The FIRST STEP to WINNING the ITEMS YOU WANT is KNOWING HOW to FIND the ITEMS YOU WANT ~  

I am happy to provide a series of Guides on successful eBay techniques.  Look for all my Guides, provided by

The Winged Phoenix

One of the most important things buyers want to learn about eBay is how they can find "hidden gems" on eBay, and increase their odds of winning auctions.  I have a few suggestions, based on my years of experience on eBay.  These methods work, and I share them with you so you, too, can increase your odds of finding and winning eBay auctions.

1.  First, use a broad search for the items you're interested in.  Why?  Because you can always, later, narrow the search.  For example, if you are interested in porcelain dolls, don't just search for "porcelain dolls."  Instead, search for the broader category of "dolls," and see what you get.  Sure, you'll end up with over 5,000 categories (when I just searched for "dolls," I actually got 5,929 matching categories), but you can then narrow your search. 

2.  Once you've completed your broad search, read the matching categories.  Why?  Because, by looking at the separate categories, you'll likely find hidden gems in those categories.  For example, using the "dolls" search, you'll see that eBay has broken that search into 5,927 matching CATEGORIES.  Note that these are CATEGORIES, not ITEMS.  This means there are 5,927 separate categories with the term "dolls" some where in them.  This also means there may be far more than that number of dolls for sale on eBay.  Why?  Because each category may have 500 or 1,000 or more doll or doll-related items in each separate category.

3.  Look at the ENTIRE search results page.  Why?  Because you'll find a LOT of information here, leading you to find hidden items.  For example, scroll down the page.  You'll see that Ebay has broken your search into "tabs" with headings.  These "tabs" show you (in order, from top to bottom of the page): (A) the matching categories (5,927 for the term "dolls"); then (B) the matching ebay stores (8,578 stores with the term "dolls"); then (C) the matching gallery items (159,856 items with the term "dolls"); then (D) other categories with the term "dolls;" and then (E) related searches with the term "dolls."  Yes, there is a lot of information here, but information is power!

4.  Next, read the matching categories for hidden gems.  Why?  Because you'll likely find items you're interested in, but that the seller may have put in the wrong or unusual category.  For example, you are looking for porcelain dolls.  Under the last "tab" for "Related Searches," you'll find a "Search Refinements" category for "porcelain dolls."  This will likely get you to sellers who have listed their dolls in this specific category--but what about those hidden gems?

5.  Find those hidden gems.  How?  By looking in other categories in your search.  For example, you already found the "porcelain dolls" category under the last "tab" for "Related Searches."  Now, look to the right of that "porcelain dolls" category, and you'll see the category "vintage doll."  Think about it...maybe the seller listed their old porcelain doll only under the "vintage doll" category.  If so, you may find hidden gems there, where most people aren't looking.  How?  Well, there are only 5,973 items under the search "porcelain dolls," but there are 17,298 items under the "vintage doll" search.  It is likely some porcelain dolls are listed in one search category, but not the other--and you can find them, using this search method.

CONCLUSION:  By using a broad search term, you will likely increase your chances of finding "hidden gems" in eBay listings--no matter what you're interested in!

Look for my other Guides by clicking on the link below:

CHINCHCHIN eBay GUIDES 

and thanks for looking!

Copyright 2006 2007 2008 2009 The Winged Phoenix