Hi everyone,

Wanted to pass along some information I found helpful. I contacted ebay (as I know many others have) regarding the issue of fraudulent plumeria postings.

Cover 4 topics below, so view as interested:
(a) update on removal of fraudulent sellers
(b) steps for setting up a photoshoped free search (required 1 time only)
(c) accessing your saved search in the future
(d) placing additional restrictions on your prior search

UPDATE AS TO REMOVAL OF FRAUDULENT SELLERS FROM SITE
I realize the optimal solution would be that these all be removed from the site. At this time that may not be feasible (partly because they don't have the expertise to determine). I explained that removal of these is particularly important for those less familiar with the plants, because the warranty period ebay allows is not a timeframe in which the flower will bloom. Thus, sellers have 100% positive ratings, based only on people receiving a cutting that appears healthy (not receiving the product they think they purchased). ONLY explaining this part to let everyone know I actually reached someone on the phone and the issue has been documented. Only time will tell if anything comes of that.

SO the primary purpose of this post was to share how you can make your personal ebay use less frustrating.
The key is in creating saved searches.
**YOU ONLY HAVE TO DO THIS ONCE**

INITIAL STEPS TO SEARCH SETUP
To do this:
1) Identify ebay sellers you don't want to see products from
2) at the top of the page, right hand side next to the search button click 'advanced'
3)Enter your keyword "plumeria" and then just below the first blue search button, check the box that says 'save this search to my ebay'. Proceed down additional filter options to 'Sellers'
4) In the sellers field lick "only show items from:
5) In the dropdown menu, change the selection from include to exclude [Note - here you can also choose to see only those you trust; however, I am using the 'exclude' option to allow me to be aware of new sellers
6) add the seller ID of those you don't or do want to see in the text box (seperate names with a comma) -- for example, my current exclude list is: dealasia2012,shoppingmall1999,108shopasia,commart2000,jewelryablaze,garden1890,happynet_shop,thaiperfect_gems,gift2home2012,best_plumeria,siamflower_lover,collect4you1999)

7) Now click search and be amazed that you see only pictures of actual plumeria (doesn't guarantee you're seeing only trusted sellers, but ita better starting point and less digging through fake junk)

ACCESSING YOUR SEARCH AT FUTURE TIMES
To access this same search in the future, click "My eBay", select 'saved searches' and click on your saved search preferences.

MAKING UPDATES *Most complex but you can do it!*
1) Go to "My eBay" and select "saved searches"
2) Next to your search click "edit" (it will appear to take you to your search results)
3) on the left hand side part way down page with the search options click "more refinements".
4) add or subtract usernames to exclude and select 'go'
5)***Now at the top of the page on the left side of the blue search button, click the *star* save. It will ask you to either confirm your save with a new search name (this will keep your old search settings and the new search setting with separate names), or you can enter your previous search label to keep only one search listing.

I know this is a lot of content, and you may already know all this; but setting it up for the first time (not being a huge ebay user) was a bit frustrating, so I wanted to pass along these tips for any who enjoy shopping for plumeria on ebay to hopefully help make your future searches of products you may actually be interested in!

Bests to all!

Rebecca

(PS sorry to all for previous threads I am behind on replying to - trying to finish this dissertation and haven't been on the past few weeks - will catch up soon!)