Telegram-bot PriceCop

In the summer of 2019, PriceCop received a request from a client we have been working with since 2016 — a large company selling household appliances both online and offline.

Goal: avoid the domino effect. Task: promptly notify about any price reductions by a monitored store.

The PriceCop development team explored possible solutions and then implemented instant online notifications in a Telegram bot.

Content List

• How does it work?
• Result
• Conclusion

How does it work?

Data collection for all stores under the subscription starts according to a schedule agreed with the client, which also includes a randomization factor — meaning the monitoring doesn’t always start at the exact same time. The moment the system detects a price cut, responsible employees instantly receive dumping alerts in Telegram.

The notifications include:

• product code and brand;
• price list name of the item;
• list retail price (RRP);
• the online store’s price;
• the absolute price difference;
• the difference in %;
• a link to the product page so you can click and check the store’s current price.

Result

When the client processes the data correctly and reacts quickly

Dumping level BEFORE implementing the Telegram bot:

Dumping level AFTER implementing the Telegram bot:

Conclusion

Clients can analyze the obtained monitoring data in various ways: in their personal dashboard, via email, in their own accounting system, or in a Telegram bot. Most PriceCop clients prefer email, where information is presented as charts, structured reports, and includes screenshots of product pages showing dumping. It’s convenient and informative. Once monitoring is complete, screenshots are taken, and reports are generated, the responsible employee receives an email. However, while we wait, the market can rapidly deteriorate because stores also use automated price-monitoring solutions for their competitors.

Any delay in response time is unacceptable when immediate action is required.

In this “war” on dumping, the Telegram bot provides powerful reinforcement by instantly informing the recipient — even before a report is fully generated — exactly when PriceCop’s system detects dumping.