Like many of you exploring the AI and automation space, I recently came across a promising YouTube tutorial. The pitch was enticing: "Build a $7,500 price tracking system in just 40 minutes using no-code tools." As someone passionate about AI and automation, I couldn't resist giving it a try. Instead of tracking Nike shoes as shown in the tutorial, I decided to track something more relevant to me - a specific YSL sunglasses model across different retailers.

What followed was a journey that perfectly illustrates the gap between tutorial promises and real-world implementation. Let me take you through my experience - not to discourage you, but to provide an honest look at what you might encounter when attempting similar projects.

The Promise

The tutorial outlined a seemingly straightforward process:

• Set up a simple Google Sheets database

• Create an automation workflow in N8N

• Implement web scraping to track prices

• Build a beautiful dashboard in Looker Studio

• All of this in just 40 minutes!

The Reality

Two hours into the project, I found myself still pausing, rewinding, and re-watching sections of the tutorial. What wasn't mentioned in those polished 40 minutes?

Initial Hurdles

1. Google Sheets Setup:

   • The tutorial moves quickly through spreadsheet structure

   • Understanding the reasoning behind specific layouts took time

   • Multiple sheets needed for different competitors

2. N8N Learning Curve:

   • As a new user, understanding the platform's interface wasn't instant

   • Working with credentials and JSON formats required careful attention

   • Setting up Google Gemini as the language model needed additional API key configuration

Technical Reality Check

The hidden complexity became apparent as I progressed:

1. Platform Configuration

   • Each integration point needed precise setup

   • Multiple credentials and API keys required

   • Understanding the flow of data between nodes took time

2. Web Scraping Challenges

   • Despite following instructions exactly, error messages persisted

   • The suggested scraping service requires:

     • Full KYC (Know Your Customer) verification

     • 24-hour waiting period for account approval

     • Additional subscription costs

The Hidden Costs

Let's break down the actual investments needed:

1. Required Subscriptions:

   • N8N paid plan

   • Web scraping service ($30-100/month)

   • Additional tool subscriptions (depends on which LLM you use)

2. Time Investment:

   • Initial setup: 2+ hours (and counting)

   • Account verifications and approvals: 24+ hours

   • Learning curve time: Considerable

(In addition, if I wanted access to the template for this workflow setup, I would have to sign up for membership in the video creator community, which is currently $97 per month…)

Where I Hit the Wall

After two hours of determined effort, I reached my limit at the web scraping stage. Looking at the remaining tutorial content I hadn't reached, there were still several steps ahead:

• Setting up multiple competitor tracking

• Creating a Looker Studio dashboard

• Implementing Slack notifications

A Balanced Perspective

What the Tutorial Does Well

• Introduces powerful automation concepts

• Demonstrates the potential of no-code tools

• Provides a comprehensive overview of price tracking automation

• Shows a professional end result

• Plus: I still learned something about “web scraping” lol

What Could Be More Transparent

• Total time investment needed for beginners

• Complete cost breakdown of required tools

• Setup and verification waiting periods

• Technical prerequisites and potential challenges

Constructive Takeaways

Instead of viewing this as a failure, I see it as a valuable learning experience:

1. Set Realistic Expectations

   • Automation projects often require more time than tutorials suggest

   • Factor in learning curves and troubleshooting time

   • Consider the full cost of tools and subscriptions

2. Break Down Complex Projects

   • Start with smaller, manageable pieces

   • Test each component separately

   • Build up to the full solution gradually

3. Prepare for Learning

   • Expect to pause and research unfamiliar concepts

   • Budget time for troubleshooting

   • Don't get discouraged by initial setbacks

Conclusion

While this tutorial provides valuable insights into price tracking automation, I wanted to share my real-world experience as a beginner attempting to implement it. This isn't a criticism, but rather a complementary perspective that might help others set realistic expectations.

The journey from tutorial to implementation often involves more steps, time, and resources than initially suggested. However, these challenges are part of the learning process and can provide valuable insights for your own automation journey.

Remember: Real learning often happens in the gaps between tutorial steps, where we puzzle through challenges and discover our own solutions. Sometimes the most valuable lessons come not from perfect execution, but from understanding why things don't work as expected.

Have you had similar experiences with tutorial implementations?

What I saw today:

What I listened to today:

What I liked today:

That’s it for today! ☺️

_Disclaimer:

_{This blog reflects my personal learning journey and experiments with technology. These are my own experiences and observations as I explore the fascinating world of tech and AI.}

_{Developed with research, image generation and writing assistance using AI.}