Yet another price comparison thread! Guess the script?

[Stavros]

Yes another one, the answers just aren't that forthcoming using the search function.

I'm building a niche informational site for a particular type of product. After a bit of thought I realised I may as well build a price comparison site around this information. I've never delved into price comparison before so I was going to hand code it but have realised it's going to be a pain in the proverbial when and if I decide to expand the site.

First up, let's say that my site compares prices on 5 products and 15 merchants stock each product, so for each product this is the format I'd want to see...
The Goonies [1985] DVD (gotta love the Goonies)

I would class the above as a very hot piece of website ass (yes, I said that out loud)... although lacking content on this particular page, which of course my website would have, it's exactly what someone would find extremely useful with some great discount codes and a big call to action.

So what's this guy using? I think the clue is in the fetchPrices.php script, I Google'd it and it would appear quite a few comparison sites are using the same script, but what is it? Price Tapestry?

[Stavros]

oh, looks like a white label medifusion site?
Would Price Tapestry achieve similar results? Does anyone have a Price Tapestry powered site they'd be willing to let me look at?

[lowndsy]

Originally Posted by Stavros So what's this guy using? I think the clue is in the fetchPrices.php script, I Google'd it and it would appear quite a few comparison sites are using the same script, but what is it? Price Tapestry?

Nope, it's the live xml service by www.medifusion.co.uk. It is pretty good - live price comparison results and a set of sample code files to help you get up and running.

That's where the fetchPrices.php file comes from - the medifusion samples, but to be honest, the best implementations of this don't come from the sample code - there are plenty of things you can do to extend functionality and make the site more unique - I'd class the example you gave as a medium piece of website ass - a good implementation of themedifusion service not but quite top drawer because it doesn't really do anything unique or advanced, like making the most of the medifusion data to offer specific pages for each merchant or voucher codes / reviews etc.

[lowndsy]

Originally Posted by Stavros oh, looks like a white label medifusion site? Would Price Tapestry achieve similar results? Does anyone have a Price Tapestry powered site they'd be willing to let me look at?

It's horses for courses - Medifusion means you don't have to worry about up to data datafeeds or data cleaning, while price tapestry gives you the raw tools to make almost anything. I have a price tapestry site here, heavily customised: Find the best prices on ink cartridges, toner, refills and consumables for your inket and laser printer, although it is getting a bit old now and would bebefit from an overhaul.

[Stavros]

Lowndsy, thanks for the info. My only reservation with medifusion is that they only appear to cater for the DVD and games market, or so their website would suggest (not my niche). Also, their website isn't clear but I'm guessing it's a revenue share system which, I'll be honest, I know nothing about but feel like I should steer clear of. I've given them an email anyway so I'll wait and see.
Also, thanks for the link, it's given me a little insight. Lots more Price Tapestry examples here for anyone else who's curious:
Customer Comments and Site Links | Price Tapestry

[lowndsy]

Yes, Medifusion is a profit-share arrangement, but it is quite a reasonable percentage and the way I see it, it's worth every penny to have a mainainance free price comarison engine. They have feeds for books, music, dvds, games and electronics.

[monty]

Do medifusion have a setup fee? or monthly/yearly minimums?
- Basically what I"m asking is whether there is a level below which they are not interested or its not worth the hassle to them?

[I've got a small but hopefully growing number of places I could put this - and a very specialised market one. It will grow over time (a bit) but I'd rather not have to devote the time to it that would be required in order to meet minimums, etc.]

[Cheapdvds]

they run it on a share revenue , so no monthly fee.

they do dvds , cds , books and electrical items , they send u a form which needs completeing and sending back to them then u add a small piece of code, u then format the display as u want

[Paulzie]

My latest Price Tapestry site, along with a bought skin. Have customised some of it.
Vacuum Cleaners Direct

I'm also working on a site that uses Price Tapestry to handle the feeds and other "backend" stuff, but uses a custom writen front end for the data.