General Search Tips Try different search words There are many words to describe any item. Imagine which words a seller might use to describe the item you're looking for. Try several different options and combinations -- but use just two or three words at a time to be sure you get a variety of results. Use specific words instead of general ones For example, a search for Beatles poster will return fewer, more-targeted listings than a search for Beatles. For a closer match, specify a date, colour, or brand For example, to find a particular Barbie item, don't just type Barbie in the search box. If you're looking for a Barbie dress made in the 1960s, enter: Barbie dress 196*. If you want only red dresses, type: Barbie red dress. Remember: be specific and narrowly define your search! Try US spellings If you're searching using words with Canadian-specific spellings such as colour or centre, you'll find more items with the corresponding US spellings (color, center). Search titles and descriptions to get more matches Search always looks for your keywords in the title of the items for sale. Click on search titles and descriptions under the search box to also search item descriptions. You'll get many more results. Search worldwide for items or search just within Canada. On any search box on eBay.ca, you have the option of searching for items located in Canada only, or opening up your search to items located in other countries. You can also toggle between items available to Canada or located in Canada using the link located near the top right corner of any search or browse results page. Add or remove the letter "s" for more results For example, you'll get two different lists of items when you search for diamond rings and diamond ring. Try your search with and without the final "s". Be careful when using and, or, and the eBay's search engine searches for and, or, and the just like it would any other word. Use and, or, and the only if you're searching for items containing these words, such as Diana Ross and the Supremes or Truth or Dare Don't use extra punctuation Only use punctuation in your search if you expect it to be in the item title or description for which you're searching. Examples include t-shirt, N-Sync and Dr. Watson. Consider browsing If you're not searching for something specific, try browsing through the category listing pages for surprising discoveries. Try Want It Now If you’re looking for a hard-to-find item, tell millions of sellers what you’re looking for by creating a Want It Now post.
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