Change to 'Item Location' search filter settings?!

[hocer-24]

I was having a lot of issues trying to search on my phone this morning.  For example, I was searching for allbirds Tree Runners and would get over 1100 results but when I would filter it by sold to get sold comps I only got like 21 results.  It was driving me crazy because obviously more than 21 have been sold.  So I searched Hoka Bondi and got the same thing, tons of expected results then only a handful of sold results.  Then I realized that every time I added a filter or sorted on anything the app was also changing the filter on 'Item Location' from default to within 100 miles of my zip code!  Also, after I changed it back to default if I added any other filter it changed itself back to 100 miles!  **bleep**?!  I looked everywhere to try to change this "setting" to no avail.  I am just shocked that ebay would make a change to search like this and if they did this could explain why sales are down right now. TBH, I haven't looked to see if this lovely new feature is the same when searching on my desktop, but even if it's just the app it's horrific.

It's been about a week since I searched for anything so I'm not sure when this changed for me but I have noticed more of my sales are in my state recently.  Wonder if the two are related...

Has anyone else noticed this or does anyone have any info on what's up with this?  

[elisasbargains]

Same thing happening to me. I keep having to reset the search filters because it keeps defaulting item location distance and local pickup option.

[mam98031]

This is not a change.  It has been like this as far back as I can remember.  It is just like in the filters on the left, if you set US only, you then search for something.  Then you search for something else, you have to reset the US only filter.

[eburtonlab]

I have seen some recent complaints about changes in the default search behavior similar to yours, but yours is the first to specifically mention using the app, so thanks for adding that important detail.

When I tried to recreate your search using the eBay app, I received sold results shipping to the "default" item location rather than only within a specific distance of my zip code. Not sure if I am doing something different than you are, or if the difference is the app itself. I am using the Android version of the eBay app, version 6.98.0.6.

Make sure you have the latest version of the eBay app; older versions can behave erratically.

If the problem involves app filter options changing without your approval, you might try enabling lockable filters in the filter customization menu, and then locking the location filter to your preferred option to see if that helps. Once you enable lockable filters, when you choose a filter option you should see a lock icon appear next to that option. Tap the lock icon so it turns blue and the shackle closes to indicate it is locked. Then that option should become your default for future searches until you change it again.

[mam98031]

There is a big difference between using the filters on the left rail and using the filters we can select that are locate at the top right side of a search return.

Setting a filter in this location can be made to stick, but the filters in the left rail you can't.  Or I should say I've never found a way to get them to stick.

[eburtonlab]

The OP's post is specifically about problems with the eBay app. I have been unable to recreate the issue, but if I understand correctly it appears that a default item location search somehow inexplicably becomes a search within 100 miles of the user's zip code when going from active to sold listings. This is not how search should work, normally.

Using the app it is possible to lock filter settings if that feature is enabled. That may be a way around the issue.

For a desktop user, there is a browser add-on called "eBay item location - my country only" that can be used to override eBay's "default" item location filter.

[mam98031]

Yes and I believe they are using the left rail filters.  I could be wrong, but that is the way I took it.

"I was searching for allbirds Tree Runners and would get over 1100 results but when I would filter it by sold to get sold comps I only got like 21 results."  That option is on the Left Rail.

They also said "Then I realized that every time I added a filter ..."  You can only have multiple filters checked in the left rail.

Now maybe they were using both types of filters, but clearly most were from the left rail of filters IMHO.

[eburtonlab]

The app operates differently than when using a desktop browser. In the app all the filters are under the filter menu on the right side, including sold/completed and item location.

This sentence in the original post indicated to me that the problem was only observed in the app and not in a desktop browser:

TBH, I haven't looked to see if this lovely new feature is the same when searching on my desktop, but even if it's just the app it's horrific.

[mam98031]

Interesting, thank you.