Search - is anyone else finding it as useless as me?

[ian_w42]

In the past few months I have found the search function to become nearly useless.

I often search for specific computer hardware components, I usually use the exact model number, brand name, memory size etc in the search. An example would be "NVIDIA RTX 3060 12GB " but applies to every search I make.

Nearly all of the results will be irrelevant and not related to the search terms at all. Different brands, different models etc. Most of the results will not contain any of the keywords I searched for.

You can of course refine results using the filter checkboxes but it's annoying and doesn't even cover every thing you might be searching for, the options are quite out of date.

I know ebay is "streamlining" search results but this is beyond that, it also does not seem to listen to quotes to force inclusion of certain keywords.

[dukeofnukem]

The problem is the section is not listed, you only get quite coarse selections. It used to be drill down to the relevant section - which may be several layers down. Then search and it searched in THAT section. Why Ebay change this I do not know.
Example: I'm in Collectables>Stamps>Great Britain>Revenue.

Search for "Transfer Duty".

The two sections it offers are the same one ... "dual power automatic transfer switch".

BTW here's a link to an item that 100% matches my search in the section I was in:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126861824460

The absolute definition of a totally useless search !

[eburtonlab]

Like this?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/80117/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=transfer+duty&_sop=1

Search using keywords first, then drill down into the relevant category. Then save or bookmark the search results to quickly recreate the search once again or as a jumping off point for further searches of that category.

[dukeofnukem]

Thanks. Remember I said you need to know the category number - in your example 80117 ? I have no way of finding that out manually.

Starting at the Ebay landing page, when I navigate to the section, the url is:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/bn_2317748

Note on that page there is no option to search by date (eg newest first). Also note in the dropdown to the right of the search it is "All Categories" .. there is no option to set to current section, which used to be the default value.

Type in the search and it takes me to:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=Transfer+Duty&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p4439441.m570.l1313

Note how many categories there are on the left ... and the absence of the actual category I want.
Compare that to the url you supplied you can now edit the url:
1) Insert the category number (80117) between the "sch" and "i.html"
2) delete the _sacat=0
3) (Delete the tracking code too if you like - optional)
Only now do I get a proper search ! And if I dont know the category number? I cant fix it.

Incidentally I get the same issue whether I'm using Linux + adblock + noscript+firefox, or a different machine running Windows 10 using Edge with no extensions so can rule that out. If I use incognito mode (so in effect I'm not logged in) I get the same result, so that rules out any user related settings.

It used to be if you were in a section and did a search, it searched in the section you were in. Logical. Want to expand the search then the search dropdown allowed you to widen the search. Simples. Any tips on how I can find teh category numbers?

[jah24green]

Sorry - I haven't a clue. What you have kindly taken the time to write me, is way over my head and quite honestly, we wouldn't have had to go to any of these lengths a few years ago as the search facility was magic.
Thanks for your efforts though.
Regards
John

[eburtonlab]

That seems like a lot of work.

Isn't it just easier to enter the category name into the search bar, search, and then drill down into the correct category using the category tree on the left side of the page?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=Fiscals%2FRevenues&_sacat=80117&_sop=10

There is no need to know the category number -- eBay adds that for you when you choose the category.

[dukeofnukem]

The fundamental problem I'm having is that using only the Ebay UI I am not getting the same URLs as others have posted. For example, the link you posted, at no time does Ebay give me that URL however I navigate/search. I get:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=Fiscals%2FRevenues&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Visually, the left panel shows i am in the correct section, the drop down to the right of the search bar shows the correct category, the listed results are all the correct category - but if I then search for something specific it goes back to all categories because _scat=0. Hence I need some way of finding the category numbers !

I've ruled out browser/extensions and OS, I've ruled out any kind of user settings - so why is it not working for me ??

[eburtonlab]

Starting from this link:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=Fiscals%2FRevenues&_sacat=80117&_sop=10

From there, if I enter a new search keyword and search, as long as there are results, I end up in the same category, like this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=tax&_sacat=80117&_odkw=Fiscals%2FRevenues&_osacat=80117&_sop=...

In fact, if I try a nonsense keyword, I wind up with a search returning zero results in that category. If I try a search keyword that returns lots of results in other categories but no results in that category, I wind up being shown results in all categories, but there is a link at the top to see the results (none) in the original category by clicking on the category:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=octopus&_sacat=80117&_sop=10&_blrs=category_constraint

Including the parameter:

&_blrs=category_constraint

in your search URL should prevent it from switching to all categories even if there are no results found.

I would suggest bookmarking a search like this one for each category you intend to explore using multiple successive keyword searches, then using the bookmark as a starting point for your searches of that category:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=Fiscals%2FRevenues&_sacat=80117&_sop=10&_blrs=category_constr...

Using that as a starting point, I can search for octopus, then follow up with a search for tax and still remain in that category.

[date80211]

I am, for one.

I suggest this goes back to however many years ago when eBay stopped us from using wild cards in searches on the spurious pretence that that somehow made searches 'more efficient.'

It was immediately obvious to anyone who cared, that was 'more efficient…' only in the sense that it forced Users to waste time trawling through wholly unwanted 'results…' thus spending more time exposed to however many advertisements. Thanks, eBay

Since eBay first chose not to offer, then refused to supply on request, any useful information, to what conclusion should Members come?

[jah24green]

I have found it all so frustrating that I hardly ever use e-bay now. I used to go on every night to see what I could find that floated my boat and give me inspiration for a next project and then once I decided what I was fancying, I would spend hours every night tracking prices and trying to get the best deal I could get. I think the powers that be in ebay are just a bunch of out of touch mobile phone idiots who are App mad - maybe if they introduce AI like a lot of places are doing now, things might improve but until things do, I will not be going on ebay much until things get better.
Thanks for being interested in my opinion.
John

[date80211]

You could be  right and why would anyone try to penetrate your huge block of text?

Why not use paragraphs?

[frazer199310]

All I want to do is search for all cars for sale within 25km of my post code sorted by 'Newly Listed', and you just can't do it (on a PC anyway).

Absolute madness!

[helva56]

AI IS ONLY AS EFFICIENT AS THE COCO THAT PROGRAMMED IT IN THE FIRST PLACE,  A HUMAN THAT HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY GIVEN SUBJECT CANNOT PUT ANY USEFUL INFORMATION INTO THAT PROGRAM.

FOR EXAMPLE;  WHEN VISITING THE LOCAL MOTOR FACTORS A YOUNG FELLOW BEHIND THE COUNTER HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF A CAR STEERING COMPONENT THAT IS OVER A METER LONG. AND BRINGS A SMALL BOX THE SIZE OF A CIGARETTE PACKET, HE ENTERED A PART NUMBER INTO A COMPUTER, GOT ONE OR MORE NUMBERS WRONG AND NEITHER HIM OR THE COMPUTER HAVE ANY IDEA THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THE PART INCORRECTLY, THE OLD GUY WHO HAS BEEN IN THE STORES SINCE IT OPENED NOT ONLY KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS, WHERE IT IS LOCATED, AND HAS A FEW TIPS ON THE FITTING PROCEDURE HAS STARTED AT THE BOTTOM AND ATTAINED YEARS OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT EVERY COMPONENT SOLD .

IF THE FUTURE IS TO BE COMPUTERS AND ALGORITHMS, AND PROGRAMMED BY TOTAL IGNORANCE OF THE SUBJECT,THIS IS THE RESULT. AND IT WILL GET WORSE, AND LIKELY WITH TRAGIC, DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES.

[date80211]

So helva56 would you advise giving up first time, or checking your typing and trying again?

[eburtonlab]

@frazer199310 

All I want to do is search for all cars for sale within 25km of my post code sorted by 'Newly Listed', and you just can't do it (on a PC anyway).

I don't know your postal code, so I searched for cars within 25 miles of MK3 6EB, sorted "Newly listed":

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_stpos=MK3+6EB&_nkw=cars&_sacat=0&_sop=10&_fspt=1&LH_PrefLoc=99&_f...

[helva56]

giving up solves nothing, but further tries can only get you deeper down the hole, the problem isn't in my, or necessarily anybody elses typing, but purely  programming, as a random example,

"stihl 30" chainsaw bar" will produce over 3000+ results, most of them will not be "stihl 30" chainsaw bars" but any and everything with the word, bar, chain,stihl, and every make of chainsaw known to man.

  

[frazer199310]

Yep, it works using the URL that you sent me - that's what I used to see with all of the optional filters.

However, starting a fresh search, this is what I now see with none of the filters: https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/bn_1839671

Using 'Advanced search' does not work either.

[date80211]

Will anyone compare exact search parameters to frazer199310's?

When I followed the Link above, it produced 10,000+ results for 'cars…'. Who here thinks a search 'narrowed down…' to 10,000 results could be useful?

e-Bay's primary menus offered no choices based on age of listing - I think that's a recent down-grade, though my memory might be faulty.

The secondary choice, 'Sort by Time: newly listed…' is available only to Users with either prior knowledge, or persistence bordering on the obsessive. Who doubts that 'Sort by…' can refer only to results, not search parameters?

Nevertheless, Searching on 'car' produced 160 results, whether or not we  we ignore the fact that e-Bay changed 'within 25km of Postcode…' to 'within 25 mi…'? Who here thinks 8/5 insignificant?

Who here doubts, submitting any result to 'Sort by Time: newly listed…' should reduce the found set?

Sorry; it does not.

Imposing 'Sort by Time: newly listed…' increases the found set from 160 to '2,700+…'

Everyone is welcome to explain that, and I hope no-one will try to deny it…

[eburtonlab]

When I followed the Link above, it produced 10,000+ results for 'cars…'. Who here thinks a search 'narrowed down…' to 10,000 results could be useful?

It is useful as a starting point for a further search. You seem surprised that searching for any car in the vicinity of a city produces lots of results?

The same technique works for other searches using more narrowly targeted keywords or filter options, but that was not what @frazer199310  asked for.

Nevertheless, Searching on 'car' produced 160 results, whether or not we we ignore the fact that e-Bay changed 'within 25km of Postcode…' to 'within 25 mi…'? Who here thinks 8/5 insignificant?

The range options are fixed and coarse: 10 miles, 25 miles, 50 miles, 100 miles.... Feel free to sort by distance and ignore results you consider too far away.

Imposing 'Sort by Time: newly listed…' increases the found set from 160 to '2,700+…'

If sorting by "Newly listed" increases the number of results you see, you were likely originally sorting by lowest price, which can cause some results to be filtered out.

[date80211]

Sorry, eburtonlab; unless you're trying to force an argument depending more on literal definitions than reasonable propositions I sincerely believe, neither anyone else nor you yourself really thinks 10,000 results could be a useful starting point for a further search

You seem uninterested that searching for 'car…' in a very small area produces a great many results. Will you justify your view, recognise it as more argumentative than helpful, or what?

If the technique for which @frazer199310 asked produced the useful results you claim, why can you yourself not Post a simple list of the few dozen - perhaps, few hundred - results that might be expected… or do you believe the average PostCode should have not only thousands, but thousands of 'newly listed…' cars?

Despite your blinkers, the range options are neither fixed nor coarse. Usually, my eBay offers 25k… if yours doesn't, is that down to me?

Right now, my eBay offers only 'Within 25 mi…' which shows in the selections as '25 miles from (PostCode)…'

My eBay makes no mention of your 10, 50 or 100 miles.... feel free to say where those choices cam from: specifically, what version of which browser were you using, on which  version of what operating system?

Even if 10-100 miles was a reasonable choice, why should any User be forced to waste time by sorting by distance and ignoring results too far away?

When you suppose originally sorting by lowest price can cause some results to be filtered out, will you say how filtering out anything from 160 results, could increase the found set at all, let alone to more than 2,700?

I'm sorry to say, my view is that you're trying to deny various Users' clearly observed experience and worse, to deny that by pure theory in the face of clear evidence.

[nigel_paul_wright7557]

Searches have some sponsored items come to the top of the search.

Quite often these sponsored returns do not match the search text.

Ebay changed the search to also return other items that dont exactly match search terms.

I searched for some 35 volt capacitors.

The first result was the best price so I bought that.

When they arrived they were 25 volt capacitors which were useless.