This is by no means a comprehensive guide on buying restaurant equipment on eBay.  However, it should be a good starting place and something for us to build on with future guides.  This part of the guide is all about finding the actual unit you're looking for.

You've seen them.  I've seen them.  We've all clicked on them... links promising restaurant equipment for mere hundreds of dollars.  You're in the market for new equipment at a wholesale price, but you often find a wholesale price on a "like new" or "barely used" unit.  Well, that just won't cut it when a manufacturer's warranty is on the line!  How can you be sure you're actually finding a new piece of equipment?

To state the obvious, you should read the titles and listings!  If the title of the auction doesn't include the word new, open it up and see what the product description says.  If you're still in doubt, contact the seller, but a legitimate seller is going to tell you when an item is used.  Look for warehousing information or notes regarding a warranty.  Most equipment warranties are non-transferable, so an auction that doesn't mention the warranty may not be shipping new equipment.

To find auctions for new equipment, you should use the manufacturer's model number or series number.  For example, ice machines like Manitowoc have a series number that may be altered to represent different ice options.  Use the series number, because an auction for that series will most likely be good for any of the variations.  You should include dashes in your search as well: Q-210 example search.

To find a model number, you should start with the manufacturer's home page.  There you can usually find existing products and specification sheets for the manufacturer's entire product line.  For example, you might go to truemfg.com to find a listing of True equipment when you're looking to buy a new stainless steel fridge!  Well, going there will turn up the model number T-49 which you can then use to search eBay: T-49 example search.  If the search results are too broad, you should include the manufacturer's name in the search as well: True T-49 example search.

Using the manufacturer and model number you will turn up a lot better results, particularly for new equipment, when searching instead of using keywords like "2 door refrigerator."