posted on August 31, 2010 11:30:03 AM new
I know this question has been asked a lot but do you have an ETA when when this feature will be available? It's getting to the point where I can't list half of my inventory because it becomes too much. If I sell multiple pairs of shoes but have 12 of each item I would have to create like 50 new items. So you can see where there is a great need for this. If you have an ETA that would be helpful so I can make decisions based on that.
posted on August 31, 2010 02:48:29 PM new
To expand on this a little, this feature is currently in development, but development is not complete and it will require extensive testing before release. As Chris stated, it is a top priority, but we don't want to overpromise so we can't really provide an ETA. But rest assured it will be released as soon as possible.
posted on September 5, 2010 11:42:05 PM new
This is actually quite complex from an engineering / user interface point of view. While it may seem simple in terms of one's thoughts its not.
Optional fields can vary quite widely, not simply size & color. A product might have numerous optional fields for example that are conditional upon one another... For example "Size 18 only has three colors, white, black and green" while "Size 14" has 10 colors available and atop that size 18's green costs $2.00 more then the other two colors.... Or, no additional price at all.
Additionally not all optional fields of a product are conditional. For example a CDROM needs "requirements"... Operating System, CD or DVD ROM, Perhaps memory or video requirements, CPU etc. Not fields that have added cost but that are descriptive.
Atop this, at eBay for example having cost based options is not possible within the eBay core and thus would need be handled through checkout yet still noted within an auction listing and would probably cause eBay contortions as if the end cost for a "Green Shirt" is $2.00 more eBays fee's go askew.
Yet... This information for some products may well be required. As I noted, in software the OS etc. across all platforms be that eBay or a storefront yet at say Amazon its set within the ad itself and can be incorrect or misconstrued. "Mac" can mean Mac Classic OS, OS/X can mean Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard editions and there are some big differences in backwards compatibility to Mac Classic OS (like none). Yet, the consumer see's "Mac" and buys.
Even in product itself the world is awash. There exists for example retail ready new, liquidation new, surplus new... on and on and the differences from one product to another type of product can vary widely.
As a software engineer I understand the complexity of the engineering. As a vendor I realize how important it actually is. Versed in marketing as well its actually imperative to avoid problems and properly promote products. I am rather a rarity in that I am a software engineer, vendor and versed in marketing.
Marketing is far more complex than software engineering as every potential customer is a set of variables. Thousands, millions of potential customers results in infinite variables. Software Engineering however has bounds, finite bounds.
Companies that "get it" realize that a bounds box exists between what is reasonable in these regards .vs. what every possible circumstance might be and usually have a few folks external to make sure that whats produced in code fits what vendors really need.
Most online storefront software/scripts do not suit "well" to a broadband cross section of vendors. Usually this is due to the fact that they are creating eCommerce software but have never actually sold physical goods to end consumers. The results is a "best guess" of whats needed .vs. whats really important.
Whats even more frustrating (what I found at Auctiva years back) is slews of vendors singing their praises in their support areas. Praises are well and fine but they all too often result in loss of focus in development... a "See everyone loves us" results in "We are wonderful" not realizing that 75% of vendors are not using the platform or try and then dont use it because "Its not wonderful".
I am trying out Vendio to see if it'll suit needs as our alternative is creating a Windows Application to manage eBay needs and then integrating its output to another commerce platform such as VirtueMart for Joomla or CS_Cart etc.
