I frequently need to know the value of an item on eBay while on the road. For this purpose I have a Microsoft PocketPC with cellular data access.
I need a way to search completed items on [login to view URL] (US site) from this phone other than using the web site directly (its way too slow). I'm open to any way to achieve this, however I think by far the easiest way is to create a simple PDA friendly web page to place on my Linux server, and use the Perl module search::ebay::completed to screen-scrape ebay for the data. Again, I'll do this any way you'd like, however, as long as it works!
I have attached a script that I programmed before that although it doesn't include all the features mentions below, did put out the item and price on the page. It's like 15 lines. You're welcome to use this as your basis. It no longer works, assumable because eBay changed their site and I never updated the screen-scraper search:ebay::completed. You should check to verify this Perl module is currently functional. Your script must work at time of delivery, but if it breaks due to eBay the next day it is not your fault.
Again, the requirements are:
* I visit a web page (or run a program) on my pocketpc windows mobile 2003 device. PPC-6700, 320x240 total resolution, a tad bit less usable.
* A box pops up. I type in what I want to know the value of from completed ebay auctions. Example: "AD-8019 AC Adapter". I hit enter or click a button.
* The script (middleware-like) fetches these results from eBay and then displays a clear, concise, quick, and easy to use list of the title of the items and the ending price on the PDA. If the item actually had a bid and there was no reserve or it met reserve, I should be able to tell that the item actually sold. The price can be in bold or a different color, have a number or tick next to it, or anything that works.
* I should be able to click on the title of the item and it will link to the eBay web page of that item (static URL with eBay item # appended to it). This will load directly off the eBay server.
This is a down, dirty, quick, and functional hack. I'm open to any other ideas that will achieve these goals. It doesn't have to be pretty, it just has to work.
Thanks!
Link to perl module that I recommend you use.
[login to view URL]~mthurn/WWW-Ebay-0.078/lib/WWW/Search/Ebay/[login to view URL]
Looks like it may have not been updated in a while.