Wild card searches on past Ebay items is no longer supported.

digicat

When I do searches for autographed cards, I usually do a search for "au*", since sellers tend to use AU, AUTO, or spell out Autograph when they list an autographed item.

Well, I was looking to see what a particular card had sold for in the past, and I got this message:

"Your search returned 0 items.
Search using the wildcard symbol (*) is no longer supported."


So, if they're shutting this off for past items, does anyone know if they're also planning on prohibiting this sort of search for active items?

Autos4Alex

I don't know anything about e-bay's plans to shutdown wildcard searches, but as a workaround you can search using sets:

For example:
{au, auto, autograph}

This might even save you some time as you can avoid the dreaded results that match "automobile" or things of that nature.

This also allows you to expand your searching with other keywords, for example I often use:
{au, auto, autograph, signed, jsa, dna}

Out of curiosity are there any other keywords you use when searching for autograph cards? I'm always looking to get better search results.

The only other thing I use quite a bit is removing results I don't want, for example if I don't want to include reprints or gai authenticated cards:
{au, auto, autograph, signed, jsa, dna} --reprint --rp --gai

digicat

I know there are workarounds, but wild card operators are so much simpler.

Also, some guys like to use non-standard abbreviations, and wildcards help to find those.
For instance, some sellers like abbreviating Bowman Chrome as "Bow Chr" instead of spelling it out.

mlbfan2

<< <i>So, if they're shutting this off for past items, does anyone know if they're also planning on prohibiting this sort of search for active items? >>



Yup.


eBay spokesperson Ryan Moore explained the decision to EcommerceBytes. "Our research showed that using specific terms to expand one's search was a more effective method than wildcard searches, which oftentimes included unexpected variations that cluttered search results. By removing the wildcard (*) advanced search functionality, we're able to deliver search results more efficiently and faster."

One eBay shopper on the discussion boards searches regularly for "trifari necklace." They search eBay with using the term "trifari neck*" to make sure they find all listings for Trifari necklaces. "Are they really eliminating this," the user asked. "A major change with no notice. A horrible change, in my opinion. I use it all the time."

Another eBay user said, "I have some whopping saved searches I've had for years, looking for those rarities, no good now."

Moore confirmed that the change would be applied to live listings as well as completed searches. "We are currently in the process of rolling out this change across eBay and it will include live listings." eBay has already removed instructions on wildcard searching from its help pages.

digicat

<< <i>By removing the wildcard (*) advanced search functionality, we're able to deliver search results more efficiently and faster. >>



I guess this goes to show us that the average Ebayer is a moron who is incapable of learning.

TheCARDKid

What's happened to internet innovation?

-Remember back....say in the late 90's or early 2000's, just about everything was done to make things easier, simpler, faster, better?

Now we are going backwards. This stuff is completely crazy. I use to do wildcard searches....198* box, or 195* bowman psa 9 just to see what was available or sold. I still miss the completed searches (in feedback) going way back in years.

If they were smart, they'd organize your feedback into what you sold, how much, etc. The guy that is selling that 1960 Topps Mantle PSA 9 who hasn't sold anything for 3 years, he wouldn't look so bad. Maybe 6 years ago, he was selling more. It would work well for things like unopened wax.

kwtoz

<< <i>

<< <i>By removing the wildcard (*) advanced search functionality, we're able to deliver search results more efficiently and faster. >>



I guess this goes to show us that the average Ebayer is a moron who is incapable of learning. >>



No, what this shows is that the ebay decision makers are the morons!!!

Planemonkey

New logo same e b a y