Hi popsshop,
Although we have finished updating our category data for eBay AU and category # 617 (Movies > DVDs & Blu-ray Discs) can now be selected through our eBay AU lister page, I am still seeing a discrepancy between the default attributes that are being displayed in the Custom Item Specifics section on our site and those provided for the category when listing through eBay AU directly.
When I select eBay AU category # 617 when listing through Auctiva, the details that show up in the Custom Item Specifics window by default are “DVD Region” and “Genre” whereas no default details are displayed when I select that category when listing directly through eBay AU.
The details that show up in the Custom Item Specifics window are actually pulled directly from eBay through their API so it appears that eBay is currently reporting different default Item Specifics details through their API for this category than they are displaying on their site.
I have made our technical team aware of this, but I am not sure what the outcome will be. Given that eBay's system is reporting different values through their API than they are displaying on their site, I cannot even be certain which set of details is correct.
Regardless, if you would like to add attributes to the Item Specifics section of your listing that differ from the default details, you can always add the desired details using the “Detail Name” and “Value” fields that are displayed along the top of the Custom Item Specifics window.
For example, if you want to specify that a movie is in the English language in the Item Specifics section, you would just enter “Language” in the “Detail Name” field, enter “English” in the “Value” field and then click the “Submit” button.
-Mike
Ebay made category changes. they announced they were going to a couple weeks ago. Auctiva is now "chasing their tails" apparently preparedness is not their strong suite. Everytime ebay does an update that affects the category I list in Auctiva is un-prepared. This same thing happened about a year ago when changes were made. We are going on 2 days where we now have been unable to use Auctiva.
Hello
Below is the support case I filed: and their initial response.
Whta follows that is the email I sent to AuctionBytes
If anyone is unsure on some of my terms please ask. I am doing this stream of consciousness and the Auctiva Tech Folks should know what I am saying.
I had not realized Jewelry & Watches was affected as all the other times it had not been, or if it was it was handled a lot better then today's mess.
If Auctiva thinks that completely removing existing Item Specifics from listings in the Saved and Closed Folders is acceptable they are sadly mistaken. I typically use all 15 item descriptors if I have to go into all 750 plus listings (both saved and closed files)
and to:
re-add 15 item descriptions for each listing - that means cross referencing with the eBay listing before they disappear)
find a description to use
ReList
that will take (because of my slow internet connection (please note: not Auctiva's fault this time I have to go 10 miles to a wireless tower) about 10 minutes per listing
so:
let's assume 750 listings
that's 15,000 minutes
or 250 hours
when I work I bill at $70/hour plus expenses (for 5 years this century I have had no assignments)
so that's a lot of money tied up in redoing things needlessly
if it is going to cost me that much in time and money I might as well find a place that imports eBay listings complete with Item Specifications. I know it will cost me more that's why I have tried to "suggest" they raise their prices and raise their service. As I have also said I hate change but if this turns out to be as it appears I will make like a tree and leave. I hope the others join
that is not a threat it is a promise
the reason I am so strident is because I know :
how easy it would have been to convert the existing category numbers to the new ones.
even if, as it appears, there is no one for one conversion of categories possible, one could be defaulted to. For example Fashion Jewelry>Necklaces and Pendants>Choker has gone away. In addition so have all the sub categories under Necklace and Pendants, except Body Jewelry. Auctiva could/should have converted all the existing Fashion>Necklaces and Pendant's sub categories to the new Fashion Jewelry > Necklaces and Pendants category.
or Auctiva could have at least coded a work around so when we picked the new Necklace category our existing Item Specifications would not disappear
I sincerely hope I am incorrect and Auctiva has a way to automate this for all its customers.
I for one am willing to pay $75.00 towards what it will cost to allow me to stay where it is comfortable
I sincerely hope I am incorrect and Auctiva has a way to automate this for all its customers.
I for one am willing to pay $75.00 towards what it will cost
ed
________________________________support ticket_____________________
edaneff@mfx.net
Customer
Posted Wednesday, 9/12/2012 3:04 PM
since the Category Fix went in Custom Specifications are missing says it all
Operating System: Windows XP
Browser: FireFox 9.x
edaneff@mfx.net
Customer
Posted Wednesday, 9/12/2012 3:06 PM
sorry should have added
1.. deleted cookies
2.. deleted cache
3.. started and re-started FireFox
Brandon B.
Support
Posted Wednesday, 9/12/2012 3:14 PM
Hello,
Thank you for contacting Auctiva support. EBay just made a number of category changes that included changing the numbers on the categories. So it may be that the category you are using has changed. Please be sure that you are using the "browse" option to select the category on the lister page. As that will select the correct new category and should show the item specifics. If that is how you are selecting the category, then let me know what category you are trying to select so I can try it from my end.
Thank you,
Auctiva Support
________________________________ end ___________________________________________________________________
Hi
I hope the below turns out to be much ado about nothing built if it does not this decision will rival "New Coke"
Sadly I just got off the phone with eBay and the very nice customer rep checked and said from everything he could see this was done on purpose.
I am sure someone in the "cloud" thinks this will give them more money. perhaps it will but I'd like to know how. They took a system that worked and gutted it. I don't even want to think about the silly Best Match.
What recent MBA grad thought taking 30 or more sub categories and combining them into one was a good idea. This has to be a major redesign of all their systems to accomplish this "feet" (because if it wasn't it would have been easier (i.e. cheaper) to leave the existing category structure and just ignore the parts they didn't want to use any more) and we all know how well major redesigns go., really in most companies.
This is based on Jewelry and Watches Main category, primarily Fashion and Ethnic Sub categories
What I have seen today (I list on Auctiva)
it appears that most of the Jewelry and Watches sub categories have been gutted expect Fine Jewelry.
For Example: Fashion Jewelry>Necklaces and Pendants>Choker has gone away (as have all the other sub categories under Necklaces and Pendants).
I won't rail long on eBay except to say that it is the stupidest decision I have ever heard of in any company. If one wants items to sell. Why would you make it impossible to sell an item.
In the past they had an excellent set of categories (sure some others would have been nice but none the less it was a good set of categories)
Now all the sub categories of Fashion Jewelry & Watches have no sub categories (e.g.. necklaces and pendants; Earrings: Rings; etc.)
EXCEPT get ready
Body Jewelry > breaks down into 4 categories
Body Piercing has a break down of 11 categories
Naval Rings has a breakdown of 7 categories
and none of those have a further breakdown
SO let me see all the popular categories have 0 sub categories and Body Piercing has 22 sub categories.
I am speechless and hope Bonanza gets bigger faster because eBay wants Jewelry folks to disappear as well
nothing more to say except all we have is you folks in the press. I have no idea if they did the same thing with other Major categories or not.
ed
P.S. I meant to add that Fine Jewelry and Bridal seems intact or at least they actually have sub categories of sub categories
_
Below is the support case I filed: and their initial response.
Whta follows that is the email I sent to AuctionBytes
If anyone is unsure on some of my terms please ask. I am doing this stream of consciousness and the Auctiva Tech Folks should know what I am saying.
I had not realized Jewelry & Watches was affected as all the other times it had not been, or if it was it was handled a lot better then today's mess.
If Auctiva thinks that completely removing existing Item Specifics from listings in the Saved and Closed Folders is acceptable they are sadly mistaken. I typically use all 15 item descriptors if I have to go into all 750 plus listings (both saved and closed files)
and to:
re-add 15 item descriptions for each listing - that means cross referencing with the eBay listing before they disappear)
find a description to use
ReList
that will take (because of my slow internet connection (please note: not Auctiva's fault this time I have to go 10 miles to a wireless tower) about 10 minutes per listing
so:
let's assume 750 listings
that's 15,000 minutes
or 250 hours
when I work I bill at $70/hour plus expenses (for 5 years this century I have had no assignments)
so that's a lot of money tied up in redoing things needlessly
if it is going to cost me that much in time and money I might as well find a place that imports eBay listings complete with Item Specifications. I know it will cost me more that's why I have tried to "suggest" they raise their prices and raise their service. As I have also said I hate change but if this turns out to be as it appears I will make like a tree and leave. I hope the others join
that is not a threat it is a promise
the reason I am so strident is because I know :
how easy it would have been to convert the existing category numbers to the new ones.
even if, as it appears, there is no one for one conversion of categories possible, one could be defaulted to. For example Fashion Jewelry>Necklaces and Pendants>Choker has gone away. In addition so have all the sub categories under Necklace and Pendants, except Body Jewelry. Auctiva could/should have converted all the existing Fashion>Necklaces and Pendant's sub categories to the new Fashion Jewelry > Necklaces and Pendants category.
or Auctiva could have at least coded a work around so when we picked the new Necklace category our existing Item Specifications would not disappear
I sincerely hope I am incorrect and Auctiva has a way to automate this for all its customers.
I for one am willing to pay $75.00 towards what it will cost to allow me to stay where it is comfortable
I sincerely hope I am incorrect and Auctiva has a way to automate this for all its customers.
I for one am willing to pay $75.00 towards what it will cost
ed
________________________________support ticket_____________________
edaneff@mfx.net
Customer
Posted Wednesday, 9/12/2012 3:04 PM
since the Category Fix went in Custom Specifications are missing says it all
Operating System: Windows XP
Browser: FireFox 9.x
edaneff@mfx.net
Customer
Posted Wednesday, 9/12/2012 3:06 PM
sorry should have added
1.. deleted cookies
2.. deleted cache
3.. started and re-started FireFox
Brandon B.
Support
Posted Wednesday, 9/12/2012 3:14 PM
Hello,
Thank you for contacting Auctiva support. EBay just made a number of category changes that included changing the numbers on the categories. So it may be that the category you are using has changed. Please be sure that you are using the "browse" option to select the category on the lister page. As that will select the correct new category and should show the item specifics. If that is how you are selecting the category, then let me know what category you are trying to select so I can try it from my end.
Thank you,
Auctiva Support
________________________________ end ___________________________________________________________________
Hi
I hope the below turns out to be much ado about nothing built if it does not this decision will rival "New Coke"
Sadly I just got off the phone with eBay and the very nice customer rep checked and said from everything he could see this was done on purpose.
I am sure someone in the "cloud" thinks this will give them more money. perhaps it will but I'd like to know how. They took a system that worked and gutted it. I don't even want to think about the silly Best Match.
What recent MBA grad thought taking 30 or more sub categories and combining them into one was a good idea. This has to be a major redesign of all their systems to accomplish this "feet" (because if it wasn't it would have been easier (i.e. cheaper) to leave the existing category structure and just ignore the parts they didn't want to use any more) and we all know how well major redesigns go., really in most companies.
This is based on Jewelry and Watches Main category, primarily Fashion and Ethnic Sub categories
What I have seen today (I list on Auctiva)
it appears that most of the Jewelry and Watches sub categories have been gutted expect Fine Jewelry.
For Example: Fashion Jewelry>Necklaces and Pendants>Choker has gone away (as have all the other sub categories under Necklaces and Pendants).
I won't rail long on eBay except to say that it is the stupidest decision I have ever heard of in any company. If one wants items to sell. Why would you make it impossible to sell an item.
In the past they had an excellent set of categories (sure some others would have been nice but none the less it was a good set of categories)
Now all the sub categories of Fashion Jewelry & Watches have no sub categories (e.g.. necklaces and pendants; Earrings: Rings; etc.)
EXCEPT get ready
Body Jewelry > breaks down into 4 categories
Body Piercing has a break down of 11 categories
Naval Rings has a breakdown of 7 categories
and none of those have a further breakdown
SO let me see all the popular categories have 0 sub categories and Body Piercing has 22 sub categories.
I am speechless and hope Bonanza gets bigger faster because eBay wants Jewelry folks to disappear as well
nothing more to say except all we have is you folks in the press. I have no idea if they did the same thing with other Major categories or not.
ed
P.S. I meant to add that Fine Jewelry and Bridal seems intact or at least they actually have sub categories of sub categories
_
below is the response I got to asking what Auctiva can do for us. That was after I said I would gladly pay $75 towards the conversion effort. I bet others would as well. Changing to a new vendor is not something I look forward to I want to stay here but this, if it can't be rectified, will cause me to leave as I don't have an extra 25 hours to" fix" things knowing that the next time it will be even more time o "fix" things
we need an answer that they will or won't assist us in this massive conversion. the answer of "I'll let the developers know" is nothing more then an attempt at pacifying us. There has to be many other Auctiva users in my same predicament
If what I suggest doesn't seem to be feasible (I doubt that very much) Then how about allowing the Item Specifics, that are currently on a listings, to be displayed no matter if the category changes or if it is invalid as it is in this case. I would go into each Closed and Saved listing and pick the new category I just don't have the time to at the same time research and add 15 item specifications for the item.
so I will gladly pay $75 for this last solution and I will pay $125 if they can also change the category number as well.
Please do not ignore me again just give me an honest answer
The way Auctiva works is that if you open the Item Specifications first you can then change the category and your item speciation will remain what was on the listing originally. So the logic exists please use it
___response_____________________________________
Hello,
The item specifics are pulled directly from eBay based on the category that is selected. So when eBay changes a category number like they did this week, the prior category number goes invalid and those item specifics that come with the category are lost. I will forward your suggestions about how to handle these eBay changes to our developers for consideration.
Thank you,
Auctiva Support
edaneff@mfx.net
Customer
Posted Thursday, 9/13/2012 8:27 AM
excuse me that is not accurate
If I go look at eBay all my Item Specifics are still there.
All that has changed is the category.
In fact right now all I do is ReList from the Closed folder and all the item specifics I had are still there because eBay still has them.
If eBay can do that why can't Auctiva?
Please forward this to Mike
All Auctiva needs to do is change the category number that is currently in the Saved and Closed listings to the new category number. Once that is done I bet the item specifics, that are currently saved in Auctiva, will display like magic again.
FOR EXAMPLE
There must exist a list that shows all the old categories that were under Necklaces & Pendants
A query of categories with those numbers would identify all the items in the folders that needed to have the new Necklaces & Pendants category number. Next replace the old category number with the new one and like magic the Item Specifics in Auctiva will appear
we need an answer that they will or won't assist us in this massive conversion. the answer of "I'll let the developers know" is nothing more then an attempt at pacifying us. There has to be many other Auctiva users in my same predicament
If what I suggest doesn't seem to be feasible (I doubt that very much) Then how about allowing the Item Specifics, that are currently on a listings, to be displayed no matter if the category changes or if it is invalid as it is in this case. I would go into each Closed and Saved listing and pick the new category I just don't have the time to at the same time research and add 15 item specifications for the item.
so I will gladly pay $75 for this last solution and I will pay $125 if they can also change the category number as well.
Please do not ignore me again just give me an honest answer
The way Auctiva works is that if you open the Item Specifications first you can then change the category and your item speciation will remain what was on the listing originally. So the logic exists please use it
___response_____________________________________
Hello,
The item specifics are pulled directly from eBay based on the category that is selected. So when eBay changes a category number like they did this week, the prior category number goes invalid and those item specifics that come with the category are lost. I will forward your suggestions about how to handle these eBay changes to our developers for consideration.
Thank you,
Auctiva Support
edaneff@mfx.net
Customer
Posted Thursday, 9/13/2012 8:27 AM
excuse me that is not accurate
If I go look at eBay all my Item Specifics are still there.
All that has changed is the category.
In fact right now all I do is ReList from the Closed folder and all the item specifics I had are still there because eBay still has them.
If eBay can do that why can't Auctiva?
Please forward this to Mike
All Auctiva needs to do is change the category number that is currently in the Saved and Closed listings to the new category number. Once that is done I bet the item specifics, that are currently saved in Auctiva, will display like magic again.
FOR EXAMPLE
There must exist a list that shows all the old categories that were under Necklaces & Pendants
A query of categories with those numbers would identify all the items in the folders that needed to have the new Necklaces & Pendants category number. Next replace the old category number with the new one and like magic the Item Specifics in Auctiva will appear
Below is the final answer I got on if Auctiva can be of assistance with folks in my predicament
As I mention below the $125 I am serious about paying should come close to paying someone to do the task and once done it can be replicated for others very easily
If an Auctiva person wants to debate that with me let's do it on the next Webinar.
When store owners have this type of problem Auctiva actually writes the CSS/HTML code for them. When we have a serious problem we get ... well we get what we get.
I'm tired of the mushroom treatment
Brandon B.
Support
Posted Thursday, 9/13/2012 10:03 AM
Hello,
There is not going to be changes right now, as the updates have already been done to match eBay. Unfortunately this means you would have to reselect the category and re-enter the item specifics on the items. Mike is not going to be able to change that or offer a different solution.
Thank you,
Auctiva Support
edaneff@mfx.net
Customer
Posted Thursday, 9/13/2012 12:26 PM
good bye
edaneff@mfx.net
Customer
Posted Thursday, 9/13/2012 12:29 PM
if a store owner had this problem you'd bend over backwards to help them. why are we so different? heck I offered to pay to have it done. I can't believe that $125 wouldn't come darn close to paying for it to be done even with internal hourly rates
As I mention below the $125 I am serious about paying should come close to paying someone to do the task and once done it can be replicated for others very easily
If an Auctiva person wants to debate that with me let's do it on the next Webinar.
When store owners have this type of problem Auctiva actually writes the CSS/HTML code for them. When we have a serious problem we get ... well we get what we get.
I'm tired of the mushroom treatment
Brandon B.
Support
Posted Thursday, 9/13/2012 10:03 AM
Hello,
There is not going to be changes right now, as the updates have already been done to match eBay. Unfortunately this means you would have to reselect the category and re-enter the item specifics on the items. Mike is not going to be able to change that or offer a different solution.
Thank you,
Auctiva Support
edaneff@mfx.net
Customer
Posted Thursday, 9/13/2012 12:26 PM
good bye
edaneff@mfx.net
Customer
Posted Thursday, 9/13/2012 12:29 PM
if a store owner had this problem you'd bend over backwards to help them. why are we so different? heck I offered to pay to have it done. I can't believe that $125 wouldn't come darn close to paying for it to be done even with internal hourly rates
In thinking about the last response I received I wanted to add
I NEVER asked for anything that was done to be changed. All I asked for was HELP with a situation that I am not alone in. Someone, in a little time, could have run an Update Query/Stored procedure that would update the categories in the old listings to current ones. I offered $125 and am serious so I understand your work needs to be paid for. I am not asking for something for nothing. You already run queries now for other things. Heck I would bet a developer has the exact code needed, as when they tested they may have done something similar. Once you did it for me it could be used for anyone else in Jewelry and if other categories got neutered the way Jewelry has you would also have the basis for those as well. Heck after my $125 it should almost be paid for so charge others $10 they'll flock to you
Again I throw down the gauntlet and ask to debate anyone in Auctiva on the next Webinar as to why what I am requesting is not difficult. Sorry I know it's not rocket science and as such could be done. Heck things like this have been done for Individual Store owners. Raise your prices and give us the service we deserve
I NEVER asked for anything that was done to be changed. All I asked for was HELP with a situation that I am not alone in. Someone, in a little time, could have run an Update Query/Stored procedure that would update the categories in the old listings to current ones. I offered $125 and am serious so I understand your work needs to be paid for. I am not asking for something for nothing. You already run queries now for other things. Heck I would bet a developer has the exact code needed, as when they tested they may have done something similar. Once you did it for me it could be used for anyone else in Jewelry and if other categories got neutered the way Jewelry has you would also have the basis for those as well. Heck after my $125 it should almost be paid for so charge others $10 they'll flock to you
Again I throw down the gauntlet and ask to debate anyone in Auctiva on the next Webinar as to why what I am requesting is not difficult. Sorry I know it's not rocket science and as such could be done. Heck things like this have been done for Individual Store owners. Raise your prices and give us the service we deserve
I can't enter item specifics at all. that means i can't list. this is horrible.
Did listing last night and specifically remember putting in specifics and condition... and I check every item in preview.
Today went back to add listing...could not get condition drop down at all. Then found that specifics were gone, totally gone. I re-did specifics, but still could not get condition to show drop down. Well, added photos, got side tracked and hit send...it actually went through with the condition on listing...which was NOT there before just minutes before when I opened it.
Strange things are happening...
Today went back to add listing...could not get condition drop down at all. Then found that specifics were gone, totally gone. I re-did specifics, but still could not get condition to show drop down. Well, added photos, got side tracked and hit send...it actually went through with the condition on listing...which was NOT there before just minutes before when I opened it.
Strange things are happening...
Ed, we went through this over year ago when ebay changed clothing from Misses to Regular...all of our specifics, poof gone.
We had to go through all listings, and look at ebay and then reenter all specifics.
Now during this time, we were raising the roof, as ebay had a VERY VERY easy way to fix. But it still did not resolve problem within auctiva. Our choices were basically fix in ebay and keep as Good Till Cancelled...or hand fix each listing.
HUGE TIME CONSUMER!! So I know exactly what you mean!!!
We had to go through all listings, and look at ebay and then reenter all specifics.
Now during this time, we were raising the roof, as ebay had a VERY VERY easy way to fix. But it still did not resolve problem within auctiva. Our choices were basically fix in ebay and keep as Good Till Cancelled...or hand fix each listing.
HUGE TIME CONSUMER!! So I know exactly what you mean!!!
we are now able to input custom item specifics. hope it lasts.
as I said above - I detail why Auctiva could do something easily, at least in this case.
if we continue to take it they will continue to dish it out
I challenged them to debate me on the next Webinar.
By the way
question are others receiving Forums updates the daily or immediately
since the Forum outage I have received none
if we continue to take it they will continue to dish it out
I challenged them to debate me on the next Webinar.
By the way
question are others receiving Forums updates the daily or immediately
since the Forum outage I have received none