I must admit, being a self proclaimed internet savvy seeker of automobilia makes it difficult to do this. So here’s the deal, if this helps you out, let me know about it. I figure this levels the playing field for the guys like me, who’ve missed that one great deal. Okay, enough of my pouting. If you want to stay ahead of the pack of wolves sitting behind their computers, waiting, watching Ebay and Craigslist for the next super deal, you’d better pay close attention.

When it comes to conducting searches and placing items for sale online there are a few tricks you should know about. First off, yes you can search multiple Craigslist.org sites at one time. No, they (Craigslist) don’t want you to know this. Yes, a handful of snipers and collectors around the world will hate me for this. Where do you go to search more than one craigslist city at a time?

Here’s a list of sites:
Crazed List: Probably the most comprehensive of the multi C-List search engines. It will guide you through a quick set up and before you know it, you’re searching the world for those Campy Wheels or that shift knob or Amco rack you’ve been dreaming of.

Site Mash: This is a site that specifically targets Ebay and Craigslist, giving a nifty search results showing the dates posted and prices very clearly. I like this one.

Search Tempest: This is another version of the first two and works fine as well.

Next, You can use RSS feeds to get real-time updates sent directly to your computer or phone messaging This alerts you of a new listing just seconds after it’s listed. Look for the RSS Feed Button and click on it to set it up.

Ebay has a great tool available for registered users. The Saved Search option allows you to save your favorite search and get notifications when something comes available through there site. No more searching day after day for that missing item you need! They’ll let you know when it’s online.

Search Terms: In my story about the one that got away, I have a list of popular misspelled Auto names. Imagine, You’ve spent months searching craigslist for an Alfa Romeo. You show up at your club meet and your buddy just picked his up a couple miles from your house… he found it on a craigslist ad reading Apha Romero Julieta Sprint!

So you posted an ad on craigslist and it never shows up, or gets flagged and deleted right away? Guess what! There are multiple software programs to do just that, flag your ad! Auto dealers are the primary suspected users of this software. It picks up keywords in your ad and in seconds can flag it enough to have it removed. My hunch is when craigslist posting programmers see that many ad’s flagged from your account, they blacklist you. So, you have to open a new account, change the verbage of your ad and repost. This flagging software is often called Flagbots.

Avoiding Scams: If you come across a car listed for an abnormally low price, use caution. The first red flag for me is the lack of a Phone # or an advertiser that insists on communicating through email only. I always request a phone # for communicating. Never send money until you or someone you trust has seen the car, inspected the title and have all arrangements made for delivery, paperwork and financial exchange. Make sure the Vin matches the Title, etc. See my buying tips for further details. This should get you off to a good start and possibly have an advantage over the other guys in finding online deals.

Happy Motoring~