Cool new resource for eBay buyers

Big80s · January 18, 2012 12:49AM

Hey guys,

DPeck brought this to my attention on another thread, but I thought I'd share it with the rest of you, as well - as it's a cool little resource to have as eBay buyers.

WatchCount.com

If you enter the ID of any item on eBay, you're able to see how many people are watching the auction. I like it because you have an idea of what your competition looks like, especially if it's an auction where no one is bidding early on, because everyone has snipes set. Anyways, I'm not sure if it's 100% accurate, or how they find the numbers, but it seems like an interesting service. Also - it doesn't seem to work for foreign eBay sites, but maybe that's next for them.

bking · January 18, 2012 12:51AM

<< Hey guys,

DPeck brought this to my attention on another thread, but I thought I'd share it with the rest of you, as well - as it's a cool little resource to have as eBay buyers.

WatchCount.com

If you enter the ID of any item on eBay, you're able to see how many people are watching the auction. I like it because you have an idea of what your competition looks like, especially if it's an auction where no one is bidding early on, because everyone has snipes set. Anyways, I'm not sure if it's 100% accurate, or how they find the numbers, but it seems like an interesting service. Also - it doesn't seem to work for foreign eBay sites, but maybe that's next for them. >>

Wow, I expect Ebay to close that hole as soon as they get wind of it. Peeking behind the curtain into a seller's private data (which is basically what the watch count is supposed to be) isn't likely to survive long. Hell, Ebay doesn't like places like VCP scraping sales data; how on Earth would they let this nugget of info be exposed?

Big80s · January 18, 2012 12:55AM

I'm not sure, but I'm having fun with it while it lasts. You'd be amazed at how many people are watching some auctions that you assume you're the only audience member for.

Sean1125 · January 18, 2012 12:56AM

I'm almost certain VCP and their programs that gather data work with ebay and it's been posted before.

mlbfan2 · January 18, 2012 1:06AM

I don't think ebay cares. Collectorsweekly has provided the same info for a while.
link

You can also add a watch count (viewable to everyone) to your own auction.
link2

Big80s · January 18, 2012 1:06AM

Does anyone have any idea how a site like WatchCount could access the number of watchers for an auction? I'm not that web savy.

Sean1125 · January 18, 2012 1:17AM

"the application was developed by a member of the eBay Developers Program and passed the Compatible Application Check process to work directly with the eBay Platform"
"We, or our Affiliates, may receive anonymous referral/sales commissions from eBay after visitors click through to eBay while using our site (at no extra expense to them)."

Big80s · January 18, 2012 1:20AM

<< "the application was developed by a member of the eBay Developers Program and passed the Compatible Application Check process to work directly with the eBay Platform"
"We, or our Affiliates, may receive anonymous referral/sales commissions from eBay after visitors click through to eBay while using our site (at no extra expense to them)." >>

Interesting.

bking · January 18, 2012 1:20AM

<< "the application was developed by a member of the eBay Developers Program and passed the Compatible Application Check process to work directly with the eBay Platform" >>

I'm not suprised that the APIs support getting that data. If they didn't, third-party seller tools wouldn't be able to show it. I just don't think Ebay intended that data to be visible to anyone but the seller, otherwise they would already be showing it.

Probstein123 · January 18, 2012 1:22AM

cool..

bking · January 18, 2012 1:24AM

Yeah, I didn't want to imply it isn't a cool tool. I've got it bookmarked now. I just think it may not breathe for long.

As for VCp, I'm 99% sure Bobby has posted more than once that Ebay monkeys with their access from time to time.

Sean1125 · January 18, 2012 1:24AM

<< 

<< "the application was developed by a member of the eBay Developers Program and passed the Compatible Application Check process to work directly with the eBay Platform" >>

I'm not suprised that the APIs support getting that data. If they didn't, third-party seller tools wouldn't be able to show it. I just don't think Ebay intended that data to be visible to anyone but the seller, otherwise they would already be showing it. >>

I pulled that from ebay's website about watchcount

Also, I just remember a post from Bobby saying they did work with ebay and are able to remove fake auctions (why I said what I said)

grote15 · January 18, 2012 1:27AM

The few item nos I tried all said watch count was "unavailable" although it did provide the view count.

Big80s · January 18, 2012 1:27AM

Like I mentioned, I can't attest to how accurate the numbers on this site are, but I will say, as often as I wonder how many eyes a particular auction has on it - it's fun to have an idea now.

Big80s · January 18, 2012 1:31AM

<< The few item nos I tried all said watch count was "unavailable" although it did provide the view count. >>

I was unable to see watch counts for any foreign sellers, but no problem with domestics. I checked a few of my own items on there and the watch counts all matched up. So as far as I can tell, the counter is accurate.

bking · January 18, 2012 1:35AM

<< 

<< 

<< "the application was developed by a member of the eBay Developers Program and passed the Compatible Application Check process to work directly with the eBay Platform" >>

I'm not suprised that the APIs support getting that data. If they didn't, third-party seller tools wouldn't be able to show it. I just don't think Ebay intended that data to be visible to anyone but the seller, otherwise they would already be showing it. >>

I pulled that from ebay's website about watchcount

Also, I just remember a post from Bobby saying they did work with ebay and are able to remove fake auctions (why I said what I said) >>

I really don't want to sound argumentative, just trying to supply details to whoever may find them interesting:

I've had an approved app in the past. That verbiage means you've passed their system tests and are using the APIs correctly from a technical standpoint, and that you're not breaking their TOS.

Sean1125 · January 18, 2012 1:40AM

Guide created: 06/01/09
Ebay guide

Edited to add:
That seller has made multiple WC guides/references it

just posting the supporting information that I find (that it probably won't be removed)

BobbyVCP · January 18, 2012 1:49AM

We are 100% legitimate with everything we do in regards to eBay.

bking · January 18, 2012 2:01AM

<< We are 100% legitimate with everything we do in regards to eBay. >>

I didn't mean to imply otherwise. I am "mis-recollecting" though that they have played games with you regarding data access at times?

divecchia · January 18, 2012 2:30AM

<< The few item nos I tried all said watch count was "unavailable" although it did provide the view count. >>

I get the same thing "Watch Count: (unavailable)", not one watch count from all my tries.

Donato

Big80s · January 18, 2012 2:41AM

Maybe it's already been shut down.

BobbyVCP · January 18, 2012 2:55AM

<< 

<< We are 100% legitimate with everything we do in regards to eBay. >>

I didn't mean to imply otherwise. I am "mis-recollecting" though that they have played games with you regarding data access at times? >>

Correct eBay has a habit of changing things with their code without notifying its licensees.

SidePocket · January 18, 2012 4:33AM

It's working fine for me.

Dpeck100 · January 18, 2012 9:16AM

Mike Tyson Panini

It works just fine. Not every item registers for some reason but the one's that do are accurate. I have tested it on my own auctions and it is on the money.

BobbyVCP · January 18, 2012 9:18AM

I really don't see any real use for the site. The people that created it installed the EPN code so they are getting paid for any traffic and sales they generate for eBay.

Dpeck100 · January 18, 2012 9:23AM

So if you were interested in an item, you would not like to see how many people are watching it?

I find that very strange.

I have found it much easier to have a better feel for how many buyers may emerge at the end by using the site.

Another great feature about the site is you can key in a word for the search and find the most watched auctions for that word. I found the PSA 10 Tyson from that site as it was not showing up in the normal search for Tyson cards.

Big80s · January 18, 2012 9:32AM

<< So if you were interested in an item, you would not like to see how many people are watching it?. >>

I'm with you. I definitely want to know if there's several other people watching an item, I plan to make a run at.

mlbfan2 · January 18, 2012 9:34AM

<< Another great feature about the site is you can key in a word for the search and find the most watched auctions for that word. I found the PSA 10 Tyson from that site as it was not showing up in the normal search for Tyson cards. >>

That seems odd.
A search for "psa 10 tyson" on ebay = 66 items
A search for "psa 10 tyson" on watchcount = 5 items

Dpeck100 · January 18, 2012 9:39AM

There search function is not the best and it looks like a fairly cheap site.

I searched for Mike Tyson Panini.

Just use keywords. Like Hank Aaron or whomever you are looking for and it will show you the most watched items that it finds.

Hank Aaron

Edited to say it is just linking to the site. You must type in whatever keyword you are searching for.

RookieWax · January 18, 2012 9:52AM

If anything, such a public watch count might HELP ebay and the final sale price. Most of my auctions end with 3 or 4 watchers but no bids . If these watchers start seeing there are others watching the same item, it could inspire them to bid and start a little bidding war as well.

Big80s · January 18, 2012 1:07PM

<< If anything, such a public watch count might HELP ebay and the final sale price. Most of my auctions end with 3 or 4 watchers but no bids . If these watchers start seeing there are others watching the same item, it could inspire them to bid and start a little bidding war as well. >>

Interesting point. I hadn't thought of it that way. In this sense, it could actually help sellers, as well. I'm still on the fence, as a seller - but it's a great tool for buyers.

twiley · January 18, 2012 1:25PM

I knew about the site for a couple of months now. I use it all the time...

Big80s · January 18, 2012 1:30PM

I'm assuming it's proven to be pretty useful then?

grote15 · January 18, 2012 1:30PM

It's probably interesting to see how many watchers there are for a particular for curiosity's sake, but I can't see this tool affecting my bidding strategy. Most watchers never bid anyway.

Dpeck100 · January 18, 2012 1:35PM

Of course this feature is useful and this is why EBAY has never supplied this feature to buyers.

This is a tremendous piece of information for buyers.

At the end of the day the price is dictated by two buyers but having a better look at the size of the market can be helpful at times for sure.

Dpeck100 · January 18, 2012 1:37PM

Grote I think the reason a big percentage of watchers don't bid is because they are not prepared financially but they enjoy watching the market.

That being said the larger the number of watchers the higher the price you get for that item.

Watchers are eyeballs and if you got a lot of people watching that means a lot of people want it.

grote15 · January 18, 2012 1:47PM

I agree that the more watchers the more potential for bidders on an item, but every time I put an item # in the search field, like divecchia also said, it says watchers are "unavailable," so it must not work for many auctions.

twiley · January 18, 2012 1:48PM

<< I'm assuming it's proven to be pretty useful then? >>

Yes. When I am placing my snipe i have an idea what my competition is. If there are a lot of watchers like 20+ then I know to bid more then I normally would. If there are less then I bid less.

Elemenopeo · January 18, 2012 2:06PM

<< Yes. When I am placing my snipe i have an idea what my competition is. If there are a lot of watchers like 20+ then I know to bid more then I normally would. If there are less then I bid less. >>

Hmmm. Why would the amount you're willing to pay for something increase with the number of watchers? Does the number of watchers equal proof or evidence of higher demand and value?

twiley · January 18, 2012 2:10PM

Well for example.

Say its 1995 Bowman 229 Jeter PSA 10. I am willing to pay 60 for it. Well if there are a ton of watchers on it near the auction end. I might increase my snipe to 80 or 90 vs leaving it at 60. If there was less watchers then I probably wouldn't increase my snipe. If that makes sense?

Darin · January 18, 2012 2:19PM

It wouldn't be useful for me as a buyer. I would bid the same amount no matter if there are 1 watching or 10.

Elemenopeo · January 18, 2012 2:24PM

<< Well for example.

Say its 1995 Bowman 229 Jeter PSA 10. I am willing to pay 60 for it. Well if there are a ton of watchers on it near the auction end. I might increase my snipe to 80 or 90 vs leaving it at 60. If there was less watchers then I probably wouldn't increase my snipe. If that makes sense? >>

I know what you're saying, but shouldn't your snipe be at 80 or 90 to begin with if that's what you're willing to pay for it?

twiley · January 18, 2012 2:38PM

essentially yes my initial snipe should be but if it is something I want and notice it has a ton of more watchers then when I first placed my snipe then I might increase it at the end.

moonlightgraham · January 18, 2012 11:35PM

I used the site for several of my auctions to validate its accuracy. By no means am I stating this is an absolute but for auctions that had bids on them, the watch count was provided and was accurate. For my auctions with no bids but with several watches, I received 'unavailable' for the watch count. Has anybody been able to get a valid watch count number for an auction with no bids?

Big80s · January 19, 2012 12:51AM

I felt a little responsible, since I started this thread - so I turned the people at WatchCount onto our discussion and was able to get some answers to some of the questions we had.

Q: Why do some items show up as "unavailable" when searched?

A: "We can't get the Watch Count of every single eBay item. eBay allows us access to Watch Counts of items that pass its undisclosed "minimum popularity threshold". Long story, but that threshold is pretty low, so a lot of stuff gets ranked on our site, but a lot doesn't either. For example, we can't get the Watch Count for zero-bid auctions. But as soon as that 1st bid comes in on the item, a couple minutes later you can get the WC on our site."

Q: Are you approved by eBay?

A: "We're totally legit with eBay. WatchCount.com was meant from day-1 to be long-term looking, and completely above-board."

Q: Why can't I track foreign seller's auctions?

A: "We can access the WC for eBay UK/FR/CA/AU/etc. just the same (with same limitations) as eBay US."

They also sent this link, which I found interesting: Most Watch Sports Cards on eBay (right now)

Cool new resource for eBay buyers

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