How often do customers search by category?

[hollow_tree_games]

I just sold an old roleplaying game module. It qualifies as media mail (printed material, not full of ads like a magazine, etc.).  Then I discovered that Ebay won't let me ship an item in the Toys and Games category by media mail. If I start listing similar items as Books, will buyers have a hard time finding it? Do a lot of people search by category? I know I never do; I just search by title or description, unless I get a lot of erroneous listings and need to narrow my search down.

[coolections]

Two things: one is if they will not allow you to ship media then it is against postal regulations to do that anyway. Secondly most everyone in the world types the NAME of the item. It will show up regardless. On certain things in over-saturated categories the buyer will have to go to the left side of the search box and click a category. It all depends. What is the name of the game? You can search the item yourself and see if it shows up on normal search without changing the category.

[itscalledapostingid]

Many key words trigger the search engine to automatically switch to a specific category.

I would say listing in the correct category is important for that and other reasons.

If the item truly qualifies for MM you can purchase the label elsewhere.

[hollow_tree_games]

Unfortunately, Ebay is not that smart about what shipping options an item actually qualifies for. They paint a broad brush by category. For instance, if I were to list a book about collectible toys in the Toys category, media mail would not be an option under Buy Shipping.

[stainlessenginecovers]

Customers search by inputting words in the search 90% of the time. So, feel free to put that 'book' in a category that will allow media mail. 

[monster-deals]

Someone will come in here and lie saying they do it all the time but categories have not been relevant for about a decade.

[monster-deals]

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@coolections wrote:

if they will not allow you to ship media then it is against postal regulations to do that anyway. 

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That absolutely not true.

[stainlessenginecovers]

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@monster-deals wrote:

Someone will come in here and lie saying they do it all the time but categories have not been relevant for about a decade.

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Very True and as you said; that is for the very few, and usually 'collectors' of things that like to shop and/or buy things in a certain category that they've shopped in for years (toys, trains, coins, stamps..whatever). 

The 'average' buyer has been changing yearly (18 yr olds when this site started are now mid 40s) so many 'newer' buyers visit here. 

[ittybitnot]

Then I discovered that Ebay won't let me ship an item in the Toys and Games category by media mail. 

@hollow_tree_games 

Whether or not eBay displays the media mail option for your shipping is category based.  For example, books are considered media mail. If you list your instructional  BOOK about sewing in a category related to sewing supplies, you will not be able to use eBay to ship media mail.  Pirates Ship is a good alternative option, pay with a cash back credit card, and you are better off altogether. 

[carolynnq]

15 or 20 years ago, the stat was that only 5% searched by category. I'm sure it's higher now because it's easier to do now than it was back then as these days links to the categories are now visible just to the left. I never start off searching by category. For most searches, relevant items in several categories come up. But categories are useful when searching for something like a "walker" - completely different results  when you click on the baby essentials category vs. health and beauty.

Edited to add: For most items, I don't think category matters too much. But there are collectible categories like "Black Americana Photos" where some collectors frequently scan new listings.

[redlinear]

"Probably" best to list in correct category so that shoppers have the best chance of seeing your item.
BUT, if you have items without much competition?   Doesn't hurt to try to list them in a "book" category.

[coolections]

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@hollow_tree_games wrote:

if I were to list a book about collectible toys in the Toys category, media mail would not be an option under Buy Shipping.

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Correct because it is a book not a toy.

[wastingtime101 · Accepted solution]

You should list it in the most relevant category @hollow_tree_games and if it qualifies for MM you  can purchase that label elsewhere and upload tracking to eBay.

eBay allows sellers to offer a wide range of shipping services through their listings, but they don't offer every one of those services through their label purchase page.

A few examples include:
- Retail Ground (a retail service available exclusively at USPS retail locations)
- Media Mail (can only be purchased through eBay for select categories due to how much the service is abused. An item might qualify for MM even though eBay labels doesn't offer it for that category, but you can purchase it through any other online shipping provider that offers USPS or at the retail counter)
- eBay Standard Envelope has restrictions based on category and dollar amount so if the item doesn't qualify the seller that offered ESE will have to ship using another method like untracked with a postage stamp, or tracked with First Class Package.

The system will typically default to the first shipping option on the list (often Priority Flat Rate Envelope). You can purchase an alternate service through eBay, but if you want to purchase a label for the one designated on the listing then you can go to pirateship.com or to paypal.com/shipnow

Another time you'll see the shipping method default is when the listing is set up for First Class, but the buyer purchases multiples and exceeds the weight limit for FC. The system will default to another method, typically Priority Mail flat rate envelope.

[dirk12955]

I have to be really bored and ready to spend some time before I do any search 

page by page in a category.    I spend many $$$ on ebay, and every single item I have for sale

which is over 3,000 listings on 3 accounts was purchased from an ebay seller.

When I do a search it is almost for a specific item,   Or  a specific Like item.    

If I want a Pee-wee Herman doll, (Which I don't)    I don't want to wade thru 100,000 listings 

for DVDs,  VHS tapes,  Trading cards,  Joke books, and whatever else might show 

up in that search and that doll might be in any one of 15 or 20 different categories.

[inhawaii]

Games do not qualify for Media Mail. That's why ebay will not let you  select media mail for something you sold  in the games category.

I've been buying on ebay for over 20 years. Not once have I searched for something by category.