The Scura Guide to eBay
In the depths of eBay, somewhere between “1970s lamp” and “ugly vase,” there is design treasure to be found. But, unlike a casual stroll through a well-curated showroom, eBay rewards a different approach – one of patience, persistence, and a slightly obsessive eye for detail. It’s not for those in a hurry but, if you’re willing to scroll deep and search smart, it’s a goldmine rich with unexpected discoveries and underpriced finds. Part of the appeal? Not contributing to the endless churn of new stuff. It’s circular, sustainable, and far more satisfying than another flat-pack fix. Every find has a past, and a chance at a longer future.
We at Scura have been quietly honing our eBay game, swapping notes and saving searches that have come good. Whether you’re after a heavy-handed brutalist candlestick or a strangely elegant steel mill cobble (yes, that’s a thing), here’s how we’re doing it…
Image. L: Steel mill cobble dining table listed at £350. R: Postmodern candle holder listed at £36.
Save and Savour
First rule of eBay? Save your searches. Think of it like a garden – tend to it regularly and you’ll eventually reap the rewards. Type in your dream object (or, better yet, your dream material or decade), click “save search,” and let the alerts come to you. Chances are, that Hans Wegner chair in the shade of oak you want won’t be listed today, but it will be eventually.
Be Specific, But Not Too Specific
We get it: you want the 1960s Poul Henningsen pendant in green, mint condition, no rewiring needed. But that level of specificity might just leave you empty-handed. Broaden your scope. Don’t search “mid-century” – it’s so overused it’s almost meaningless. Instead, try “1960s Danish pendant” or “vintage opaline glass.” If you’re hunting for something elegant and brutal, try “wrought iron” or even “brutalist” – words that sellers use but shoppers often overlook.
Bonus points for embracing typos. Seriously. Try “brutalest” or “wraught iron.” You never know who’s listing in a hurry.
Image. R: Brutalist carved wood candle holder listed at £26.
Use Names Carefully
A lot of sellers list by manufacturer, not designer. So, instead of typing a well-known Danish designer,” try “Møbelfabrik” to find mid-century classics.
At the same time, taking time to discover lesser-known design names has paid off for us – many still slip through the net un-Googled and under-priced. There’s real beauty in the names you haven’t heard yet, and acquiring pieces by undiscovered designers comes with the added benefit of likely being lucrative investments.
Image. R: Dining table is listed at £155.68!
Follow the Good Ones
The best eBay shops aren’t always dealers, we’ve found. Many are charity shops with quietly excellent listings, including Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care and St Wilfrid’s Hospice Eastbourne. Follow them. They’re often unstyled, poorly photographed, and wildly underpriced, which means gold for the trained eye.
Image. L: David Marshall Spoon bought from Rennie for £21! R: Lovely vase currently listed on St Wilfrid’s Hospice Eastbourne at £8.99.
Be Open and Materialistic
The best finds on eBay often aren’t what you set out looking for, and that’s exactly the point. You’re looking for the bins posing as champagne buckets, the old wine presses turned into tables, the milking stools that work well as lamp holders. They’re there.
If you’re not finding what you’re looking for, think materials first: “alabaster lamp,” “chrome and glass table,” “burl wood box.” Let the elements lead the way.
Image. L: Vintage Italian ice bucket bought at £26 to be used as a bathroom bin. R: Vintage Silver Plate Ice bucket listed at £29.84.
Use (Some) Filters
The “antique” filter? Don’t touch it. It’s like putting on an “expensive and overpriced” filter because sellers who use it tend to overvalue. Instead, filter by location (UK-only if you’re trying to keep shipping simple), or by auction vs Buy It Now if you’re in the mood to place a cheeky bid.
A Word on Decades
Decade filtering is a hidden gem. “1950s,” “1970s,” even “Modernist” – they’ll all narrow your pool in surprisingly helpful ways. But keep in mind, not all sellers are decade-savvy. Again, be ready to scroll past some, let’s say, optimistic dating.
Image. L: Floor Lamp. R: 1970s set of chairs listed at £353.72.
Commit to the Hunt
Set aside time. This is not a five-minute task. Scroll deep, page 7-deep. eBay is not a wish list – it’s a practice. Like design itself, it rewards those who show up, trust their instincts, and aren’t afraid to take a punt on something with potential. You might not find the piece today, but you’ll definitely find something.
And who knows? Maybe that peculiar wrought iron sconce or slightly rusted steel mill cobble will turn out to be the thing your living room never knew it needed.
