Auto parts search problem

[deco_6340]

I have some antique car parts to sell and an attempting to search completed auctions to get an idea of what sold prices are.

when I search for say 1940 Ford fender I will get 2000 plus returns, 99 percent having nothing to do with 1940 fords. A later date search may turn up around 500 results, of which a dozen or so relate to 1940 Fords.

if a result with 2000 returns is seen by a buyer, they would have to scroll through dozens of pages to find anything like they were searching for. I imagine that might cause some potential bidders to give up.

Are these type of search results now normal?

[buyselljack2016]

I understand how you feel.

It's pretty normal.

Keyword spamming is a part of the problem. Sellers include 100's of unrelated words in the listing.

I searched with 1940 Ford "fender".  453 results. Scrolled just a bit, and there is the CORVAIR emblem. Seller "keyword spamming" in violation of eBay policy. Seems the seller does that on many listings.

[redmodelt]

Once you do your search of 1940 Ford Fender, narrow down the search by using the categories on the left side of the page by picking used and fender; 1940 Ford front fender in Parts & Accessories for sale | eBay

[inhawaii]

I'm far from a auto parts expert but if there is a part number for that 1940 ford fender, you may want to try and search via part number.  I think it will give you a more accurate result. 

Example:

Honda EU220 air filter

vs.

Honda 17211-Z07-000

[rappstradingpost]

This has only gotten worse..

[redmodelt]

for the average user looking for parts, YES IT HAS!

Biggest issue are sellers that use every word under the sun that covers every make model and year and then using those same specification on every listing instead of actually only describing what they are selling.

Sorry to those sellers but once buyers figure it out, you are going to lose sales because we will figure out how to build a saved list by removing key word spamming that will block your listings from being seen. 

I can understand the reason behind it, but it is just a lazy way to approach selling. 

[adamcartwright]

@deco_6340 

Yes, I sell vintage auto parts and related items from time to time. 
The auto category is an absolute clown show thanks to keyword spamming.

[onefootflipper1]

There is actually a basically viral set of item specifics in the auto parts categories that cause the items to use them to show up in nearly all search results and it keeps getting worse as more people sell similar off the items that already have those item specifics.

Ebay refuses to do anything about it on any level past ending one specific listing, which is meaningless when there are many thousands of those listings across hundreds of sellers.

On the plus side this issue effects everyone equally, so you are not the only one with the problem, everyone has it.

[redmodelt]

Even better

1940 Ford front fender -Oldsmobile, -buick

[redlinear]

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@deco_6340 wrote:

I have some antique car parts to sell and an attempting to search completed auctions to get an idea of what sold prices are.

when I search for say 1940 Ford fender I will get 2000 plus returns, 99 percent having nothing to do with 1940 fords. A later date search may turn up around 500 results, of which a dozen or so relate to 1940 Fords.

if a result with 2000 returns is seen by a buyer, they would have to scroll through dozens of pages to find anything like they were searching for. I imagine that might cause some potential bidders to give up.

Are these type of search results now normal?

---

Yes. This is mostly due to eBay allowing sellers to enter a couple thousand keywords in the part numbers sections of Item Specifics.
Well, you are not allowed to do that, but eBay won't (or can't) police this practice

[redlinear]

Here is one sellers "Manufacturer part number" in Item Specifics for 73 Chevy Hubcaps.
There are three "part number" areas under Item Specifics.  Below is ONE.  (this sellers is using the other two as well, with different spam in them)

    1915 1916 1917 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925, 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935, 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964, 1964-1965-1966-1967-1968-1969-1970-1963-1962, 88 98 F85 442 Cutlass W-30 2+2 Eldorado, A B C E Body Platform Satellite GTX Rotunda, Autolite Motorcraft Bosch Trico Kelsey Hayes OEM, Belvedere Cuda Barracuda Fury Challenger RT, Borg Warner Muncie Saginaw Toploader, Charger Coronet Lancer Valiant Duster, Chevele Chevy II Nova Caprice Camaro Corvette, Coupe Deville Mustang Torino Cougar Falcon Galaxie, Engine Transmission Big Small Block BBC SBC, Fairlane Ranchero Thunderbird T-Bird Comet, Fender Hood Trunk Deck Lid Quarter Panel Patch, FoMoCo Carter Holley Napa Echlin Shurhit BW, GM General Motors Guide Delco-Remy Mopar, GS Skylark Riviera GTO Lemans Tempest Bonneville, Impala Belair 150 210 Fleetline Styleline Deluxe, Monterey XR7 SCJ CJ 428 429 Continental Mark

[movieman630]

Maybe when it's too expensive for foreign companies to use ebay anymore the search results will be less crowded.

[kh-cathy]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.