Help out Shmax.com!

[Antron007]

 Hi everybody, (in my best Dr. Nick voice)
I've created a page that will allow you to support Shmax.com every time you buy something from eBay.

It's based off of the eBay referral links found at the bottom of a products listing page. For example,
http://www.shmax.com/product_details/11685/wheeljack

Instead of retyping the details of the page I made, you can read all about, and start using it at:
http://alpha7.netau.net/shlink.php

I sent the code to Shmax for his approval and he gave me permission to share it with all of you. So you know it's legit.

I personally added the link into my bookmarks/links toolbar. I suggest you all do the same. That way it's always in front of you and easily accessed. The easier it is to get to the more likely you are to use it.

I am always open to comments, questions and criticisms. That being said, I've only put a little over an hour into it and 90% of that was adding text and graphics. It's on a free server so it may hick-up from time to time.   So, please keep that in mind before you start reaming me ;-)

----BACK STORY----
The reason I made this page is because I was using what I called my "link trick". I was copying and editing the referral link manually. But, I had got caught up in the moment and made a purchased a few eBay items and forgot to do the link trick so, I whipped up this little page to make it easier for me. Then it dawned on me that I could share this with all of the Shmax.commers. So I submitted a link along with the code to Shmax and he gave me permission to share with you.


Why did I bother to do this?

Because my collecting had hit a wall until I discovered Shmax.com. With over 150 Transformers at the time, keeping track of them all was a mad house. The last 3 figures I had purchased before I discovered Shmax.com ended up being doubles that turned to gifts. (TG For nephews)

Being of limited finances (Come on, Power Ball!), it was very frustrating. So I really started limiting my purchases. Then I saw an Shmax.com "Veiw My Collection" signature gif on a post over at seibertron.com and you've been stuck with me ever since.

Shmax.com has been a virtual life saver and an actual money saver for me. It is so awesome that I can just pull out my phone and access my collection and wish list in a matter of moments. Shmax has put together a great tool that's free for all of us yet, well worth paying for. Then I discovered that those auction links on the product page help support Shmax.com so I got some info on the referral program and found out how to edit the links so I could use the referral code for all of my eBaying.   

While I haven't got alot of extra money I like to think I more than make up for it with craft and savvy. This is my way of saying thanks to Shmax.com and I hope you use this tool to say thank you by helping out Shmax.com every time you make an eBay purchase.

So, what are you waiting for? Start shopping, start helping, and start saying thanks by going to, bookmarking and using
http://alpha7.netau.net/shlink.php

Thanks again Shmax.com, and I'm sure Shmax thanks you all for your support.

[Spiff-O-Matic]

I'd like to check this out but your link is "under review" by your host.

[Tripredacus]

I'd like to check this out but your link is "under review" by your host.

Its been under review ever since he posted the link. Not sure why.

[Antron007]

Yes, unfortunately its on  free server and that happens about once a month or so but this is the 2nd time this month. I have to go the site at least once a day to keep it active. If it sits too long with no traffic they pull the pages until you reply to an email and then they copy their backup back to your directory. I've been good about keeping it active lately.

it was working yesterday. I'll see if I have any emails from them.

Just check back in an hour or so and it should be working.  Thanks for being interested though.


[edit] It wasn't working a second ago but now it is If you have any questions, feel free to ask.[/edit]

[Spiff-O-Matic]

Sign up for a free Pingdom account to have them check your website uptime at a set interval. Hopefully this will prevent this happening again.

https://www.pingdom.com/#freemodal

EDIT: Well I'm obviously interested Why not just post some how-to here?

[Antron007]

Thanks for the Pingdom link. I got that set up now.

I could do a "how to" but it's a lot of code sweeping to identify the item number in the URL. Most people won't put forth that effort. I got sick of putting forth the effort and came up with this to make my life easier and I just figured I'd share.

But if your interested here goes.

As far as I know it's all tracked by the URL. (We're not sure if source/referrer page is accounted for or if it's just the URL. I have to look into this more but I'm assuming it's just the URL.)

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574815215&toolid=10001&campid=5336340126&customid=&icep_item=281063767241&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg


http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574815215&toolid=10001&campid=5336340126&customid=&icep_item=xxxxxxxxxxxx&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg


I've bolded the Item Number and put x's in the second link where the number should go. Add your desired auction number where the x's are, wrap it up in an anchor tag and that's it.

I just got sick of all of the extra cutting and pasting and making a page with the new links and ect, So I made this. paste your item number, click submit, click auction link.  I've used it a few times since I made it.

I actually made it because I was going on an eBay spree last week and didn't want to repeat that process 6 times. I feel bad if I get something off of ebay and don't use the referral link. Maybe I should start the AShmaxPCA. Maybe I can get Sarah McGloughlin to sing sad songs about dying angels while she asks you the keep Shmax funded for just $0.50 a day or using the referral link.

The script needs work but I should be ready to start on the principle photography just as soon as I meet Sarah McGloughlin.

[Spiff-O-Matic]

So I decided this would be a great use for a bookmarklet. I suppose maybe Shmax can help tweak this (or take this idea and run with it). Keep in mind I a n00b at Javascript so I basically found one already made that did what I wanted and edited it for the proper URL supplied above.

What you need to do to use this is go to the URL I linked here and then drag the link in the lower right quadrant to your bookmark bar. Then, go to an eBay listing that you want to use this on. On eBay's current layout (Feb. 2013) the item number for the auction is right below the frame that holds the bidding info. Simply select that text then click your bookmarklet. Conversely you can know the number from elsewhere or have it in your clipboard already, then click the bookmarklet. It should pop a dialog asking for the number.

http://jsfiddle.net/jnhKs/

[Antron007]

I basically found one already made that did what I wanted and edited it for the proper URL supplied above.

It is in my experience that alot of coding is done in this way. Why re-write what's already been written?

(quote author=Michealangelo date=waybackwhen)
Good artists barrow, Great artists steal.
(/quote)


Neat spliff, I'll have to check this out when I get to my desktop. I'm glad you liked the idea and made something of your own out of it.

[Antron007]

Wow spliff, that is really neat. I really like that. I'm jealous that I didn't think of it. ;-)