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Most subscription software takes the piss with their price structures - I was totally shocked to see how much order management software package sting you for something as simple adding extra sales channels (for example you might have paid for amazon.co.uk ....but adding amazon.de, amazon.fr will add a significant amount to your monthly bill)......seriously, they are laughing all the way to the bank, because when you ask them to enable these extra channels, it's no extra work for them, but lots of extra dosh - kerching!!!
So - in the light of this massive piss take - I learnt how to code my own APIs ....Amazon was a nightmare, but Ebay was relatively simple (well at least after Amazon that is!).
You'll need to register as an Ebay developer (free)...
https://developer.ebay.com/join/
after registering, you'll get some API codes then you're off to the races (their documetation is pretty good, but you'll need to be at home using XML - I wasn't so spent a bit of time wrapping my head around it...in fact I was new to everything even VBA - so a lot of late nights watching youtube tutorials, baby steps...)
Here's one way of using a simply API to update Ebay stock levels....
https://developer.ebay.com/devzone/xml/docs/reference/ebay/ReviseInventoryStatus.html
Becuase I wanted to use a database (essential for my business) I coded all my APIs in MS Access (using VBA) - you could have MS Access import the excel file automatically then update Ebay with the stock level data contained within....it's an adventure, but the associated knowledge you'll learn/gain will SIGNIFICANTLY add to the running of your business.
So - in the light of this massive piss take - I learnt how to code my own APIs ....Amazon was a nightmare, but Ebay was relatively simple (well at least after Amazon that is!).
You'll need to register as an Ebay developer (free)...
https://developer.ebay.com/join/
after registering, you'll get some API codes then you're off to the races (their documetation is pretty good, but you'll need to be at home using XML - I wasn't so spent a bit of time wrapping my head around it...in fact I was new to everything even VBA - so a lot of late nights watching youtube tutorials, baby steps...)
Here's one way of using a simply API to update Ebay stock levels....
https://developer.ebay.com/devzone/xml/docs/reference/ebay/ReviseInventoryStatus.html
Becuase I wanted to use a database (essential for my business) I coded all my APIs in MS Access (using VBA) - you could have MS Access import the excel file automatically then update Ebay with the stock level data contained within....it's an adventure, but the associated knowledge you'll learn/gain will SIGNIFICANTLY add to the running of your business.
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If it were me I'd develop my own. Like @Pish_Pash said, there is plenty of documentation out there to help you. Or @Benjib could get a developer to build it for him, he can then sell it on. Kerching.
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Prefer to build my tools, easy for me for this side of the fence. If people do not have the skills then it is learn or buy in services, to what can seem less like be extortion price.
From the initial requirements it seems straightforward to which a junior developer could produce a solution. Tools like visual studio community are is free for any developer to create free or paid apps.
From the initial requirements it seems straightforward to which a junior developer could produce a solution. Tools like visual studio community are is free for any developer to create free or paid apps.
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What sort of phone do you have? How/where are the files stored on your phone?
'FolderSync Lite' on the Play store can automatically sync a folder on your phone with an FTP server. I haven't used this app myself, but any app that offers local folder FTP syncing should do this for you.
'FolderSync Lite' on the Play store can automatically sync a folder on your phone with an FTP server. I haven't used this app myself, but any app that offers local folder FTP syncing should do this for you.
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ffox
- Original Poster
- #20
This may help -
https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/ga...a-folder-in-onedrive-to-folder-on-ftp-server/
If it does please let us know.
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Benjib
- Original Poster
- #21
hi guys, I'm still trying to solve this issue. The problem I' having is the android ftp apps want to use my phone as the server but I need to effectively have filezilla on my phone. All I want to do be able to do is send an edited csv file to my host using my unique username and password, surely there's a simple way? even if I have to pay a developer, what is it that I need developing? a whole app or what?
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ffox
- Original Poster
- #22
Sign up for a free One Drive account - https://onedrive.live.com/about/en-gb
You will probably need to register a Microsoft Live account (also free)
Go to https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/ga...a-folder-in-onedrive-to-folder-on-ftp-server/
And set up the work flow. Once the OneDrive folder is in place you'll need the FTP server endpoint URL, username and password to access the FTP server.
Workflow config is done by menu selection.
What does this flow do: Whenever a new file is uploaded to the selected OneDrive folder, it will automatically get copied to the specified folder on a FTP server.
You will probably need to register a Microsoft Live account (also free)
Go to https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/ga...a-folder-in-onedrive-to-folder-on-ftp-server/
And set up the work flow. Once the OneDrive folder is in place you'll need the FTP server endpoint URL, username and password to access the FTP server.
Workflow config is done by menu selection.
What does this flow do: Whenever a new file is uploaded to the selected OneDrive folder, it will automatically get copied to the specified folder on a FTP server.
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I thought you had this sorted with https://www.ecomdash.com/..
From what I have read in the posts is it seems going down different paths here like
Quickly reading through the thread from top to bottom..
1. Extract listings from eBay
2. Compare Suppliers stock to eBay listings
3. Upload CSV to FTP server
Probably go with a script/service to extract, compare and upload to FTP server.. However, the script/service would need to be hosted as not mobile compatible..
From what I have read in the posts is it seems going down different paths here like
- One drive
- Microsoft Flow
- FTP on Mobile
- Scripts
Quickly reading through the thread from top to bottom..
1. Extract listings from eBay
2. Compare Suppliers stock to eBay listings
3. Upload CSV to FTP server
Probably go with a script/service to extract, compare and upload to FTP server.. However, the script/service would need to be hosted as not mobile compatible..
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Benjib
- Original Poster
- #31
the only reason I want to use ecomdash is so I can upload a stock feed every day to avoid overselling as that's my main source of negative feedback, however I realised yesterday that without instant syncing, there's not much point as overselling can still occur until my listings are synced.
The reason I want the FTP/Phone option is so I can upload this stock feed to the ecomdash FTP server via my phone without having to turn on my laptop, it seems the flow microsoft option is viable, I just cannot get it to work
The reason I want the FTP/Phone option is so I can upload this stock feed to the ecomdash FTP server via my phone without having to turn on my laptop, it seems the flow microsoft option is viable, I just cannot get it to work
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I suspect it will be FTP settings going through the FTP settings part of Microsoft flow..
If you not able to connect to the FTP already by other means then recommend the following:
1. Download filezilla on your laptop
2. Connect to FTP server (ecomdash)
3. If successful, then note down all FTP Settings from filezilla like
Sorry I cannot be more help, due to being in office. (not my own)..
If you not able to connect to the FTP already by other means then recommend the following:
1. Download filezilla on your laptop
2. Connect to FTP server (ecomdash)
3. If successful, then note down all FTP Settings from filezilla like
- FTP Server Port
- Enabled SSL
- Binary Transport
- Disable Certificate Validation
Sorry I cannot be more help, due to being in office. (not my own)..
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Benjib
- Original Poster
- #35
ok chaps I have an update. I can it seems use selling manager pro to upload my stock feeds via csv using the catalog template and custom labels however this would mean that I would need to convert the stock feed I receive every morning/evening into the same catalog template friendly format and to actually upload the file I cannot use a phone or ftp I would have to manually log into ebay to upload the stock file every morning and evening so I either need to figure out how to use the flow microsoft method or find software which can scrape what I need from my daily stock file and convert it into the correct selling manager format!
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ffox
- Original Poster
- #36
I thought you said that your daily stock file was CSV format. If so take a look at http://pages.ebay.co.uk/file_exchange/.
You could use MS Flow to push the upload from your phone once you have it configured. It also sidesteps the complication of ftp.
You could use MS Flow to push the upload from your phone once you have it configured. It also sidesteps the complication of ftp.
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You could write a script to automate everything. It would grab the feed, run the filters and upload. All you would get is an email to say it's been done.
Invest some money into the script development and resell. Suppose it costs you £200 for the script. You could easily sell it for £20. 10 sales and you've got your money back.
Invest some money into the script development and resell. Suppose it costs you £200 for the script. You could easily sell it for £20. 10 sales and you've got your money back.
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Yep, agree with the above also.. Me personally if it was a script for myself in similar position I would use PowerShell.. If was the developer I would depending on requirements..
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