Importing listings question part 2, 16 months later

[fonky1]

I started to ask about importing with this same topic about a year and a half ago.

I did what I could with my project last time. Now I have a new project in which I also wish to import all of my eBay listings. I have a few questions…

First, I would love to be able to import my listings directly into a folder. There are nearly 8000 of them, so while moving them into a folder after the import isn’t the worst thing in the world, it seems like it could be easily changed and thus save me work. Please please, can you make this adjustment in GS?

Second, there is still the same bug, it seems, when I import all of my listings, in that they do not all show up as “running” in GS, even though GS just imported the running listing from eBay.

I re-read what Kristian had written before (in March 2023), and I think that what he meant is that if the template is still in my GS, then it will not be correctly shown as a running listing. This isn’t quite accurate, as most of my running listings, whose templates are still in my GS, import just fine, while many inexplicably do not.

Please allow me to explain… It is helpful to keep a database of past listings. Frequently I get something rare which requires a bunch of research to create a compelling listing. After the item sells, sometimes a year later, I get the another of the same item. If I have the old listing, I do not have to do all the research again. Thus, it is helpful to maintain the database. However, if this database messes up the import, maybe there’s a way to archive templates such that they do not affect the import? Can GS create an “archive” folder which will allow this? I could just put EVERYTHING into the archive folder and import with a clean slate…

What I wish to be able to do with this project is to select a number of listings, like 100, and end them. Then I want to lower the price by some small amount, like $1, and then re-list them. The eBay search algorithm seems to feature accounts that are actively listing, and furthermore those who follow my store will be alerted to “new” listings. Since there are days (or weeks) when I cannot list new items, it would be helpful to have this option. What I imagine is having all of my active listings in a GS folder. I select 100 and end them, use the toggle inspector to lower the prices (can it do this when the prices are not all the same?), and then re-list them (thereby creating a new item number, which is different from simply editing the listings). Then I could tag those 100 or move them into a different folder, so that I can keep track of which listings I have finished. From what I remember, there is also an issue with relisting items using GS because the formatting duplicates in a weird way or something. I would LOVE it if someone could walk me through the process of how to make this happen…

THANK YOU!!!

[kristian]

@fonky1

What I wish to be able to do with this project is to select a number of listings, like 100, and end them.

Use the “Stop Listing” command from the “More” toolbar button to stop all selected listings at once:
https://manual.iwascoding.com/gs8/en/Listings_Section-Ending_Listings.html

@fonky1

I select 100 and end them, use the toggle inspector to lower the prices (can it do this when the prices are not all the same?)

For that you can use the scrip below. To use it open the GarageSale script editor, click the + button to create a new, empty script, then paste the code you see below. You might want to test it with 2 or 3 selected listings first.

function run(){
	for (const listing of selectedListings) {
		let reducePriceBy = 1;
		if (listing.useBuyItNowPrice && listing.buyItNowPrice > reducePriceBy) {
			listing.buyItNowPrice = listing.buyItNowPrice - reducePriceBy;
			consoleLog(listing.title + " - Buy It Now price reduced by " + reducePriceBy);
		}
	}
}

Adjust the “reducePriceBy” value to whatever value you like. Default is “1”.

@fonky1

and then re-list them (thereby creating a new item number, which is different from simply editing the listings)

To re-list all selected listings use the “Relist Listing” command from the “More” button:
https://manual.iwascoding.com/gs8/en/Listings_Section-Relisting_Listings.html

[fonky1]

Thank you Kristian!

The only questions remaining are:

1. When I just imported, many of my running listings still do not import as running. What to do? We’re talking about 1000s here, not just 10, so it would be really helpful to have a solution…
2. There used to be a problem with importing and re-listing because of the GS template formatting. Is that problem solved now, or are there other steps I must take before re-listing…?

Thank you again!

[kristian]

@fonky1

1. When I just imported, many of my running listings still do not import as running. What to do? We’re talking about 1000s here, not just 10, so it would be really helpful to have a solution…

Do the listings in question already exist in your GarageSale? Or to be more specific: listings with the same eBay item ID?

@fonky1

• There used to be a problem with importing and re-listing because of the GS template formatting. Is that problem solved now, or are there other steps I must take before re-listing…?

You probably are referring to listing that use a listing design? For more details please see the option “Remove design from description” here:
https://manual.iwascoding.com/gs8/en/Listings_Section-Importing_from_eBay.html

[fonky1]

1. Yes. I create the listing, and the template stays in my GS. This is why I inquired in the original post about maybe an archive folder or something, so that GS could import without the archives affecting anything… Anyhow, I need some way to make this work please!
2. OK, I understand.

[fonky1]

So Kristian what should I do? Do I need to delete all the listings before importing? Is there any way to save them?

[kristian]

Before importing listings from eBay, you could use the Export command from GarageSale’s File menu to export the listings in question. The listings you exported can then deleted in GarageSale (don’t forget to empty the trash bin).

Another way could be to just start with a new, empty GarageSale database.

[fonky1]

OK, if I exported, to where would I export them? Would I just make a folder on the desktop or something, and I could export them all there? If I do that, would I be able to look through them?

Or how would I start with a new empty database?

[fonky1]

Hi Kristian, I’m almost done with getting all of these pieces in place. Please help me with the final questions:

What happens to exported files? Like, if I save them in a desktop folder, can I still look through them?

Or, perhaps there is something I am missing about starting with a new empty database. To me, this means to export everything…? Unless there is another way to just start a new one…?

[kristian]

@fonky1

What happens to exported files? Like, if I save them in a desktop folder, can I still look through them?

Listings you export don’t vanish from your GarageSale. They are still available in your GarageSale if that is your question.

@fonky1

Or, perhaps there is something I am missing about starting with a new empty database. To me, this means to export everything…? Unless there is another way to just start a new one…?

I just mentioned that “new, empty database” approach because then you don’t run into that problem where running listings “imported from eBay” get imported as “prepared” (in case they already exist in GarageSale)…
To start with a new, empty database you just close GarageSale and then delete/re-name your current database so GarageSale create a new one the next time you start GarageSale.
Anyway, don’t try that if you don’t know what you are doing (and if you don’t have a backup).

[fonky1]

OK, so exporting, I would need to export, and then delete everything from GS so that I have the history saved somewhere else, and I can import from eBay without the “prepared” issue. My question is: would I be able to look through the exported listings, or search for a specific one, when they are in the folder? I don’t know if they will save as something user-friendly, or if it will just be a bunch of code…

It sounds like re-naming the database would be the best thing. It seems like that way, I suppose I could use whichever database I need without having to export and import from another folder on my computer…? Could you please explain how to do this? I could export once to a folder, just to make sure I have a backup, and then try it…

[kristian]

@fonky1

My question is: would I be able to look through the exported listings, or search for a specific one, when they are in the folder?

It will be exported just as proprietary file. Not really a way auto look through it, no. Feel free to give the export option a try with one single listing to see it by yourself.
Good to know:
Multiple selected listings will be exported to one single file. To export each selected listing to a separate file, hold down the option/alt key while invoking the “Export Listings” command.

Source: Exporting Listings

@fonky1

It sounds like re-naming the database would be the best thing. It seems like that way, I suppose I could use whichever database I need without having to export and import from another folder on my computer…? Could you please explain how to do this?

Sure, this is how:

1. Make sure GarageSale is not running
2. Locate the GarageSale 9 database. For instructions please see FAQ #29
3. Rename the GarageSale 9 database (or move it to a different location)
4. Start GarageSale. It should start empty. If it finds a database from an older GarageSale version, select “Start with empty database” if prompted.
5. Once started add/refresh your eBay access token and sign-in with your Pro account or enter your license details.

[fonky1]

OK perfect. So then, if/when I want to access the old database, I would have to re-name it the old name, or can I direct GS which database to access?

[kristian]

@fonky1

So then, if/when I want to access the old database, I would have to re-name it the old name

Exactly.
GarageSale 9 always looks for the database called “com.iwascoding.garagesale9” (often renamed by the system to plain “GarageSale”).

[fonky1]

Hello again. OK, so I’m trying to find the database. The instructions in FAQ #29 must be old or something. When I type the name into the search box, I get nothing except the application if I type “Garage Sale,” and if I type “com.iwascoding.garagesale9” then I get nothing… I sent an email with 2 screenshots to show you what I see….

[fonky1]

Hello again. OK, so I’m trying to find the database. The instructions in FAQ #29 must be old or something. When I type the name into the search box, I get nothing except the application if I type “Garage Sale,” and if I type “com.iwascoding.garagesale9” then I get nothing… Here are 2 screenshots to show you what I see….

[kristian]

That “GarageSale” folder in your screenshot is your GarageSale database. I marked it in your screenshot.

No need to browse inside that GarageSale database folder and please do not move any files or folders inside the GarageSale database.

[fonky1]

OK, so first I rename that folder something like GarageSaleHistory and it can stay right there, correct?

And then, please remind me where to find my pro account or license details. (or just send them to me?) It’s been such a long time…

[kristian]

@fonky1

OK, so first I rename that folder something like GarageSaleHistory and it can stay right there, correct?

Yes. Just make sure GarageSale is NOT running at this point.

@fonky1

And then, please remind me where to find my pro account or license details.

If you have an active GarageSale Pro subscription no license code is required. Instead you just sign-in with your Pro account.

To activate your Pro subscription on your (other) Mac, simply sign-in with your Pro account there. This can be done e.g. in the GarageSale preferences > Pro. The system will recognize your active subscription automatically after signing-in.

If you no longer remember your Pro account or your password, please let me know or better contact support via email:

GarageSale - Make your business on eBay

[vjl]

I am glad you got an answer to this! I asked 4 days ago and silence. FAQ 29 and 30 are very poorly worded and super vague.