Everyone loves a bargain. But how do you go about locating the best deals on AuctionHunter? Here are a few tips on how to find those pleasing--and sometimes frustratingly elusive--bargains. 

Mistakes can be beneficial
Although typos, misspellings, and inappropriately listed items might seem like nuisances, they are perhaps a buyer's best bet when hunting for a bargain. Using a site's search function, conduct searches for misspellings, partial words, combinations, and variations of your keywords. By doing so, others searching for the correct keyword (for example, "pokemon" instead of the incorrect "pokeman") may not have spotted the auction with the mistake, thus increasing your chances at paying less. And make sure to search the auction descriptions, not just the titles. Your search results will be larger, but you'll also have a better pool of auctions from which to uncover a deal. 

Also, look for items in the wrong category. That coveted item might  be sitting in an unrelated category  thanks to a seller who fumbled the listing process. This method is more time consuming than searches, but browsing inappropriate categories can lead to unearthing hidden gems. 

Know what's what
Stay informed of trends in your area of interest by reading trade publications, collector magazines, and related Web sites, as well as by visiting message boards and consulting price guides. If you have enough expertise, you might come across a seller who's not quite as clued up as you are. 

Going, Going, Gone
Browse the "ending today" or "ending soon" sections of auction sites. Although these areas have a high degree of visibility and are frequently pored over, they still might hold a great deal that has slipped through the cracks (items that have no bids or a low opening bid, or both). 

Play the Game
Monitor auctions that close without a bid. It's very likely that the seller will relist, perhaps with a lower opening bid or reserve, or without a reserve altogether. Once the auction closes, do a search for that seller or the item and you might be pleasantly surprised. 

The Long and Winding Road
Just hunt around and spend some time browsing the auction sites. Be patient, allow yourself some time, and you're more than likely to come across some deals. And keep an open mind--you might be looking for one type of item, but don't be so tuned-in that you could potentially miss out on a deal on a different item. 

Happy bargain hunting!