Frequently Asked Stuff

1. How do I add stuff to my collection?

Make sure you're logged in, then just do searches or browse by product normally. When you find an item that you own, click the 'Add to my collection' link for that item, and it will automatically be added to your collection. You can then click on the collection row that appears, and edit the fine details.

2. How do I remove items from my collection?

Expand the collection row for the item you want to remove, then click the 'remove' link in the upper right area of the expanded row.

3. How does Search Work?

The search feature on shmax is incredibly powerful. You can search for any piece of information that the database could conceivably know about a toy or toyline you have in mind and get back the results you expect. We don't limit the search to the name of an item--you can search for anything you can think of, such as color, manufacturer, year of release, alternate form, exclusive store, UPC, assortment number, anything. Want to see all toys released in 1984 in Japan? Search for 1984 Japan. Interested only in blue and black jets? Search for blue black jets. Want to see all toys that were sold exclusively at Wal-Mart? Search for exclusive wal-mart. Curious to know what toys Kenner made during the beast wars era? Search for kenner beast wars. Got a bar code reader? You can even search by UPC.

1. Advanced Search

Use the "Advanced Search" link to be taken to a page that lets you craft a very specialized search. Interested only in Autobots? Select it from the drop-down list. Looking for all blue and gold jets? Choose "jets" from the form selector, and the colors from the color picker. Trying to identify a part? Choose "Accessories" from the "Part Type" selector.

2. Special Search Syntax

Want more power? The shmax database also understands special operators that will let you apply boolean logic to the results you get back. Don't worry, it's easy, and we use the same syntax that eBay does. Here's a quick rundown:

For these results	Enter this	Examples
Results that use every word you entered	A list of terms in any order	red blue optimus exclusive jets
Results that use a particular phrase or exact spelling of a word	A word or words enclosed in double quotes	"optimus primal" "side swipe"
Results that use at least one of the words or phrases you entered	A list of terms or phrases enclosed in parentheses	(optimus,convoy) silver (ferrari,audi) ("autobot ratchet",ironhide)
Results that don't contain a particular word or phrase	A term or phrase preceded by a minus sign	g1 cars -reissue jets -"gold plastic syndrome"
Results that don't contain one of a list of words or phrases	An "or" list preceded by a minus sign	red missile -(blue,green,yellow) optimus -(primal,optimal)
Results that contain part of a word	A word with an asterisk on the end	optim* prim*