File Exchange token because a valid token is missing(Always worked before)

[blueeyeswdcards]

I've used File Exchange for a long time to upload my listings. Now I get an error about not having a valid token. I thought the tokens never expire. Do I have to get a new one? I can't seem to find out what to do on this.

[dollybeauty]

Tokens are good for 18 months.

To obtain a new one...

You can also find the instructions on page 67 of the File Exchange Advanced Instruction Guide here: 

http://pics.ebay.com/aw/pics/pdf/us/file_exchange/File_Exchange_Advanced_Instructions.pdf

Solution courtesy of Brooke@ebay

[dollybeauty · Accepted solution]

Here is a direct link to the token process...https://signin.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?SignIn&runame=F-FILEEXL51P1EHH6L899Q9B969GE134DK-FileUpload

You will have to replace the token from the above process into your scripts.

[blueeyeswdcards]

Thanks Dolly, Its been so long since I went through that process.

   One of these days I need to do a "How to use Excel VBA to upload listings with File Exchange". That would be a big time project. 

Scooterdog

[dollybeauty]

"How to use Excel VBA to upload listings with File Exchange" < good idea!

I use PHP to create/upload csv files.

Would your process upload directly from the xls file, or would you have to create the csv file first? This could be a time saver for some members.

Does your script download/examine the upload results file for errors, and report to user?

[blueeyeswdcards]

When I first started selling I put all of my inventory in Excel. So using VBA was a natural progression to create the HTML for the listings. At first I used VBA to make a table that I copied to the clipboard to paste into Turbolister. Turbolister became so slow I decided to ditch it for file exchange. 

I have created a Master CSV with all of the Header Names. Then I made a form with tabs for Listings, Sales, Inventory, Reports etc etc Now I just select what I want to sell from list boxes and combo boxes and the code generates everything. Even the listing title, tables and also removes the stock from the mySQL database. Moving the inventory to mySQL allows me to use any programming lanquage to create file exchange uploads. Here is one of my listings... https://www.ebay.com/itm/282843368533

 I don't know any PHP but might take a look when I get the time.  As for downloading results. I error check the CSV file before it gets uploaded. It the server rejects the upload. I can trouble shoot this on my end. I am interested in getting downloads from file exchange to get things like sales and other things. I believe there is a way to process my sales. As it is now, I have an id# in my listing that I have to manually type in to process the sale to insert into mySQL. I'll bet there is a way to automate this process and save me some work. I'm still a novice at all of this so if anybody knows a better way please let me know.  Wow, that got kind of long winded. lol Hope some of this made sense.

Scooterdog

[sikalabs]

could you kindly update to the forum if the solution provided here worked for you.
Also kindly share the code sketch of the program you are using. I'm getting the same error even though i just received the token not long ago.

[shipscript]

@sikalabs 

A token is usually set when you subscribe to File Exchange and will be utilized when uploading through eBay's File Exchange webpage. Sign up links can be found here:

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Tools-Apps/File-Exchange-Resources/m-p/29630234

However, I'm not familiar with the process if File Exchange files are uploaded through other means that might require some sort of passed parameter.

[sikalabs]

Thanks for those details and yes, I already subscribed for a token and have been assigned one. I was hoping for your code example since you mentioned that your token used to work fine. By that I assume that you programmatically download and upload csv files to eBay file exchange which is the intended purpose for the token I believe.

[dollybeauty]

@sikalabs 

The intended purpose of the token is to authorize any use of FileExchange, not just upload and downloading of files.

I recently had both FileExchange and Turbolister tokens expire. Both methods/programs became unusable until I re-subscribed (created a new token for each).

A token is an authorization for any program to modify your account or item info on your behalf.

Ok. You are asking for code examples. I have been uploading/downloading FileExchange csv files for years, multiple times each day. The following info works correctly.

To upload/download, I use cURL. My scripts are written in PHP, but I execute cURL as a MS-DOS process. You can use libcurl, but the return values from eBay are contained in a cookie. PHP can decode cookies, but I find that my way (which returns a text string), works best for me.

To upload a csv file to eBay's FileExchange.

// define function to build and upload to FileExchange

function upload_file($fileName,$token) {

				 $resultsArray=array();
				 $cmd = 'curl -k -o results.txt -F '.'"token='.$token.'" '.'-F "file=@'.$fileName.'"'.' https://bulksell.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?FileExchangeUpload 2>&1';
				 exec($cmd,$resultsArray);
				 unset ($resultsArray);
				 // open results.txt, extract job no, then return job no
				 $cmd = 'type results.txt 2>&1';
				 exec($cmd,$resultsArray);
				 $findMe='Your ref # is ';
				 $pos = strpos($resultsArray[10], $findMe)+14;
				 $jobNo=substr($resultsArray[10],$pos,9);
				 unset($resultsArray);				 
				 return ($jobNo);
				 }

To download the FileExchange results file.

// define function to download results file from FileExchange

function download_file($jobNo,$token) {

				 $resultsArray=array();
				 $downLoad=false;
				 global $uploadResultFileName;
				 $cmd = 'curl -k -o '.$uploadResultFileName.' --data-urlencode "token='.$token.'" --data "jobId='.$jobNo.'"  https://bulksell.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?FileExchangeProgrammaticDownload 2>&1';
				 $findMe='requested file was not found';
				 while (!$downLoad) {
				 			 exec($cmd,$resultsArray);
							 $workString = file_get_contents($uploadResultFileName);
							 $pos = strpos($workString,$findMe);
							 if ($pos==4) {
									writeLog ('File not ready. Waiting 2 min.');
									sleep (120);
									}
									else {
							 				 $downLoad=true;
											 }
							 unset($resultsArray);
							 }			 			 
				 return;
				 }

Special note here. eBay is not going to like it much, if you continually check for the results file. This is the reason for the 2 min. delay. Do not continually check for the file.  It may take several 2 min delays before the result file is available. FileExchange executes csv upload files quickly, but the reporting process (the results file) may take some time. I have seen 10 minutes or more before the results file is available.

[sikalabs]

Thanks for your feedback once again. Your example is really helpful.