Buggy - search function almost unusable

[chariot_badges]

I'm spending today getting fresh inventory in.

I looked for 15685367 and nothing came up.

I went to Google, and found an old Ebay listing ... gave me a place to start.

But, why didn't it come up when I searched for it on Ebay?

THEN,

I put in 71104-SJA-00 and nothing came up.   Nothing.   A wiper arm part.

So, I went to Google and found a dozen listings ... in Ebay.

I click on one of them from the Google link and it takes me right to a listing.

And NOW, they're all coming up.

Yesterday was a banner day ... today, I'm not even getting offers.  No traffic at all.

Is it because my customers can't find me?

[onefootflipper1]

You sell almost exclusively Automotive badges. Do you think most of your customers are searching for those by the part number? I wouldn't be searching it by the part number even if I was an auto body shop because it is highly likely that the listing wouldn't have the part number in the first place.

By the way, I searched that number and yours came up first, followed by a sea of brain-dead automated listings that are not even 100 percent clear on what they are selling. 

[chevymontecarlo88]

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@onefootflipper1 wrote:

You sell almost exclusively Automotive badges. Do you think most of your customers are searching for those by the part number? I wouldn't be searching it by the part number even if I was an auto body shop because it is highly likely that the listing wouldn't have the part number in the first place.

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That is a great point @onefootflipper1  .

It is a good idea to search for your items in a way that customers will. 

Something to consider. 

[eburtonlab]

Both of those items appear to be newly listed, and appear for me at the top of each search.

Is it possible you were searching before the items were indexed and searchable? It can take up to 24 hours from the last revision before a new listing is indexed and can be found by searching.

[chariot_badges]

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@onefootflipper1 wrote:

You sell almost exclusively Automotive badges. Do you think most of your customers are searching for those by the part number? I wouldn't be searching it by the part number even if I was an auto body shop because it is highly likely that the listing wouldn't have the part number in the first place.

By the way, I searched that number and yours came up first, followed by a sea of brain-dead automated listings that are not even 100 percent clear on what they are selling. 

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No, you're right, MOST of my customers don't search by OEM numbers, but enough do to put them up. 

SOME of my (best) customers search by numbers.

I have some regulars ... auto body shops, car clubs, etc.   They are more 'pro' status buyer, and they don't pay a whole lot of attention to price.   They know I'll ship the best I can, and if they don't like it I am very swift with that 'refund' key.  

Most civilians search by 'description'.   "Ford, oval, blue, emblem badge ..."  That's why titles are so important.  But, when numbers are available I try to search that way.  It's more precise. 

Do you know how many sizes, colors, thicknesses and flatness variations there are for a Ford oval badge?  The number narrows it right down.  

Both of the new listings are mine ... but, what's interesting is that NONE of those were there when I was doing my appraisal search, not even the 'sea of brain-dead automated listings."

When loading new stuff, often times I have no idea what the heck it is, or what it's worth.  So I search by whatever info I have ... including pictures.  Every once in a while I get something that I just don't know what it is ... I list it as a "WotTheHeckIsIt?"   

Sooner or later, somebody will email me with info ...

I take pride in my pictures, and listings in general.

It warms my heart to see the incompetence of some sellers here ... I can only say, "Thank gawd, THAT'S our competition."