As I mentioned in my first post as the new Sears API Product Manager, I’m here to help you build cool and interesting things using the Sears Open API Platform.
We want to hear from you about what we can do better, whether you want access to more API interfaces, better documentation, faster support, FAQs, tutorials, news, example code or examples of the cool products others are building in-house or outside of SHC (Sears Holdings Corporation).
How are we doing that?
Our first ever survey, the 2012 Sears API Developer Network Survey.
It's not painful like most surveys out there. Almost all of the questions are multiple choice and additional comments are optional.
But here's the thing, while we're grateful for any feedback we receive from you, your comments are valuable to us, like little gold nuggets of insight. Your feedback will help us evolve our product roadmap, so that we can address the most pertinent issues as soon as we can.
Are you in?
Let's sweeten the deal a little bit. We're giving away a $50 Sears gift card to a random winner.
The catch?
You have to complete the whole survey AND fill out your contact information at the end including name, email address and developer API key.
Are you in now?
Let's do this: 2012 Sears API Developer Network Survey
If you'd rather forego the chance to win the gift card and instead submit the survey anonymously, just leave the contact info fields on the last page blank and hit submit.
One more thing, if you haven't already noticed, we're ramping up our blog posts, so be sure to subscribe by:
RSS: http://developer.sears.com/blog/feed
Twitter: @SearsAPI
-Philip
Philip Nowak
Product Manager, eCommerce APIs
Online Business Unit | Sears Holdings Corporation
Email: philip.nowak@searshc.com
Phone: 224-829-2982
Skype: Philip-Nowak
Twitter: @PhilipNowak
As always, here's the legal mumbo jumbo you must abide by if you'd like to be eligible for entry into the gift card giveaway.
*****WINNER OF $50 SEARS GIFT CARD IS RICH POWELL*****
SEARS API DEVELOPER SURVEY SWEEPSTAKES
2012 OFFICIAL RULES
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
1. HOW TO ENTER: The Sears API Developer Survey Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”) begins on January 11, 2012 at 9: 00 am Central Time (“CT”) and ends January 24, 2012 at 11: 59 pm CT. To enter, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2012_Sears_Developer_Network_Survey (“Survey Site”), and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the survey (including name, email address and developer API key) and enter the Sweepstakes. Limit one entry per person during the Sweepstakes Period. Sponsor’s decisions will be final in all matters relating to the Sweepstakes and winner eligibility. Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification. Not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible or misdirected entries, all of which are void. Each potential winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized individual account holder of the account associated with the winning entry in order to be awarded a prize.
2. ELIGIBILITY: The Sweepstakes is open to valid registered members of the Sears Developer Network who are legal residents of the United States and are 18 years or older at the time of entry. Void where prohibited by law. Eligibility is conditioned on the acceptance of these Official Rules at time of submission.
3. RANDOM DRAWING: The prize winner will be selected in a random drawing scheduled to be conducted on approximately January 26, 2012 by Sponsor’s representative(s) or designee(s). Potential winner will be contacted via email or telephone, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, by a Sponsor representative. If potential winner cannot be contacted, or if prize is returned as undeliverable, potential winner forfeits prize.
4. PRIZE: There will be one Prize, consisting of one (1) $50 Sears Gift Card. Approximate Retail Value of Prize: $50. Odds of winning a Prize depend on number of eligible entries received.
5. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION. Taxes on the prize are the sole responsibility of the winner. Prizes are not transferable. No Prize substitutions or cash redemptions allowed except by Sponsor, who may substitute a prize of equal or greater value if advertised Prize becomes unavailable. Winner may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility/release of liability and publicity (where permitted) within a time period designated, or prize may be forfeited. Failure to comply within the designated time period may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. By accepting prize, winner agrees to release Sponsor and each of its affiliates, officers, directors, and associates from any and all liability, loss or damage of any kind arising out of or in connection with their participation in this contest or with respect to awarding, receipt, possession, use and/or misuse of any prize or while traveling to or from any prize related activity. Winner agrees to abide by these official rules and the decisions of the Sponsor management team whose decisions are final on all matters relating to this Sweepstakes. Sponsor is not responsible for any printing, typographical, mechanical or other error in the printing of the offer, administration of the Sweepstakes, or in the announcement of the prize.
An entrant may be prohibited from participating in this Sweepstakes if, in the Sponsor’s sole discretion, it reasonably believes that the entrant has attempted to undermine the legitimate operation of this Sweepstakes by cheating, deception, or other unfair playing practices or annoys, abuses, threatens or harasses any other entrants, the Sponsor or associated agencies.
6. NO RECOURSE TO JUDICIAL OR OTHER PROCEDURES: To the extent permitted by law, the rights to litigate, to seek injunctive relief or to make any other recourse to judicial or any other procedure in case of disputes or claims resulting from or in connection with this Sweepstakes are hereby excluded, and any entrant expressly waives any and all such rights. Entrants agree that these Official Rules are governed by the laws of Illinois.
7. INTERNET: Sponsor is not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive entry information by Sponsor on account of technical problems or traffic congestion via mobile phone or otherwise. If for any reason the Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or otherwise affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes or any portion thereof without further obligation or advance notice. Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes or any portion thereof at any time, and for any reason without further obligation or advance notice. Sponsor reserves the right to select winners from eligible entries received as of the termination date. Sponsor further reserves the right to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process.
CAUTION: Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes is a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such entrant to the fullest extent of the law.
8. SEVERABILITY: If any provision(s) of these Official Rules are held to be invalid or unenforceable, all remaining provisions hereof will remain in full force and effect.
9. WINNERS’ LIST: The winners list will be posted on http://developer.sears.com/blog/sears-api-developer-network-survey after approximately January 26, 2012 and before March 26, 2012.
10. SPONSOR: Sears Holdings Management Corporation, 3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60179.
SEARS API DEVELOPER SURVEY SWEEPSTAKES
2012 OFFICIAL RULES
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
1. HOW TO ENTER: The Sears API Developer Survey Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”) begins on January 11, 2012 at 9: 00 am Central Time (“CT”) and ends January 24, 2012 at 11: 59 pm CT. To enter, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2012_Sears_Developer_Network_Survey (“Survey Site”), and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the survey (including name, email address and developer API key) and enter the Sweepstakes. Limit one entry per person during the Sweepstakes Period. Sponsor’s decisions will be final in all matters relating to the Sweepstakes and winner eligibility. Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification. Not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible or misdirected entries, all of which are void. Each potential winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized individual account holder of the account associated with the winning entry in order to be awarded a prize.
2. ELIGIBILITY: The Sweepstakes is open to valid registered members of the Sears Developer Network who are legal residents of the United States and are 18 years or older at the time of entry. Void where prohibited by law. Eligibility is conditioned on the acceptance of these Official Rules at time of submission.
3. RANDOM DRAWING: The prize winner will be selected in a random drawing scheduled to be conducted on approximately January 26, 2012 by Sponsor’s representative(s) or designee(s). Potential winner will be contacted via email or telephone, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, by a Sponsor representative. If potential winner cannot be contacted, or if prize is returned as undeliverable, potential winner forfeits prize.
4. PRIZE: There will be one Prize, consisting of one (1) $50 Sears Gift Card. Approximate Retail Value of Prize: $50. Odds of winning a Prize depend on number of eligible entries received.
5. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION. Taxes on the prize are the sole responsibility of the winner. Prizes are not transferable. No Prize substitutions or cash redemptions allowed except by Sponsor, who may substitute a prize of equal or greater value if advertised Prize becomes unavailable. Winner may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility/release of liability and publicity (where permitted) within a time period designated, or prize may be forfeited. Failure to comply within the designated time period may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. By accepting prize, winner agrees to release Sponsor and each of its affiliates, officers, directors, and associates from any and all liability, loss or damage of any kind arising out of or in connection with their participation in this contest or with respect to awarding, receipt, possession, use and/or misuse of any prize or while traveling to or from any prize related activity. Winner agrees to abide by these official rules and the decisions of the Sponsor management team whose decisions are final on all matters relating to this Sweepstakes. Sponsor is not responsible for any printing, typographical, mechanical or other error in the printing of the offer, administration of the Sweepstakes, or in the announcement of the prize.
An entrant may be prohibited from participating in this Sweepstakes if, in the Sponsor’s sole discretion, it reasonably believes that the entrant has attempted to undermine the legitimate operation of this Sweepstakes by cheating, deception, or other unfair playing practices or annoys, abuses, threatens or harasses any other entrants, the Sponsor or associated agencies.
6. NO RECOURSE TO JUDICIAL OR OTHER PROCEDURES: To the extent permitted by law, the rights to litigate, to seek injunctive relief or to make any other recourse to judicial or any other procedure in case of disputes or claims resulting from or in connection with this Sweepstakes are hereby excluded, and any entrant expressly waives any and all such rights. Entrants agree that these Official Rules are governed by the laws of Illinois.
7. INTERNET: Sponsor is not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive entry information by Sponsor on account of technical problems or traffic congestion via mobile phone or otherwise. If for any reason the Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or otherwise affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes or any portion thereof without further obligation or advance notice. Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes or any portion thereof at any time, and for any reason without further obligation or advance notice. Sponsor reserves the right to select winners from eligible entries received as of the termination date. Sponsor further reserves the right to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process.
CAUTION: Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes is a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such entrant to the fullest extent of the law.
8. SEVERABILITY: If any provision(s) of these Official Rules are held to be invalid or unenforceable, all remaining provisions hereof will remain in full force and effect.
9. WINNERS’ LIST: The winners list will be posted on http://developer.sears.com/blog/sears-api-developer-network-survey after approximately January 26, 2012 and before March 26, 2012.
10. SPONSOR: Sears Holdings Management Corporation, 3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60179.
Happy Monday to my fellow Sears Developer Network-ites,
One of my favorite things about working on the API Product Management team is seeing all of the amazing products and apps that the
Sears Mobile consumes our 
