Display Items by Postal Code

In example 6 , we learned how to display auction items from a specific Ebay Seller. In this example, we'll see how to localize item listings by displaying items from or close to a specific postal code.

Why is this important? Let's say you have a site that caters to a specific area in the world. Like Dallas, Texas or Frankfurt, Germany. You can offer your site visitors auction items are available locally. This encourages users to look and place bids, because giving a sense of comfort because the items are local to where they reside.

Do keep in mind, that by using this setting, you can potentially expect less results to appear. This is especially true for areas with a small population. It's also good, when you are hoping to entice local customers. For example, if your site is about a Corvette Club in Dallas, Texas, then listing Corvettes available in the Dallas Texas Area would be quite beneficial.

In the source of this file, where your phpBay code is, this would look like:

$ebay->eb_fspt = "1";
$ebay->eb_fpos = "75204";
$ebay->eb_sadis = "100";

So what do these settings mean?
fspt - means to search by Postal Code
fpos - the Postal Code search near
sadis - how many miles away from the Postal Code to search

Basically, you are turning on the search by Postal Code, then telling Ebay which Postal Code to use, then specifying up to how many miles away to return results for the search, from the Postal Code.

View the source code of this file to see the php code used. Click here to view the summary.

The Result

Chevrolet : Corvette 3LT Z51 Convertible Auto Nav HTD Seats Head Up PWR Top US $34,800.00 Auction Ends: End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 10:38:16 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chevrolet : Corvette 2008 Chevrolet Corvette 6-Speed Blk/Blk 500+ HP US $35,000.00 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 11:58:32 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chevrolet : Corvette GMcertifiied 2006 Z06 10kmiles Nav Headsup Memory Heated 1TexasOwner US $44,620.00 Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 9:07:17 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chevrolet : Corvette Grand Sport 2010 Chevrolet Grand Sport Convertible 436 hp - DFW US $30,100.00 (5 Bids) Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 10:02:34 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chevrolet : Corvette 2001 CHEVY VETTE 5.7L LS1 HEADSUP BOSE AUTO CLEAN! US $10,100.00 (7 Bids) Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 11:20:57 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chevrolet : Corvette 427/390 1969 427 Corvette Convertible with A/C Call to discuss US $42,500.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 12:05:00 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chevrolet : Corvette ZHZ Coupe Dual Mode Chromes Automatic. GM Certified/GM Dealer US $31,800.00 Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 13:03:44 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chevrolet : Corvette Corvette 1993 Corvette 40th Anninversary US $5,500.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 9:00:05 PDT Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chevrolet : Corvette Coupe, Auto 1998 C5 CPE A4 Auto US $8,000.00 (5 Bids) Auction Ends: End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 10:35:34 PDT Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chevrolet : Corvette 10987 MILES 2007 Burgundy Corvette! US $39,495.00 Auction Ends: End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 12:17:22 PDT Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chevrolet : Corvette Z06 w/1LZ 2009 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 Z-06 US $48,100.00 (8 Bids) Auction Ends: End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 19:28:53 PDT Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chevrolet : Corvette CONVERTIBLE CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE US $4,750.00 (12 Bids) Auction Ends: End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 6:58:24 PDT Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chevrolet : Corvette 71 LT1 350/300HP Matching #s, Original Car, Runs Great! US $17,100.00 (10 Bids) Auction Ends: End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 9:46:08 PDT Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chevrolet : Corvette 2005 CORVETTE COUPE 6.0L MANUAL - LTHR, HEADS UP US $19,101.00 (7 Bids) Auction Ends: End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 9:56:28 PDT Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chevrolet : Corvette 2008 Red Corvette! US $35,995.00 Auction Ends: End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 11:56:47 PDT Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list