The Wholesale Forums

[Jezz]

This is just a curious thing that happened to me and I thought I’d share it here.

Sure it could just be a coincidence. But...
If it isn’t then this is officially my first idea that millions of people are using!
A little bit of a bummer that I haven’t made a cent out of it though.

I would have only sold this thing for about $10 a copy, so It was not going to make me a fortune.



My idea, sent to eBay May 02, 2007:

My idea for this application, (being a buyer’s tool) was um...
let's say for example that I wanted to buy a laptop, and I only wanted
to spend around $500.
I wanted to write an application that would allow me to queue up a
list of laptops below that value, and then automatically place a bid on them one at a time,
as each Auction closes.

If I won the item, the queue would be cancelled, otherwise the
application would watch the next Auction, place a bid at the end and so on...
This is a buying strategy that I would normally use for an expensive
item. (placing my bids manually though)

eBay Announced this May 17,2007:
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200705171647452.html

A buyer's new best friend - Bid Assistant
Tired of losing auctions and having to search another item to bid on? Very soon we'll be launching a new bidding tool that manages your bids and makes winning items at the right price easier. Bid Assistant will place bids for you on a series of items from your Watch list - all in one simple step.
For instance, let's say you're shopping for a new Canon digital camera, and you have five that you like on your Watch list. Using Bid Assistant, you simply create a bid group from your Watch list and enter the maximum amount you want to pay. This amount could be the same for all five – or you could specify different amounts for each listing based on, say, the varying item condition. It's up to you.
Once set up, Bid Assistant will place your maximum bid on the item that's ending soonest. While the listing is active, our bidding system will automatically update your bid amount UP TO your maximum amount you gave to Bid Assistant, as necessary.
At the end of the listing, if you win, you get to celebrate your victory! The rest of your listings will not be bid on by Bid Assistant. But if you lose, Bid Assistant will automatically bid on the item ending next. This pattern continues until either you win one of the cameras (woo hoo!), or all five listings end.
Bid Assistant makes it easier for you to win items and saves you time.

What do you think? Just a coincidence?

[Jezz]

My Complete conversation on this topic with a member from the eBay Development program:


-----Original Message-----
From: Jeremy
Sent: Monday, May 01, 2007
To: DL-eBay-PD-Developer-Relations
Subject: API "PlaceOffer" inquiry

Hello,
I am a student developer and have only recently discovered the ebay
developers API.
I had planned to develop a simple, low priced commercial application,
Which was to be mainly a "real time" action watcher and Auto Bidder.
Basically an Action snipe tool, but with a few unique extra features.
If I understand correctly, the API does not allow for bid placement on
live Auctions?
If this is possible but requires special permission, what chance would
a small time developer like me have to become Authorised to access
this feature?
One more question, For an application to be certified and to be able
to make more that 10k API calls per month, are there large fees
involved?

Thankyou for your time.
Regards,
Jeremy
--------------------------------------------
On Wednesday, May 02, DL-eBay-PD-Developer-Relations
wrote:

Hello Jeremy,

The API PlaceOffer call is not a sniping call. It can be used to place a
bid on the eBay site in the same manner you would if logged directly into
your account on eBay.com and bidding. It cannot place a bid at a specific
time, arranged ahead of time.
Right now our PlaceOffer program is in beta phase and it is the only call
that can make a bid on an active listing. Can you provide more details on
your application and how PlaceOffer would be utilized?

It is against our API License Agreement to scrape the eBay site and to
snipe. Please review our API License Agreement for full details of how you
may use the eBay API in the development of your application.

An eBay Developer membership is free and we do not charge for API calls. If
you need to exceed the 10K API calls a month, then your application will
need to pass Standard Application Certification. The certification is free
but can take about 5-7 days to complete.

Thanks,
G***** ********
eBay Developers Program
--------------------------------------------

From: Jeremy
Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2007
To: DL-eBay-PD-Developer-Relations
Subject: Re: API "PlaceOffer" inquiry

Hello G*****,

Thankyou for you quick reply,
I have had a quick read through the Api license Agreement, and the
ebay usage agreement.

But I couldn't find anything about sniping!
By sniping I mean placing a bid automatically in the last few seconds
of the Auction.

There are many other applications (even some websites) that have this
functionality, and some are even being sold through ebay!

Is this really against ebay policy?

My idea for this application, (being a buyers tool) was um...
let's say for example that I wanted to buy a laptop, and I only wanted
to spend around $500.
I wanted to write an application that would allow me to queue up a
list of laptops below that value, and then automatically place a bid on them one at a time,
as each Auction closes.

If I won the item, the queue would be canceled, otherwise the
application would watch the next Auction, place a bid at the end and so on...
This is a buying strategy that I would normally use for an expensive
item. (placing my bids manually though)

I'll spend some more time reading through these licenses before I
dream up another project.

Thanks Again,
Jeremy
--------------------------------------------
From: DL-eBay-PD-Developer-Relations
Date: May 4, 2007
Subject: RE: API "PlaceOffer" inquiry
To: Jeremy


Hi Jeremy,

Scheduled bidding, more commonly known as sniping, is against eBay
policy and does violate our API License Agreement. Any sniping
applications that you have seen are not using eBay web services.
These sites/applications are not endorsed by eBay nor have any
affiliation with eBay.

You may want to check out our Developers Blog for updates and changes
to the API. Along with new applications and innovation eBay is
working on to garner ideas for a new project.

Thank you,
G***** ********
eBay Developers Program