Amazon and other sites with xml feeds

amazon xml feeds

[AffiliateDreamer]

Hi,

Does anyone pull from store feeds like amazon, barnsandnoble etc?

If so, I've read that its usually better to cache the data. What techniques have you guys used?

1. if you cache, is it to db?
If so, then this would have to be some sort of daily process (they don't allow caching to db for more than 24 hours,and prices for 1 hour?)

Don't you get nervous everyday that the process might have failed?

[ThomasB]

Amazon has severe problems now and then and mostly during high seasons. So most people know that it's almost sure that it will fail and don't complain anymore. Sorry for saying that, but it's often the truth.

If you really want to go into this market, try a search for "[any cd name at amazons top 10] amazon" at google (without " of course). I think that might give you a feeling about your competitors. But the good ones are hardly to be found by searching for them. ;)

[panic]

I pull the products I need and put the data into my own database... mine's just not as loaded and strained as Amazon.com :)

[AffiliateDreamer]

but since they only show 10 items per request, you have some batch job setup?

i'm a bit weary of that, what if the process fails and messes it up...especially if your say on vacation!

how many items do you pull btw?

[rfung]

I pull 10 items at a time and show them accordingly to the user. I also store them in a database, and code so in case of a failure with the connection, i revert to the info on the database. It won't be as complete, or accurately to real time, but at least its not a blank page.

[chengfu]

Slightly OT, but:
Does Barnesandnoble.com offer product feeds? I couldn't find any information about this on their website.

Bye, Mario

[panic]

Does Barnesandnoble.com offer product feeds? I couldn't find any information about this on their website.

They used to, but I'm not sure if they still do.