Search filters

[thefigurewizard]

Basic search filters have been removed, altogether in some cases, like item location, unless you put a keyword in.

Used to be able to search a category without a keyword based on location and a few other options.

Tried using 'advanced search filters' and they don't work at all, it just takes you back to main root menus, sometimes all categories and not even to relevant category selected; it's a total mess, used to be great.

Anyone else find it a train wreck lately?

[hopkida1]

I can't understand why eBay would remove search options to the extent that it makes searching for items almost impossible.  As an example, If I want to search for a car, there are now just 8 options to choose from.  I can't even specify my own price range!  I can no longer specify a fuel type, mileage range etc.

Are eBay trying to drive buyers away?

[eburtonlab]

Filters appear more reliably when searching using keywords compared to browsing a category.

If you want to see the entire category and cannot think of a good keyword to use, try searching the category using the category name as your search keyword, and that should allow you to see the filter options. Or else try using your filter option as a search keyword, if the option is likely to appear in the title or item-specifics.

If you find a particular category that this technique does not seem to work, please follow up here. Someone may be able to suggest an alternative search.

To search for vehicles, try this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/9801/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=cars

The category Cars contains 210,893 results when I browse; when I search I see 210,000+ results for cars (larger numbers are rounded down to two significant digits when searching).

[tarkal42]

Same problem, it's almost impossible to find what I'm looking for, why would you remove useful filters and options? eBay is progressively going downhill.

[eburtonlab]

@tarkal42 

What are you searching for?

[tek-ware]

The removal of filters is a massive backwards step.  I've just tried to have a look for some vintage items, I used to able to set the location to UK and then browse by newly listed.  You used to be able to get the functionality back by adding /i.html to the the URL but they have now removed that feature.

[eburtonlab]

@tek-ware 

Which category are you trying to browse?

[tek-ware]

Every category I've tried in Computers, Tablets and Networking, /i.html does not work.

[davrman]

You can still use these filters by editing the URL in your browser's address bar.

Here's the Laptops and Notebooks category (~83,000 listings):

https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/bn_1631140

For items (claimed to be) located in the UK only, change it to this (~71,000 listings):

https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/bn_1631140?LH_PrefLoc=1

...and to restrict prices to your minimum/maximum and not eBay's:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/bn_1631140?LH_PrefLoc=1&_udlo=100&_udhi=200

This example restricts the search to items between £100 and £200 (~16,000 listings). Change the numbers to suit.

Hope this helps.

[moldosgifts]

I think the point of the thread is they shouldn't have to adjust the URL.

It should be where it always was.

If you confident enough helpful post 

If you your not ebay not playing ball AGAIN

[davrman]

"I think the point of the thread is they shouldn't have to adjust the URL."

Of course, but until eBay fixes this (don't hold your breath) there are workarounds.

[hopkida1]

You are correct!  I shouldn't have to try and figure out how to adjust a URL, I should be able to set filters to get where I want to be.

[eburtonlab]

@tek-ware 

Try this as a starting point for your computer searches:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=Computers%2FTablets+%26+Networking&_sacat=0&LH_PrefLoc=1&_sop...

From there, drill down into each category using the tree on the left side of the search results.

If I drop the UK requirement, the numbers of results of the searches matches closely the number of results in the category (search numbers are rounded down to two significant digits for larger numbers of results).

I agree that it would be very helpful if eBay restored the missing filter options for browsing. Until or unless eBay actually does that, users will probably need to seek out alternative search methods to get the same functionality. Posting or replying to threads like this one is one way to accomplish the latter. Using the "Tell us what you think" link to give eBay feedback about missing features is one way to try to encourage eBay to accomplish the former.