Add-On Releases - Rewrite eBay Links [Archive] - Page 2

creativepart

05-22-2008, 08:53 PM

I just received an email from Ebay that they will no longer go through Commission junction and we now have to join the Ebay Partner Network and become direct Ebay affiliates. Will this plug-in still work with the Ebay Partner Network?

Wow, you are 45 days behind the times. This started on April 1st. You have to sign up with EPN, overwrite your mod with the newer version and put in your new Camp Ids. And, you have exactly 7 days before this is completely switched over and CJ doesn't pay anything on Ebay links now.

Everyone else has been doing this for a month an a half already.

bplinson

05-25-2008, 09:20 AM

Yeah, vBulletin lets you setup RSS feeds for your forum. So, I have eBay RSS feeds show up on my forum so that I dont have to manually post all the latest and greatest things on ebay.

Does anyone know how to mod the Rewrite file to rewrite the RSS feeds and take you to the products page? As of now it just takes you to eBays home page. It breaks the RSS feeds link.

Andy

This is working for me. I just copy the RSS URL into the VB feed and it creates threads. The in the thread there is a BID NOW, MORE and ADD TO WATCH LIST links. All of the links take me directly to the auction item.

Many of my users got upset with the feeds showing up in in the Today's Posts and New Post links so I just did and exclude of the RSS feed category IDs so that they would not show up.

You all need to set the categories as no viewable by guest if you uses view new post via your forums RSS feed. I have tried to find out how to exclude certain categories for my forum's RSS feed but so far have had no luck.

BTW - The eBay feeds I am posing only pertain to items that would be of interest to my forum members. Not all eBay items.

This plug-in is doing a fine job of adding my EPN number to the links.

ETDC

05-25-2008, 10:46 AM

I just copy the RSS URL into the VB feed and it creates threads.

:confused:

Is there anywhere that has a walkthrough for that? What's a VB feed?

Dismounted

05-25-2008, 12:40 PM

Admin CP > RSS Feeds?

ETDC

05-25-2008, 04:27 PM

Got it, thanks.

Might as well be written in Chinese though...

.

Dabbi

05-29-2008, 12:06 PM

Hi! Great mod but I'm running into a problem where it appears that eBay is basically hijacking non-eBay links that have "ebay" in the url.

For example.. here's a link a member just posted as a copy and paste:
http://www.tamebay.com/2008/05/ebay-need-to-get-dolphin-friendly-sooner.html
Here's what it looks like if I copy link (with my affiliate code XXXX'd out of course):
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=3&campid=XXXXXXXXX&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tamebay.com%2F2008%2F05%2Feb ay-need-to-get-dolphin-friendly-sooner.html
With or without my ID it takes you to main eBay US page.

Is this perhaps part of eBay's geolocation thing (mentioned in this thread on page 15) and most importantly is there anyway to stop this "hijacking"? It's really annoying, not to mention a bit disconcerting, that when you click on a link to an "anti" eBay link it takes you to the one place you don't want to see ATM... eBay. ;)

BTW this happening is not terribly uncommon on my board since it's for online sellers and buyers, many of whom are sellers on eBay and they often link to tamebay.com and other "anti" and "pro" eBay sites that use ebay in the url. Oh and FWIW I had your shoppingads mod on until recently and it did the same thing.

I really don't want to remove this mod.. it's perfect for my site over all (especially if eBay ever gets it ePN pulled together) but I don't want my members upset when this "hijacking" thing happens either.

If I missed this being addressed earlier I apologize.. I skimmed through quickly and didn't see anything but admittedly I'm not firing on all cylinders today (lack of sleep and a nasty cold).

Anyway, thanks for any help.. I truly appreciate it and all the work you've put into this. :)

Dismounted

05-30-2008, 06:49 AM

It's a bug that is going to be addressed.

dcg

06-05-2008, 01:14 PM

This hack is great and so is the amazon one.

Is there any hack to rewrite links in general to another affiliate link fo VB?

Yobajufa

dssart

06-05-2008, 10:55 PM

I'm running 3.7.1. I've got the EBay RSS feed coming into my forum. Auction items are posted as threads and there are links to EBay "Bid Now" (click to bid on item) "More" (click to go to EBay to read the auction description in detail) and "Add to Watch List" (click to add this item to your watch list). This mod works fine with the EBay RSS Feed except for the "Add to Watch List" link. When this mod is enabled, that link becomes truncated or corrupt, or something and it takes you to an Ebay "Page not Found". Any clues how to fix this? Would really like to continue using the mod. I've only had it installed a few days but I like to keep it active on my forum.

Dismounted

06-06-2008, 07:23 AM

Is there any hack to rewrite links in general to another affiliate link fo VB?
Not at the moment.
I'm running 3.7.1. I've got the EBay RSS feed coming into my forum. Auction items are posted as threads and there are links to EBay "Bid Now" (click to bid on item) "More" (click to go to EBay to read the auction description in detail) and "Add to Watch List" (click to add this item to your watch list). This mod works fine with the EBay RSS Feed except for the "Add to Watch List" link. When this mod is enabled, that link becomes truncated or corrupt, or something and it takes you to an Ebay "Page not Found". Any clues how to fix this? Would really like to continue using the mod. I've only had it installed a few days but I like to keep it active on my forum.
What is the link?

dssart

06-06-2008, 09:23 AM

PM Sent..

socalrico

06-06-2008, 04:59 PM

Installed Thanks!

NickCat

06-19-2008, 07:16 AM

I am using this hack and love it so much... but we're getting errors on my site when people post poorly formed URLs. If the URL contains any spaces or is otherwise malformed it throws and error and will no longer display the thread.

I believe I asked about this before but it would be greatly appreicate if you could add in some simple regex to check for a malformed URL.

It's as simple as typing http:/// in a thread to break it.

But other examples do it as well like people dumb enough to link to a local document on their computer's drive.

This is a fairly critical issue on my site, and I'm sure others, that just haven't noticed it yet. If it's not something you can find the time to fix on your own I would certainly be willing to kick in a few bucks to have you working on it. For now I've had to disable the hack entirely, which means no money from eBay, so I really need this back up and running as soon as possible.

This is one of the specific examples that broke our site... please ignore the idiocy of the link name, it's not real, one of our members was posting it as a joke in our off topic forum and the follow is the resulting error.
Warning: parse_url(http://www.watching-young-girls-pee-is-hot.com (http://www.watching-young-girls-pee-is-hot.com/)) [function.parse-url]: Unable to parse URL in [path]/includes/init.php(293) : eval()'d code on line 26

Dismounted

06-19-2008, 09:48 AM

There has been a fix posted in the thread by me before - I have not had time to update anything as I have been very busy.

Dabbi

06-19-2008, 11:22 AM

It's a bug that is going to be addressed.

Thank you! Wonderful news! :cool:

I know it's probably hard to do but is there any chance of getting a time frame on approx when this will be done? :)

Dismounted

06-19-2008, 12:44 PM

Soon - I hope. I don't have any solid time frame. I do all this "work" in my spare time - so I fit it in when I can.

siliconfinance

06-21-2008, 03:51 PM

My forum suffers from the same problem that NickCat's does.

//sites waiting patiently for the fix

Thanks for all of your hard work Dismounted.

AzHousePro

06-25-2008, 08:01 PM

Does this work directly with the ebay affiliate program or does it require going through Commission Junction? The reason I ask is that Ebay does not work with Commission Junction anymore.

Mike

ETDC

06-25-2008, 08:15 PM

It works 'directly' with the eBay programme in a sense. The only drawback I've found is that it only works with .com.

Dismounted

06-26-2008, 06:24 AM

The only drawback I've found is that it only works with .com.
That's actually a drawback of eBay's program, AFAIK.

siliconfinance

06-27-2008, 04:02 PM

has anybody come up with a way to check/rewrite the url without the three slashes which cause problems '///'?

Dismounted

06-28-2008, 04:55 AM

<a href="https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost.php?p=1348791&postcount=45" target="_blank">https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showp...1&postcount=45</a>

siliconfinance

07-01-2008, 03:19 PM

Thanks D.

I implemented it and reactivated the product but the product no longer appears to work properly. I am going to try and run through it again (download and rewrite) to see if it was an error on my part.

Big Kahuna

07-11-2008, 03:05 PM

I cannot get this to work with Ebay Partners -- or at least Ebay partners doesn't acknowledge any clicks. Kinda a shame as I was earning about $150 a month when with CJ

If I go to Ebay Partners and create a link -- I get
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=1&campid=5336008383&toolid=10001&customid=

my understanding being that the campid is the same as the pid. So in Vbulletin, I enter 5336008383 and to link converts to

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-1751-2978-71/1?AID=7064289&PID=5336008383&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Febaymotors%2F392-hemi-dodge-a100-street-rod_W0QQitemZ190234492688QQihZ009QQcategoryZ6197QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

since others are not having a problem getting this to work -- I'm sure I'm just making a stupid mistake. Can someone roll me a bone and get me pointed in the right direction. Please be specific -- and many posts are cryptic -- assuming that everyone is an expert on some instruction thrown out.

Thank you

Big Kahuna

07-11-2008, 03:11 PM

OK -- I just check my version and I was running 1.1 so I just upgraded to 1.2 -- and hopefully I just had a case of the dumbass and this is fixed.

siliconfinance

07-23-2008, 10:02 PM

Dismounted,

I know you are probably busy with other projects, but do you know whether you intend to update the script any time soon. The proposed changes that I made to my file do not seem to work. Thank you for this great mod.

Dismounted

07-24-2008, 07:57 AM

Soon ;).

siliconfinance

07-26-2008, 08:29 PM

Soon ;).

Great news!

siliconfinance

08-13-2008, 03:01 PM

Patiently waiting... :)

LanciaStratos

08-15-2008, 02:02 AM

So, version 1.2 isn't working on vB 3.7.2, right? I'm also anxiously awaiting an update. :)

dknelson

08-21-2008, 08:07 PM

I just ran across another small problem. One of my members was trying to send a link to another member via a PM. The link is http://www.limestonebay.com which is a website for a hotel. This mod rewrites that link though and sends you to Ebay.

siliconfinance

08-29-2008, 05:59 PM

any time now...I hope...still patiently waiting.

siliconfinance

09-09-2008, 07:25 AM

anybody have a sure fire way to make this work in 3.7.x?

creativepart

09-09-2008, 01:16 PM

It already does work in 3.7.X. I and many others are using it without problem.

What problems are you having?

siliconfinance

09-10-2008, 03:01 AM

My above post and dismounted's reply:

Dismounted,

I know you are probably busy with other projects, but do you know whether you intend to update the script any time soon. The proposed changes that I made to my file do not seem to work. Thank you for this great mod.

Soon ;).

creativepart

09-10-2008, 03:18 AM

siliconfinance

09-10-2008, 03:11 PM

I'm running it on 4 websites all running 3.7.3 and all are earning money and showing clicks. I don't know what you are doing wrong.

I thought the programmer was responding to when he was going to fix the script from inadvertently rewriting non-ebay links that happen to have the letters ebay in the link. And to that question he answered... "soon." He was not answering your question of when he was going to fix the script to work with 3.7 -- because he already answered that one -- it was rewritten to work with ePN and it has always worked with 3.7

Well, I am not sure where your impression came from since his reply was posted immediately after my post. Maybe I am wrong...who knows.

Nonetheless, I followed the modification steps layed out in his post and now this product doesn't seem to work for me so I have been waiting patiently.

creativepart

09-10-2008, 03:36 PM

Then you have some problem with your installation. The mod works great.

Your first comment back on page 16 or 17 was that you had the same problem as another poster... which was that malformed URL (typos basically) were causing problems. He was asking for regex routines to be added to the mod to keep it from trying to parse malformed URLs.

Is that what you are waiting for? Or do you think the mod doesn't work with 3.7.3 and are waiting for it to be fixed for this version?

The MOD works as designed in 3.7.3 without problem and does not need fixing or updating.

siliconfinance

09-10-2008, 03:39 PM

This didn't work:

It generated a parse_url() error, correct? The cause of the error is that it isn't a valid URL. I'll need to do a loop to suppress errors, instead of using array_map().

In the meantime, just do this edit to the plugin "Rewrite Function". Find:
$parsed = array_map('parse_url', array_map('strtolower', $links));
Replace With:
// convert all links to lowercase
$links = array_map('strtolower', $links);

// parse links
$parsed = array();
foreach ($links AS $link)
{
$parsed[] = @parse_url($link);
}

But replacing the original phrase with this did:
Try this instead:
// convert all links to lowercase
$lower_links = array_map('strtolower', $links);

// parse links
$parsed = array();
foreach ($lower_links AS $link)
{
$parsed[] = @parse_url($link);
}

:)

creativepart

09-10-2008, 03:47 PM

Those are from the OLD Commission Junction version. You don't need that change for the ePN version 1.2.

Are you using ver 1.2 of this mod?

siliconfinance

09-10-2008, 04:07 PM

hey creative, do this for me. Type http:///www.ebay.com in a private forum on your site in a new thread. Tell me if it works. That created a problem that myself and others experienced. Dismounted link us to a solution from the old auction ads rewrite script...it was like post 45. That fixed the issue, but the rewrite script stopped working. I read further to post 48, where Dismounted posted the alternative solution that did work for me. So now I don't experience the error when members post malformed URLs and my rewrite script seems to work. I am going to wait a day and see whether it registers in ebay's partner network.

b00k

09-10-2008, 04:14 PM

-----------

creativepart

09-10-2008, 04:42 PM

Siliconfinance, I had no problem with that link. In fact, it was converted to "http://www" from the "http:///www" I had entered.

Even if it hadn't have worked I wouldn't consider it a problem if it couldn't deal with typos like that. They are unimportant.

I suggest you completely uninstall the mod on your forum and install 1.2 and start from scratch. It works. No waiting.

siliconfinance

09-10-2008, 05:21 PM

Hmm, well I am not going to do anything because everything is working right now. I may do this when I have some more time.

NickCat

10-02-2008, 06:03 PM

Good luck boys... eBay just canceled my account... there was no abuse I was just using the plugin as instructed here and only natural links posted by my members were converted.

"Dear Publisher,

After reviewing your account transactions, we determined that your account has been generating low quality traffic as gauged by our internal measures. Our team has decided to terminate your account on August 15, 2008, and we ask that you please remove all of your affiliate links within 7 days. You will not be compensated for any traffic associated with your account after the specified termination date. Any payment will take place as per the Network Agreement. You are not permitted to rejoin the eBay Partner Network.

As stated in the ePN Network Agreement Section (L)(3)(i):

(3) Termination by ePN or an Advertiser

i. ePN may terminate this Agreement and your account, one of your websites, your use of a Promotional Method or your participation in a certain Program at any time for convenience in its sole discretion upon
7 days notice. An Advertiser may terminate your participation in its Program or your use of a Promotional Method at any time for convenience in its sole discretion upon 7 days notice.

Please do not respond to this e-mail as we will not be reconsidering our decision at this time.

Regards,

The eBay Partner Network Quality Team

So it's only a matter of time before they crack down on other people.

creativepart

10-02-2008, 06:41 PM

NickCat

10-02-2008, 08:05 PM

They canceled 300 accounts on Aug 22nd. The reason they gave for the closings were for "Low Quality". A number of people using the rewrite mod discussed the mod with Ebay and were given the go ahead to continue using it. The vast majority of the 300 folks were not using forums nor this mod to bring business to Ebay.

And, since August Ebay has now put up a "quality" report so you can see how Ebay ranks your account. Mine rank as "medium" and I use the mod.

They received a huge number of complaints for closing the 300 accounts and they have said that they feel they are done with purging low quality accounts at this point.

The whole low quality description is pretty hard to understand, that is true, but it seems clear that people were not removed for using this mod.

PS. Why post on Oct 2nd about something that happened in mid-August and describe it as "just" happening?

I only received the one follow up email the end of August and it was in my Spam folder, so I wasn't aware of it until I tried to log into the site a few days ago. I wasn't checking my account as regularly as I should have been, so that's my fault.

So what does this mean for me? Should I try to sign back up or just call it quits?

I also mentioned it because I didn't see anyone else here posting about it.

creativepart

10-02-2008, 08:12 PM

I know of people that were purged in this August effort that requested a review and were let back in, and others that requested a review and not let back in after the review.

You're kind of late now it would seem. But if it's important to you then by all means try.

You probably didn't see others here posting about it, because the 300 were not removed for using this mod. Also, there are 14,000 affiliates and only 300 of them were removed. This whole thing was an ongoing discussion at the ePn forum on eBay. But that's been over a month ago:

http://forums.ebay.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1000000047

Dismounted

10-03-2008, 06:39 AM

Modification Updated!

3/10/2008 - Version 1.3
- Rewrite of Code to Streamline for Efficency
- Added Ability to Select Placement ID
- Added Ability to Specify Custom ID

logofreax

10-03-2008, 10:21 AM

In new Version ebay DE for German User is missing...Please update it.

cu
logofreax

Dismounted

10-03-2008, 12:18 PM

eBay did not specify a placement ID for eBay DE. If you know it, please post it.

b00k

10-03-2008, 08:19 PM

-----------

LanciaStratos

10-04-2008, 04:44 AM

Modification Updated!

3/10/2008 - Version 1.3
- Rewrite of Code to Streamline for Efficency
- Added Ability to Select Placement ID
- Added Ability to Specify Custom ID
Dismounted, I just wanted to say a big thanks again for working on this modification. It's probably the best kept secret on this site, keep up the good work! :) :up:

ashley76

10-06-2008, 02:37 PM

Okay I totally don't understand but, every single time I try and put my campaign ID in and save it, when the screen refreshes it always changes the last 4 digits to zeros. Both installations...

Dismounted

10-07-2008, 05:02 AM

How long is your ID? Are there any non-integer characters?

MotMann

10-07-2008, 06:25 AM

For German, i use what in the ACP?

And what ist Network Campaign ID? I think, thats not exist in german?

ashley76

10-07-2008, 05:08 PM

How long is your ID? Are there any non-integer characters?

It is 10 numbers long. There are no non-integer characters...

noppid

10-07-2008, 06:42 PM

I can't read German, but maybe you can get it here... http://entwickler.ebay.de/

MotMann

10-07-2008, 07:55 PM

I mean, does your Script works with German eBay? And where ist must wrote the Affili ID in your ACP?

Dismounted

10-08-2008, 06:06 AM

It is 10 numbers long. There are no non-integer characters...
Is the number over 2147483647?
I mean, does your Script works with German eBay? And where ist must wrote the Affili ID in your ACP?
Is the German eBay still using CJ (Commission Junction)? The new ePN does not use an affiliate ID.

ashley76

10-08-2008, 01:53 PM

Is the number over 2147483647?

Nope it is exactly that many characters long...

Dismounted

10-09-2008, 02:52 AM

Could you possibly PM me your ID? Just so I can test it out?

Dismounted

10-13-2008, 06:24 AM

Modification Updated!

13/10/2008 - Version 1.4
- Fixed Case Sensitivity Error
- Fixed 32-bit Integer Range Error

ashley76

10-18-2008, 08:02 PM

Dismounted

10-19-2008, 02:59 AM

Link to issue (i.e. the actual thread) please.

ShadMan

10-19-2008, 03:45 AM

One last question...(hopefully) :) Now that I have installed version 1.4, it fixed my campaign ID problem but, now when I click on an ebay link on the forum it takes me to a "this item has been cancelled page" Even though I know it's not because when I go to ebay and search for it is shows up...

Same thing is happening on mine, starting today. Here is the original link posted on my forum:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=140159953844

And here is what the link was re-written to, which gives the "Invalid Item" page:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?campid=5335887982&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2FeBayISAPI.dl l%3FViewItem%26amp%3BssPageName%3DSTRK%3AMEWAX%3AI T%26amp%3Bitem%3D140159953844

This results in some additional characters being placed into the URL (see bold and compare to original link above):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&it em=140159953844

ashley76

10-19-2008, 10:02 AM

Here is the link...
http://www.statuearchive.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10

Dismounted

10-20-2008, 06:08 AM

Same thing is happening on mine, starting today. Here is the original link posted on my forum:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=140159953844

And here is what the link was re-written to, which gives the "Invalid Item" page:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?campid=5335887982&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2FeBayISAPI.dl l%3FViewItem%26amp%3BssPageName%3DSTRK%3AMEWAX%3AI T%26amp%3Bitem%3D140159953844

This results in some additional characters being placed into the URL (see bold and compare to original link above):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&it em=140159953844
Here is the link...
http://www.statuearchive.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10
Thanks guys, I will look into it.

dwessell

10-29-2008, 01:54 AM

Any updates?

Thanks
david

Dismounted

10-29-2008, 05:05 AM

Sorry, I haven't had any time to look at anything.

noppid

10-29-2008, 01:46 PM

Same thing is happening on mine, starting today. Here is the original link posted on my forum:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=140159953844

And here is what the link was re-written to, which gives the "Invalid Item" page:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?campid=5335887982&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2FeBayISAPI.dl l%3FViewItem%26amp%3BssPageName%3DSTRK%3AMEWAX%3AI T%26amp%3Bitem%3D140159953844

This results in some additional characters being placed into the URL (see bold and compare to original link above):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&it em=140159953844

The problem is the encoded ampersand on the item URL var.

urlencode is doing it. I had this issue in an eBay Developer Application I run.

In the functions file on like line 57, add one line of code after the urlencode that looks like this.

// encode URL
$encodedlink = urlencode($rightlink);
$encodedlink = str_replace("%26amp%3B", "&" , $encodedlink);

That fixed it for us. YMMV.

ashley76

10-29-2008, 06:03 PM

Thanks Noppid! That did the trick!

noppid

10-29-2008, 06:06 PM

Thanks Noppid! That did the trick!

Glad to help. When I saw the bug and that dismounted was busy, I had to do something. I use this hack and it's important to us. So, hopefully this can be the permanent fix.

This is shorter.

$encodedlink = str_replace("%26amp%3B", "&" , urlencode($rightlink));

dwessell

10-31-2008, 01:19 PM

Thanks Noppid, much appreciated!

rinkrat

11-19-2008, 04:12 AM

Works great!

benFF

11-24-2008, 12:42 PM

This goes horribly wrong if someone posts up an already rovered link or forwards a PM which has been pre-rovered as it then double rovers them, which breaks all the links..

It should really look if the link has been rovered and if so, strip the url out and rover it with your own settings.

benFF

11-24-2008, 12:57 PM

Oh and if a user edits a post which has an ebay link and had already been changed - it completely destroys it.

BadgerDog

11-24-2008, 01:27 PM

This goes horribly wrong if ...... <snip>

Are you referring to noppid's fix?

... or, v1.4 of the mod itself without the fix?

Thanks ...

Regards,
Badger

benFF

11-24-2008, 04:12 PM

Both. The fix doesn't stop double / triple rewrites.

We need a v1.5 which doesn't rewrite the link if a rover address already exists - and if it does, make sure it's using thr right rover settings and modify if appropriate.

Dismounted

11-25-2008, 04:42 AM

It shouldn't "double-rover" them. It shouldn't be even touching those links. But what could go wrong, will go wrong, so I'll look into if I have the time.

benFF

11-25-2008, 09:47 AM

Cheers :)

benFF

12-01-2008, 03:08 PM

Quoted posts also fall foul of this.

Big Kahuna

12-06-2008, 06:51 PM

The problem is the encoded ampersand on the item URL var.

urlencode is doing it. I had this issue in an eBay Developer Application I run.

In the functions file on like line 57, add one line of code after the urlencode that looks like this.

// encode URL
$encodedlink = urlencode($rightlink);
$encodedlink = str_replace("%26amp%3B", "&" , $encodedlink);
That fixed it for us. YMMV.

OK -- when you say functions file are you talking about the /includes/function.php -- because if so, in that file, my first occurrence of the word urlencode is not anywhere near line 57-- by line 1376.

I'd like to get this fix -- but I don't want to screw things up worse by following half instructions making the assumption I know the key to the other half.

What is the exact file I need to modify and what is the phrase I need to search for to insert the patch afterward?

Thank you

Big Kahuna

12-06-2008, 06:57 PM

I figured it out -- silly me for not reading minds well enough -- functions files is code (to throw off dumb-asses like me) for the file /includes/functions_rewrite_ebay_links.php

Big Kahuna

12-06-2008, 07:09 PM

Glad to help. When I saw the bug and that dismounted was busy, I had to do something. I use this hack and it's important to us. So, hopefully this can be the permanent fix.

This is shorter.

$encodedlink = str_replace("%26amp%3B", "&" , urlencode($rightlink));

That appears to be the fix.

creativepart

12-06-2008, 08:49 PM

Hey Dismounted,

I had a HUGE problem with the rewrite mod this week. Someone posted a link to a non-auction HTML page that is on ebay.com on my forum running this mod.

Naturally, the mod rewrote the link and put my campid and rover coding on this static html page link.

Then one of my members ran an auction on EBay and he decided to put a link to this static page in his auction description. He could not find the URL but he remembered he had seen it on my website. So, he went there and copied the link and placed it in his EBay Auction Description.

All this was, of course, unbeknownst to me.

Within an hour or two of him posting that auction I received an email from Ebay closing my EPN Affiliate account and seizing all of my earnings.

Luckily, I have an EPN rep that I can turn to with issues and problems. I called my rep and we figured it out and we found the problem and the guy that posted the link containing my affiliate coding notified Ebay that I wasn't involved and that it was an accident.

The next day I did get my account back.

But everyone should know that if for any reason one of your converted links ends up in an Ebay Auction, Blog, or even Ebay Forum you'll get booted out of EPN within hours of the posting. I was told that that any Affiliate coding link on any Ebay Hosted page will get you booted.

This mod needs to be fixed to NOT convert anything but auction URLs. It has to be made so that it will ignore ebay.com urls that do not contain the rest of the auction part of the URL.

PS They also said -- and this is a different subject but important too for people using this mod to know -- that you can not put your affiliate coding on any auction that you are conducting. So, if you are running Ebay auctions in the same niche as your forum and using the rewrite mod be sure that none of your auctions can show up on your forum with your Affiliate coding.

Dismounted

12-07-2008, 06:42 AM

Could your EPN rep give me specific "URL-types" to only rewrite?

That would be great. :)

creativepart

12-31-2008, 09:33 PM

Sorry, I didn't see this earlier.

The mods needs to be able to tell the difference between an auction URL and simply the letters "e b a y . c o m" anywhere in any URL. As was pointed out a long time ago, a URL for a place called Tine Bay had rover tags put on it because it was tinebay.com

In my case a URL for a non-auction page like ebay.com/disclosure.htm had rover links put on it and this is what got posted into a real Ebay Auction description and caused all the problems.

ShadMan

01-02-2009, 10:21 PM

Thanks, noppid!

sung

02-19-2009, 10:03 PM

Does anyone have this working on the latest version of vBulletin 3.8.1?

ETDC

02-19-2009, 10:22 PM

Does anyone have this working on the latest version of vBulletin 3.8.1?
^ Tell me this isn't true. This doesn't work on 3.8.1?...

sung

02-19-2009, 10:41 PM

It may or may not, I just tried installing it but it didn't seem to work. No rewrite, but no errors.

Dismounted

02-20-2009, 03:33 AM

There shouldn't be any reason why it wouldn't work.

nascartr

02-26-2009, 02:54 AM

Ok, I have a problem. After posting a link if I decide to edit the post, once I submit the link gets doubled or tripled up (depending on how many times the post is edited) like this...

http://diecastcrazy.com/community/redirect-to/?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1% 2F711-53200-19255-0%2F1%3Fcampid%3D5335994209%26toolid%3D10001%26mpr e%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%25 2F1%252F711-53200-19255-0%252F1%253Fcampid%253D5335994209%26toolid%253D100 01%26mpre%253Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Frover.ebay. com%25252Frover%25252F1%25252F711-53200-19255-0%25252F1%25253Fcampid%25253D5335994209%26toolid%2 5253D10001%26mpre%25253Dhttp%2525253A%2525252F%252 5252Fcgi.ebay.com%2525252Fws%2525252FeBayISAPI.dll %2525253FViewItem%26ih%2525253D011%2525253D%26item %2525253D320343623997%2525253D%26ssPageName%252525 3DSTRK%2525253AMEBI%2525253AIT%2525253D%26rd%25252 53D1

Dismounted

02-26-2009, 10:20 AM

That should not happen (it should be checking for already rewritten links). As before, I will take a look as time permits.

nascartr

02-26-2009, 02:32 PM

Thank you, I appreciate your efforts.

ludachris

03-10-2009, 01:44 PM

Does anyone know if this mod violates any TOS like the similar ShoppingAds mod?

Dismounted

03-11-2009, 06:27 AM

AFAIK, this modification should be OK to use.

nascartr

03-15-2009, 08:57 PM

Is it possible to cloak or hide the rover part of the url? I've read a few post over on the Ebay Partner Network encouraging users to hide their ID to prevent it being stolen and posted on sites that violate Ebay's TOS.

Dismounted

03-16-2009, 05:04 AM

If the ID is hidden, how is it meant to know who to credit? Please post a link to documentation describing what they mean...

nascartr

03-16-2009, 01:10 PM

Here, this topic http://forums.ebay.com/db2/topic/Ebay-Partner-Network/How-Do-I/520100857&start=0 has some information on encrypting affiliate info. starting with post 11.

Here's a quote...

ePN is arguably the most coveted affiliate program on the Net. Security is a very real issue. If someone has a site that is in direct competition to yours and they discover your site ranking higher on the SE's, they could easily copy and paste your campaign IDs into places that will get you in trouble with ePN. Don't ever think that people won't do it. I not only recommend that you keep your URLs private, I also recommend you employ some kind of redirect scripting that masks your affiliate information to site visitors.

nascartr

03-16-2009, 01:15 PM

I've researched it a bit and see that masking can be done with a php. file in a way like your url specifying http://yourdomain.com/ebay.php but that would only work if you do every url manually. What I wonder is if it couldn't be worked into your modification with instead of adding the rover link in front of the ebay url that you add a link to a php file to the ebay url that will redirect using the ePN information but mask it to anyone else because they'll only see the php file source in front of the ebay url.

I don't think it'd be too hard to make the mod automatically add a link to a php file on the server in front of all ebay url's but the thing that I can't firgure out yet is how to make a php file redirect using the ePN credentials so we get credit for the transaction.

Maybe it could be done like your vbAnonymizer where Ebay links posted would be redirected through a php. file that attaches the affiliate info. to the url without exposing any AID's.

I don't know for sure though as I'm still researching how masking works. I just wanted to throw it out there because I see it could be useful for many of the affiliates.

Dismounted

03-17-2009, 05:54 AM

That is not a "real" method - anyone that wanted to would still be able get that ID. However, yes, it can be done.

creativepart

03-17-2009, 12:35 PM

Would it be possible to add a javascript no right click to the mod?

I'm one person that had a link on my forum copied and pasted into an Ebay auction. My EPN account was closed in a matter of hours.

Fortunately, I had a contact at Ebay and we figured it out and I got my account reinstated.

I don't want a "no right click" added to my entire forum that would be horrible, but a no right click on Ebay links would be a big help.

Or if the mod could leave the original non-rover link and only add the campid etc when left clicked only. But I don't know how you could do that.

I think a "no right click" or "no copy" function should just be built into the mod. It's a serious worry.

PS. The link with my campid that was copied into an auction was not malicious. Just a stupid accident. Someone on my forum posted a link to a non-auction page on Ebay in their post. The mod rewrote it to a rover link even though it was non-auction. Then a 3rd party wanted to include a link to that page in his auction and remembered seeing the link on my site and copied it and pasted it. If I hadn't had an EPN contact I would be out many thousands of dollars due to this silly accident.

nascartr

03-17-2009, 02:56 PM

That is not a "real" method - anyone that wanted to would still be able get that ID. However, yes, it can be done.

It would make it harder to get which would definitely benefit the affiliates. It seems that the ePN is a tricky business and the harder it is to get your affiliate info. the better.

The problem with no right click creativepart is that at least on Avant Browser I can highlight a link and click ctrl+c (copy) and ctrl+v (paste) it somewhere else still completely intact. That requires no right clicking. I don't think many people know that they can do it this way but it's still a possible problem.

You can easily test this method by posting a link here and previewing (not submitting) the post and see that your complete rover information is still intact just by highlighting the link from your site and copy/pasting elsewhere without even right clicking, just use the ctrl keys.

What about a way to do this via the php masking method? Is there anyway that if someone copied a link using that method that when posted elsewhere our credentials wouldn't be added if the link wasn't clicked from our domain? If I'm not explaining it clearly let me try to make an example.

Say we use the masking method that uses a .php file to hide the rover information on mouseover. Someone copies the link intact linking back to our php file with the ebay url and pastes it elsewhere. The php file would only recognize by maybe an "if" tag the source url and if the link is clicked from another source wouldn't include are ePN info.? Would that be impossible?

What would this cost Dismounted to have the php. masking done with or without the the last method I mentioned?

creativepart

03-17-2009, 03:33 PM

I agree that a redirected link sounds more secure. But the copying of your affiliate link into an Ebay owned page is remote, it happens, obviously but it is remote. So, a right click prevent would be easier to code and not add any processing overhead. Yes, it could be defeated, but it does make a remote occurrence even more remote.

It's better than doing nothing.

Actually, the answer to the problem is for Ebay to filter the content of it's blog, auctions and forums to prevent the posting of any "rover" URL. That's by far the easiest most secure way to do this. But they don't seem so inclined.

Dismounted

03-18-2009, 06:26 AM

...
I don't know if that's even possible.
What about a way to do this via the php masking method? Is there anyway that if someone copied a link using that method that when posted elsewhere our credentials wouldn't be added if the link wasn't clicked from our domain? If I'm not explaining it clearly let me try to make an example.
Possible, but in any case - the end user would be able to get the ID if they wanted.

maryx

03-19-2009, 07:26 PM

I had been using the rewrite ebay to shoppingads mod, but shoppingads dropped me. :mad:

However, Ebay has approved my site for the Ebay Partner Network. :D

I need to use this Rewrite ebay links mod so that ebay partner network gives me credit if members buy after clicking on ebay auction links that my members post.

How can I use this mod to point to my EPN membership?

Please be specific, I am not really great with code. Thanks!

creativepart

03-19-2009, 08:16 PM

Maryx, you install this like any other mod and configure it with you EPN info in vb Admin just like almost all other mods. That's all there is to it.

creativepart

03-19-2009, 08:21 PM

Possible, but in any case - the end user would be able to get the ID if they wanted.

Hi, I think the problem is not so much that someone can "learn" what your campid is, but that someone could cut and paste a complete link containing your affiliate code into an eBay owned website.

That's what they will kick you out for.

So, what we are trying to hinder is someone copying a link that's been modded and then pasting it in an eBay auction, or eBay Blog or eBay Forum post.

hankster

03-20-2009, 03:00 PM

eBay is going to address with a new option that allows affiliates to enter "allowed" sites in their EPN control panel. They claim it should be available in a couple of months.

creativepart

03-20-2009, 03:12 PM

I'm not sure what you mean. How would this work?

Dismounted

03-22-2009, 05:35 AM

Referrer check?

schlottkej

04-09-2009, 04:34 PM

Yes.. they do that so you can pick which sites you should be held responsible for (and receive commission for)

arcab4

04-21-2009, 06:22 AM

awesome. thanks. everyone should have this installed.

sowyrgardn

05-18-2009, 10:58 PM

I'm having a weird error I hope someone can help me with. I recently purchased an existing forum w/vbulletin installed, and rewrite ebay links. I have two other sites (for years, I'm not a newbie) with VB and REL running just fine. Here's my problem, when I click through on the new site, I am getting a &salenotsupported, leading me to believe that I am not getting payment for the click/bid.

Now, look at this example link posted from the newly purchased existing site:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110388553250&viewitem=&salenotsupported

You can click through any link on the site and see that "error". I've uninstalled and re-installed REL trying to figure it out. Can someone help me, please?

My other sites link look normal.

Any idea what's going on?

Thanks,
Rebecca

Dismounted

05-19-2009, 07:10 AM

The modification does not add any such references - so the problem lies within the posted link, another modification, or a browser extension or the like.

sowyrgardn

05-19-2009, 11:14 AM

The modification does not add any such references - so the problem lies within the posted link, another modification, or a browser extension or the like.

Any idea what other mod could be doing it? Where should I begin looking?

Rebecca

Dismounted

05-19-2009, 12:35 PM

To be honest - I'm not sure. Try loading up the site on a different browser, this will eliminate the browser as an issue.

sowyrgardn

05-19-2009, 12:48 PM

nascartr

05-19-2009, 02:28 PM

It appears the rewriter does not work in Safari. I use Firefox for two of my sites, but the one with the issue I always view in Safari.

I also checked Opera, and it works fine there, too. I assume 99% of people are using this mod in IE so if there was a problem with that browser you would already know about it!

Thank you so much, Dismounted!!

Rebecca

Have you tested in the new Safari 4.0? I just downloaded to test things out and links converted fine using that version of Safari. I did see a link to download Safari 3 instead but opted to go for the new version.

sowyrgardn

05-19-2009, 04:11 PM

I haven't upgraded my Safari in a while- I'm using Version 3.2.1. I'll try upgrading and let you know if that helps. Thanks!

Rebecca

Dismounted

05-20-2009, 06:01 AM

The modification should work the same independent of browsers. It does not interface with the browser directly in any way. Try clearing the cache.

WoodiE

05-22-2009, 11:52 AM

Dismounted

05-23-2009, 06:41 AM

Could you provide an example?

WoodiE

05-27-2009, 10:36 AM

Could you provide an example?

I've sent you a PM.

Dismounted

05-27-2009, 12:01 PM

I'll have a look at it when I have some time.

dknelson

05-27-2009, 02:45 PM

I've had the same thing happen a number of times also. Another thing I've seen, don't know if it's related or not is that it will take you to the item but it's an old page or something and doesn't show the true status of the bids and etc.

dancue

06-02-2009, 05:16 PM

Hello,
I read a thread in the general discussions forums where you said this mod (with some modification) should do what I want it to do.

I want to rewrite my external links to add a linkbucks id.

Here is an example of a link posted by my users:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1VQBDZ82

This is what I want it to look like: (adding what's in red)
http://b4eb9708.linkbucks.com/url/http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1VQBDZ82

Dismounted

06-03-2009, 06:25 AM

You will need to manually modify the rewriting function yourself.

dancue

06-03-2009, 12:26 PM

I wish I knew where to start. Oh well, thanks anyway. If there's anyone willing to help me out I would be willing to donate a few bucks. Pm me.

moleculo

06-11-2009, 08:15 PM

How should members be linking their auctions on the site? All of the ebay links on my site right now are being taken to an ebay page that says:

This listing () has been removed, or this item is not available.

* Please check that you've entered the correct item number
* Listings that have ended 90 or more days ago will not be available for viewing.

This happens to brand new listed items, currently running listings and even listing that just closed.

I just installed this and am having the same problem. The rewrite works properly sometimes, but not others. I know that EPN recently changed the format of the URL in their "Link Generator" tool, perhaps that has something to do with it.

Dismounted

06-12-2009, 07:12 AM

I will have a look at the new format if I have the time.

dknelson

06-20-2009, 12:16 PM

Any update on this? It happens almost all the time. When a link is posted, it seems to work for a very few minutes and then when you click on it you get the "Invalid Item" message at Ebay. I loved this mod but it seems to be broken now.

joeychgo

07-27-2009, 05:38 AM

ANything new here?

briansol

08-06-2009, 06:29 PM

looks like it's replacing & with & literally in the url (ie, its writng out the ascii of &) thus, the link looks like viewitem?&itemno=123 instead of viewitem?&itemno=123

briansol

08-06-2009, 06:31 PM

as a work around, i changed

$encodedlink = urlencode($rightlink);

to

$encodedlink = $rightlink;

This isn't xhtml valid, but it seems to be more reliable.

tpearl5

08-10-2009, 06:16 PM

Is anyone using this on 3.8?

nascartr

08-11-2009, 04:39 AM

I am.

moleculo

09-18-2009, 03:45 PM

as a work around, i changed

$encodedlink = urlencode($rightlink);

to

$encodedlink = $rightlink;

This isn't xhtml valid, but it seems to be more reliable.

Seems to work better for me, too. This mod had become useless for me until I saw that.

dknelson

09-18-2009, 05:57 PM

Thanks MUCH. I'll give that a try. I was getting ready to remove this mod but really like it when it works.

webgod

09-21-2009, 06:09 PM

has anyone used drivingrevenue.com I began using them after being on shopping ads. I applied directly to epn, but my account was never activated and never received a reason why.

anyhow, I'm curious how they compare revenue wise versus going direct. About 20-25% of my revenue from driving revenue comes from retailers outside of eBay, like amazon, autoanything, newegg, etc.

My revenue is about 40% higher than it was with shoppingads, which I obviously like.

I'm just trying to see if it's worth the effort to try and go direct with epn

Keyser Soze

09-23-2009, 01:06 PM

as a work around, i changed

$encodedlink = urlencode($rightlink);

to

$encodedlink = $rightlink;

This isn't xhtml valid, but it seems to be more reliable.change it to this piece of code, that's better: $encodedlink = str_replace('&', '&', $rightlink);
$encodedlink = urlencode($encodedlink);

moleculo

09-30-2009, 03:34 PM

webgod

09-30-2009, 09:38 PM

Try google adsense. I have both adsense and EPN and adsense revenue is consistently between 3:1 & 4:1 better than EPN - with about the same number of click-throughs

I run both adsense and the drivingrevenue.com code since they're non-competing. They each generally hover around $2k/month, give or take a couple hundred.

WoodiE

10-06-2009, 05:34 PM

I run both adsense and the drivingrevenue.com code since they're non-competing. They each generally hover around $2k/month, give or take a couple hundred.

I also use Adsense and have been using this re-write plug-in with my EPN account. Been extremely happy. DrivingRevenue looks interesting but for my niche market no one is posting links to amazon, newegg, or autoanything so no need to sign up and pay someone 15-20% of my commission for something this plug-in does for free!

webgod

10-07-2009, 06:53 PM

DrivingRevenue looks interesting but for my niche market no one is posting links to amazon, newegg, or autoanything so no need to sign up and pay someone 15-20% of my commission for something this plug-in does for free!

totally understandable, my sites have a good amount of outbound links to all sorts of retailers. So for me the 15-20% commission is worth it. Yesterday I made $93 off of a godaddy link and my sites are all automotive based so that was unexpected.

Broso

10-11-2009, 01:58 AM

Hello i need help
i dont have ebay germany on it how i can make de ?

webgod

10-17-2009, 03:47 PM

Hello i need help
i dont have ebay germany on it how i can make de ?

fyi drivingrevenue has all of the ebay programs including the European ones like Germany, Austria, Switzerland, UK, France etc.

Didi R.

12-09-2009, 06:34 AM

ebay changed now to it's own affiliate network, is there any update planned?

Big Kahuna

12-09-2009, 05:30 PM

So ebay partners is dead?

WoodiE

12-10-2009, 10:23 AM

ebay changed now to it's own affiliate network, is there any update planned?

This plugin still works with eBays changes!

dknelson

12-10-2009, 10:35 AM

Yes it does. You just have to change the number.

volarium

12-26-2009, 09:45 PM

Just a heads up that this hack "appears" to still work fine with vb4.0. If anyone knows differently, please let me know, but the links appear to be re-written correctly.

Lexserv

12-30-2009, 08:12 PM

change it to this piece of code, that's better: $encodedlink = str_replace('&', '&', $rightlink);
$encodedlink = urlencode($encodedlink);

Do I still need to make these changes in order for this hack to work?

Phillip Chapman

01-01-2010, 06:39 PM

Just a heads up that this hack "appears" to still work fine with vb4.0. If anyone knows differently, please let me know, but the links appear to be re-written correctly.

Thanks for the input. Hopefully the original author can confirm if this is indeed the case or if the mod will need to be updated for vB 4.0.

volarium

01-03-2010, 11:02 PM

Do I still need to make these changes in order for this hack to work?

Yes you definitely need to make this change for it to work 100% of the time!

BadgerDog

01-04-2010, 10:14 AM

Yes you definitely need to make this change for it to work 100% of the time!

Just for clarification .... :)

I need to add:

$encodedlink = str_replace('&', '&', $rightlink);
$encodedlink = urlencode($encodedlink);

... both these lines as is and replace the one that exists now?

Thanks ... :up:

Regards,
Badger

Edit: Never mind... I had to put code back the way it was as eBay stopped crediting me for click throughs the day I changed the code and added the above two lines as a replacement. As soon as I returned the code back to the original one line, the clicks starting paying again, so I have no idea why this is the case, but others should be careful making the above change.

tokenyank

01-05-2010, 03:03 PM

confirmed working on vB4 PL1

Phillip Chapman

01-09-2010, 02:35 PM

Edit: Never mind... I had to put code back the way it was as eBay stopped crediting me for click throughs the day I changed the code and added the above two lines as a replacement. As soon as I returned the code back to the original one line, the clicks starting paying again, so I have no idea why this is the case, but others should be careful making the above change.

Ok, we've also got this code running on our site (vb 3.6) and updated it as mentioned above at the beginning of the year. It wasn't clear from your post exactly if your click throughs dropped significant and/or so did your payments.

For us, the click through rates are about the same, payments may be down slightly but that's probably more related to January than anything. I just wanted to have a better idea of exactly what your problems were so that we can be on the lookout for the same thing (and change the code back if needed).

Thanks in advance for your help.

MikeTrin

01-24-2010, 10:41 PM

nevermind.

heatherw610

01-26-2010, 08:29 PM

Many of the item links posted today are saying "Invalid or Listing Removed" when in fact its not. Any one else?

BadgerDog

01-26-2010, 08:33 PM

I found a problem that when people search ebay for item by itemid then post the link here, it errors out when clicked. If they search by item description then post that link for the same item that error-ed out it now works.

Any ideas?

Many of the item links posted today are saying "Invalid or Listing Removed" when in fact its not. Any one else?

Yes, I get that too, but not all the time ....

I've never understood why ... :confused:

Regards,
Badger

dknelson

01-26-2010, 08:53 PM

Same here. I would love to see a solution.

Lexserv

01-26-2010, 11:23 PM

Does anyone have a fix for this?

BadgerDog

01-27-2010, 12:28 PM

Many of the item links posted today are saying "Invalid or Listing Removed" when in fact its not. Any one else?

I found a problem that when people search ebay for item by itemid then post the link here, it errors out when clicked. If they search by item description then post that link for the same item that error-ed out it now works.

Any ideas?

I've been doing some experimenting and discovered a bit of a pattern ....

I've been able to take a post from one forum where the link fails with that message, then put it into another forum and it works fine. :eek:

I think there's something about forum permissions and this mod, but I have to look into it further to make sure it's repeatable.

I thought I'd report this here in the meantime, just so if you want to try some experimenting yourself to see if it holds true for you. Try turning on HTML in a non-public "test" forum (only you can see for security), then see if the same link works from there? :confused:

Regards,
Badger

Edit:
This link works in a forum that has HTML option turned ON or OFF ... :up:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Enfield-L42A1-Sniper-Rifle-Scope-IWS-Bracket-Mount_W0QQitemZ200432655499QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_D efaultDomain_2?hash=item2eaab79c8b#ht_1300wt_1167

============================================

This link ONLY works in a forum where HTML is turned ON. If it's OFF, which is prudent for all public forums, then the error mentioned saying "Invalid or Listing Removed", when in fact its not. :confused:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200432655499&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR4 0%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m38.l1313%26_nkw%3D20043265549 9%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1#ht_1300wt_1167

I've tried this test several times with multiple forums, simply turning the forum HTML option ON/OFF and I've obtained consistent results, although I have no idea what's causing it to need HTML ON...

HondaATC

02-06-2010, 12:29 PM

Is there a working fix for the & problem? I tried to code replacement above (with the 2 lines) and it also appears I stopped getting credited for my clicks as well.

smestas

02-22-2010, 09:26 PM

Has anyone got a fix on this "& problem"??? I'm having the same issue on my site.

dknelson

02-22-2010, 09:37 PM

Same here. Seems that this mod may have been deserted. I hope not though.

ETDC

02-25-2010, 11:59 PM

Where do I find the CID (PID?) on the eBay partner programme to add to the hack?

smestas

02-26-2010, 12:13 AM

Where do I find the CID (PID?) on the eBay partner programme to add to the hack?
Login into the EPN site and then go to the "campaigns" tab. There should be a "Default Campaign" there with a campaign ID number. Thats the ID number you use with this add on. From the same screen you can make a custom campaign ID for tracking purposes if needed.

Good Luck!

ETDC

02-26-2010, 05:58 AM

Thank you. :)

heatherw610

02-28-2010, 06:22 PM

Its doing the "Invalid or Not Found" stuff again today. Any update on a fix? :)

creativepart

03-08-2010, 06:44 PM

I thought I'd report this here in the meantime, just so if you want to try some experimenting yourself to see if it holds true for you. Try turning on HTML in a non-public "test" forum (only you can see for security), then see if the same link works from there? :confused:

You are correct. I just tested this and it worked. A link in my site took me to a Item Removed page so I turned HTML for the forum and refreshed and clicked again and it took me to the item.

However, when I then turned HTML off for that forum it still took me to the item.

But, I pasted the item link into the test post below the working link (after turning off HTM) and the link showed up broken again -- both the original and the new test copy.

Now... why?????

BadgerDog

03-08-2010, 08:49 PM

Now... why?????

Did you clear the cache after each test?

Regards,
Badger

dknelson

03-22-2010, 10:17 PM

Another thing I've found out. Maybe everybody else already knows this. If a member is logged in and searching Ebay and them copies the URL of an item and post the link, the link takes us to the Ebay home page...in other words..it doesn't work.

If they log out of their Ebay account and THEN copy and paste the link, it does work.

I love this mod and would sure like to see these issues resolved.

heatherw610

04-19-2010, 04:00 PM

Any news on a fix for these issues? :)

diecastfast

04-21-2010, 06:18 PM

Same issues here, making the mod not effective at all. :confused:

diecastfast

04-23-2010, 02:16 PM

I just realized that RSS Feeds from ePN also contain a Campaign ID which causes a conflict with this mod. So simply remove the campaign id from the feed URL and you're set.

webgod

04-24-2010, 03:28 PM

just wanted to give you guys an update, my earnings for the past month are more that double over my best month on shoppingads or EPN alone. With drivingrevenue.com I'm earning revenue from from retailers like Cars.com, edmunds, netflix, bestbuy, newegg, amazon and even obscure ones I've never heard of like fabric.com and acronis.com. they have more than 2,000 retailers that they rewrite links for, pretty much anyone and everyone you can think of.

They have some large networks as clients, lick Internet Brands, Autoforums, LiveJournal.com and TomsHardware.com to name a few. That means their paid out at higher tiers and earn bonuses which trickle down to their publishers.

I don't mean to sound like a cheerleader, just trying to help fellow forum owners make more money.

BadgerDog

04-24-2010, 04:08 PM

With drivingrevenue.com I'm earning revenue from from retailers like Cars.com, edmunds, netflix, bestbuy, newegg, amazon and even obscure ones I've never heard of like fabric.com and acronis.com. they have more than 2,000 retailers that they rewrite links for, pretty much anyone and everyone you can think of.

Thanks .. :)

How does this integrate into vBulletin v4 so we get value from it?

Regards,
Badger

pete_brady

04-24-2010, 04:29 PM

+1 for drivingrevenue. 1 line of js at the bottom of your pages & the links auto-rewrite.
i don't make a huge amount from them, but every little helps. the downside is that they take a cut (naturally enough!), although it's a cut of money i wouldn't be getting without them, so...

webgod

04-24-2010, 08:42 PM

Thanks .. :)

How does this integrate into vBulletin v4 so we get value from it?

Regards,
Badger

Pete is right, it's just two lines of JavaScript in the footer template. Nothing more to do.

Best of all, since it's JavaScript it's nearly invisible. The links remain unaltered until the user clicks on it. Here's an exampl on Tom's hardware: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/285022-31-tomshardware you can see that the newegg and ebay links remain unchanged, only when you click on them are they converted into affiliate links. You can do a view source on that page and see the Driving Revenue code near the bottom.

They do take a cut, but I'm making a lot more than ever before, primarily because I'm earning revenue not just through eBay ad Amazon, but approximately 15-25 other retailers on a monthly basis.

Scalemotorcars

06-05-2010, 01:41 PM

Scalemotorcars

06-07-2010, 05:21 PM

After much hassle (Not with this mod. Dismounted's hack rock) I think I finally have this working. Problem was in VB 4.0.3 the RSS locks up if you have the default amount (0 or unlimited) set for results returned. Ive got it at 50 and so far so good.

Anyone able to tell me exactly how I can tell if the links are rewriting? I checked my Partner Network and all I have there is the graphs for total clicks and Im using the same number from my main site.

Again this is a great hack and I cant wait until its officially offered on VB4.

BadgerDog

06-07-2010, 05:51 PM

After much hassle (Not with this mod. Dismounted's hack rock) I think I finally have this working. Problem was in VB 4.0.3 the RSS locks up if you have the default amount (0 or unlimited) set for results returned. Ive got it at 50 and so far so good.

I've been testing this with v4.03 on our devforums and it seems to be working fine and I never did anything special to get it working? I'm not sure what you mean about RSS? :confused:

I don't see any RSS component in this hack?

Thanks .. :)

Regards,
Badger

Reece^B

06-07-2010, 08:27 PM

Hi,

I've got his mod running, however it's not re-writing the URL's proerly and when you click it, it gives you a ebay page with 'item () not found)

vB:3.8.4

Help please?

Scalemotorcars

06-09-2010, 12:54 PM

Hi,

I've got his mod running, however it's not re-writing the URL's proerly and when you click it, it gives you a ebay page with 'item () not found)

vB:3.8.4

Help please?

Did you add your Partner Network number in the settings?

Ive been using this for about 2 years and it works perfect on the 3.8.4 board. Try also looking at your reports from PN and see if its recording the clicks at all.

Lastly, remember that you must add the site to your PN account and confirm it. If you dont its not going to work.
-----------------------------------------------

Note for Dismounted. When he gets time to port this. Links posted in the CMS dont work, they just forward to eBays home page.
------------------------------------------------

BadgerDog, I use the RSS bot to post relative eBay listing automatically in special forums. Its these RSS posts that were having the problem. If you manually post a link then its totally fine.

BadgerDog

06-09-2010, 02:22 PM

BadgerDog, I use the RSS bot to post relative eBay listing automatically in special forums. Its these RSS posts that were having the problem. If you manually post a link then its totally fine.

Thanks ... :)

I was thinking about trying and testing something like this in our v4 devforums, just to see how it would execute and whether it would drive more link through traffic for us.

Regards,
Badger

Reece^B

06-10-2010, 05:58 AM

Scalemotorcars

06-10-2010, 06:42 PM

My sites confirmed with PN.

Custom ID blank in settings and the campaign ID is the default campaign number in PN.

Looks okay there?

Running a report on that default campaign, impressions 0 but clicks 2194 and thats for this month. So looks like the clicks are going through?

But as a user they arent seeing what they clicked for?

Thanks for your help.

I split my campaigns in two, one for each site and this is confirmed. On my 3.8.4 board Im getting both clicks and impressions. On the 4.0.3 board only clicks and zero impressions.

Lets hope someone addresses these issues soon. Ill keep trying to figure it out but Im no coder. All I can do is fumble around until I get it right.

Dismounted did say he plans on updating his hacks but not right away. :)

Reece^B

06-11-2010, 04:55 AM

So is the results im getting correct then? Your saying you have impressions but i don't? Also the fact that the links don't rewrite properly?

Also how can you improve EPC?

Scalemotorcars

06-11-2010, 09:33 PM

Just to clarify, on my 3.8.4 board it works perfectly. I get both clicks and impressions equaling in cash. I just love that.... :D

On the new 4.0.3 board its only tracks clicks, no Impressions and that equals a little bit of cash but not much. :(

~~EPC~~ Its my understanding the more people actually buy the items you link to the better your epc.

For example if you have a widget forum but your linking to new BMW's then your EPC is going to stink. Ill bet few widget buyers are looking for a new Beemer. But if you link to widgets and they actually end up buying those widgets then your EPC goes up. Remember its more in line with the quality of the link rather then the quantity.

Dismounted.... Please port this hack to 4.0.+ I'll be more then happy to toss some of those EPC earnings your way.... :up::up::up:

Reece^B

06-13-2010, 01:50 PM

Right thats cool, however I need (hopefully Dismounted) to tell me why it's not rewriting links properly?

Scalemotorcars

06-17-2010, 12:49 PM

Wish I knew, but I'm as lost on this one as you are.

Dismounted has always offered great hacks and great product support. Im sure that as soon as you can get back to this he'll port it to 4.0.

Hey Dismounted if it helps Ive got $20 to throw at ya. Maybe others can make donations to help with the time required... :up::up::up:

BadgerDog

06-17-2010, 02:46 PM

Seems to work fine for me on v4.03, although I'm not sure why ....

Regards,
Badger

Lexserv

06-17-2010, 04:14 PM

I'll gladly give a $50 donation if Dismounted can fix this.

Scalemotorcars

06-18-2010, 03:15 AM

Seems to work fine for me on v4.03, although I'm not sure why ....

Regards,
Badger

Are you getting page impressions? Thats the one problem I'm having.

JoeZ

06-19-2010, 02:50 PM

I'm also getting the amp; error.. any known fix for this yet?

webgod

06-24-2010, 10:53 AM

Unfortunately the Driving Revenue site will not accept you unless you have over 300K page impressions. That kind of sucks for the small site.

Ive been using this hack for a long time on my 3.8.4 board and it works perfectly but I recently opened a new site with 4.0.3 suite and this hack locks down the cron jobs.

Can someone PLEASE !!!! re-write this hack for 4.0.3. I'm willing to pay for it if it .

Depending on your site, they will let you in. Especially if you're in the automotive vertical. They have Internet Brands, Auto Forums, VWvortex, and almost every automotive forum you can think of using them. I've refered two sites to them, both were local car forums that fell below their minimum requirements. Both were accepted and are now making several hundred bucks a month.

They also have a referral program, so if you do decide to sign up please use this link: http://www.drivingrevenue.com/apply.php?referrer=1977

Oh and it works on my vB 4.0 board without a problem.

let me know if you have any other questions.

Scalemotorcars

06-24-2010, 12:35 PM

Thanks webgod, I just followed the link and applied. :up:

Scalemotorcars

06-24-2010, 04:41 PM

Just wanted to say thanks again webgod. I just got my notice for activation. :up:

moleculo

07-06-2010, 11:15 PM

Any update on a rewrite for this mod for 4.x? I'd be willing to contribute for a paid mod also.

Dismounted

07-07-2010, 05:04 AM

Real Soon Now™ :D

moleculo

07-07-2010, 11:39 PM

Real Soon Now? :D

You just made my day :up:

HondaATC

07-10-2010, 06:55 PM

I've been using this on 4.0x for about 6 months now? Have I just gotten lucky? Interesting.

MikeTrin

08-03-2010, 10:35 PM

I seem to have gotten this to work on vb 4 by following the suggestions in this thread. Thanks.

BadgerDog

08-03-2010, 10:45 PM

DrivingRevenue

08-03-2010, 11:22 PM

Driving Revenue just announced that it has been acquired by Google Ventures backed VigLink!

Not sure what that means, but I think we may have to switch back to eBay partner direct links using Dismounted's excellent mod, that worked well for us for a long time, but we do need a v4 of it....

Thanks Dismounted ... :)

Regards,
Badger

Hi Doug, the acquisition is entirely positive news for our publishers.

Ray and I are staying on with VigLink. We did not cash out, we in fact doubled down in the belief that the content monetization space is just beginning to mature and we want to be there to help shape it.

We will be merging our code stacks in the coming weeks, likely completion in about 2 months. The transition will be seemless from a publisher's perspective. Our respective code bases are very similar. However, VigLink's back end infrastructure is much more scalable and has an impressive analytics component that Driviing Revenue lacks.

We will be retaining Driving Revenue's payment processing system & standards, so that not will change.

There are some very exciting things in the pipeline, so I do hope that you continue on as our publisher. We're not ready to publicly talk about all of the details but if you contact me, I can share a few things.

Regards,
Jack

04Venom

10-15-2010, 09:56 PM

Real Soon Now? :D

Hello dismounted, this is probably a stupid question; but does this install the EbayMarketPlace link that I see on a few forums?

Example:

http://www.toyotanation.com/

and

http://www.chicagosvt.com/forums/eBay_Marketplace.php

b00k

10-15-2010, 10:05 PM

-----------

04Venom

10-16-2010, 03:26 AM

There seems to be a few ways to do that, but this pluggin is not it. this rewrites the urls.

The TN marketplace is nice. Usually just see guys doing it like this - eBay Marketplace (http://www.miataturbo.net/forumdisplay.php?f=32)

Note, those 2 you listed above are using Driven Revenue, not dismounts code.

Thanks for replying TSR, however I am brand new to vBulletin. So how would I got about getting Ebay Market Place integrated to my forum? I'm running VB 4.0.6.

DrivingRevenue

11-01-2010, 04:57 PM

Hello dismounted, this is probably a stupid question; but does this install the EbayMarketPlace link that I see on a few forums?

Example:

http://www.toyotanation.com/

and

http://www.chicagosvt.com/forums/eBay_Marketplace.php

The ebay Marketplace is actually a DrivingRevenue product.
http://www.drivingrevenue.com/

DrivingRevenue

11-01-2010, 05:31 PM

Also, for those of you running Dismounted's eBay link rewrite plugin, you can run the Viglink JavaScript affiliator along with this plugin.

VigLink by default does not touch already affiliate links.

Which means, any eBay link already affiliated will remain attributed to the Dismounted plugin and your own EPN account. Meanwhile, you'll have the ability to rewrite retailer links from over 12,000 other merchant affiliate programs. Retailers such as Amazon, Sears, Newegg, Travelocity and many many more.
Here's a link to sign up if you want to check it out: http://www.viglink.com (http://www.viglink.com/?vgref=vborg)

b00k

11-05-2010, 02:33 PM

-----------

The_Hawk

11-08-2010, 11:09 PM

This mod is still working nicely in 4.0.8 although there is one issue.

Re-writing a link that was found by browsing a users items works perfectly

eg:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Holden-16-wheels-genuine-s-pack-5x120-16x7-/320603407188?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4aa573c354

OR

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320603407188&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com.au%3A80%2F%3F_from%3 DR40%26_npmv%3D3%26_trksid%3Dm570%26_nkw%3D3206034 07188%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

However some people end up with links like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160501333185

which end up like this:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/705-53470-19255-0/1?campid=5336618722&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com.au%2Fws%2FeBayISAPI .dll%3FViewItem%26amp%3Bitem%3D160501333185

which as you can see doesn't get re-written correctly and ends in an error.

Is there anyway to fix this issue?

DrivingRevenue

11-09-2010, 01:04 PM

BadgerDog

11-09-2010, 01:26 PM

I switched all my sites away from this pluggin and away from EPN. I make less money now with Viglink / DR than I did with EPN.

Going to let DR / Vigi run a bit longer to ensure all reports are upto date, but so far, not so great.

To further add to my post. I generate around the same amount of tracked clicks, between 180-350. DR is around the same. The difference I am seeing in earnings so far is that with EPN I generated around $15-30 a day looking back into August which wasn't too sh*t hot. Compare that now to DR / Vigi which I am earning on average $4-$8 a day, it doesn't look too sweet.

I've also experienced a large drop in revenue over time after switching to DR from eBay Partner Network. I was thinking about switching back to EPN and let it run for a while to make sure it's the result of not using them directly, although I don't understand why we should be seeing a loss of revenue. :confused:

Regards,
Badger

DrivingRevenue

11-09-2010, 01:39 PM

I've also experienced a large drop in revenue over time after switching to DR from eBay Partner Network. I was thinking about switching back to EPN and let it run for a while to make sure it's the result of not using them directly, although I don't understand why we should be seeing a loss of revenue. :confused:

Regards,
Badger

PM me your domain name and I'll look into it.

dssart

11-11-2010, 12:03 AM

Hi Everyone,

I want to use this mod but I have an RSS feed from EBay being dumped into a forum group on my forum now. Will this mod rewrite all my EBay RSS links? I get a few hundred a day and don't want this mod grinding away on those all day/nite.

b00k

11-11-2010, 10:28 PM

..............

DrivingRevenue

11-12-2010, 02:04 PM

One thing people need to consider is that if they sending la low volume of clicks to eBay they are getting pooled into groups for EPC calculation based on eBay's Quality Click Pricing. Based on our experience with thousands of publishers and millions of clicks, the low click pooling threshold is around 150 clicks per day.

If you don't get above that amount, your stats are pooled together with other publishers of a similar profile. Then eBay uses their QCP algorithm to figure out how much to pay you.

Also, TSR, if you're making 25% of what you were when you were direct with EPN, then I'd encourage you to go back to direct with EPN. We can exclude overwriting affiliate eBay links. That way you can still use DrivingRevenue / Viglink to affiliate over 12K other merchant links. We're in this to help publishers & forums make money, we certainly don't want to be detrimental to that cause.

Let us know how we can help.

Lexserv

11-18-2010, 08:09 AM

Schraubaer

12-05-2010, 07:16 AM

Works fine with VB 4.1.0

meisterjoshi

12-05-2010, 07:51 AM

Hello from Switzerland

Sorry for my english

I have a Problem with "&" between ViewItem and item

This ist the ebay link how was post from one User

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120650811004

This is the link after rewrite with this mod (I overwrite the campid with xxxxxxxxx)

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/707-53477-19255-0/1?campid=5xxxxxxxxxxx&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F707-53477-19255-0%2F1%3Fcampid%3D5336467041%26amp%3Btoolid%3D10001 %26amp%3Bmpre%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcgi.ebay.de%252 Fws%252FeBayISAPI.dll%253FViewItem%2526amp%253Bite m%253D120650811004

this is the url at the end:

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120650811004

The Problem ist this: ViewItem&item correct ist ViewItem&item

Can anybody understand me? an help me? :D

Thx

meisterjoshi
www.quad-forum.eu

meisterjoshi

12-06-2010, 10:07 AM

No One understand me? :)

meisterjoshi

12-06-2010, 06:31 PM

Help please :(

meisterjoshi

12-07-2010, 12:17 PM

Hello

I have found the Problem

Thanks @ the German Vbulletin Team!

Replace in /includes/functions_rewrite_ebay_links.php:

$encodedlink = urlencode($rightlink);

mit:

$encodedlink = $rightlink;

BadgerDog

12-07-2010, 12:34 PM

Hello

I have found the Problem

Thanks @ the German Vbulletin Team!

Fix was posted 2 years ago? :confused:

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost.php?p=1679778&postcount=334

Been working fine for me since then... :up:

Regards,
Doug

meisterjoshi

12-07-2010, 12:56 PM

Fix was posted 2 years ago? :confused:

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost.php?p=1679778&postcount=334

Been working fine for me since then... :up:

Regards,
Doug

Sorry i dont have see the fix, but why does the Autor not update the addon?

Lexserv

12-07-2010, 08:07 PM

Good question. If the fix was posted a few years ago, why wasn't the add-on updated here????

MrD

01-15-2011, 08:13 AM

Hi,
if a Thread will edit, the Rewrite URl are double.

Reece^B

04-03-2011, 04:28 PM

This for vB4?

The_Hawk

05-01-2011, 09:51 AM

Hello

I have found the Problem

Thanks @ the German Vbulletin Team!

Awesome. I too never saw the earlier post but went on the hunt again today only to find this fix!

And it seems to have fixed the problem! Woo!

Lexserv

05-02-2011, 06:07 PM

The_Hawk: Which post # are you referring to where this fix is mentioned?

Thanks in advance.

The_Hawk

05-02-2011, 08:14 PM

The_Hawk: Which post # are you referring to where this fix is mentioned?

Thanks in advance.

I used this one: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost.php?p=2130410&postcount=479

Which seems to be working OK, will keep an eye on it to see how it goes.

Lexserv

05-02-2011, 11:09 PM

Ok, cool. Let us know if there's any problem with the fix.

Thanks again.

Reece^B

09-18-2011, 07:21 AM

vB4 Port?

FrankP

04-15-2012, 02:38 PM

vB4 Port?

Working as a charme on 4.1.11.

TonicWater

04-29-2012, 05:24 PM

hi, i want to use this addon for ebay.de (germany) affiliate programm, but i cannot choose ebay.de in the "Placement ID" menü. how can i use ebay.de affiliate program?

jderouen

06-30-2012, 04:45 PM

I don't have an eBay affiliate account and am setting this up for someone else. When it asks for Campaign ID and Custom ID, what exactly is it looking for? They said their campaign ID was links-chopsticks. Does that sound right?

jderouen

06-30-2012, 04:49 PM

They also said they have a ten-digit ID. Do I have to put that somewhere as well?

creativepart

06-30-2012, 05:37 PM

No, links-chapsticks is not their campid it sounds like their logon username. You'll need to have their "campid" -- each website and campaign in their EPN has a separate campid # -- either they need to give you access to their EPN account or they need to be smart enough about their account to know how to look up their campid. It's easily found in their EPN account.

The Custom Id is optional and is for custome tracking purposes only.

The 10-digit number is the campid -- they log into EPN and click on the "Campaign" tab to see the campids for their account.

jderouen

07-01-2012, 12:33 AM

Got it to work, much thanks!!

andy626

08-02-2012, 02:33 AM

Very tempted to put this on my forum as it would be a sure winner!!!

Has anyone been banned from EPN for using this mod?

Does it violate their Code of Conduct in anyway?

creativepart

08-02-2012, 01:08 PM

It's perfectly allowable. I have an EPN rep and he is well aware of the way this rewriting is done and has said it's perfectly acceptable.

I've used it... for 4 or more years.

andy626

08-02-2012, 08:54 PM

Thanks for the reply, good to hear...I'll give it a whirl!

LanciaStratos

08-02-2012, 10:53 PM

I haven't used this plugin since I signed up for VigLink (http://www.viglink.com/?vgref=6167) (in disclosure, that's my affiliate link, but I'm not otherwise connected with the company). It's just some JavaScript that sits in your footer and automatically converts any link (to eBay, Amazon, or any other site which has a large referral program) to an affiliate link.

If you want to get the referrals from eBay yourself, you should just use this plugin, but it's quite old now.