Topic: eBay Workshop: Listing WorldofGood.com items with File Exchange
Host: eBay and worldofgood.com Staff Date: Monday 08/04 Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time Location: Workshop Board
Description: Be part of this exciting new site! If you are planning to list multiple items you are a prime candidate to use File Exchange, eBay's free end-to-end selling tool that enables you to list multiple items on eBay in a single file. We have customized this tool for WorldofGood.ebay.com listings. Come and learn how to use File Exchange to optimize your World of Good listing process! To learn more, go to the File Exchange information page:
This workshop is focused on using File Exchange for listing to the WorldofGood website. If you’re interested in listing on the WorldofGood website, please visit worldofgood.ebay.com here:
If you have questions about listing on WorldofGood.com, and want marketing advice about how to efficiently list your items please schedule your complimentary appointment with our WorldofGood seller Onramp team.
With File Exchange you can bulk list and manage sales using flat files. File Exchange is an end-to-end selling tool that enables you to list multiple items on eBay in a single file.
You can easily transfer files from your computer to eBay. Files can be created by exporting data from an Excel spreadsheet, MS Access or other inventory management software.
• Platform independent • Upload flat file listings from Excel or CSV files • Create and list items in bulk
What is a flat file?
A flat file is a simple file that be created from most spreadsheet for database software programs (such as Excel or by exporting data from Access)
In a flat file, your data is separated by commas, semi-colons or other delimiters and is often used as a way to exchange information between two disparate systems (such as your inventory management software and eBay)
Basic Tip: What actions can I perform using File Exchange?
With File Exchange you can list, revise, re-list, end listings, update item status and even leave feedback for a listing. You can download sales status information on those items in a standard flat-file.
Some key features of File Exchange include: • Multiple actions in a single file - Add, revise, re-list, and end a listing or update the status and leave feedback for a listing all in a single file. • Download active listings and sales history reports: Get sales status information in a flat file format for importing to your own software package. • Automated file template generator: Tell us what category you want to list in and File Exchange will create the file template you need, which includes the columns for any item-specifics. • Platform independence: Create a listing file for eBay from almost any application from a Windows, Mac, or other system. • Support for HTTP Post: Automate your listing through scripting and posting via HTTPS
From the File Exchange Center Page there are two sections the section one section dedicated to uploads and the other section is dedicated to downloads:
Uploads Section: Instructions and Resources Pages Access to prefabricated templates (used to create upload files) Section to upload your completed template or self created flat file View of all you uploads and response files.
Downloads: Create download requests. A report of all active listings, all sold items or all items which are awaiting payment, for example.
NOTE: If you are a Selling Manager Pro subscriber you will also have access to schedule these reports so they you can automate the file generation on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
From the “Select a Template” you can download templates for the category which suits your inventory items. These templates are prefabricated with all the necessary fields you need into order to create listings on eBay, WorldOfGood or Half.com.
1. Item Specifics Category template Use this template to list in one category. This option allows you to enter item specifics to your listings.
2. Catalog listing template Use this template if you plan to use ISBN or UPC codes to list items in the following categories: Books, Movies, Music, and Video Games.
3. Tickets listing template Use this template if you plan to list in the Event Tickets category.
4. Basic template (no item specifics) Use this template if you're listing in categories that do not include item specifics.
5. Half.com templates Use these templates to manage inventory and sales on Half.com.
6. World of Good templates – there is not yet a download template for World of Good files, however there’s an excellent user’s guide and helpful information in Instructions and Resources of the File Exchange center. A sample WoG template can be emailed upon request – please send those inquiries to me at Hayley@ebay.com
File Exchange uses the header name and its corresponding values for each line item in the file to determine what action you are taking and uses all the relevant information in the file to make this action successful.
Some examples to get you started : The first header in all files must be “Action” the value present on each line item tells us what you want to do. For example if the data in the line or row is going to create a new item the action will be “Add”, if the data in the line or row is going to be used to change quantity to an existing item the action will be “Revise”
Now that we know what you are going to be doing on each line item you can start filling in the values for the rest of the file.
You will want to fill in the same information you would just as though you were going through the Sell Your Item flow or using some other tool, like Turbo Lister, to create new items.
You will need to provide the category, title and description of your item. You will need to provide pricing information for the item You will need to provide all payment methods and shipping requirements.
Once this is all complete you can upload the file to create a new listing, revise an existing listing or end a listing.
Note: There are a complete list of required fields and optional fields located in the users guide.
All File Exchange upload files must contain Metadata cell information. This data is contained as a part of the first header in each file distinguished from the header name by the use of parentheses ( ):
This information should not be changed as they are global settings for the entire file.
Advanced Tip: Metadata Cell If there are any headers in your file that you consider to be “global” or relevant to all your listings you can simply add the header name and value to the metadata cell thus eliminating this value from the file header records.
For example, if I have 100 items that will be listed in the books category and all of these items are Brand New I can add the header “A:Condition=New” to the metadata cell information.
File Exchange allows the use of smart headers; smart headers work similarly to the metadata cell but are not set at a global level. This allows each header to contain the value.
For example, if I am listing 100 books and 80 of them are new I can set the smart header to A:Condition=New and only enter values on each line item where the value does not equal new.
Basic Tip: Uploading Files Once you have completed your file, you can upload this file by going to the Upload Listings and Updates page. From here you locate your completed file and select upload.
Basic Tip: Upload Results Files Once we have processed your file, an upload results file will be available for you. This file will provide you with line by line details.
Here you can check to see which items were successfully listed and how many were unsuccessful. Unsuccessful listings will come back with an error code that describes the problem encountered. Successful listings will come back with details about your listing such as: Your eBay Item ID – so you can track this item Start and End Time – so you can schedule your relist process Break down of all listing fees – so you can track your cost on an item by item basis
We've posted the workshop material early to give you plenty of time to read through the information. We'll be back at 1:00 p.m. today (August 4th) to take your questions.
We love workshops to be interactive, so please feel free to ask your questions that directly relate to this topic.
Added note: If you click on the "Watch this discussion" link, you will receive an email each time someone posts to the workshop.
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Thanks everyone for reading through today's workshop information. This concludes the "Listing WorldofGood.com items with File Exchange" workshop. Be sure to check the Workshop Calendar for upcoming workshops.
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