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theniteowl
eBay restrictions
Any JS or HTML code that the seller puts in the member content area of an eBay page is returned from the eBay server unchanged. eBay does not allow code outside of the member content area. Furthermore, eBay does not allow any code which can be executed on their server. To filter out 'illegal' code, eBay checks the page BEFORE they accept it as an auction listing. Once accepted, the seller page is incorporated into the larger listing page.
When eBay processes the page upon completion of the auction, they ONLY change the parts of the page that are NOT part of the seller submitted page, and they just pass the seller submitted part through their system unchanged.
Here are the limitations on code that can be used:
[tt]
Not permitted
* HTML or JavaScript used to drop or read a cookie on any eBay page
* HTML or JavaScript that redirects the user from eBay to another page (such as the "replace" script)
* HTML or JavaScript that automatically calls remote scripts and pages (such as JavaScript includes or iframes)
* HTML or JavaScript that changes registry entries, or otherwise writes to another's computer hard drive
* HTML or JavaScript that creates automatic "pop-ups" (exception - links that open in a new window when clicked on)
* HTML or JavaScript that automatically posts to scripts in eBay
* HTML or JavaScript that automatically loads any binary program on another's computer exception - Flash content)
* HTML or JavaScript that automatically overwrites any area on the listing outside of the item description area
* Manipulation of areas outside the listing description, including changing fonts, colors, backgrounds, etc. in areas such as eBay headers, footers, etc.[/tt]
And here is what happens if illegal code is used:
[tt]
Attempts to use the disabled scripts will return a very specific error message that begins: "Disallowed JavaScript/HTML Syntax". Members will be prevented from listing the item or will be disabled at run-time. Any other JavaScript error indicates a separate issue and is not related to the disabling of these scripts.[/tt]
Basically anything that has the potential to harm eBay or eBay members is not allowed.
Client side code
Tampering with client side code in this case is not likely to be an issue at all.
The vast majority of buyers would not have the foggiest idea that it could be done, much less do it. Those few that have the knowledge to do it simply wouldn't be likely to be bothered for ten, twenty, thirty, or even hundred dollar items. And even if someone tried it, the systems in place would flag the sale as suspect. Then the submitted payment could be checked against the eBay-archived eBay page for correctness before the items were actually sent to the buyer.
Currently, the buyer MANUALLY fills in the information himself at the conclusion of the listing. In eight years we have never seen the buyer fill in the incorrect information. Based on this, we do not see client side code being an issue here. All I am trying to do is automate what the buyer is already doing manually.
Current practice - UNKNOWN ending price
For an example of current practice for auction listings that have an UNKNOWN ending price at listing time:
1) Go to this link:
2) Click on any auction listing
3) Scroll down to the big green box near the center of the page
4) Click on the "Click here for order form" link
5) Look at the line "__________ Ending price for item code: "
The buyer currently manually fills in the blank with the ending auction price. I want to fill this blank in automatically with the correct ending price when the buyer clicks the order form link. This information is available on the ended-listing page that this link is on. All I need to do is find a way to search the ended-listing page for the ending price, then send that ending price to the ordering link page.
Current practice - KNOWN ending price
For an example of current practice for BUY-IT-NOW listings that have an KNOWN ending price at listing time:
1) Go to this link:
2) Click on any buy-it-now listing
3) Scroll down to the big green box near the center of the page
4) Click on the "Click here for order form" link
5) Look at the line " $ xx.xx Ending price for item code: "
When the ending price is KNOWN BEFORE the listing ends the ending price is hard coded into the ordering link. When the buyer clicks the link, this price is automatically inserted into the order page.
Conclusion
My knowledge of anything server-side is less than zero. So if the only way to accomplish what I want to do is to go server-side, I am not sure that the time spent learning server-side programming is worth the effort for this relatively trivial task.
My knowledge of JS and HTML also is woefully lacking, but so far I have been able to muddle through to get the job done.
My programming expertise lies in FoxPro and some older languages. All of the HTML and JS code within the listing description area of the eBay pages at the above links was generated from a database using a FoxPro program I wrote and have been continually improving for years. If there is a way of doing what I want to do client side, I will add that to the FoxPro program for all future generations of eBay pages. Otherwise, I will probably leave things as is and continue to let the buyer manaully fill in the blank.
mmerlinn
"Political correctness is the BADGE of a COWARD!"
