eBay

bigdeals.etc · ‎06-25-2017

Okay so some of my items simply don't come with UPCs (I've asked the manufacturer and they said no). eBay CS agents say to purchase UPC codes then. And I did purchase some thru eBay. I got an excel sheet with a bunch of codes. What now?

Do I just start copy and pasting them into the UPC code field in the listing and that's it?? I don't have to assign the code to the item anywhere else in any database?

ryanrobyn · ‎06-25-2017

You can do them via bulk editing but keep in mind many things don't have UPC codes and some of the valid ones have been entered by the data processing dept wrong so you will see that is invalid. Just type in does not apply.
If doing this via bulk after you put in an entry you need to click on a blank space outside above or below the entry ignorer for it to take. For some reason you can just go down the column and insert one after the other.

bigdeals.etc · ‎06-25-2017

Okay but just to clarify, I bought brand new UPC codes for the items that simply don't have any. Essentially I am "giving" UPC codes to the items that don't originally have them. Don't ask why (vs putting does not apply. It's a long story). But according to what you are saying, all I need to do is input the number in the UPC entry field and that's it right?

I didn't get any instructions from the seller who sold me this UPC codes so I don't know if I have to register somewhere or what.

badwolf12 · ‎06-25-2017

Did you purchase the codes from GS1 or from a 3rd party seller? Here are a couple of good references on the process:

http://www.cpcstrategy.com/blog/2016/07/amazon-upc-codes-101/

https://www.upccode.net/faq.html

Step One:     Apply for a GS1 company prefix.

Step Two:   Assign a unique product number.

Step Three: Determine how your product will display barcode.

Step Four:   Order your barcodes.

scstool · ‎06-26-2017

I think you got bad advice from the CSR's. Putting "Does no apply" in the UPC space is supposed to work. Have you tried that?

I will not get into the argument about whether the codes you buy on Ebay are "totally legitimate", but they are in widespread use. Just make a list of all your products and assign one of your purchased numbers to each item. Make a backup copy of this data.

It is a good idea to google each UPC/EAN you use to make sure it is not already in use.

bigdeals.etc · ‎06-27-2017

@scstool wrote:
I think you got bad advice from the CSR's. Putting "Does no apply" in the UPC space is supposed to work. Have you tried that?

It is a good idea to google each UPC/EAN you use to make sure it is not already in use.

Yes I agree with you. It currently "works." And it's a whole other long discussion to get into about the accuracy of ebay advice/information (which I'm not going to get into)... even with the fact that I am in ebay concierge.

Long story short, awhile ago I have had GTC listings automatically end and fail to relist. Some listings I've had for many years were HIGHLY valuable to me because of the sales history (thousands of sales) and exposure. I'd be within the top three out of hundreds of thousands of search results. Completely gone because they didn't relist. I've relisted them and they are performing at less than 1% than before... losing tons of sales. Quite a blow.

I asked numerous CS about this and they say it is because I need a UPC code and "does not apply" is starting to no longer be accepted and suggested I buy UPCs. Regardless if that is accurate info, I figured better safe than sorry and just do it. UPCs on ebay are dirt cheap and copy/pasting is minimal effort to avoid losing more top performing listings. I checked on google and the UPCs aren't showing results (which is good). I just need to know if there is anything else I need to do to assign them and get ebay off my back.

scstool · ‎06-27-2017

I have had CSR's give me the advice to end listings with many sales and relist. Don't do it, the "sales momentum" from having a lot of sales is very valuable.

Like I said earlier the Ebay UPC's are of questionable "heritage". Legitimate upc's are much more expensive. I think it is only a matter of time before GS1 sees the lost fees and figures out a way to force direct sales.

Looks like you have done all you need to do though.

badwolf12 · ‎06-27-2017

This is concerning because it is not the only thing noted in a past seller update that is just now rearing its ugly face.

The whole UPC situation was brought up last Spring and I believe it was Brian Burke who said he couldn't imagine sellers would be left high and dry & unable to use Does Not Apply. There are so many items that legitimately don't have a UPC and it's not right to force sellers to purchase UPCs, especially when it's not even their own original product.

If they're starting to enforce this without accounting for items that legitimately don't have a UPC it's going to be a huge mess. 😞

bigdeals.etc · ‎06-28-2017

It's actually two separate problems. We don't even know the real reason why those GTC listings failed to relist in the first place. Yes, CS agents said it was because we didn't have UPCs... but we all know CS's accuracy track rating. At that time they even sent out a scripted email to those who were affected. CS said it wasn't supposed to be enforced, but obviously something mistakenly happened on ebay's side and the system was enforcing it randomly to listings.

So I asked them, what can I do to prevent my listings from being mistakenly randomly selected to be a violation? They all basically shrugged and guessed maybe buy and add UPCs to everything I sell. Would it definitely protect me from this ebay glitch? They still shrugged. So what happens to my valuable listings that generated thousands of dollars in sales that I lost due to this glitch? Basically they still shrugged and said tough luck. I said basically you are saying that I am SOL here and I can't even protect myself? They said yes pretty much... oh and they apologized.

I am so ready to leave ebay entirely after my 15 year run of millions of dollars of sales I brought... because they can't get their act together.

copper.boom · ‎06-28-2017

@bigdeals.etc Sorry to hear this is happening! This week's chat with eBay staff starts in just a few minutes. Why don't you post about this in the chat and see if you can get some answers?

goodluckselling · ‎06-28-2017

If the seller you bought the UPC codes from did not transfer ownership with an COA certificate under your registered business name then they will eventually found to be fraudulent.

Here is a link to an article that might help you with the next steps.

Click Here