How can I access a template already being used in an active listing, to "sell similar

Hi,

You can bring a closed listing from eBay into Auctiva using the Import feature from the Closed Listing page. However, that won't provide a template-like capability for adding description and images using the Auctiva template tag system. The best bet is to update your professional template with the Auctiva tag system.

If you can post the template at www.practicewriter.com and provide the link it creates for assistance, I and other members can provide advise on code changes to make it compatible with the Auctiva system.

Danno

Oh my gosh! That is incredible service, I never expected such a fast reply.

I did as you asked, and here is the link:

http://practicewriter.com/?5DE30

Thanks so very much,
Kelli Jean

Hi Kelli Jean,

I like your logo. Reminds me a little of the old Carmen Sandiego game character. Carmen's fedora was red and her hair was blond-brown, instead of red hair and brown fedora.

I will see what I can do for tomorrow morning's coffee challenge with an initial update with tags. I need to study the structure for a little while to check the imaging methods you've been using and any limitations. Very nice work...BTW.

Danno

Thanks; I can not take credit for it; we had it created for us and the designer pretty much took our small idea and ran with it.

Whenever you have time to take a peek, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Kelli Jean

Good Morning!

I took a careful look at the layout and visited some of your active listings on eBay for visual check before starting.

Here's what I've done.....

1) I removed the portion of the description section unique to the sample listing you provided and replaced it with the Auctiva [DESCRIPTION] tag. That was everything from just under the description with shopping cart header image down to the paragraph that begins "Thanks for looking!", which appears to be common to all your listings. You use that tag by creating that unique item description code in the Description box on the one page lister. To start use, just copy that section of code from the sample to that box with the box set to HTML mode.

2) I substituted Auctiva's [IMAGEx_URL] tags, where x is numbers 1 to 24 for the 6 images you had in the sample listing and added code support for the 7th to 24th tags. This give you full flexibility to operate with 1 to 24 images for any listing. I see that your designer was operating that section by adding a space gap between the six pictures. I replaced that method with one that will work better with the tag system. Essentially, I added a margin to the bottom of each image element that will only operate when the image element is used. That way you won't have excess gapping, e.g. 18 extra gaps when only six pictures are used.

3) I replaced the Scrolling Gallery code with the [STORE_WINDOW] tag. If you set your options for the scrolling gallery for it's placement at that bottom location, the tag can be removed, i.e. Auctiva knows to place it there automatically by that option.

Here's the template code. You need to copy the code to the template editor. That's found on the LISTING tab, "Create your own Template" link at lower right on the page.

http://practicewriter.com/vu/?5DE85

Here's the description section code that I removed. You can copy that code to the one-page lister description box to get you started.

http://practicewriter.com/vu/?5DE87

I hope that's good start. Please run some tests with the one-page lister preview for verification and note back any changes on a post.

Oh....once you create the template, you select it in the one-page lister. Look for the blue box. On the selector window, look upper left and select "Custom" to locate your custom template.

Danno

Danno,
I worked with the adjustments you made, and your directions were so nice and easy to follow. It seems that the only small adjustment that needs to be made is in the top of our template, part of it is moved over about 1/2" to far to the right. If you take a peek on ebay at listing #330324507266 you will see what I mean.
Also, our photos within this listing I created are gigantic. What is the size we are supposed to be sending to Auctiva?
Other than that, it wasn't nearly as painful as I thought it would be so I think I'll be set to go as soon as the tweaks are made. Is this something you continue to work on, or should I be contacting our template designer?

Thanks SO MUCH for your help,
Kelli

Hi,

I think that 1/2" problem is due to the oversized pictures. I used a URL image tag as subtitute for the URL link you had to eBay's picture manager. I assumed you were presizing your images. When you upload to Auctiva, they store the image at a max of 1024px wide by 768px high. The URL link I used provides the original full-size image.

The way to fix the current listing is to resize those images using Auctiva's editor with resize feature on the Image Managment page. Hopefully, that will fix both the oversize images and the template spread problem.

I'd recommend you stick to a width of 525 or smaller pixel width.

Note, if this is a problem (to much overhead to resize), I can switch the template tags to a 400 pixel wide by 300 pixel high tag that Auctiva has. That might be too restrictive for best viewing and I can look at another method of coding for max width on images (might be simplier).

Danno

Hi Kelli Jean,

I took that problem listing code to the practicewriter and added code to size the maximum width of the 5 pictures to 500 pixels (that last suggestion on prior post).

http://practicewriter.com/vu/?5DF18

As you can see, the 1/2" bump disappears. I can go smaller or slightly larger for the limit, but wanted your input.

In revisiting your listings, it appears that 400 x 400 are the possible size maximums with your old system. However, your uploads for this first listing from Auctiva and your template's capability shows you have larger size possiblity.

A pixel width limit on the images will automatically resize the pictures in the browser. If a picture is smaller, it will resize larger, but could have some pixelation due to stretch. So, this method is best used when you are uploading a larger size than the template limit.

Danno

Edit: I checked on what Picture Manager had for it's "Standard" picture size, and confirmed 400 pixels for longest dimension, which translates as 400 x 400 for maximum resized storage limits for uploaded pictures. I'm assuming that was your prior method for picture display, and you chose Standard at upload. Auctiva operates by resizing your picture to a maximum of 1024 x 768 at upload and then stores an original at the max, a 400 x 300 Standard, and an 80 x 80 thumbnail.

Awaiting feedback.....

Danno,

These photos still seem too large, in our opinion. Do you agree?

We're really confused about this whole sizing thing; when we were sending the photos directly to Photo Manager we didn't have to adjust size at all. I believe you are saying that up until trying Auctiva our photos were 400 x 400. Right? I think we like that size best vs. 500 wide.

Thanks,
Kelli

Hi Kelli,

I was just updating my prior post with some info on how Picture Manager vs. Auctiva operates.

To help your decision on picture size, I've created an easy way to test at practicewriter with this link:

http://practicewriter.com/vu/?5DF18

If you look at the very top of the code, you'll see the statement .imgtest {width:400} that is currently setting all the picture widths to 400 pixels, similar to your prior method. However, that doesn't restrict the height of the image, e.g. your top photo is higher due to stored size larger than 400 pixels.

You can update to any size to see if larger than 400, e.g. 450 improves the look without being oversized for the template.

Danno

Hi again,

In response to your "we like that [400]", I've updated the template code with a style code for all the images as part of your designers original style sheet (near the top of the code). I incorporated that bottom margin, as well. This is the line I added:

.imgclass {margin:0 0 16px 0; width:400px}

And, here's the template at practicewriter for test.

http://practicewriter.com/vu/?5DF30

Danno