Last December, I wrote about services that would alert you when new auctions came up that might interest you. That article is already obsolete! Two of the services - iTrack.com and Bidders Edge - have shut down, and the third service, offered by eBay, has changed its name from "Personal Shopper" and is now called "Favorite Searches."

Search alert services notify you via email when a new auction is posted for something you are interested in purchasing. It automates the process of looking for items, so if you collect something specific, you'll be sure not to miss any that go up for sale.

iTrack.com had offered a great service that covered many auction sites with one search. It has disappeared from the Internet without a trace.

I found another service from AuctionGator http://www.auctiongator.com, which only searches eBay auctions. Sign in (you must register first) and click on "Search Agents." Click on the "New" button and set your criteria.

eBay has its own search alert service called "Favorite Searches." You can sign into your "My eBay" (it's at the top of every eBay screen) and go to the "Favorites" tab.

eBay's Favorite Searches allows you to set up alerts for up to 15 items. You can choose to have eBay mail the results to you, in which case you will receive messages ONLY when there are new items found. The alert will stay active for 90 days, at which point you have the option to reactivate your search with email notification.

eBay's Favorite Searches also allows you to monitor favorite sellers and favorite categories. For more information, you can read eBay's help guide at: http://pages.ebay.com/help/buyerguide/favorite_searches.html

If you have comments or know of any other search alert services, please post a message on the Discussion Forums at: http://161.58.152.123/forum/phpBB/viewforum.php?forum=7&30