# Specialty Auction Deal Monitor (`repairiq/specialty-auction-deal-monitor`) Actor

Turn auction lots into landed-cost decisions: classified equipment, extracted buyer premium, itemized cost basis, and a deal score with every assumption labeled.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/repairiq/specialty-auction-deal-monitor.md
- **Developed by:** [Ryan Carter](https://apify.com/repairiq) (community)
- **Categories:** E-commerce, Business
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $20.00 / 1,000 classified auction lots

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/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

Actors are web data automations that power AI and operations. They run on the Apify platform to scrape websites, process data, connect APIs, and automate workflows.
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.

- **AI agents and MCP clients** — the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md) at `https://mcp.apify.com` (remote, streamable HTTP, OAuth on first use).
- **Agentic workflows and local Actor development** — [Agent Skills](https://apify.com/.well-known/agent-skills/index.json) with the [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): `npm install -g apify-cli`, then `apify login`.
- **JavaScript/TypeScript projects** — the official [JS/TS client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): `npm install apify-client`.
- **Python projects** — the official [Python client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): `pip install apify-client`.
- **Any other language** — 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

## Specialty Auction Deal Monitor

Classify supplied auction lots and estimate landed costs.

Requires supplied lot records. It does not scrape auctions or read rigging PDFs. Check unknownCosts and assumptionShare. Qualified deal signals are included without a separate deal charge.

### Quick start

Paste this input into the Actor, or save it as `input.json` for the API example. Inline records with example.com URLs are fictional demonstration data. Form prefill values are examples, not defaults for empty API requests.

```json
{
  "lots": [
    {
      "lotId": "demo-lot-1",
      "auctionHouse": "Demo Auctions",
      "sourceUrl": "https://example.com/lot/1",
      "title": "Rotary SPOA10 2-post vehicle lift",
      "description": "Untested, sold as-is. Buyer responsible for rigging and removal. A 15% buyer's premium applies to all lots. Missing arm adapters.",
      "currentBid": 1500,
      "city": "Tacoma",
      "state": "WA",
      "latitude": 47.2529,
      "longitude": -122.4443,
      "closesAt": "2026-08-05T18:00:00Z",
      "pickupDeadline": "2026-08-08T23:00:00Z",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-28T00:00:00Z"
    },
    {
      "lotId": "demo-lot-2",
      "auctionHouse": "Demo Auctions",
      "sourceUrl": "https://example.com/lot/2",
      "title": "Hunter TCX575 tire changer",
      "description": "Powers on. 3-phase 208V supply required. 18% buyer's premium.",
      "currentBid": 2200,
      "city": "Spokane",
      "state": "WA",
      "latitude": 47.6588,
      "longitude": -117.426,
      "closesAt": "2026-08-06T18:00:00Z",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-28T00:00:00Z"
    }
  ],
  "categories": [
    "vehicle-lift",
    "tire-changer",
    "wheel-balancer",
    "alignment-rack"
  ],
  "states": [
    "WA",
    "OR",
    "ID"
  ],
  "maximumBid": 5000,
  "maximumDistanceMiles": 500,
  "onlyNewLots": true,
  "defaultBuyerPremiumPercent": 15,
  "salesTaxPercent": 9.5,
  "riggingCost": 350,
  "transportCostPerMile": 2.5,
  "minimumTransportCost": 250,
  "electricalConversionCost": 400,
  "missingPartsAllowance": 300,
  "comparableValues": [
    {
      "equipmentType": "vehicle-lift",
      "brand": "Rotary",
      "value": 6500,
      "note": "Used-market replacement cost, installed"
    },
    {
      "equipmentType": "tire-changer",
      "brand": "Hunter",
      "value": 7500
    }
  ],
  "dealScoreThreshold": 55,
  "originLatitude": 47.6062,
  "originLongitude": -122.3321,
  "originState": "WA",
  "stateStoreName": "auction-lot-state"
}
```

### Input and output

Duplicate removal uses auction/source plus lot ID, or a canonical source URL when no ID is supplied. Matching titles, cities, and closing dates do not prove two lots are the same asset. Supply stable IDs across observations; cross-platform copies with unrelated IDs remain separate until the upstream data establishes their identity.

The Input tab documents every supported option and default. Supply `lots` or a compatible `sourceDatasetId`. A run supports at most 10,000 supplied records. Split larger inputs into separate runs.

Returns shared signal envelopes: `entityId`, `entityType`, `signalType`, `severity`, `confidence`, `observedAt`, `sourceUrl`, `evidence`, and Actor-specific `payload`. Compatible envelopes are unwrapped on input; payload fields must still match this Actor’s expected input. A common envelope does not join or enrich separate observations automatically.

Confidence is a heuristic evidence/completeness indicator, not a calibrated probability. Inspect evidence and missing inputs before acting. Dataset exports support JSON and CSV; nested fields are available through the dataset API.

### Pricing and spending limits

Pay per event, with platform usage included. The Apify Store pricing panel shows the current prices.

- **$0.02 per classified auction lot**. One supplied auction lot classified with estimated landed cost. Any associated deal output is included in this event price.
- **Startup: $0.005 per GB of allocated memory**, with a minimum of one startup event. The default memory allocation is 1 GB or less.

Diagnostics and included extra signals have no output-event charge; the startup charge still applies. Set the maximum run cost to control spending. If the remaining budget cannot cover the next event, the Actor stops and returns the results already completed. Check the run summary before assuming the entire input was processed. Fees from a separate upstream scraper are not included.

### Errors and repeat runs

Malformed or empty required input fails with an actionable error. Unsupported or insufficient records can produce free diagnostic signals or rejection counts in `OUTPUT`. Check the run status, summary, diagnostics, and billing record together; zero results does not establish that no opportunities or problems exist.

Use the same `stateStoreName` for sequential observations of the same population. Use a different name for independent workflows. Do not overlap runs sharing a state store. Only delivered listing/lot results advance their reporting snapshot; a budget cutoff defers remaining work. Repeated or interrupted runs can still produce duplicate outputs because dataset writes, charging and state updates are separate operations; deduplicate downstream by entity, signal type and observation time.

### Run it from the API

Start asynchronously to avoid request timeouts on larger inputs. Use the returned run ID to wait for completion, then download its dataset.

```bash
curl --request POST 'https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/repairiq~specialty-auction-deal-monitor/runs' \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer $APIFY_TOKEN" \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-binary @input.json
```

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';
const client = new ApifyClient({ token: process.env.APIFY_TOKEN });
const input = JSON.parse(await (await import('node:fs/promises')).readFile('input.json', 'utf8'));
const run = await client.actor('repairiq/specialty-auction-deal-monitor').call(input);
if (run.status !== 'SUCCEEDED') throw new Error('Run failed; inspect its log before using partial results.');
const dataset = client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId);
for (let offset = 0; ; ) {
    const { items } = await dataset.listItems({ offset, limit: 1000 });
    for (const item of items) console.log(item);
    if (items.length < 1000) break;
    offset += items.length;
}
```

### Limitations and support

Requires supplied lot records. It does not scrape auctions or read rigging PDFs. Check unknownCosts and assumptionShare. Qualified deal signals are included without a separate deal charge.

Use data you have permission to process, and respect source restrictions. No affiliation with the named software vendors, marketplaces, or agencies is implied. Report reproducible problems through the Actor Issues tab with a run ID and a minimal input; omit credentials and private customer data.

### Local development

Requires Node.js 22 or newer. Run `npm ci`, `npm run build`, and `npm test` from this Actor directory. Put local input in `storage/key_value_stores/default/INPUT.json`, then run `npm start`. The repository root’s `npm run verify` also checks schemas, shared copies and real entry-point smoke scenarios.

# Actor input Schema

## `lots` (type: `array`):

Inline auction lots from any auction scraper. Leave the prefill in place to see the output shape.

## `sourceDatasetId` (type: `string`):

Apify dataset produced by an auction scraper. Portfolio signal datasets are unwrapped automatically.

## `categories` (type: `array`):

vehicle-lift, tire-changer, wheel-balancer, alignment-rack, diagnostic-tool, ac-service-machine, air-compressor, brake-lathe, parts-washer, welder, shop-press, transmission-jack, attachment.

## `brands` (type: `array`):

Equipment brands to keep, e.g. Hunter, Rotary, BendPak, Coats.

## `states` (type: `array`):

Two-letter codes or full names.

## `maximumBid` (type: `integer`):

Skip lots whose observed bid already exceeds this amount.

## `maximumLandedCost` (type: `integer`):

Filters on the all-in estimate rather than the headline bid.

## `maximumDistanceMiles` (type: `integer`):

Applied only when both the origin and the lot have coordinates.

## `onlyNewLots` (type: `boolean`):

Emit a lot the first time it is seen and skip it on later runs.

## `defaultBuyerPremiumPercent` (type: `integer`):

Used only when the premium cannot be extracted from the lot text. Reported with an `assumed` basis.

## `salesTaxPercent` (type: `number`):

Assumed rate applied to bid plus premium. Exemptions and jurisdiction are not verified.

## `riggingCost` (type: `integer`):

Flat assumption; auction removal terms are frequently in PDFs this Actor does not parse.

## `transportCostPerMile` (type: `number`):

Used only when a measurable distance exists. Reported as an estimated cost line.

## `minimumTransportCost` (type: `integer`):

Floor for the transport estimate, covering short local hauls.

## `electricalConversionCost` (type: `integer`):

Added only when three-phase or high-voltage language is detected in the lot text.

## `missingPartsAllowance` (type: `integer`):

Added only when missing-parts language is detected.

## `comparableValues` (type: `array`):

Your replacement or resale benchmark per equipment type, optionally per brand. Without one, no deal score is produced.

## `dealScoreThreshold` (type: `integer`):

Minimum 0-100 score before a separate deal signal is emitted.

## `originLatitude` (type: `number`):

Your pickup origin, used for the transport estimate and the distance filter.

## `originLongitude` (type: `number`):

Your pickup origin longitude.

## `originState` (type: `string`):

Used as a weak locality signal when coordinates are unavailable.

## `stateStoreName` (type: `string`):

Named key-value store holding lot and bid history between runs.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "lots": [
    {
      "lotId": "demo-lot-1",
      "auctionHouse": "Demo Auctions",
      "title": "Rotary SPOA10 2-post vehicle lift",
      "description": "Untested, buyer responsible for rigging. 15% buyer's premium applies.",
      "currentBid": 1500,
      "city": "Tacoma",
      "state": "WA",
      "closesAt": "2026-08-05T18:00:00Z"
    }
  ],
  "categories": [],
  "brands": [],
  "states": [],
  "onlyNewLots": false,
  "defaultBuyerPremiumPercent": 15,
  "salesTaxPercent": 9.5,
  "riggingCost": 350,
  "transportCostPerMile": 2.5,
  "minimumTransportCost": 250,
  "electricalConversionCost": 400,
  "missingPartsAllowance": 300,
  "comparableValues": [
    {
      "equipmentType": "vehicle-lift",
      "brand": "Rotary",
      "value": 6500,
      "note": "Installed used-market replacement cost"
    },
    {
      "equipmentType": "tire-changer",
      "value": 4200
    }
  ],
  "dealScoreThreshold": 55,
  "stateStoreName": "auction-lot-state"
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `results` (type: `string`):

No description

## `summary` (type: `string`):

No description

## `billing` (type: `string`):

Check whether the run stopped at its spending limit.

# 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 '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "lots": [
        {
            "lotId": "demo-lot-1",
            "auctionHouse": "Demo Auctions",
            "title": "Rotary SPOA10 2-post vehicle lift",
            "description": "Untested, buyer responsible for rigging. 15% buyer's premium applies.",
            "currentBid": 1500,
            "city": "Tacoma",
            "state": "WA",
            "closesAt": "2026-08-05T18:00:00Z"
        }
    ],
    "comparableValues": [
        {
            "equipmentType": "vehicle-lift",
            "brand": "Rotary",
            "value": 6500,
            "note": "Installed used-market replacement cost"
        },
        {
            "equipmentType": "tire-changer",
            "value": 4200
        }
    ]
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("repairiq/specialty-auction-deal-monitor").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 '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "lots": [{
            "lotId": "demo-lot-1",
            "auctionHouse": "Demo Auctions",
            "title": "Rotary SPOA10 2-post vehicle lift",
            "description": "Untested, buyer responsible for rigging. 15% buyer's premium applies.",
            "currentBid": 1500,
            "city": "Tacoma",
            "state": "WA",
            "closesAt": "2026-08-05T18:00:00Z",
        }],
    "comparableValues": [
        {
            "equipmentType": "vehicle-lift",
            "brand": "Rotary",
            "value": 6500,
            "note": "Installed used-market replacement cost",
        },
        {
            "equipmentType": "tire-changer",
            "value": 4200,
        },
    ],
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("repairiq/specialty-auction-deal-monitor").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "lots": [
    {
      "lotId": "demo-lot-1",
      "auctionHouse": "Demo Auctions",
      "title": "Rotary SPOA10 2-post vehicle lift",
      "description": "Untested, buyer responsible for rigging. 15% buyer'\''s premium applies.",
      "currentBid": 1500,
      "city": "Tacoma",
      "state": "WA",
      "closesAt": "2026-08-05T18:00:00Z"
    }
  ],
  "comparableValues": [
    {
      "equipmentType": "vehicle-lift",
      "brand": "Rotary",
      "value": 6500,
      "note": "Installed used-market replacement cost"
    },
    {
      "equipmentType": "tire-changer",
      "value": 4200
    }
  ]
}' |
apify call repairiq/specialty-auction-deal-monitor --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,repairiq/specialty-auction-deal-monitor"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/5tXrk16WkZf0OypKn/builds/fmOyzIntYstYdu2eH/openapi.json