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Using eBay's Saved Search Feature

rosachs by rosachs

(or: How I Use eBay As My Own Personal Shopper!)

We've all done it - searched on eBay for that 'just right' something, only to find we've spent a lot of time and not really found what we were looking for - except in the SOLD column!!  Who's got the time to do that, day after day, week after week, trying to find 'just right' is a vast ocean of 'nearly so's'?

You don't have to, you know.  Spend all that time running searches every day, that is.  You can let eBay do it for you... while you just sit back and enjoy the fruits of eBay's labors.  Sound too good to be true?  It might... if it weren't for the fact that smart eBay shoppers do it every day, and have been doing so for years!!

 Like to find out how?  Read on.....

Search tip #1 - Using Saved Searches, Standard Method.

(or: My eBay Favorite Searches - Friend Of The Time Challenged)

Did you know that you can save your Search criteria and recall it again later? No more having to write down all the search terms used, as well at the 'plus this' and 'minus that' stuff. Nope. Just save your search and let eBay do the remembering!!

Never done it before? It's easy!
  • Perform your Search. Do your search just as you would any other time. Enter your search key words, along with any special modifiers and whatever (I'm not trying to teach how to use Search, just how to use it better).
  • Save Your Search. On the results page, just above the column headers, is a link titled, oddly enough, "Save this search". :) Click this to save your search criteria to your My eBay Favorite Searches list.
  • That's It! Honest! You can title your search whatever makes sense to help you recall it later, but that's really all it takes. Simple, eh? :)

    To use your Search, just click on the "Searches" link, under "All Favorites", about half way down the My eBay Views menu on the far left of any My eBay page. Select your desired search from the presented list and away you go!

A Few Other Lenses of Interest

(or: There Are More Secrets For Savvy Buyers!)

I've created many eBay-related lenses over the past few years, many based on my own experiences as a Trading Assistant and PowerSeller, but many also for Buyers or anyone interested in making better use of eBay. Below I've listed a few of my more interesting lenses related to buying on eBay -- stop by an check them out, and don't forget to Favorite and Thumbs Up if you like them! :)
Using eBay Best Offer To Make The eBay Sale!
eBay's Best Offer feature is probably one of the best ways to get a great deal on items offered for sale. Best Offer is 'Seller optional', so it may not be on every listing, but when it is, you have an opportunity to SAVE! While this lens is directed to Sellers, it does help educate Buyers as well.
10 Easy Ways To Fail At Selling On eBay
This is a VERY tongue-in-cheek look at things sellers can do wrong when trying to sell on eBay. I've seen so many "how to succeed" lenses that I felt it was time for a "how to fail" look.... but please understand, this is satirical humor, it's not meant as a how-to guide! :)
A Buyer's Guide to eBay's Detailed Seller Ratings.
This lens is hoped to help Buyers understand why eBay Sellers get so worked up over DSR (Details Seller Rating) scores -- and what the scores really mean to the sellers. I also offer a quick-n-easy guide to helping you decide just what score a seller has earned, one you both can live with. Look for this one to show up soon!

Blatant Advertising For My eBay Stuff!

(or: Crass Marketing Has It's Place... And This Is IT!)

A lot of my 'regulars' always seem to know just when I've posted shoes that they might be interested in... and many of them are using Saved Searches. Try it yourself -- a quick search thru my store, then set up a Saved Search and have eBay email you for the next 30 days.... and see how easy it is!
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Search Tip #2 - How To NOT Run Your Search Every Day!

(or: How To Get eBay To Do The Searching For You!)

"But Bob... I don't want to have to run those searches every day! I don't always have time -- between kids, spouse, house, job, social groups, family activities, sporting events... there just aren't always enough hours in the day!"

Fear Not... and read on!
  • Remember when you were saving your search... there was an option, automatically checked, to have eBay send you an email every day with new listings that match your criteria? There's your answer!
  • By checking the email option, eBay will send you one email a day on any day where at least one new listing was posted that matched your search criteria. Which means you'll never miss a new item!! Well...
  • You -might- miss a new item IF the seller listed it with a Buy It Now and someone else saw and purchased it before your email was received. But here's a secret: In the past couple of years that I've been using Saved Searches, this has only happened to me a couple of times... and never on a "only one on eBay" item. So I never really 'missed' anything... just that one thing.

More Lenses of Interest

(or: Hopefully Not WTMI About Me...)

These lenses are fun diversions that I thought would be interesting. Some were created long ago, but not in a galaxy far away, when Squidoo was young and we were all learning. Others are more recent, and hopefully a bit more interesting. :)
Squished Pennies... Not Just For Kids Anymore!
I've been 'collecting' elongated coins (otherwise commonly known as 'stretched pennies' or 'squished pennies') since I was old enough to turn the handle on the old manual machines at our city zoo. Over the years, my interest has come and gone -- I'd go years without adding a single coin.....
Wish Niks - You Just Can't Keep A Good Troll Down!
As a child of the 50's, I can remember many rainy days spent cutting felt clothes for my trolls with my brother and sister. We'd sew on tiny beads for buttons - most 'outfits' consisted of just a tunic that covered everything needing covering, and was easy enough for our young fingers to cut out.....
Godzilla! KIng of the B-Movie Monsters!
Back before cable TV... back before Satellite TV... even back before Color TV... there were long, dreary, rainy Saturdays that had to be endured. What's a kid to do?Godzilla>/b>Yep... Godzilla would save the day! He was just enough Monster to give us a scare, but not so much that we'd....
Trans Siberian Orchestra - Start A New Christmas Tradition!
Trans Siberian Orchestra (TSO) has been compared to Led Zepplin meets A Christmas Carol -- it's a musical treat and a stage show that simply must be experienced to be understood.I first took my wife to a TSO performance in Memphis somewhat on a lark - we were looking for something to do together....

How To Earn Cash Back While You Shop!

(or: How I make shopping pay!)

Shopping on eBay is easier with Saved Searches. And it's cheaper when you use BigCrumbs. BigCrumbs lets you earn cash back for doing what you are already doing - shopping on eBay! And it's as easy as logging into BigCrumbs and then clicking over to eBay and shopping like you always do. Want to learn more?

Is This All?

(or: Surely There's More To It Than That!)

Actually, a lot of the rest is just 'bells and whistles' - features that might help refine your search or focus in on listings in your preferred price range. The basics of using a Saved Search are all right here... and it really/truly is just that simple. It's a powerful tool for the buyer who is willing to spend a bit of time creating a useful search, and who is serious about finding/purchasing their "l'objet de désir" (object of desire).

Create a few Saved Searches and try them out for a few days. If you find you are not getting the results you want, either refine the saved search, create a new one, or delete the existing one altogether.

Think of it as learning to ride a bike or skate on ice... you fall down a few times in the beginning, which is not your desired result, but you learn from your mistakes. Soon you're getting around just fine. Whether you continue to become an Olympic competitor is up to you -- I'm just here to help with the basics! :)

eBay Selling-related Lenses

(or: Does This Guy Ever Rest?)

Some of you may be considering selling on eBay, or you may already be trying your hand, hoping to clear out a few closets and put aside a little extra cash. Take a peek as these lenses that relate to my experiences, since 1997, with selling on eBay, starting my business, becoming a Trading Assistant, and making Power Seller and Top Rated Seller. Even if you're just curious, they still make a good read. Enjoy!
Confessions of an eBay PowerSeller
Ever wonder if you could become an eBay PowerSeller - listing things for sale that people from all over the country or all over the world can buy? I did...So let me tell you a little story, and along the way, I'll help you understand a bit more about selling on eBay, becoming a regular seller on eBay...
So You Want To Be An eBay Trading Assistant?
What does it really take to become an eBay Trading Assistant? Maybe not as much as you would think... or perhaps more than you are willing to commit. Come along with me as I relate my personal journey from buying collectibles to Trading Assistant. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll tell your friends....
Successful eBay Selling Basics
No one can GUARANTEE that you will make a fortune on eBay... - so let's forget that and concentrate on something more realistic: What can we do, you and I, do increase our chances of being SUCCESSFUL on eBay? And just what do I mean by 'successful'? Well...For over ten years, I've been learning....

I'm Always Looking For Feedback!

(or: Sharing Information Is How We All Just Learn To Get Along!)

Have a comment, suggestion, or idea? Just want to let me know how great this information was... or what I missed? This is the place to do it!

  • noauctionbids Jul 24, 2010 @ 9:31 pm | delete
    Here are 2 great eBay buying resources that only the best insiders know about. These sites help you hunt down the very best bargains on eBay.
    eBay auctions ending soon with no bids
    and
    Last minute eBay auctions. Auctions ending in less than 1 hr. for less than $1.00!
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rosachs

I've been a member of the eBay community since 1997, a seller since 1999, and a PowerSeller since 2003.  It wasn't always easy, but I'm hoping a few... more »

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