The difference between classic eBay and eBay classifieds is a bit vague and not immediately obvious. However, there is a subtle difference: you can easily search for people on the eBay website, but not on eBay classifieds. There is simply no search option here that you can use to locate sellers. However, there are two simple options if you eBay Classifieds a user or a user search want.
Search for a user on eBay classifieds: Simply subscribe
If you don’t feel like searching the entire platform for a person every time, you can also subscribe to them. Since eBay classifieds is kept relatively anonymous (usually only first name with the first letter of the last name), it takes ages to search for a user on the platform. However, if there is someone who you think offers interesting stuff or who you want to come back to later, you can subscribe to that person.
To do this, go to the person’s offer and then click on the username. Now you see all the offers that she has currently advertised. There is also a “Follow” button. If you click on it, you will be notified regularly when a new product is offered by this person. You can also easily deactivate the notifications in the settings, since the account is also displayed in the “Mine” area under “I’m following”.
Search with Google
If you have subscribed to the desired classifieds account, you can save yourself the long search. But if it’s too late and you don’t follow anyone but you remembered the name of the account, you can use Google or another search engine to find users on eBay classifieds. To do this, enter the following in the address bar (field for the URL):
- site:ebay-kleinwerbung.de User XYZ
Instead of “User-XYZ” you enter the real username to find the profile straight away. With the “site” you also set that you will only be shown results on eBay classifieds. However, this method only works if the account currently has at least one ad online. If that’s not the case, you’re looking in vain. But as Heise reports, this is because the contact details only apply to the respective ad and are otherwise not visible.
Conclusion: search with obstacles
Unlike the second-hand seller Vinted (formerly Vinted), you cannot search for accounts on eBay classifieds. If you want to search for users on eBay classifieds, you cannot do so directly on the website, but you still have two options to choose from. It remains to be seen whether eBay will one day change that and follow suit on this point. But until then, it’s not impossible to find an account again. If you have had negative experiences with a person on the platform, you have the option of reporting a seller on eBay classifieds. And you can also use these eBay classifieds alternatives to find real used treasures.
Sources: eBay Classifieds, Heise