the title. | ||
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| + | ''More Coming Soon.'' | ||
| − | + | ===Member Suggestions=== | |
''Coming soon.'' | ''Coming soon.'' | ||
| − | + | =Reference= | |
[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/sick-ebay-203293.html sick of ebay] | [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/sick-ebay-203293.html sick of ebay] | ||
:Thread on [http://www.hotrodders.com Hotrodders] forum that inspired this wiki article. It began as a venting session and quickly became filled with lots of good tips and tricks from members. | :Thread on [http://www.hotrodders.com Hotrodders] forum that inspired this wiki article. It began as a venting session and quickly became filled with lots of good tips and tricks from members. | ||
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