The Problem

The Solution

Exclude items that you don't want

Using the minus symbol, you can ensure that certain keywords don't appear in your results, for example this search syphon -playstation -filter -wagon -aquarium -spray -pump -pumps reduces the results from 386 to 220 (i.e. you have refined your search to exclude unwanted items).

Use alternative spellings

Many people spell syphon as siphon, especially continental sellers (or those for whom English is not their first language). To create a search for "syphon OR siphon", use brackets and a comma: (syphon,siphon)

Search overseas for the loveliest syphons

Many of the most beautiful syphons are sold from eBay.fr as the French collector's market is well served by a history of syphon manufacture at least as exotic as ours, perhaps more so. The large wire and cane covered seltzogenes, coloured glass syphons, and some very strange shaped bottles - if you want them you should check out the French sellers. On your ebay search, in the left-hand menu, there is a drop-down menu in Search Options that lets you select European Union. Click on the checkbox and re-run the search (by clicking on the Search button at the bottom of this panel) to widen your search to EU sellers (but only those who have opted to sell overseas - if you're really determined, go to eBay.fr direct and search for siphon). This brings the results back up to 320+. You could also opt for Worldwide, but keep postage costs in mind. Having said that there are some lovely South American examples out there, and Australia has a few as well...

Good Luck!