Getting Started with the Free EBay Desktop

When you think of eBay you think of a web site. However, new (and free) beta software from eBay aims to change all that. Using the new eBay Desktop, you use a software application to search and browse eBay for items to buy. You can save searches and bid on items. If you are a seller, however, you won't find eBay Desktop useful (at least, not yet - this is beta software and eBay may add more features).

So what's different? When you launch eBay Desktop, you'll see the eBay Desktop home screen. It has several panels, a search bar, and a graphical menu. The panels show your favorite searches, categories you've viewed recently (like Collectibles or Crafts), a large panel that has a list of categories, and a summary of items you are watching, auctions you are bidding on, and items you've recently viewed (you can find screen shots accompanying this article). There are also Web-like forward and backward buttons for navigation.

The eBay Desktop graphical menu at the top right has several items: Home, Find, My Items, Bid/Buy, and Feeds. You can probably guess that pressing the Home button will return you to the home screen. When you open a category or click on a favorite search you get to the same screen that the Find button displays. This box also appears if you enter text into the search box. Once the Find screen is displayed, you'll see options for filtering (for example, selecting only auctions or on a price range). You'll also be able to expand your search with related items and change the sort order of the results.

Double clicking an auction item brings you to a display that shows you the details of the item as well as the time left to bid. You can click on tabs to see details about the sellers, other bidders, and other information related to the item. A graphic menu lets you watch the item, set a reminder, ask the seller a question, or jot some notes down that you can read later. You can also, of course, put a bid on the item from this eBay Desktop screen.

The My Items icon lets you view auction items you are watching, auction items you viewed lately, and any reminders you have pending. In addition, you can view messages and notes you've made. The Bid/Buy icon allows you to see what you are bidding on, pay for auctions, and leave feedback. The final icon, Feeds, allows you to work with your saved searches.

The eBay Desktop software is made to run in your tray all the time so it can notify you and watch for new items. The interface is big and bright and made to be easy to use. No hidden menu options or other difficult features are in this program.

Is eBay Desktop worthwhile? If you mostly buy things on eBay and you like a program-like interface that is easy to use, why not go for it? The software is free, and the reminder and note functions are useful. On the other hand, if you do your eBay buying from different computers, or you have a low-powered older computer, you might just want to stick with the good old fashioned Web interface to eBay. If you sell on eBay, then eBay desktop isn't for you. At least, not while you are running your own auctions.