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So ... about that. Quick update on our build sheets:
PCNA has been busy making changes this past week just before heading into our Labor Day weekend. From what I’ve gathered so far:
All VINs and their stock numbers on the national preowned porsche site have now been converted to images instead of text in an attempt to stop screen scrapers. It’s a laughable attempt but still ...
This is the biggie: They changed the build sheet URL such that it now REQUIRES an inventory ID in addition to the VIN. Also, the inventory ID must match the VIN internal to their database. This effectively means the party is over.
They seem to have removed the build sheets for many but not all of the vehicles listed on their site.
Of the listings that still have it, they’ve blocked the middle digits of the VIN number from the PDF file. Not the end of the world but still an annoyance.
This is well within PCNAs rights to do so of course but upsetting none-the-less. This will impacts sites like vinanalytics.com from being able to decode new new VINs (but previously decoded ones remain accessible).
Anyone out there that can help us??
The build sheet option is invaluable to the pre-owned search process and actually HELPS Porsche dealers SELL more cars. Taking that tool away from enthusiasts is very disappointing and upsetting to many. If PCNA wants to withhold information and hold its buyers hostage to the pre-owned buying experience I don't know what to say.
How on earth can we do what we do here without it? It's very difficult assessing deals without looking at all the options and MSRP. We are actually HELPING SELL pre-owned cars here. Why the roadblocks Porsche Cars North America???
Seems that it's all about funneling Porsche buyers into their local dealerships for "expert" advice... They don't really seem to want highly informed buyers searching the entire country, including non-Porsche dealerships, for their perfect car or hot deal. Shortsighted? Of course, but not all that surprising.
First Post. Have been a lurker, looking for a .1 or .2 GTS. Huge thanks to STG for this thread. What an incredible service to the Porsche Community and to Rennlist.
Have started discussions with the owner of this .2 GTS. It now has 5,500 miles and has been well cared for. Thanks in advance for help with two questions for the group:
1) Would you buy a car that had previously been a Porsche demo car? I'm pretty sure that the car has been used on the track for Porsche driving experiences. Current owner bought it from the dealer with 1,700 miles.
2) Any suggestions on a fair offer for this car.
Seems that it's all about funneling Porsche buyers into their local dealerships for "expert" advice... They don't really seem to want highly informed buyers searching the entire country, including non-Porsche dealerships, for their perfect car or hot deal. Shortsighted? Of course, but not all that surprising.
Agree ....
Unfortunate when there's more knowledge here than 98% of any Porsche Dealership "Brand Ambassador". Geez, we're the ones who should be on the payroll here.
Unfortunate when there's more knowledge here than 98% of any Porsche Dealership "Brand Ambassador". Geez, we're the ones who should be on the payroll here.
STiG,
I have been saying that for a while. You are helping promote the Porsche brand and sell cars at dealerships. PCNA should do more to help you move more 911s.
As a result of HFS thread I knew more about the 991.1 cars than my sales guy. It was a little unsettling..
The "help" that was needed was not commercializing and overtly advertising the obviously unintentional back door that existed into the PCNA database... I hate to be rude, but IMHO it was exactly efforts like the VinAnalytics website and other similar websites that forced Porsches hand into shutting down the back door for good.
How many inquiries did your website make against the database in the past few months? How would you expect Porsche to react when they see that kind of request volume coming from a single set of IP addresses? You might have made it easier for folks to grab build sheets from vins, but you also shined a HUGE spotlight on the process, focused those inquiries from a single source rather than a random set of IP addresses, and probably tripped all kinds of intrusion sensors if they have ANY kind of data security systems.
You even went as far as to TELL Porsche that you where grabbing their data when their lawyers gave you a cease and desist on domain name trademark violations.
Incredibly disappointed we lost the resource, entirely predictable considering the recent exploitation of it.
We know the PCA buildsheet website was caching, so it wasn't hitting the database every time. It is hard to imagine that network traffic was significant in this day and age.
This clampdown is either because of perceived helping the competing used car sales sites, or because of privacy concerns (the cars currently owned by PCA dealers are known not to belong to private parties).
We know the PCA buildsheet website was caching, so it wasn't hitting the database every time. It is hard to imagine that network traffic was significant in this day and age.
This clampdown is either because of perceived helping the competing used car sales sites, or because of privacy concerns (the cars currently owned by PCA dealers are known not to belong to private parties).
I believe the intent is that Porsche wants to sell you a Certificate of Authenticity for your car. Nobody will buy that if you can get pretty much the same for free via the build sheet.
I believe the intent is that Porsche wants to sell you a Certificate of Authenticity for your car. Nobody will buy that if you can get pretty much the same for free via the build sheet.
A bit more to it than that. The guys who want that certificate will pay for it. A printed off framed build sheet isn't the same
Not sure what is the correct way of posting now since there is no guidance as to links (looks like it is ok again). Anyway, searched the whole national preowned Porsche inventory and this is kind of interesting, though price is a little bit higher than HFS
Not sure what is the correct way of posting now since there is no guidance as to links (looks like it is ok again). Anyway, searched the whole national preowned Porsche inventory and this is kind of interesting, though price is a little bit higher than HFS
Yes. The listings have a link to the built sheet pdf files. I just need to convert it to jpg.
On another note, since we are including .2 cars now, what are the HFS standards for .2? That is what are .2 potential owners looking for and at what price point?
09-02-2018, 11:37 PM
