# BidSpotter Scraper - Industrial & Machinery Auctions (`lulzasaur/bidspotter-scraper`) Actor Scrape industrial, commercial machinery and equipment auctions from BidSpotter.com. Get auction titles, auction houses, locations, categories with item counts, start/end dates, descriptions, listing URLs, and images. Search by keyword or browse all current auctions. - **URL**: https://apify.com/lulzasaur/bidspotter-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [lulz bot](https://apify.com/lulzasaur) (community) - **Categories:** E-commerce - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $5.00 / 1,000 results This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## BidSpotter Scraper - Industrial & Machinery Auctions Scrape **industrial, commercial machinery and equipment auctions** from [BidSpotter.com](https://www.bidspotter.com), one of the largest online marketplaces for business & industrial auctions (plant, machinery, vehicles, tools, restaurant equipment, and more). Search by keyword or browse all current auctions and get clean, structured data for every auction catalogue — perfect for resellers, equipment buyers, market researchers, price trackers, and lead generation. ### What it does - Searches BidSpotter for one or more keywords (e.g. `tractor`, `cnc`, `forklift`, `woodworking`) — or browses **all current auctions** when no query is given. - Extracts rich, structured data from each auction catalogue (combining the page's embedded schema.org JSON-LD with on-page HTML). - Merges and de-duplicates results across queries by catalogue ID. - Optionally enriches each record with a full description from the auction's catalogue page. ### Output fields | Field | Description | |-------|-------------| | `catalogueId` | Unique BidSpotter catalogue identifier | | `title` | Auction / catalogue title | | `auctionHouse` | Name of the auctioneer running the sale | | `location` | Physical location of the sale (city, region) | | `categories` | List of lot categories, each with item count (e.g. `"Tractors (12)"`) | | `category` | The first/top category | | `startDate` | Auction start date (ISO 8601) | | `endDate` | Auction end / closing date (ISO 8601) | | `saleDatesText` | Human-readable sale date text | | `auctionType` | Auction type (e.g. `Timed`, `Live`) | | `description` | Short auction description | | `fullDescription` | Full description (only when *Scrape Auction Details* is enabled and the page is reachable) | | `imageUrl` | Auction thumbnail/banner image URL | | `listingUrl` | Direct link to the auction catalogue | | `searchQuery` | The query that produced this record | | `scrapedAt` | ISO timestamp of when the record was scraped | ### Input ```json { "searchQueries": ["tractor", "cnc"], "maxResults": 100, "scrapeDetails": false, "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": true, "apifyProxyGroups": ["RESIDENTIAL"] } } ```` - **searchQueries** — array of keywords. Leave empty (`[]`) to browse all current auctions. - **maxResults** — max records across all queries (`0` = unlimited). - **scrapeDetails** — also visit each catalogue page to add `fullDescription`. - **proxyConfiguration** — proxy settings. RESIDENTIAL proxies are recommended. ### Notes & limitations - BidSpotter is protected by AWS WAF. The scraper uses realistic browser fingerprints to reliably read the **search/listing** pages. - Individual **lot detail** pages (per-item current bid / estimate) sit behind a JavaScript anti-bot challenge. This Actor works at the **auction catalogue** level — which exposes the auction title, auctioneer, location, dates, image, and per-category lot counts. Enabling RESIDENTIAL proxies and *Scrape Auction Details* improves the odds of reaching deeper pages. - Please use responsibly and respect BidSpotter's Terms of Service. ### Example use cases - Track new industrial & machinery auctions by keyword. - Build a feed of upcoming equipment sales by auction house or region. - Market research on used machinery supply and auction activity. - Lead generation for equipment dealers and resellers. # Actor input Schema ## `searchQueries` (type: `array`): Keywords to search across BidSpotter auctions (e.g. 'tractor', 'cnc', 'forklift', 'woodworking'). Each query is searched separately and results are merged & deduplicated. Leave empty to browse all current auctions. ## `maxResults` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of auction records to scrape across all queries. Set to 0 for unlimited (all available results). Default is 100. ## `scrapeDetails` (type: `boolean`): If enabled, the scraper also visits each auction's catalogue page to enrich records with a full description. Note: BidSpotter protects detail pages with an anti-bot challenge — enabling residential proxies greatly improves success here. Listing-level data is collected regardless. ## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`): Proxy settings. BidSpotter is behind AWS WAF; RESIDENTIAL proxies are recommended for large runs and required for reliably scraping auction detail pages. ## Actor input object example ```json { "searchQueries": [ "tractor" ], "maxResults": 100, "scrapeDetails": false, "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": true, "apifyProxyGroups": [ "RESIDENTIAL" ] } } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `dataset` (type: `string`): No description # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "searchQueries": [ "tractor" ] }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("lulzasaur/bidspotter-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "searchQueries": ["tractor"] } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("lulzasaur/bidspotter-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "searchQueries": [ "tractor" ] }' | apify call lulzasaur/bidspotter-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=lulzasaur/bidspotter-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "BidSpotter Scraper - Industrial & Machinery Auctions", "description": "Scrape industrial, commercial machinery and equipment auctions from BidSpotter.com. Get auction titles, auction houses, locations, categories with item counts, start/end dates, descriptions, listing URLs, and images. Search by keyword or browse all current auctions.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "8Rg2tlv9SkmRsUZj1" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/lulzasaur~bidspotter-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-lulzasaur-bidspotter-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/lulzasaur~bidspotter-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-lulzasaur-bidspotter-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/lulzasaur~bidspotter-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-lulzasaur-bidspotter-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "searchQueries": { "title": "Search Queries", "type": "array", "description": "Keywords to search across BidSpotter auctions (e.g. 'tractor', 'cnc', 'forklift', 'woodworking'). Each query is searched separately and results are merged & deduplicated. Leave empty to browse all current auctions.", "default": [], "items": { "type": "string" } }, "maxResults": { "title": "Max Results", "minimum": 0, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of auction records to scrape across all queries. Set to 0 for unlimited (all available results). Default is 100.", "default": 100 }, "scrapeDetails": { "title": "Scrape Auction Details", "type": "boolean", "description": "If enabled, the scraper also visits each auction's catalogue page to enrich records with a full description. Note: BidSpotter protects detail pages with an anti-bot challenge — enabling residential proxies greatly improves success here. Listing-level data is collected regardless.", "default": false }, "proxyConfiguration": { "title": "Proxy Configuration", "type": "object", "description": "Proxy settings. BidSpotter is behind AWS WAF; RESIDENTIAL proxies are recommended for large runs and required for reliably scraping auction detail pages.", "default": { "useApifyProxy": true, "apifyProxyGroups": [ "RESIDENTIAL" ] } } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```