eBay misspelling search: how to find typo bargains
A listing with a typo in the title is hidden from everyone who types the word correctly. Fewer visitors means fewer bids – and a lower final price for the buyer who finds it.
Why typos are cheap
eBay’s search looks for the words you type. It corrects some obvious mistakes, but far from all of them, and it rarely does so for brand and model names. A “Playstaion”, a “Rollex” or “Pokemon cads” lot can run for a week with almost no visitors.
The four common mistakes
- Swapped letters: “Nitnendo”, “Leog”.
- Missing letters: “Nintedo”, “Playstaion”, “Poloroid”.
- Doubled letters: “Seikko”, “Rollex”, “Zipo”.
- Neighbouring keys: “Legi”, “Barbue”, “iPhine”.
Search several spellings at once
eBay accepts a list of alternatives in brackets, separated by commas. The search (nintedo,nitendo,nintndo) finds listings with any of the three spellings. A minus sign removes a word: lego -duplo.
The same works in the search box on this site. Combine it with the no-bid filter and you get misspelled auctions that nobody has bid on yet:
Try it: misspelled Nintendo auctions
Where it works best
Typo search pays off for long brand names and for items sold by private sellers who list from their phone: LEGO, Pokémon cards, watches, cameras, consoles and jewelry. It works less well for cheap everyday goods, where the saving is smaller than the shipping.
Check before you bid
A seller who mistypes the title may also describe the item loosely. Look at every photo, read the description, and check the model number yourself. Ask the seller if something is unclear – there is usually still time before the auction ends.
By Auctionhunter · Last-Minute Auction is an independent search page. As an eBay Partner we may earn a commission when you buy through our links.