@muttlymob wrote:That should answer the question as to whether punctuation in titles hinders search.
Not really. eBay does a lot of things that don't make sense.
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For what it's worth.............
eBay automatically fills in listing titles when using the catalog. All book titles created by eBay include parenthesis and a comma around the publishing year and format (2014, hardcover).
Other punctuation regularly used in listing titles include inch ("), foot ('), (period)fl. oz., apostrophe (I've), etc. Search bots on eBay and Google have no problem with common punctuation.
Some sellers use a comma to delineate between the main search words (Blue Crystal Bracelet) and other search words (filters) important to some sellers (Handmade).
Blue Crystal Bracelet, handmade - would shown up in searches for blue crystal bracelet, blue bracelet, crystal bracelet, bracelet, handmade bracelet, etc. Depending on which search keywords the buyer used and the search parameters and filters chosen.
I have seen titles shown in search which are multiple single keywords with a comma in between. I don't recall the exact listing title of a recent one but it was similar to this: Jacket, blue,red,yellow,white,silk,floral,leaf,blazer,long,sleeve. I asked eBay staff if that was a policy violation and was told no because the seller was offering a white silk long sleeved jacket with a floral motif in blue, red, yellow with green leaves which could also be worn as a blazer. Yes, the same listing showed when I searched for a red silk jacket.
Use the title and description you feel comfortable with. If you think punctuation affects whether your items appear in search then don't use it.
However, if you list books, the exact title must appear as the listing title, punctuation and all. 
