How to set up eBay price alerts that are actually useful
Published
A price alert only helps if it sends you listings you would really buy. Most alerts fail because they are too broad, so you get dozens of irrelevant emails and stop reading them. Here is how to set one up properly.
1. Use the words a seller would use
Sellers write titles for search, so they usually include the brand, model and key spec. Search for iPhone 15 Pro 256GB rather than new iPhone. Two to five specific words works best. Every extra word must appear in the title, so very long searches miss good listings.
2. Set a price floor as well as a ceiling
The highest price is obvious: it is the most you would pay. The lowest price matters just as much. Listings far below the real value are often cases, empty boxes, replacement parts or scams. For a phone that sells for £600 used, a floor of around £300 removes most of that noise.
3. Choose the condition you want
If you only want sealed stock, choose new only. If you are happy with used, choose used or either. Refurbished items are usually listed as used on eBay.
4. Pick the item location
Buying from sellers in your own country avoids import VAT, customs charges and slow delivery. If you are in the UK, set the item location to the United Kingdom. Widen it only when the item is rare.
5. Exclude the junk
Add words you never want to see: faulty, spares, repair, broken, box only, case, read description. Excluded words are removed from results before anything reaches your inbox.
6. Check postage before you buy
Alerts match on the item price. A cheap listing with expensive postage may not be a deal, so always check the total on the listing page.
7. Review after a week
If you get too many matches, tighten the price range or add excluded words. If you get none, remove a word or raise your ceiling slightly. Small changes make a big difference.