Maybe like you, when I need to purchase items I always do a search online first. Normally using two of my favourite websites, eBay and Google to search for a suitable item and get some idea of the appropriate cost.

However, I've been making a mistake. An absolutely huge mistake. It will have cost me money over the years. Today, in a phone call with a friend I've only just realised it. It's like someone slapped me across the face.

I thought I was saving myself time & effort, but it seems like I've been actually throwing money away, wasting time and putting in more effort than was necessary.

It's not like I'm new to the internet, or even eBay or Google. I've written hundreds of articles on eBay, published three eBooks & complied an eBay mini course. Friends and family call me regularly and ask for assistance online, especially when dealing with eBay - even those who work within the computer trade & already market online.

I was only looking for relevant products. Trying to remove all the crap that is presented to you that is not relevant to me.

Anyway today, I've had a few problems with my car. It's actually in a few pieces at the moment as she's (yes, it's a she) having a new clutch fitted. However, while she's been taken apart it's also been discovered the turbo is leaking oil.

This morning I had a phone call from a friend. I've just been to see Graham, said Tom on the other end. Grahams the mechanic that normally works on my car. Your cars in quite a few pieces at the moment, hopefully he'll get the part delivered on Monday (for the clutch) but your turbos leaking oil as well.

I'm not a mechanically minded person. Maybe the turbo unit can be repaired or rebuilt, maybe it needs to be replaced completely.

However, to get an idea of the cost if it needs to be replaced I searched on eBay. After all, you can buy anything on eBay can't you? I found a few used ones on eBay priced at £300. However, as I read down the description, most of them had exactly the same problem as mine - "This unit has been removed as it leaked oil and the seals are split."

And if they didn't specifically state faults within the description, as they had all been used they're was no guarantee the same faults wouldn't occur within this unit. I could end up replacing it again, a few months down the line.

I've looked on eBay, I told Tom. I could only see a few used units.

Then Tom said something I would have never have thought of doing. Not in a million years, even though it's such an obvious thing to do. It's probably one of the biggest advantages arising from the birth of the internet.

"Have a look at those from America", said Tom.

Well. I would have never of thought of searching on eBay.com instead of eBay.co.uk. After all, even it was cheaper the shipping costs would not push the price up and wipe out any savings I made. Or so I thought.

"I've bought loads of stuff from the states for my VW" he boosted, stuff that's not available in the UK went on Tom. So, I searched on eBay.com.

I found a brand new shining turbo unit on eBay, with no bids starting at $395. The shipping was a massive $125 to the UK, however this converted to a total of just £290.

All these years, I'd been clicking on the option to restrict searches to UK only. Trying to avoid the irrelevant ads.

But, by looking at the international options that were always in front of my eyes I had not only found a brand new unit but also for less than the price of a used one in the UK.

And hopefully, you'll do the same if you haven't already been doing the same. Use the advantages of the internet today, to start saving money, time and effort.

Mark Kenny is an eBay expert who specialises in launching eBay related online businesses. You can visit his forum at http://www.AuctionCUT.com (where you get a free dropshipping report) or read his blog via http://www.Trading-Web-Solutions.com/blog