eBay

shtuff_guy · ‎03-04-2022

For example: In 'comics' I chose 'black panther 5'. Returns 761 entries when 'include description' not checked, including DC comics (black panther is marvel). Returns 762 when 'include description' is checked.

Annoying and bizarre.

eburtonlab · ‎03-04-2022

eBay by default should search title and item specifics, but not the body of the description unless that option is specifically checked.

I did see a lot of unrelated results for that search, but at least some of those had "black panther" in the item specifics, even though the title was clearly not Black Panther-related:

It appears that there is a seller that has many listings with identical item-specifics shown above; not clear to me if the problem is with the way that the seller is listing, or a problem with the way eBay is filling in those item-specifics.

You can try excluding that seller:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/Comics-Graphic-Novels/259104/i.html?_fsrp=1&_from=R40&_udlo=&_udhi=&_ftrt=9...

Or else try one of these as a starting point for an alternative search:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=black-panther-5&_sacat=0

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=black-panther+5&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=12&rt=nc...

shtuff_guy · ‎03-05-2022

Thanks. I had no idea that item specifics were included in the 'exclude description' search; and had no idea there was a hidden 'item specifics'. I just tried to browse those for an auction and unless I missed something, I assume it's something only the seller can see. I wonder how many 'only buyers' know this.

This is still a problem for me as I don't want my search to be dependent on a seller being lazy/sloppy with their listings. That seller apparently used same Specifics for all their listings regardless of the item.

I'll try those more precise searches in future (and review all the search rules again), but also please consider adding an option for 'search title only' or 'exclude item specifics'. Perhaps as a new option in Advanced Search? Which I see I could have also used for exact words/exact order.

Thanks again..

eburtonlab · ‎03-05-2022

This is still a problem for me as I don't want my search to be dependent on a seller being lazy/sloppy with their listings.

No matter how good eBay's search is, it is dependent upon information provided by sellers. Luckily most sellers understand that making things easier for buyers to find is in the seller's interest, so most sellers try to include relevant information to make it easy for buyers to find listings. There will always be some careless sellers with poorly thought-out titles or descriptions, and even a few sellers that try to make their items appear in as many searches as possible whether the listings are relevant to the keywords or not, unfortunately.

I'll try those more precise searches in future (and review all the search rules again), but also please consider adding an option for 'search title only' or 'exclude item specifics'.

This is a user forum, where users ask and answer questions about how eBay works and share tips and best practices; no one reading here is in a position to add new features or change how eBay operates.