There really are great buys out there, you just have to know how to properly search for them.

There are people selling that do not invest a lot of time researching items to list them properly (in order to reach you, the buyer).

You collect widgets (widget is a term many buyers and sellers use to refer to any item).  You know every search term and category in which to search.  But have you considered that someone might be listing the widget of your dreams...the one that you need to complete your collection...in the wrong category with an incorrect description?

Well, it happens every day.  John Doe (or Jane Doe) Seller goes to an auction, flea market, or estate sale. They come upon this widget. They ask about it. Here are a variety of phrases people use to sell their items to the potential buyer - and soon to be seller on ebay (and I hear these on a regular basis):

• "That's really old"
• "It's vintage" 
• "That's an antique"
• "That belonged to my great great XXX(any relative here)"
• "That is a very valuable collectible"

The buyer (and soon to be seller of the widget on ebay) goes home and tries half-heartedly to do some research...but they don't find anything...and this can be for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the markings on the widget are not legible. Perhaps the description they are using is misspelled and they are not getting any results. Perhaps they are searching in a category and cannot find one to match theirs.  So, what they will do is post it in a category they find to be appropriate (in their opinion) and use the descriptive terms given to them by the person they bought it from (really old, vintage, etc).

To find your great deal, there will be some time you will need to invest, but it can be well worth the effort.

Suppose you were to come upon this "widget of your dreams" and you were not knowlegable about these things.  How would you describe it?  What is the color & shape?  Suppose I were to try to find such a widget for you...how would you describe to me?

Okay, now do searches using these keywords...search in title & description. Don't narrow your search to a category because you could be potentially finding this widget in a "lot" with some other items that may be similar, but of far less value.

If this widget of your dreams were to be found with a group of items, where might it be?  For example, let's say you collect an antique item which has to do with sewing.  There are many antique sewing items that even I am unfamiliar with...and have spent hours researching to find out.  But if there is a seller that is lacking the time or experience to do the necessary research, they may just list it with the "large lot of vintage sewing" stuff.  This is just an example and can be found in many categories and for many different types of antiques & collectibles (especially ones that only have one marking and are unfamiliar to most people).

If you are trying to find the "deal of a lifetime" at a yard sale, estate sale, or flea market...you're always hoping that you find someone that "does not know what they have" or "does not know the value of what they have". Apply that same theory on ebay. There ARE sellers that do not know what they have or the value...but that means they do not know how to properly describe. If you're searching by a very refined search term & category, then your seller already has a knowlege (even if very limited) enough to list it properly and hope for a good "ebay market" selling price.

So, you're the expert on these items.  Use your expertise to find those great deals that you can boast about later. 

And as I always remind people...be sure to check the feedback rating for your seller & only do business with people that you feel comfortable are trustworthy.