PriceAdvisor (a Price Tracking Tool for Australians) Android Version for Free

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priceadvisor.com.au

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  mduncan2 on 25/01/2016 - 13:21

  +1

  bunnings?

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    [Deactivated] on 25/01/2016 - 13:22

    nor masters

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  frogduck on 25/01/2016 - 13:24

  Thanks for the app mate, works well from my quick 1 item search trial :)

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    Associatedfoxgaocn @ priceadvisor.com.au on 25/01/2016 - 13:56

    Thanks for trying :)

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  Olokun on 25/01/2016 - 13:49

  +1

  Why does it look so similar to Price Hipster?

  Seems like a clone to me with a few mods.

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    Associatedfoxgaocn @ priceadvisor.com.au on 25/01/2016 - 14:02

    There is no way to clone a website like that.
    The features are pretty similar, and is also similar to most of other price tracking tools, as the main idea is the same.
    I have to crawler all the website myself, unless pricehipster can expose its api to me :) Which is the most time consuming part of the site.
    And looks like pricehipster is using algolia as a search service, mine is using Sphinx as search engine.
    Had a quick look and I found both sites use reactjs as frontend, seems like we've got the agreement that react will be the next popular thing.

    Anyway, which one you like to use is your own choice, both sites are not running for money, at least at the moment.

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    jazoom on 17/02/2016 - 20:18

    Haha, I didn't even notice this until now. Funny. It really does have a lot of similarities to Price Hipster. Even the header works the same as Price Hipster. I guess I'm flattered. :-)

    Competition is always good.

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  Associatedfoxgaocn @ priceadvisor.com.au on 25/01/2016 - 13:55

  Maybe bunnings is my next task :)

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  systmworks on 25/01/2016 - 20:00

  Thanks for the site/app.

  A couple of suggestions:

  • when I search for "BTA840" (a model of toaster) I get a lot of similar results for BTA425, BTA430 etc.. I then have to use Ctrl-F to search for the actual thing I want in the results. Would be good if there was a filter for "exact" and "similar" results.

  • currently there is only a single result shown for this exact model toaster (Officeworks for $224). Its also sold at MYER for $119 (comes up in PriceHipster results). Worth adding Myer to your crawl if you can.

  • the items are listed in what appears to be a random order… almost every time I search for an item I am looking to buy, I want to see the results in price low to high, or sometimes high to low if I know I will get a wide range (like accessories for an item) when I am only interested in the main item itself.

  • Even better is a price range filter - but again only if the results are sorted in order - and only if the results are relevant (eg able to search for exact hits).

  But yeah, good work, these sites are very useful so its great that people are working on them.

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    Associatedfoxgaocn @ priceadvisor.com.au on 25/01/2016 - 20:53

    Thank you very much for the suggestions.

    I will definitely add more sellers if people love to use the site.

    I am not sure whether you used the mobile version or the desktop version. But I do have filters available to help you search on the item. The search filter is on the left side of the desktop version. On the mobile version, on the top of the search result, you will see a "expand filter" section, and if you click it, you can filter by category, by price range, by seller, and by the price track. I guess there might be some design issue that the filter is not obvious to you.

    Thank you again for your feedback and I'll keep working on it.

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      systmworks on 26/01/2016 - 00:53

      OK, checked again, and it seems sometimes it will filter to the exact search term (BTA840)..

      But other times will list other results (possibly as a result of the key by key searching, instead of waiting for a complete search term and then pressing <Enter>) as if its reading BTA8 (and showing those results) not recognising the 40 on the end which limits it to a single result.

      To be honest I prefer to finish typing my search text, and then press Enter or click Search, as opposed to the website re-running its results with every keypress I make.. and its less work for your webserver.

      Re filters on the left, I can see where to filter by shop, and to filter whether your site currently considers the price the lowest, lower than normal, normal, etc.

      I assume those rankings (lowest, lower than normal, normal etc) are related to the most common selling price of that result item only, from that shop, and so does not rank it against the selling price of that item from other shops.

      If so, it would be possible for 1 shop to have a "normal" price that is lower $$ than another shop which is currently selling "lower than normal" at higher $$ than the first shop.

      The site lists the results in random order.. rather than from lowest to highest $$ price.

      For example, if you use this link: http://www.priceadvisor.com.au/search?term=ps4%201tb if provides 5 results. They differ slightly by bundle, but the lowest price is actually the 2nd result, and is considered a "normal" price. I would expect the cheapest price to be at the top, next cheapest 2nd etc..

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        Associatedfoxgaocn @ priceadvisor.com.au on 26/01/2016 - 11:28

        "press Enter or click Search" to start search is a useful point. I think we all got used to google and use the same way as google does will be a good idea. It will also reduce the data usage if you're on mobile. I will give it a try.

        Regarding to the ranking, you're correct. The ranking is against the price history of the item itself. So one shop has a "normal" price which is lower than the other shop's "lower than normal" price is possible. The problem is that I cannot identify two products from different store as the same product. For example, identify "ps4 1tb console" and "sony ps4 1tb console" as the same product is a very difficult technical problem. I'll spend sometime investigate whether it is possible to do it. If I can, then priceadvisor will reach to another level.

        Thanks again for your suggestions. You raised valid points and motivated me to continue on the journey :)

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        systmworks on 26/01/2016 - 11:41

        @foxgaocn: Re the search results not being the same item - I dont think its a big deal, your search engine already does that based on how specific the search terms are (which is why I like using model numbers), and people can read the description (and price) to work out for themselves if 2 listed items are the same or not.

        For example if you search for "Samsung TV" and get one result for $2000, and another result for $50 that also has the word "remote" in it, obviously one is a TV and one is a remote control for a TV.

        But once your website comes back with say 10 results.. it obviously identifies the price of each item.. its just a matter of sorting the results by price first, and THEN displaying the results in price order.

        If someone has entered a specific enough term to get back a list of results that only includes the specific item they want - they probably just want to buy from the cheapest retailer - so rather than looking at a list of prices to work out which is the lowest, it would be great it the lowest price was at the top.

        Of course many times you will also have multiple retailers offering the same List Price - in which case I guess those with the same price could be sorted in any order (as long as the entire list is price low-high) or perhaps in alphabetical order based on retailer name (only for those with same price!).. not a big deal.

        Another good thing about sorting the results by price is it will generally group all the same items together. Eg if you search for "Breville Toaster" it would generally put the cheaper 2 slice models first.. and then move onto the more expensive 4 slice ones.

        Same for "PS4 console".. the 512GB console only deals would generally (altho not always) be grouped together first, and then the 512GB bundles… then 1TB console only… then 1TB bundles.. based on price.

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        Associatedfoxgaocn @ priceadvisor.com.au on 26/01/2016 - 11:54

        @systmworks: Sorting by price is an easy fix. Try it now: http://priceadvisor.com.au/search?term=ps4%201tb :)

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        systmworks on 26/01/2016 - 12:17

        @foxgaocn: awesome, thats heaps more useful, thanks.

        Email price alerts for set items would also be good - preferably via a login system (with username/password - not a fan of the email link logon used by PriceHipster) but I understand its a bit of work to create a user registration system with database of logins and price alerts.

        Also, noted in IE11 the price graph X axis says "undefined" where in Chrome it correctly had the month.

      • 

        jazoom on 17/02/2016 - 20:19

        @systmworks: Actually, I first created a password-based login system for Price Hipster. It's no extra work than an email login system. All you have to do is store a hash of a password.

        Sorry, I just re-read that. You meant that the price alerts would be a bit of work. That's true.

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  [Deactivated] on 25/01/2016 - 21:14

  I've been using your desktop website version and I like your interface. It works well on my firefox broswer without me having to change any of the settings.

  I'm not sure your "crawler" program is getting all of the information from each website.

  I did a couple of random searches on products where I normally go to the shop websites and I don't think the "crawler" is getting every item off the relevant websites.

  I was looking at Lego Friends, Lego Disney and Octonauts initially. I also tried to look for DVDs on the programs "Arrow" and "The Flash". I couldn't find any Flash DVDs. The only Arrow DVD was Season 1 at Target. I know that JB HI FI stocks this show but none of their listings came up. I used the search terms "ARROW DVD" and then tried just "ARROW". I used the search filter on the left of the desktop to make sure I just got the "TV,Audio and Home Entertainment" selections. These were only test items where I know roughly where the stock was and how much it was.

  • 

    Olokun on 26/01/2016 - 09:14

    I did a couple of random searches on products where I normally go to the shop websites and I don't think the "crawler" is getting every item off the relevant websites.

    This is definitely true. This item at target also can not be found

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      Associatedfoxgaocn @ priceadvisor.com.au on 26/01/2016 - 11:41

      the item you mentioned is in their "sale" category. I tried some other items and found some of them are listed in the normal categories while others are not. For those not in the normal categories, you cannot find them in price advisor as I excluded the "sale" page.

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    Associatedfoxgaocn @ priceadvisor.com.au on 26/01/2016 - 11:36

    Looked at my config file and I found I excluded the "music" category from jbhifi. Initially my intent was just to provide tech stuffs, then I added more and more sites, and I forgot to remove the "exclusion". Will added it back and probably you can find it in tomorrow's result.

    I cannot guarantee that all the products from the supported store are indexed though. As I only index products from their category page, and I will discard any results if information is missing. Also, the store may change their page layout and then I have to change my crawler to get data again.

    • 

      [Deactivated] on 26/01/2016 - 13:58

      Thank you for clarifying things. Good luck with the proposed improvements.

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  felipe1982 on 26/01/2016 - 08:58

  I didn't see any affiliate links. How are you going to get paid for this? Great job by the way.

  • 

    Associatedfoxgaocn @ priceadvisor.com.au on 26/01/2016 - 11:48

    +2

    I am a software engineer and I have a full time job. Not expecting to make a living on this website :)

    One reason I do this is to practise new technologies;

    The other reason is that you feel satisfied when people think the thing you made is useful to them.

    If people love you thing you made, then getting paid is the next nature thing (ozbargain is the great example on this)

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  systmworks on 26/01/2016 - 12:49

  Here is another idea for you.. something Id fine useful, and anyone with "price protection" on their credit card would too.

  Could be incorporated into your current site, or created as a second site - where users can submit products/URL's for your site to monitor, specifically looking for price drops.

  Example 1:

  I quite like having the Caramel Up & Go breakfast drink in the morning.. so I buy the 12-pack at Coles (my regular supermarket). It is $12 so $1ea or $4/Litre. I just googled the current price at Woolworths, and its the same.

  Id like to be notified whenever either company has it on sale below the normal RRP of $12. If it was on special at Woolworths, Id walk the extra 300 meters to buy it. If its on special at Coles, Id probably stock up with a months worth, instead of buying week by week.

  Example 2:

  My credit card gives me 2 years of price protection - if an item drops in price by $10 or more, from the same retailer I bought from, I can claim back the price drop via the credit card company.

  It really works - I have been paid over $500 in the past 3 months.

  Problem is, I have to manually keep checking the websites for items I have bought that I think might drop in price. I have a little utility that monitors HTTP URL's (WebMon) but it doesnt handle HTTPS and more and more resellers are going to HTTPS sites.

  I bought the BTA840 toaster from MYER for $119. If it drops in price below $109 I want to know so I can claim the $$. Would be great if a website sent me an email to say "Hello! Great news.. that item you asked us to monitor is now on sale for $99 - your requested alert price is $109".

  Example 3:

  I want to buy a specific model wine cooler fridge.. Good Guys are selling it for $699 but I only want to buy it if it goes on sale below $600… website sends me a price alert it if drops below $600.

  EDIT: re the Up & Go, I just found this website that compares Coles/Woolies.
  http://grocerycop.com.au/products/189/sanitarium-up--go-cara…

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    Associatedfoxgaocn @ priceadvisor.com.au on 26/01/2016 - 17:03

    I actually did a coles/woolworths promotion finder app about two years ago, but didn't attract many users, so I stopped the server…..

    Price drop alert is definitely something I want to implement. It takes time though (we got our second baby just 3 weeks ago, so pretty busy ATM). I may also need to invest more money as sending email is not a free service :(

    I am always thinking a better way to do the alert. If you want to buy a wine cooler fridge, you probably don't care whether it is from Good Guys or Harvey Norman, as far as the price is good, you want a notification.It will be a better user experience if we can find a way to avoid setting alarm on 5 different wine cooler fridges.

    Of course, setting alert on single item is also useful, the price protection scenario is a great example here.

    As a general web application, it is impossible to cover all the shops. It may be a good idea to run another paid "pro service" just for price protection. The "pro service" will support arbitrary url user submitted. The question is, how price protection works? Does it apply only to the same store, or if I bought from TGG, but if I found something cheaper in HN, the credit card company will also refund?

    Thanks!

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    [Deactivated] on 26/01/2016 - 17:18

    +1

    If you are looking for Up and Go ongoing specials, buy the 3 packs or 6 packs when they go on half price special. Tomorrow they go on special at Woolworths for $2 for a 3 pack. This works out as 67cents per packet. I've never seen any really good bargains on the 12 pack. Occasionally the 24 packs go on special for $16 which is the equivalent of the special I've just mentioned on the 3 packs. I just use OzBargain to keep track of the half price specials on Up and Go. Why not set a search alert on OzBargain for "Up and Go"