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Finding items on eBay

If you’re looking for a specific item, searching can help you find it fast. When you search on eBay, you enter two or three descriptive words about the item into a search box, and you get search results that match those words.

Searching for items

The quickest way to find what you’re looking for is to search. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, try browsing instead.

To start a search:
  1. Locate the search box at the top of most eBay pages.

  2. Enter two or three words that describe the item and click the Search button.

    For example, to search for a DVD player, type DVD player and click Search.

Narrowing your results to find what you want

Your search results show you items that contain your search words in their titles.

To quickly narrow your results:
  1. Use the Refine search column on the left side of the results page to narrow down what you’re looking for.

    For example, if you’re looking for items within a certain price range that are in new condition, enter your price range and select “New” as the item’s condition.

  2. Continue choosing options until you get the results you want.

Tip: If you ever want to start over with a new search, use the search box at the top of the page, not the one located above your search results. That way, the search system will look through all the items on eBay instead searching within your current search results.

If you don’t find what you’re looking for

If you don’t find what you’re looking for:

  • Try using different words to describe the item. Experiment with different combinations of words, but use just two or three at a time so you get a variety of results.

  • Review our tips for expanding your search to find additional matches.

Contact Customer Support

If you have an additional question about this subject, email us at Customer Support.
If you would like to ask a question on another subject, please use the Contact Us page.

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