Score on eBay

Search Smarter

Be as specific as possible with your search terms. Once you have your results, narrow them down using the left rail's additional criteria like sizes, delivery options and price caps.

Save searches by clicking the "Follow This Search" link at the top of the page. This will save you from narrowing down your searches in the future and move any current or future listing aligning with that search to your eBay homepage. It also allows you to set up alerts for those hard-to-find pieces, so you'll be emailed as soon as their listed.

Use the "Sort" button at the top of your results page to see options that others may've missed. You can sometimes get a last-minute deal when sorting by "Ending Soonest" or find a reasonably priced "Buy It Now" option under "Newly Listed."

Be a Better Bidder

Don't bid early—it'll only drive up the price. Instead, add the item to your "Watch List," a dashboard of sorts that allows you to monitor the current price and time remaining. You'll also be alerted a few hours before the auction ends.

If no one's bid on the item yet, try contacting the seller to negotiate a lesser price. Give them an offer and the seller may update the listing with a "Make An Offer" option to allow you to purchase the item for the price you offered.

For auction items with many bidders, wait until the actual last minute, put in the highest price you'd be willing to spend—it starts you at the current bid, but ensures you'll win if your max price beats other bids.

Don't be chained to your computer. The eBay app allows you to track prices and put in that last-minute bid from the comfort of your mobile device when you get that fateful "auction ending" alert.