What are the best web search alerts???

[JWScarab]

Hi guys. I have a google/alert set up to send me emails when mustangs get posted, and I have it set up with keywords like "1969 Mach", and set for "as it happens".

Problem is, I seem to get the emails about 1 day after the posting is up, and a lot of cars I call on are sold. I used to use Jaxed - but they shut it down for national craigslist searches.

Do you guys have any tips on how to find Mustangs immediatly when they go up for sale??

Thanks!!

[jevchance]

I've not tested this because I monitor my Craigslist and eBay searches in Google Reader and I check it several times per day on my smartphone (

View Your Favorite Craigslist and eBay Searches on a Single Page! - YouTube

View Your Favorite Craigslist and eBay Searches on a Single Page! - YouTube

), but you should be able to do this:

a) perform the desired search at SearchTempest.com
b) on the results page, click "Feeds For This Search"
c) download the file that they provide with a .opml extension (this is basically a list of all the Craigslist searches they did for you in a standardized format)
d) go to blogtrottr.com and sign up for an account
e) import the OPML file into blogtrottr and set up the email alerts

You can also monitor eBay searches the same way!

If you prefer the Google Reader route you can do a-c above and replace d and e inside Google Reader instead of blogtrottr (except Reader doesn't do email alerts, but it will import OPML).

One more thing, most cell phone companies allow you to send an email to a particular address to receive a text message (like 8005551212@vtext.com for Verizon, where 8005551212 is replaced by your phone number). This way you could literally get a text message minutes after an ad is posted!

Please let us know how it worked out for you.

[JWScarab]

Well, I tried this and I have some sucess - maybe! I did get 2 email in my email from the blogtrottr, but they were both for craigslisting that were 2-3 weeks old.....lol. Have not got any more emails. I couldnt get the ebay thing to work either.

I think I am partially computer literate - but not the advanced stuff!

[jevchance]

Not sure the explanation for that, but its possible those two renewed their listings. It shouldn't send you alerts for ads that were already listed, only new ones.

I would create a Craigslist listing that you know will show up in the search, then delete it when you get the alert. That way you can also gauge how long it takes to notify you from when it gets listed.

[JWScarab]

Hi Jevchance. Just wanted to say THANK YOU I woke up this morning with about 10 new listings nationwide! This is so much better than the google/alerts, and works awesome!! Easy to read/click format too - perfect!! Thanks again - Joe

[jevchance]

Glad it worked out for you, have a good one!

[JWScarab]

Its still shooting me older post as well as new ones - but thats ok. Maybe its catching up with itself....lol.