Software and Buy It Now or..?

antispam246

I've been researching for this for awhile,

I'm after a way, most likely, software based of searching ofr newly listed buy it now within specific search parameters. For example, say I wanted an iphone. I search for iphone, set it to Buy It Now only, then set my other parameters like perhaps u.k only, used only, under a certain price etc.. basically I want all other search options available to me. Then once I have them narrowed down I can simply list them by "Time: newly listed". I could even save the search then just research whenever I'm available to check.

However, I want more than this. I want a piece of software that constantly monitors this specific search with it's search partameters and any other searches and updates (live updates) when something new is added, perhaps e-mails me to say so or just makes an alert/alarm within the program.

Now, having looked everywhere for awhile, there appeared to be only one piece of software that offered this, called. Auction Sleuth. You have to pay for it which I don't mind, however it doesn't have a large support base, I believe it's written and supported by a single person and I'm not sure how regularly it's updated. Also having looked indepth it has a number of negatives that would leave me to rule it out.

SOOOOOOO, can anyone suggest something else to me or perhaps give support to this program. I'm very very surprised there isn't more options in this area, especially in paid software because I'd figure this would be a highly sought after program, perhaps it's just that, it's so sought after it's kept underground.

cyberbob

Why don't you just set up a search on ebay with the parmeters it will then email you when things are added

antispam246

cyberbob wrote: »

Why don't you just set up a search on ebay with the parmeters it will then email you when things are added

I've considered this but i'm looking for something "live". E.g sits in the system tray with pop-ups. I know it sound picky but I would have to keep checking my e-mails. I suppose if I could link a new e-mail address to eBay for notifications I could use something like gmail and probably find software to notify me of new e-mails, which would essentially do the samething... hmmm

Can I link an additional e-mail to my ebay account for this very purpose? Or would it mean changing it, or perhaps, just setup a new account on ebay with a gmail addy.....oooh, I'm onto something here, right?

Oh wow thanks, my heads buzzing with fresh ideas literally as I type this. I'm sure gmail has multiple facilities to pop up live email notifications also hotmail with the likes of msn live..

This could be good! I'll check my options now, give it a bash and report back on how adequate it is Feel free to add to this idea in the meanwhile

edgex

the problem is, that if ebay only expose certain search functions, thats all that anyone has access to, whether on their website or using another website or software.


whats wrong with using the manual search functions on ebay?

antispam246

What search functions don't they expose? o.o and if no one else can use them why would it matter?

Nothings wrong with using manual search functions.... did you actually the content of my posts?

antispam246

Prelim tests are good. I tried firefoxes gmail manager first but it won't support 3.5.5+ so had to drop it, although i did try it in 2.0.0.20 but didn't seem to function.

Next was pretty much the same prgoram but for 3.5.5+ Gmail Notifer. Just sits in the firefox tray and popsup when you have new email. Still tinkering but set it to check every 1 minute, ran a test email and it worked perfectly. Can even integrate multiple accounts so I dont have to manually change gmail logins for my original gmail account on this firefox profile as I created both a new ebay account and gmail account for this.

eBay allows the search format of "started within an hour" and then of course set that search along with all its other parmeters to email you upon anything new. It doesn't exactly state how quickly ebay does this though, anyone have any ideas? I mean 1 hour is ok but ideally I'd like it closer to within 10 minutes at most of it being listed.

I can't really test the latter part, well actually, i suppose i could. If I can't conclude it tommorrow i'll list something within my search parameters from my main ebay account and see how long it takes to notify firstly me via gmail then gmail to firefox. Then i'll just pull the listing, hopefully no one will bid, better make it some what stupid, yet legal (:

Thanks again, hope this works. Any input appreciated.

antispam246

Well, after alot more digging I found the answer. Ebay sends one email a day listing any new items within your search paramrter at that time, which means you could easily miss out on BIN.

Actually Ive been manuall refreshing a specific search for the past hour and the 5 new items that popped up were all bought pretty much straight away. So either people are lucky looking at the right time or there is something that can give you a more "live" like feedback on newly added items.

More searching done, anyone use searchdigger? This looks like it could be the tool for me. Munnin is another.

antispam246

Hmm, I'm not sure it's working. Not getting any e-mail notifications. Would this be because I set it to "within 1 hour"? Would that mean when eBay do get around to sending the one a day notify e-mail it only shows items added from within 1 hour from the time it sends the email?

If that's the case I'd assume it'd be better to choose the largest time versus smallest?

antispam246

Case closed. Found the best solution in the simplest idea. Long live firefox.