Need feedback on Ammunition aggregation site

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msiley

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I'm relatively new to handgun shooting (about 2 years) and absolutely love it.
The only part I don't love is the high price of ammunition. I was
tired of spending way too much time looking for the lowest prices on .40S&W and .357 Mag. ammunition, so I created this site.

http://www.ammoengine.com

This is my beta/test version. This site is for everyone who loves
shooting sports. So, give me your feedback. What features would
you like to see? Is it easy to use? What other stores would you like
to see? (currently there are 6)

Like i said it is a beta version so there may be a few quirks but it is pretty
solid and usable as is.

Thanks!
 
Looks pretty good. I like how it has a nice, clean interface which makes finding stuff easy, and doesn't assault your senses like ARFCOM does.
 
I think it looks great. One minor suggestion:

You use the term "Bullet Type" in the "group by" drop-down menu. In results table it's "Bullet Category." I suggest using the same terminology for both just to be consistent.

(I do a lot of data searching. I spent a few seconds looking for "bullet type" in the listing before I realized that "bullet category" was the same thing. Some folks like me who do a lot of searching through text often don't actually read results; rather they look for matching patterns. I didn't see a pattern that matched "bullet type" and thus my initial confusion. Once i mentally switched to "read mode" it was obvious.)

I was amazed to discover that there was about 60 cents per round difference between high and low prices for the first ammo I searched! ye gods!

I am pretty sure I'll be checking your site often :)
 
Its fast and clean. I like it. The price per round calculation is nice since most times I have to do that myself. I am using Firefox and have my options set to load a new page in a new tab. When I clicked your dealer links it opened in the same page. Just my preference but I would prefer it to open a new session instead of overriding your session already in use. A good site. I bookmarked it. Look forward to version 1.0.
 
KarenTOC: Good catch on terminology. I totally missed that. :)
 
Last edited:
you have done lots of people a great service here. like me. :)


two things...when is the rifle site going up? :)

second, where is the 45 Win Mag?


DOH!...nevermind...found the rifle. :) lol
 
jnyork: I'm working on Rimfire and Shotgun categories.
db_tanker:
- Rifles; look under the Firearms category.
Which is good you mentioned this, I'll have to make it
more noticeable. I was worried about that. It's the
inherent problem with drop down boxes.
- 45 Win Mag.... i don't think any of the 6 stores
that I cover currently sell it. But i'll double check.
I'll be adding more stores eventually.
 
Lightninstrike : that's a good idea. I'll either have it default
to opening in a new window or as an option. i'll have to investigate
this some more.
 
how many times does this update?

when does it search?

can you put in a way to order the list, such as sort by alphabetical and sort by cost per round and other variables?
 
HeavenlySword:
The listings are updated daily.
You can sort by price using the 'Sort By' drop down
and you can sort by Bullet Category, Mfg., etc. with the
'Group By' drop down.

The reason for the 2 different methods of sorting is that it
will allow you to group by say Bullet Category and at the same time
it will list items in each category from lowest to highest price.
 
Update: Just added Cabela's.
Phew! That took a solid 40 hours of work!
That should be the most difficult to set up from
the sites that I have investigated.
There's more stores in the pipe and should be
coming online fast.

So far there's 10.
1. Cabelas
2. Aim Surplus
3. Sportsmans Guide
4. Double Tap
5. Midway USA
6. Able Ammo
7. Ammunition To Go
8. Ammo Bank
9. Cheaper Than Dirt
10. Ammo Direct
(11. had Command Surplus but they just redisigned their site)

Thanks,
Mike
 
WOW Looks Very NICE, heres some more georgia arms, wideners, natchez

how about adding powders and primers??

also most importantly inventory level
 
freonr22: those stores you mentioned are on my short list.....
powders and primers... well let me finish cartridges first :)
I still have rimfire and shot to go! And more stores!

RE: Inventory Level
Every item listed is in inventory with the exception of some
Sportsman's Guide items. They list back orders and in-stock
and you need to add it to your cart to figure this out.

As far as an actual 'inventory level' number .... that's a tough one.
Most sites don't have it. With those that do it changes throughout
the day. But I do update my listings daily and have thought
about doing updates 2-4 times a day... just haven't gotten around
to that level of automation yet. I'm still baby sitting the app when
it updates to make sure everyhing goes smoothly.

Thanks!
Mike
 
That's slick.
I'd save a spot on the bottom (like set up a row of columns after the result table) to save real estate to "sell" to the connecting sites (in case you need more leverage to get them to cough up things like availability).

I'd add a "Back to Top" button at the bottom, too. It's easy now, but, add in a couple more sources and you get into a lot of scrolling.

The 2.0 version might want a repeat of the results bar at the bottom. Or, if you don't mind the over head, a "floater" bar with "Change Sort Method" on it. That, for when you have 4-5 pages of .223 and you want to quick-switch from per-round to per-box without scrolling\Page Up-ing to the top to have to come back again. (yeah, bunch of pointers, and cookies there--which is a pain.)

Good job though, which more folks using results tables would think the process through this clearly (yes, going to point this site out, archly to some folk need an object lesson).
 
CapnMac: Those are good suggestions.
I am working on a 2.0 version.
I'll take your suggestions for consideration. Maybe in the 3.0 version :)
It will always be a work in progress to some extent.
 
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