Your complete guide to using uBuyFirst’s browser-based eBay search and monitoring tool.
New to the web app? Start with the uBuyAssist overview.
1. Overview #
What is Lite Version? #
A browser-based eBay search and monitoring tool with two core modes: Alert and Search. Works in any current browser — Mac, Windows, or mobile. A browser too old for the app shows a message asking you to update it, or to open uBuyFirst in a current Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge. Free during soft launch.
On your phone you can also use the uBuyFirst: Alerts for eBay app, free to download from the App Store (iPhone and iPad, iOS or iPadOS 15.4 or later) or Google Play (Android 7.0 or later). You sign in with the same account as the web app, and with notifications allowed, the app can send you push alerts for new listings that match your saved searches.
Alert Mode vs Search Mode #
Alert Mode is for real-time monitoring. You set up saved searches (keywords), start the alert, and items flow in as they’re posted on eBay. This is for deal hunters where speed matters — seconds can make the difference on hot items. Results stream in continuously while Alert is active.
Search Mode is for on-demand batch searching. Instead of going to eBay.com, run your searches here with saved profiles and advanced filtering. This is for users who need to process searches in batches, repeat the same searches daily, or need more control over filtering than eBay.com offers. You run a search, process the results, then run the next one.
Which should I use?
- Need real-time, continuous monitoring? → Alert
- Need to run searches on-demand, process batches, repeat daily searches? → Search
- Many users use both depending on their workflow
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Who is it for?
Alert Mode Use Cases: #
- Daily deal hunters monitoring newly listed items
- Speed-focused buying where seconds matter
- Continuous monitoring of specific product categories
- “Drinking from a fire hose” high-volume sourcing
Search Mode Use Cases: #
- Casual eBay searches — Common, everyday searches with saved profiles
- Daily batch processing — Run the same searches each day, eliminate items you’ve already processed
- High-volume sourcing — Heavy batch searching with organized profiles, advanced filtering, blocking noise
- One-off searches — Quick searches for specific items without setting up alerts
- Team workflows — Work as a team, each person with their own account, and share searches and blocked lists (see Multi-User / Team Access)
Key benefits for high-volume users:
- Eliminate items you’ve already made decisions on (critical for daily batches)
- Block sellers, items, and countries that pollute results with noise
- Advanced filtering criteria to cut through 2-3x more listings efficiently
- Organize searches into profiles for repeatable workflows
- Work as a team: share searches and blocked lists with your team members
Lite vs Desktop Comparison #
| Feature | Lite (Web) | Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Any current browser (Mac, Windows, mobile) | Windows only |
| Price | Free (soft launch) | $50/month |
| Real-time alerts | ✓ | ✓ |
| On-demand batch search | ✓ | ✓ |
| Advanced filters | ✓ | ✓ (more options) |
| Multiple views | Limited | Full customization |
| Multi-user | ✓ Teams (each person signs in with their own account) | Per license |
| Best for | Light-to-medium volume, Mac users, batch workflows | Enterprise/heavy volume, full customization |
2. Getting Started #
Creating an Account #
- Go to app.ubuyfirst.com
- Sign up with your email
- Verify your email address
- Log in and start using
Interface Overview #
- Top bar: Light/Dark mode toggle, Notifications on/off, Sound toggle, Account/Login
- Left navigation: Alert and Search mode icons — click to switch between modes
- Main area: Two-pane layout — settings/options on left, results on right
- Drag the divider to resize panes
Multi-User / Team Access #
Work with others as a team. Each person signs in with their own uBuyFirst account.
- Open your account menu (your initial, top right) and choose Team.
- Click Create Team and give it a name. You can change the name later. You are the team’s owner.
- Click Add Team Member, search for the person by email or name, and pick their role: Member or Admin.
- They see an invite at the top of their dashboard. They join only when they click Accept. Until then the invite shows as Pending, and you can cancel it.
Roles: #
- Owner — everything an admin can do, plus Transfer Ownership and Delete Team.
- Admin — adds and removes members, renames the team, assigns search folders to members, and sees and manages the team’s searches and filters. The team’s blocked sellers, items and countries replace their own.
- Member — the team manages their blocked sellers, items and countries, and their new saved searches.
Anyone can leave a team with Leave Team on the Team page.
3. Alert Mode — Real-Time Monitoring #
Quick Start: Your First Alert Search #
Here’s how to get up and running with your first real-time alert:
Step 1: Create a Saved Search
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- Click Settings (gear icon) on the left panel to expand the Settings and Options window
- It should default to Saved Searches — if not, click the gear icon to see the Alert module settings panels
- The settings load on the left side while your results panel stays visible on the right
- Click New to create a new saved search
- Fill in your search details (see “Creating a Saved Search” below)
- Click Save
Step 2: Start the Alert #
- Return to the main view (collapse settings if needed)
- Toggle Alert to Active (green) in the upper left
- Make sure you see the green indicator showing alerts are running
Step 3: View Results #
- Results stream in automatically as items are posted on eBay
- Sound notification plays for new items (if enabled)
- Results panel is always present on the right side
- Click any listing to see more details
Creating a Saved Search (Keyword) #
When creating a saved search, you’ll see these fields:
Basic Information: #
- Alias — Short internal name to quickly identify this search (helpful when managing multiple searches)
- eBay Site — Which eBay site to search (ebay.com, ebay.co.uk, etc.)
- Keywords — What you’re searching for (the main search terms)
Filters: #
- Listing Type — Auction, Buy It Now, or both
- Min Price / Max Price — Price range filter
- Category — eBay category to narrow results
- Condition — New, Used, Refurbished, etc.
- Search in Description — Include item descriptions in keyword matching
Location Settings: #
- Zip Code — Your location (for shipping cost calculations)
- Item Located In — Where items should be located (e.g., United States)
- Ships To — Must ship to your location
Seller Filters: #
- Block Countries — Exclude sellers from specific countries
- Allow Countries — Only include sellers from specific countries
Starting Your Alert & Viewing Results
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Once you have saved searches created:
- Toggle Alert to Active (green arrow) in upper left
- Results begin streaming in real-time
- The Results Panel is always present and open on the right side
- New items appear as they’re listed on eBay
- Sound notification plays for new items (if enabled in top bar)
Sorting Results:
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- Posted Newest / Oldest
- Price Low to High / High to Low
- Found Newest / Oldest
The Results Panel #
The results panel shows your incoming items. Click the three dots above the results grid to change how results display:
- Grid View — Card layout with images
- List View — Compact list format
- Table View — Spreadsheet-style columns
- Items per page — Adjust how many items display
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Working with Results:
- Click a listing → Opens the Item Preview Window
- Mark as Seen — Click the rectangle on the right side of an item
- Temporarily Hide — Click X to remove from current view (not blocked, just hidden)
- Block Item — Three dots → Block Item (permanent, won’t appear again)
Item Preview Window
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When you click on a listing, the Item Preview Window opens with full details:
What you see: #
- Pictures — Click to enlarge
- All listing details — Price, shipping, condition, seller info, item specifics
- Item description — Full description text from the listing
- Seller information — Feedback score, location, other seller details
Actions available: #
- View on eBay — Open the item page on eBay
- Go to Checkout — Jump directly to purchase
- Make Offer — If available on the listing
- Mark as Viewed / Not Interested — Track your decisions
- Close — Return to results panel
The eBay view switch in the window’s top bar (it reads “eBay” on a narrow screen) shows a second layout that follows eBay’s own item page. The app remembers your choice in this browser on this device. The actions listed above are the standard layout’s; in the eBay layout, Go to Checkout reads Buy It Now.
Bidding, messaging the seller and your eBay Watchlist work inside the app only in the eBay view; the standard layout has no buttons for them. They use the eBay account you connected: click the person icon at the top right, choose Account, and find eBay Account. Without a connected eBay account, the bid and message windows ask you to connect one. When you’re signed out, or in the demo, these buttons open the listing on eBay instead.
Place bid opens a bid window on a running auction on eBay US priced in US dollars. Type at least the amount the window shows under Your maximum bid (USD), then press Bid. A bid is a commitment to buy the item if you win. On any other running auction the button reads Place bid on eBay and opens the listing on eBay.
Message, next to the seller’s name, and Message seller, under About this seller, open a message window. Send sends your message to the seller through eBay, and the seller’s reply arrives in your eBay messages. eBay blocks messages that contain email addresses or links. Many connected eBay accounts don’t allow messages from uBuyFirst yet; the window then shows Reconnect, and you finish signing in to eBay in the window that opens. Message on eBay instead, on the connect or Reconnect screen, opens the listing on eBay.
Add to Watchlist, or the heart on the photo, adds the listing to your eBay Watchlist, and the button then reads Watching. Press it again to take the listing off. On a listing with variations, or when your eBay account isn’t connected or needs a new sign-in, the button reads Add to Watchlist on eBay and opens the listing on eBay. On an ended listing the Watchlist button is gone, and the heart opens the listing on eBay. When your eBay account isn’t connected, a line under the Watchlist button reads “Connect your eBay account to watch items here.” with a Connect eBay button.
In the eBay view, the condition has an ⓘ beside it, in the top row and under Item specifics. Click it to read eBay’s own wording for that condition, then close it to go back to the item. There is no ⓘ on eBay Motors listings, on Open box and Good – Refurbished, or when Item Info is set to Basic, because the condition wording needs the item’s full details. The Payments row shows each payment method’s logo, as on eBay. On a listing tied to an eBay catalogue product, About this product lists the product’s identifiers, such as brand, MPN, UPC and the eBay Product ID (ePID), and its key features; you see it when you’re signed in. The item description from the seller is shown at its full length, without a scroll box of its own.
See details, on the Shipping row and on the Returns row, opens a Shipping and returns window with the shipping details eBay returned, the places the seller doesn’t ship to, and the return terms. When you’re signed out, or in the demo, See details opens the listing on eBay. The seller’s name, the round letter icon and Save seller open the seller’s page on eBay. The positive feedback percentage under the seller’s name, and the arrow beside the seller, open an About this seller window in the app. It shows the seller’s detailed ratings for the last 12 months and their newest feedback comments, read from eBay through your connected eBay account. Without a connected eBay account the window shows Connect eBay, and See all feedback on eBay opens the seller’s feedback on eBay. When you’re signed out, or in the demo, the percentage and the arrow open eBay instead. Other buttons in this layout still open eBay, such as Select size, color or other options on eBay, See which vehicles it fits on eBay, and Add to cart on eBay.
On the Search page, a graded trading card shows its grade with its condition, such as “Graded - PSA 9”, in the condition badge in grid, list and table views and in both layouts of the item window. An ungraded card shows its card condition, such as “Ungraded - Near Mint or Better”. Grades come from the item’s full details, so they follow the Item Info setting: with Fast they appear once the details have loaded, with Full they show from the start, and with Basic they don’t show. They’re read under eBay’s English names, so when you search eBay.de or another site in a language other than English, a card shows its condition without the grade.
This gives you everything you need to qualify or disqualify an item without leaving the app.
Settings & Options Overview #
The Settings panel contains everything for configuring your Alert experience:
- Saved Searches — Create and manage your keyword searches
- Item Filters — Rules to automatically tag or hide items
- Blocked — Manage blocked sellers, items, and countries
- Global Profile — Default settings applied to all new searches
Click Settings (gear icon) to expand. Click the gear icon again to access the different options panels.
Saved Searches #
Organize multiple saved searches to monitor different products or categories simultaneously. Each search runs independently when Alert is active.
- Create up to 1,000 saved searches
- Organize in folders for easy management
- Each search has its own keywords, filters, and settings
- Override global profile settings at the individual search level
Item Filters (Tags & Rules) #
Automatically process incoming items based on rules you define. Like conditional formatting — highlight items you want, hide the noise.
What filters can do: #
- Add a Tag — Visual label appears on the item in results (customizable color and name)
- Hide — Automatically remove items matching the rule from view
Creating a Filter:
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- Go to Settings → Item Filters
- Organize filters in folders
- Click New to create a filter:
- Name — What to call this filter
- Action — Add Tag or Hide
- Color — Tag color for visibility
- Filter Type — Rule Builder or Country Filter
Rule Builder: #
- Set match condition: If ALL / ANY / NONE of conditions are met
- Add conditions: Pick any listing field → Contains / Does not contain / Starts with / Ends with → Value
- Group conditions with AND/OR logic
Example: Tag items where title contains “sealed” AND price < $50 with a green “HOT DEAL” tag
Blocked Items (Sellers, Items, Countries) #
Remove noise by blocking sellers, items, or countries you never want to see.
Why block? #
- Eliminate repeat sellers who don’t fit your needs
- Block items you’ve already evaluated and rejected
- Exclude entire countries with problematic shipping or seller quality
- Can reduce results clutter by 2-3x in some categories
Blocking from Results: #
- Click three dots on any listing → Block Seller or Block Item
- Blocked items won’t appear in future results
Managing Blocked Lists:
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- Settings → Blocked
- View and edit blocked sellers, items, countries
- Copy/paste lists or add individually
- Import/Export supported
Global Profile Settings #
Settings that stay consistent across all your searches by default.
- Set once in Settings → Global Profile
- New saved searches inherit these settings automatically
- Can override at individual search level when needed
- Includes: default location, default seller filters, common exclusions
Import / Export #
- Export your saved searches, filters, blocked lists
- Import from backup or share configurations between accounts
- Useful for team setups or backing up your configuration
- Settings → Import/Export
4. Search Mode — On-Demand Batch Search
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What is Search Mode? #
Search Mode is your eBay.com replacement for on-demand searches. Instead of going to eBay, run searches here with saved profiles, advanced filtering, and better organization.
You run a search, process the results, then move to the next search. Results don’t stream in continuously like Alert — you’re in control of when searches run.
Use Cases: From Casual to High-Volume #
Casual / Everyday Use: #
- Run common eBay searches with saved settings
- Quick one-off searches for specific items
- Any search on eBay for active items
Daily Batch Processing: #
- Run the same searches every day
- Eliminate items you’ve already processed — don’t waste time re-evaluating the same listings
- Critical for users doing daily buying routines
High-Volume / Professional Use: #
- Heavy batch searching with many organized profiles
- Advanced filtering criteria to cut through noise
- Block countries, items, and sellers that pollute results
- Can reduce clutter by 2-3x when properly configured
- Apply the same rules easily across different search types
- Team members sharing searches and blocked lists, each with their own account
Search Interface Overview #
- Search bar at top — Type keywords like you would on eBay.com
- Profiles dropdown — Apply saved filter profiles
- Filter bar — Quick filters (Price, Buying Format, Condition, Item Location, Profile)
- Results area — Same view options as Alert (Grid/List/Table)
A word that starts with a minus sign, such as -lot, is left out of the search and shows as a red pill in the search bar. Hover over a pill and click its × to remove the word and search again. A hyphen inside a word does not count, so a part number like 2198-S086-ERS4 stays a normal search word.
Paste & search #
The Paste & search button, the clipboard icon in the search bar, pastes what you copied and searches at once. Your excluded words stay, unless the copied text has its own. If the copied text has several lines or is too long, you get a short message and no search runs. Your browser may ask for permission to read what you copied; if you block it, the button asks you to press Ctrl+V instead. The button shows on desktop only, not in the mobile app or on touch screens.
The × in the search bar clears the words and the pills together. The results stay on screen, and an Undo shows for a few seconds.
Running a Search #
- Type keywords in search bar (or select a profile first)
- Apply filters as needed
- Click Search
- Results load — use same view options as Alert mode
- Click listings to see Item Preview Window
- Clear button resets the search
Search Profiles #
Save your common search configurations so you don’t re-enter filters every time.
How profiles work: #
- Type a search and apply filters
- Save as a profile with a name
- Organize profiles in folders
- Next time: select the profile, type only the variable part
Example workflow:
- Profile: “iPhone – US Only – Under 2000 feedback”
- Pre-configured: Category (Cell Phones), Location (US), Seller feedback filter, blocked countries
- To search: Just type “iPhone 14 Pro Max 256GB” and run
- All your standard filters apply automatically
Item Info #
Item Info, at the bottom of the Filters panel on the Search page, sets how much of each listing’s details the results load:
- Basic — Essential details only. The quickest.
- Fast — Full details, shown as they load.
- Full — Full details, all loaded before display.
Some details, such as a trading card’s grade and the condition ⓘ in the eBay view, need Fast or Full.
Filters Bar #
Quick access to common filters without opening full settings:
- Price range
- Buying format (Auction, Buy It Now, etc.)
- Condition
- Item location
- Profile selector
Advanced mode: Click Filters tab for full filter options
Eliminating Already-Processed Items #
Critical for daily batch workflows: don’t waste time re-evaluating items you’ve already made decisions on.
Methods: #
- Block items you’ve rejected — they won’t appear again
- Mark as seen — track what you’ve reviewed
- Block sellers that consistently don’t fit your needs
- Use filters to screen out categories of items you never want
When you’re processing hundreds of items daily, eliminating already-seen items is the difference between efficient sourcing and drowning in repeat listings.
5. Common Features #
Light Mode / Dark Mode #
Toggle in top bar. Dark mode is default.
Notifications #
- Toggle sound notifications on/off (bell icon in top bar)
- Sound plays when new items arrive in Alert mode
Account Settings #
- Access from top right (person icon)
- Manage login, email, preferences
Display Currency #
You can show prices in one currency across your Search and Alert results. Click the person icon at the top right, choose Account, find Display currency, pick a currency and click Save. You can choose USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, CAD, CHF, PLN, HKD, SGD, MYR, PHP or INR. None, the default, shows prices as eBay shows them.
A converted price is marked with ≈, for example “≈ £0.75 + ship”. A line under the results toolbar says which currency prices are in, for example “Prices in GBP”. A price already in your currency, such as a listing on an eBay UK search when you choose GBP, shows with no ≈. If a price can’t be converted, it stays in its own currency and the line reads “Most prices in GBP”.
Display currency only changes how prices read in your results. The Purchase Preview for Commit to Buy, the Make Offer window and Post-Sale Management keep the amounts eBay uses, and the Purchase Preview says which currency you are charged in, for example “Charged in USD”.
The price limits on a saved search are in the currency of its eBay site, whatever display currency you choose. A limit on an eBay UK search is in pounds, and alerts use the same limit. If a limit can’t be converted at today’s rate, that search is not sent to alerts, and its card says why.
6. FAQ #
General #
How much does it cost? Free during soft launch. We’re focused on feedback and making it useful.
What’s the difference between Alert and Search? Alert is real-time streaming — items flow in as they’re posted. Search is on-demand — you run searches and process results in batches. See the overview section for when to use each.
Can my team work together? Yes. Create a team and add people to it. Each person signs in with their own account, and the team shares searches and blocked lists. See Multi-User / Team Access above.
Can I use both Alert and Search? Yes. Switch between modes using the left navigation. Many users use both depending on their workflow.
Can I bid, message a seller or use my eBay Watchlist without leaving the app? Yes, in the eBay view of the item window. Place bid works on running eBay US auctions priced in US dollars, Message sends your message to the seller through eBay, and Add to Watchlist (or the heart) adds the listing to your eBay Watchlist. They use the eBay account you connected under Account.
Alert Mode #
How fast are results? Near real-time. Items appear within seconds of being posted on eBay.
How many saved searches can I have? Up to 1,000 per account. When you reach the limit, delete one to add another.
Search Mode #
What are profiles for? Save search configurations so you don’t re-enter filters every time. Just type the variable part and go.
How is this different from searching on eBay.com? Saved profiles, advanced filtering, blocked sellers/items/countries, item preview without leaving the app, and the ability to eliminate already-processed items. Everything you wish eBay.com had.
Can I use my Alert saved searches in Search mode? Yes. Your saved searches work across both modes.
Technical #
What browsers work? Any modern browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge. Works on Mac, Windows, tablets.
Do I need to install anything? No. It’s browser-based. Just log in and start.
Is my data saved? Yes. Your saved searches, filters, blocked lists, and settings are stored on your account. Log in from any device and pick up where you left off.
7. What’s Coming Next #
We’re pushing updates frequently. Here’s what’s on the roadmap:
- Additional view customization options
- Messaging tools — contact sellers with filters and quick actions
- Watchlist improvements
- AI utilities — listing analysis, confidence scoring (from our Desktop product)
- Enhanced filtering criteria
- Performance optimizations
Have a feature request? Use the feedback option in the app (Help → Feedback) or email us at su*****@*******st.com.
uBuyFirst — Custom eBay search and acquisition tools for business buyers and resellers. Official eBay Partner Network member.
