‘Savvy searching finds the bargains’

“Everyone knows how to do a search on the web…” protested a colleague who was even less tech savvy than I am.

Actually, no, they don’t. Interestingly people also don’t know how to spell properly in classified or eBay adverts. Or they just make a simple typo. And then they wonder why they don’t get calls or bids on the item they are hoping to shift.

It sounds daft but if you’re doing any form of online search for motorcycles or motorcycle parts, try mis-spelling the thing you’re looking for. Try Hodna instead of Honda. Better yet, try Yahama instead of Yamaha (it seems to be a really common mis-spelling and Lord knows I’ve typed it incorrectly any number of times). I’ve just put Yahama into eBay’s search box and got six hundred hits, including a decent 2016 Tracer, a 2008 R6 and more keyboards and other musical instruments than you’d believe. Particularly interesting was a 2007 Yamaha, sorry, Yahama XT125X which, at the time of writing, had two days left to run and no bids, and it started at just £525. See below for more on that particular beauty. There are other clever dodges to try in your searches. If a model is called (for example) a GP250, set up search for that term and also do one for GP 250. Finally, try putting out a few wanted ads. You’d amazed what they flush out. People who can’t be arsed to write an advert actually get on the phone and call you.