searches

[promise.513]

please change back the listing searches. I am deeply sadden because now everything is put into big general searches. now I have to look thru miles of things that have nothing to do with what I am looking for. I get frustrated and quilt looking. Can't even find my favorite sellers. I don't want a sofa, witches doll or costume, boots, hats, handbags, lamps, and so on. It takes up to much time when hundreds of extra items are there when I am searching for certain items. I buy a lot and can go to the web  but I always want to buy here. there is more competition. when I want antique quilts, antique fabrics, antique samplers which I collect there is everything but a few of what I want.  Please change it back it worked well before.  thanks kindly, Donna

[eburtonlab]

eBay has changed some of the categories, and eliminated many smaller subcategories, replacing them with item-specific filters. This has caused confusion for many, and requires some sellers to revise how they list items. Lots of folks are not happy with the changes, but eBay is unlikely to reverse the changes in most cases.

However, it is still possible to find things on eBay, and to filter out the things you do not want to find.

When searching, I find what works best for me is to start with entering some search keywords into the search field -- either general terms or more specific ones -- and then hit the "search" button. If you are not sure what terms to use, try using terms that might appear in an item title or in the category name.

From the search results page, I look to the left side where the categories of all the results are shown, and try to narrow down the category to one that most closely matches what I am searching for. Sometimes I try more than one if there are many possible options.

After narrowing down the category, I then check to see if there are any Item-specific filters on the left side of the page to narrow things down further.

For instance, I was interested in an antique quilt, I would start with exactly those terms and search. Then, I would choose a category such as Collectibles: Quilts, Bedspreads & Coverlets. That should give you this:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/261725/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=antique+quilt

From there you should be able to narrow your search by size, color or style using the available filter options on the left side of the page if you are using a desktop browser.

For searches I find myself performing over and over again looking for new items, I will often save or bookmark the search results page so I do not need to recreate the search each time.

Similarly for antique fabric in the Collectibles category:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/261731/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=antique+fabric

You can further narrow by material or time period, pattern, style or theme.

And for antique sampler in the Collectibles category:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/261747/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=antique+sampler

I find that spending a bit of time to craft a search saves me a lot of time sorting through unwanted search results.