I want to download details of completed listings of items of a particular category. I want a database of past auctions and build it up over some time. Then I can see how items of any given make and model sell.
Is there a tool for that?
Short answer: no.
Ebay is loathe to give away that much access to their data without collecting a fee for the privilege. They do offer a program called “Marketplace Research” for an additional monthly fee that gives you access to up to 90 days of market data. But they will not allow you to download data into a database that you control, nor will they allow any other software provider access to their API unless they pay a hefty licensing fee. The best you could do on your own is copy and paste data from each auction into a spreadsheet or other database program.
I don’t know about that. I’ve got the free trial of [url=]this application for instance. It certainly does download information about my own auctions into a database that I control.
I don’t think its worth paying $40 for, but it does show that it at least possible to get information from eBay.
Your link is broken.
Peter,
I have the EXACT SAME need as the OP.
I think he’s talking about seeing all the data for all the closed auctions in, for example, “Collectible Chicken Figurines” so he can build the equivalent of a Kelly Blue Book for “Collectible Chicken Figurines”.
The program you pasted appears to be a management tool an individual Ebay Seller can use to manage his or her auctions and listings, with the ability to gather data on one’s own sold items.
The OP should CERTAINLY subscribe to Ebay marketplace research if he hasn’t already. The premium level of the service prices some very nice features, but falls quite short of making you a Collectible Chicken Figurine Blue Book.
The biggest problem is that Ebay only gives you 90 days of history!
Oh. I forgot to mention, take a look at:
I AM the OP
Yes, that’s what it is.
I’m using that as an example, not because that’s what I want, but to show that data CAN be downloaded from eBay to my computer. That isn’t the specific data I want, though.
Whoops. I never was good with names.
Yes, Ebay does have an API for pulling that kind of data.
All kinds of developers use these APIs for various things.
I believe Ebay is cantankerous as to what you can actually provide, but I would KILL to get my hands on what you’re looking for.
In a related vein, I know Amazon’s web services has historical sales data available: no clean UI, but if you can write your own app, they offer extensive data for a few hundred $ per month.
I used to work with a guy that had exactly the sort of tool you’re looking for, but I don’t know if it was something he found online, or if he developed it himself. Since I no longer work with him, I’m not able to find any more information from him. But keep looking, you may find something. Also, consider the possibility that someone is offering this as a web-based service instead of a downloadable application.
Here is one service I found in a quick Google search that may be interesting - eBay Market Research by Terapeak.
Mr Slant, I Googled eBay API and found some development information. That is potentially very useful information. I may, repeat *may *be able to knock up a tool myself. I do have certain development skills.
If I get it to work I could share it with you. Let me know the sort of thing you are interested in. No promises, though.
Still, a ready made tool would be better, if anyone knows one.