Why doesn't eBay make a FAQs page to help people with the 'new search'? This is the answer I posted for a couple of questions tonight on AAM.
Are you trying to search all listings in all categories?
eBay no longer has a global wildcard that you can use in the search to give you a result.
Using a . or $ shows all listings but you can only see the details of the items on the first page. If you click to go to the 2nd page you are taken back to the category summary.
Seems the only way to find the maximum number of listings if you want to search all items in all categories is to use Advanced Search and list as many words possible, or use part words (min 2 letters) followed by *.
You need to think of any and all words that may be included in the listings you are looking for.
Separate the words with commas, no spaces, and surround the lot with brackets.
Select 'Any words, Any order' and tick 'Include Title and Description'.
eg. Using the following in a search returns in excess of 99.7% of the listings, but still not 100%!
(th*,po*,a,and,at,condition,has,in,is,on,of,off,or,for,from,has,new,old,on,paypal,pick,up,to,was,where,when,will,with,%,$,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0)
Enter your distance filters.
Once you get the results you're looking for make sure you save your search!
http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/search/search-commands.htmlA lot of fiddling, when they could have included a standard wildcard for 'search all' as part of the new search.
'eBay's improved search experience' should make it easier to find items, not more difficult!