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Using advanced search


Looking for something specific on eBay? If you haven’t been able to find it using a standard search, or you just want to find it more quickly, try an advanced search.

What you can find using advanced search

Advanced search puts all your search options in a single location, letting you find anything from listings that end in the next hour to your trading partner’s contact information.

To find an item or eBay member using advanced search:

  1. Click the Advanced Search link, located next to the search box at the top of most eBay pages.

    If you've already started searching and just want to narrow your search, click the Advanced search link located above your current search.

  2. Choose the options you want to search on.

To find:

Click this:

Items for sale, based on criteria you choose

Find items

Vehicles, parts, and accessories on eBay Motors

On eBay Motors

Items for sale by a particular seller, if you know the seller’s user ID

By seller

Items an eBay member has bid on, if you know the bidder’s user ID

By bidder

A specific listing, if you know the item number

By item number

An eBay Shop

Find Shops

Learn more about searching Shops .

An eBay member’s items for sale and Feedback profile

Find a member

Learn more about finding a member .

Contact information for an eBay member

Find contact information

Learn more about requesting contact information.

 

Finding items that match your criteria

You can search for items based on what's important to you, choosing as many or few criteria as you want. For example, you can look for DVD players in new condition that are in your price range, or search your favourite category for listings that are ending in the next hour. It's up to you.

To search for items that match your criteria:

  1. On the Advanced Search page, click Find items.

  2. In the Keywords or item number box, describe what you're looking for.

    • In most cases, you'll enter words that describe the item and we’ll search the item titles and other item specifics for listings that contain the words you entered.

    • You can also search by ISBN (for books) or UPC (for DVDs, video games, and other products). For example, if you enter the ISBN 9780545010221, your search results will include all books titled: 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.'

  3. Select an option from the drop-down menu located next to the 'Keywords or item number' box.

    Here's what the options mean:

    • All words, any order searches the item titles for all the words you entered that appear in any order. To find more matches, we automatically expand your search to include words with the same meaning as the ones you entered. Learn more about how search expansion works .

    • Any words, any order searches the item titles for any of the words you entered that appear in any order.

    • Exact words, exact order searches the item titles for the exact words you entered, in the exact order you entered them.

    • Exact words, any order searches the item titles for the exact words you entered, in any order.

      Tip: To narrow your search, consider excluding words that shouldn't appear in the item title. For example, if you're searching for pommel horse for gymnastics, you might want to exclude items that have the word saddle or riding in the title.

  4. Narrow your search based on other criteria.

    Here are a few of the ways you might want to refine or narrow your search:

    • Price range

    • Buying formats, including auction listings, fixed price listings (Buy it now), or Shop inventory listings

    • Time left before the listing ends

    • Number of bids

    • Delivery options, including free P&P or collection in person

    • Location, including items located near you

    • Sellers, including those on your saved sellers list

  5. Click Search.

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