Don't forget to click the "more buying options - add store inventory" I have seen people bidding up parts higher than the buy it now on store inventory. It won't come up if you don't select it.
I just lucked out. Bought a fuel tank for my bike for $52 and in great shape, no dents and the correct colour. I found it when I searched "Honda chopper" it was listed with no mention of what it was off of. I recognised it righ away. If someone doesn't know what it is, they don't know what to charge. You can still find a deal, you just have to look for it! Don't rely on ebay alone. I have great luck with a local wrecker.
Yep - totally. . . .I HATE how feeBay changed the search function a while back and try to 'hide' store results (because they make more money off of auctions - bastards). You DON'T search the feeBay stores unless you 'opt in' first, in the advanced search functions, down towards the bottom.
If you don't, you still might see in small text at the bottom of your search results, "check eBay stores for more results" or something to that effect, but its hard to notice. Totally no excuse for this kind of shoddy interface and playing games like this but that is the feeBay way (guess they are too busy running around buying up companies that have nothing to do with selling items, like Skype, than to work on their core product)
Also, I have totally seen a couple guys trying to outbid one another on a part that was in the stores at the
same time, for far less. . . . LOL.
I too have had good luck with generic searches like 'honda chopper' to find good deals on stuff someone couldn't ID correctly.