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eBay Buy Browse API: Inconsistent Search Results Between Web Interface and API

jean_gvh
Explorer

‎03-27-2025 03:07 AM

 

Problem Description

When searching for auction listings using the eBay Buy Browse API, the search results significantly differ from those displayed on the eBay web interface. 

Detailed Observations

  • Search queries produce fewer results via API compared to web interface
  • Auction listings visible on eBay.fr are not reflected in API responses
  • Filtering mechanisms appear to be inconsistent between web and API platforms

Steps to Reproduce

  1. Perform a search on eBay.fr web interface for a specific keyword (e.g., "Dracaufeu ex 199/165")
  2. Execute the same search using eBay Buy Browse API with identical parameters
  3. Compare the number and content of search results

Current Implementation

 

 
 
def get_auctions_results(parameters):
    headers = {
        'Authorization': f'Bearer {get_ebay_access_token()}',
        'Content-Type': 'application/json',
        'X-EBAY-C-MARKETPLACE-ID': 'EBAY_FRANCE'
    }
    
    base_url = 'https://api.ebay.com/buy/browse/v1/item_summary/search'
    
    params = {
        'q': parameters.get('keywords', ''),
        'filter': [
            'buyingOptions:{AUCTION}',
            'itemLocation:{FR}'
        ],
        'limit': parameters.get('paginationInput', {}).get('entriesPerPage', 100)
    }

Potential Issues

  • API's default filtering might be too restrictive
  • Marketplace-specific limitations
  • Differences in search algorithm between web and API

Questions for eBay Developer Support

  • Are there known limitations in the Buy Browse API for French marketplace?
  • How can we ensure comprehensive auction listing retrieval?
  • Are there recommended alternative API endpoints for more inclusive search?

 

Message 1 of 3
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2 REPLIES 2

Re: eBay Buy Browse API: Inconsistent Search Results Between Web Interface and API

dori862011
Adventurer

‎03-29-2025 06:10 AM

When I search on ebay.fr, I see 26 results. 23 of them are Buy It Now options and only 3 are auctions. However, you only search for auctions in the API:

'buyingOptions:{AUCTION}',

You should look for both:

'buyingOptions:{AUCTION|FIXED_PRICE}',

complete:

https://api.ebay.com/buy/browse/v1/item_summary/search?q=Dracaufeu+ex+199/165&category_ids=0&filter=buyingOptions%3A%7BAUCTION%7CFIXED_PRICE%7D

27 results for me

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Re: eBay Buy Browse API: Inconsistent Search Results Between Web Interface and API

jean_gvh
Explorer
In response to dori862011

‎05-12-2025 03:30 AM

hey Dori, sorry for (very) late response. I have tried what you have said but I still get unrelevant results as shown below : 

 

{'href': 'https://api.ebay.com/buy/browse/v1/item_summary/search?q=Dracaufeu+ex+199%2F165&limit=10&filter=buyingOptions%3A%7BAUCTION%7CFIXED_PRICE%7D&offset=0',
 'total': 4,
 'limit': 10,
 'offset': 0,
 'itemSummaries': [{'itemId': 'v1|116595932597|0',
   'title': 'Pokemon Card Dragonfly EX Full-Art Alternative 199/165 - EV 151 - FR - PCA 9',
   'leafCategoryIds': ['183454'],
   'categories': [{'categoryId': '183454',
     'categoryName': "JCC : cartes à l'unité"},
    {'categoryId': '1', 'categoryName': 'Collections'},
    {'categoryId': '2536', 'categoryName': 'Jeux de cartes à collectionner'}],
   'image': {'imageUrl': 'https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/BNwAAOSwXPxoHjJM/s-l225.jpg'},
   'price': {'value': '382.39',
    'currency': 'USD',
    'convertedFromValue': '339.90',
    'convertedFromCurrency': 'EUR'},
   'itemHref': 'https://api.ebay.com/buy/browse/v1/item/v1%7C116595932597%7C0',
   'seller': {'username': 'prof7467',
    'feedbackPercentage': '100.0',
    'feedbackScore': 1788},
   'condition': 'Gradée',
   'conditionId': '2750',
   'thumbnailImages': [{'imageUrl': 'https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/BNwAAOSwXPxoHjJM/s-l1600.jpg'}],
   'shippingOptions': [{'shippingCostType': 'FIXED',
     'shippingCost': {'value': '10.01',
      'currency': 'USD',
      'convertedFromValue': '8.90',
      'convertedFromCurrency': 'EUR'}}],
   'buyingOptions': ['FIXED_PRICE', 'BEST_OFFER'],
   'itemWebUrl': 'https://www.ebay.com/itm/116595932597?_skw=Dracaufeu+ex+199%2F165&hash=item1b25a8bdb5:g:BNwAAOSwXPxoHjJM',
   'itemLocation': {'postalCode': '25***', 'country': 'FR'},
   'additionalImages': [{'imageUrl': 'https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/8MoAAOSwMKpoHjJO/s-l225.jpg'}],
   'adultOnly': False,
   'legacyItemId': '116595932597',
   'availableCoupons': False,
   'itemOriginDate': '2025-05-09T16:50:30.000Z',
   'itemCreationDate': '2025-05-09T16:50:30.000Z',
   'topRatedBuyingExperience': False,
   'priorityListing': False,
   'listingMarketplaceId': 'EBAY_FR'},
  {'itemId': 'v1|267191162989|0',
   'title': 'EX FULL ART SKUNKYARD - POKEMON 199/165 EV3.5 SCARLET AND PURPLE MEW 151 NEW FR',
   'leafCategoryIds': ['183454'],
   'categories': [{'categoryId': '183454',
     'categoryName': "JCC : cartes à l'unité"},
    {'categoryId': '1', 'categoryName': 'Collections'},
    {'categoryId': '2536', 'categoryName': 'Jeux de cartes à collectionner'}],
   'image': {'imageUrl': 'https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/YooAAOSw8dpno3Cj/s-l225.jpg'},
   'price': {'value': '337.33',
    'currency': 'USD',
    'convertedFromValue': '299.85',
    'convertedFromCurrency': 'EUR'},
   'itemHref': 'https://api.ebay.com/buy/browse/v1/item/v1%7C267191162989%7C0',
   'seller': {'username': 'wn-cards',
    'feedbackPercentage': '99.6',
    'feedbackScore': 5350},
   'condition': 'Non gradée',
   'conditionId': '4000',
   'thumbnailImages': [{'imageUrl': 'https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/YooAAOSw8dpno3Cj/s-l1600.jpg'}],
   'shippingOptions': [{'shippingCostType': 'FIXED',
     'shippingCost': {'value': '5.63',
      'currency': 'USD',
      'convertedFromValue': '5.00',
      'convertedFromCurrency': 'EUR'}}],
   'buyingOptions': ['FIXED_PRICE'],
   'itemWebUrl': 'https://www.ebay.com/itm/267191162989?_skw=Dracaufeu+ex+199%2F165&hash=item3e35d5986d:g:YooAAOSw8dpno3Cj',
   'itemLocation': {'postalCode': '17***', 'country': 'FR'},
   'additionalImages': [{'imageUrl': 'https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/eREAAOSwYlpno3Cj/s-l225.jpg'}],
   'adultOnly': False,
   'legacyItemId': '267191162989',
   'availableCoupons': False,
   'itemOriginDate': '2025-02-05T14:07:59.000Z',
   'itemCreationDate': '2025-03-16T17:10:14.000Z',
   'topRatedBuyingExperience': False,
   'priorityListing': False,
   'listingMarketplaceId': 'EBAY_FR'},
  {'itemId': 'v1|315478873472|0',
   'title': 'Dracaufeu 199/165 - presentation showcase',
   'leafCategoryIds': ['183454'],
   'categories': [{'categoryId': '183454',
     'categoryName': "JCC : cartes à l'unité"},
    {'categoryId': '1', 'categoryName': 'Collections'},
    {'categoryId': '2536', 'categoryName': 'Jeux de cartes à collectionner'}],
   'image': {'imageUrl': 'https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/xD8AAOSwDZJmfHdd/s-l225.jpg'},
   'price': {'value': '28.13',
    'currency': 'USD',
    'convertedFromValue': '25.00',
    'convertedFromCurrency': 'EUR'},
   'itemHref': 'https://api.ebay.com/buy/browse/v1/item/v1%7C315478873472%7C0',
   'seller': {'username': 'mastercase_pokemon',
    'feedbackPercentage': '95.5',
    'feedbackScore': 174},
   'condition': 'Non gradée',
   'conditionId': '4000',
   'thumbnailImages': [{'imageUrl': 'https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/xD8AAOSwDZJmfHdd/s-l960.jpg'}],
   'shippingOptions': [{'shippingCostType': 'FIXED',
     'shippingCost': {'value': '5.63',
      'currency': 'USD',
      'convertedFromValue': '5.00',
      'convertedFromCurrency': 'EUR'}}],
   'buyingOptions': ['FIXED_PRICE', 'BEST_OFFER'],
   'itemWebUrl': 'https://www.ebay.com/itm/315478873472?_skw=Dracaufeu+ex+199%2F165&hash=item4974019580:g:xD8AAOSwDZJmfHdd',
   'itemLocation': {'postalCode': '63***', 'country': 'FR'},
   'additionalImages': [{'imageUrl': 'https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/o2AAAOSwA4hmfHb1/s-l225.jpg'}],
   'adultOnly': False,
   'legacyItemId': '315478873472',
   'availableCoupons': False,
   'itemOriginDate': '2024-06-26T20:18:10.000Z',
   'itemCreationDate': '2024-06-26T20:18:10.000Z',
   'topRatedBuyingExperience': False,
   'priorityListing': False,
   'listingMarketplaceId': 'EBAY_FR'},
  {'itemId': 'v1|395415160240|0',
   'title': 'Dracaufeu ex 056.',
   'leafCategoryIds': ['183454'],
   'categories': [{'categoryId': '183454',
     'categoryName': 'CCG Individual Cards'},
    {'categoryId': '220', 'categoryName': 'Toys & Hobbies'},
    {'categoryId': '2536', 'categoryName': 'Collectible Card Games'}],
   'image': {'imageUrl': 'https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/h-QAAOSw6YtmSjsd/s-l225.jpg'},
   'price': {'value': '15.00', 'currency': 'USD'},
   'itemHref': 'https://api.ebay.com/buy/browse/v1/item/v1%7C395415160240%7C0',
   'seller': {'username': 'edbo_17',
    'feedbackPercentage': '0.0',
    'feedbackScore': 0},
   'condition': 'Ungraded',
   'conditionId': '4000',
   'thumbnailImages': [{'imageUrl': 'https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/h-QAAOSw6YtmSjsd/s-l1600.jpg'}],
   'pickupOptions': [{'pickupLocationType': 'ARRANGED_LOCATION'}],
   'buyingOptions': ['FIXED_PRICE', 'BEST_OFFER'],
   'itemWebUrl': 'https://www.ebay.com/itm/395415160240?_skw=Dracaufeu+ex+199%2F165&hash=item5c109485b0:g:h-QAAOSw6YtmSjsd',
   'itemLocation': {'country': 'PT'},
   'adultOnly': False,
   'legacyItemId': '395415160240',
   'availableCoupons': False,
   'itemOriginDate': '2024-05-19T17:56:44.000Z',
   'itemCreationDate': '2024-05-21T05:57:12.000Z',
   'topRatedBuyingExperience': False,
   'priorityListing': False,
   'listingMarketplaceId': 'EBAY_US'}]}

 I dont understand why I still get those results of EBAY_US marketplace

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