Let's Share ALTERNATIVE Programs to Replace TURBOLISTER!!

[mam98031]

For sellers that are still using TurboLister, we are all painfully aware that at some point it will be retired and no longer available for us to use.  

With the announcement of TL being retired this month on the UK site, it puts us all on notice here on the US site.  

In an effort to prepare and be ready for the demise of TL so that we do not experience any down time for our businesses, I thought it would be a good idea to be a bit proactive and get some advice from experienced users of other programs.

Speaking for myself, some of the important points with TL are [in no particular order]:

1. The ability to work and create listings offline.

2. The ability to store lots of templates.

3. The ability to store 1,000's of old listings for future use.

4. The ability to work with multiple Ebay IDs

5. The ability to pull Ebay listings in and mass edit, then update the listings on Ebay.

I know there are more.  But this at least gets the conversation started.  For those of you out there using other listing programs, please share your pros and cons.  To include pricing if you know that.  This thread is intended to help sellers that are currently using TL and need to work our way onto another program BEFORE we are cut off from the program all together.

I think an important part of a new program would be the ability transfer the info we have in TL into the new program chosen to move forward with.  So if you know if this is possible, please share.

I look forward to learning more on this subject.

Thank you in advanced for your time and willingness to help.

[abfabvintage]

Hi, Dolly. Trust me, it takes more than 2 cents. I have spent the last 2-3 days gathering information on all programs, working hand in hand with Mam. Am currently working on the possibility of getting a comparison of various programs (what each program can and cannot do). Cannot promise it will happen, but working on it. Thanks for your help.

[jennieaa]

dolly,

I guess the biggest problem I have with sixbit....I wish a couple of features that come with the small business version were available on Home and Hobby,  But I don't need a lot of them so I stay at my Home & Hobby level.

First, it would be grand to print my own packing list instead of using eBay's.  With my logo instead of eBay's

Second, 5 description wrappers are not enough.  A description wrapper contains the information that would apply to a large group of items ie "all items are shipped priority mail with tracking provided"  By using a description wrapper, you just select which of the 5 different ones you want added to your regular description.

I agree with Bob, automation is a must if you are to grow your business or manage it so you have more time for the fun things in life.   Finding the tool that works best for you is the key!

[rosachs]

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@dollybeauty wrote:

Thank You, @rosachs , and @jennieaa ,for your ongoing descriptions of the pluses of SB! It is obvious that you are a fan of SB. Can you give any drawbacks of the program/subscription? It is ok, if you can not.

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Web-based tools have a small advantage in that you can use them from a browser just about anywhere you can get an internet connection.  With the understanding, of course, that when you're off your home network/router, your security may be less.

Desktop-based tools are somewhat less portable, but it's quite easy to run SB from my laptop, using a copy of the desktop database and turning off some of the automatic features.  My desktop stays home and keeps up with scheduled postings, payments, etc, and I can access anything I need to handle any customer questions or issue that arise while I'm on the road.  And I can see just what kind of shipping workload is piling up -- SB shows me all my sales activity from all my accounts in one place.

Most of my setbacks have been self-induced.  I like to tinker, to see just what I can do to make software work the way I want to work instead of me having to adjust to the way the software works.  Very desired trait when you're designing systems or troubleshooting bugs... not so much when you're trying to keep on top of your eBay stats while working a full-time job and still have three kids at home.  I can usually recover with nothing more than a quick restore to the last automated backup, refresh everything to get back in sync, and then try again but doing something less risky.

All software has the issue of buggy updates.  Anyone who uses the eBay site can attest to the fact that updates don't always roll out as planned, and desktop software can have those same issues.  The advantage is see for SixBit is that they have a small, active support team -- when problems are reported, they are on top of things fast and can get you back in business quickly.  Even the basic/included support is great -- there's a slower turn-around time, but the cost can't be beat!  And I just haven't had that many issues with SB updates/upgrades in a very long time.

I guess the only real drawback that I sometimes have is with power outages.  MSSQL is very stable and generally isn't the source of the problem -- I've yet to have my database corrupted by a power outage.  But, since I can't afford to insure my systems against damage due to power loss, and the most common source of damage due to power loss occurs when the power is coming back on (spikes and sags due to everything on that part of the grid powering up at one time).  So, I've set all my PCs to NOT power up once the power returns -- once I'm sure everything is stable, I'll restart the machines myself.

At one time, I was afraid to take vacations -- two trips had been tinged by the fact that we had had a power outage within a day of leaving... and since the whole family was travelling, there was no one to push the start button!  Later, when my kids were older and on their own, it was simple to have them just stop by the house and restart my computer - once Windows was running, so too was the background agent running, and things would get themselves back in sync.

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.  Overall, SB just does what needs to be done and doesn't complain much.

-Bob.

[stickboy1974]

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@abfabvintage wrote:

Hi, Dolly. Trust me, it takes more than 2 cents. I have spent the last 2-3 days gathering information on all programs, working hand in hand with Mam. Am currently working on the possibility of getting a comparison of various programs (what each program can and cannot do). Cannot promise it will happen, but working on it. Thanks for your help.

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Will you be posting these comparisons ?

[rosachs]

@abfabvintage-- will you be compiling your comparison list based solely on marketing information, or will you be using registered user information?  There is, I believe, something similar that's published by eCommercebytes annually, and a standing list of available applications, free or fee, that is periodically checked & updated.

I'm no expert on all the features of all the versions of SixBit (I don't post to multiple sites, use variations, or use allocation plans, for example) but I know they have a open discussion board for anyone who's interested to ask questions or just pick thru the old conversations.

Let me know if there's anything I can help with. 

-Bob.

[abfabvintage]

Hi, I contacted Ina a few days ago and asked if she could do a survey or some kind of a comparison chart like they did a few ago. She has the info from this thread and hopefully she will be able to do it timely enough if they have the time. This morning's eComm shares the marketplace survey. I am no where near a techie but have used AW since 2001. And am not a mega seller either. Hopefully we will see something. She hasn't promised, but did thank me for the info. I also sent Mam, the original OP here, a survey they did back in 2013 but I didn't research if there were any more current. And I have never used TL so not so familiar with all that it entails.

[lacemaker3]

I can't give an opinion on any of these programs from personal experience, but I have some suggestions that came to mind from reading this post. I thought they might be useful.

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@rosachs wrote:

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@dollybeauty wrote:
...

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Web-based tools have a small advantage in that you can use them from a browser just about anywhere you can get an internet connection.  With the understanding, of course, that when you're off your home network/router, your security may be less.

...

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It's possible to remote access a computer, if you set the computer up to do it. This would allow you work on your desktop at home, from anywhere by using your laptop to remote login to your desktop. It's not hard to set up in the first place, and very easy to use once you have it set up. You do need to have internet connection for both the desktop and the laptop to make the connection. But, this would make it possible to get the advantages of a web-based program and still retain the advantages of having the program and database stored and running locally.

To get security while you're accessing through the internet, you just need to install a VPN (Virtual Private Network) program. This will give you complete security even when you're using public WiFi. Again, it's easy to use, one quick login at the beginning of a session.

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...

I guess the only real drawback that I sometimes have is with power outages.  ...

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A desktop/tower computer should have a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Source). This is a box that sits beside the computer and provides a power backup. You plug the UPS into the wall (preferably through a power bar), and the computer & monitor plug into the UPS. It provides very good protection against damage from power spikes and surges. Mine can provide up to 20 minutes of power IIRC, and I have never had any problems relating to the power supply.

At the university, I share an office with two other grad students. One computer didn't have a UPS or even a power bar, and it's power supply got fried by a blackout or brownout. The other two computers, with UPS's and power bars, were fine.

[rks-collectibles]

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@lacemaker3 wrote:

I can't give an opinion on any of these programs from personal experience, but I have some suggestions that came to mind from reading this post. I thought they might be useful.

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@rosachs wrote:

---

@dollybeauty wrote:
...

---

Web-based tools have a small advantage in that you can use them from a browser just about anywhere you can get an internet connection.  With the understanding, of course, that when you're off your home network/router, your security may be less.

...

---

It's possible to remote access a computer, if you set the computer up to do it. This would allow you work on your desktop at home, from anywhere by using your laptop to remote login to your desktop. It's not hard to set up in the first place, and very easy to use once you have it set up. You do need to have internet connection for both the desktop and the laptop to make the connection. But, this would make it possible to get the advantages of a web-based program and still retain the advantages of having the program and database stored and running locally.

To get security while you're accessing through the internet, you just need to install a VPN (Virtual Private Network) program. This will give you complete security even when you're using public WiFi. Again, it's easy to use, one quick login at the beginning of a session.

---

...

I guess the only real drawback that I sometimes have is with power outages.  ...

---

A desktop/tower computer should have a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Source). This is a box that sits beside the computer and provides a power backup. You plug the UPS into the wall (preferably through a power bar), and the computer & monitor plug into the UPS. It provides very good protection against damage from power spikes and surges. Mine can provide up to 20 minutes of power IIRC, and I have never had any problems relating to the power supply.

At the university, I share an office with two other grad students. One computer didn't have a UPS or even a power bar, and it's power supply got fried by a blackout or brownout. The other two computers, with UPS's and power bars, were fine.

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All UPS Manufacturers recommend NOT using a power strip to plug your UPS into.  Has something to do with the filtering and such that most power strips add to make their board better.  Somehow that interferes with the proper operation of the UPS.  And then there's the fact that a UPS on full recharge mode can be a pretty heavy draw...multiple devices using the strip could overheat/burn up the strip.  Not good.

I've used numerous UPS systems over the years, starting with a small 400 unit from APC and culminating in a unit that gave my two PCs, one monitor, and the KVM switch well over an hour of runtime.  I even hooked a small 15W lamp to the circuit...the only room in the house with a light when the circuits go down!

UPS's are wonderful and expensive.  There are strips with anti-surge and anti-spike capabilities that can help protect equipment during brownouts and control the damaging things that happen when the circuit comes back up.  And they are a lot less cheaper.

Bottom line, protect your system if you can.  My 'stay off' policy works well protecting from circuit restart issues, but can be annoying if you're away.  Find the level of protection you're comfortable with and can afford and start there.  If your needs grow, so should your protection.  But you don't need to go full Cadillac if all you can afford is a Chevy.  Do what you can, as you can, and keep your goals in sight.  Things will work out.

-Bob.

[dollybeauty]

I would add to the above...Power strips with 'Surge' protection, may only have that protection, until they filter out the first heavy surge. After that they may only be useful as a power strip. Since there is no way to tell if the surge protection has been diminished, a dedicated UPS is the best choice.

[wdiptr]

GarageSale for Mac. Fantastic offline program with no monthly fees. It is the only reason I own a MacBook. I do wish someone would develop a program for Ubuntu.

[packratville]

Any more updates to this as far as alternative programs are concerned? Or more experiences to share about the programs?

Thanks...

[rosachs]

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@jennieaa wrote:

Second, 5 description wrappers are not enough.  A description wrapper contains the information that would apply to a large group of items ie "all items are shipped priority mail with tracking provided"  By using a description wrapper, you just select which of the 5 different ones you want added to your regular description.

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I didn't catch this until re-reading tonight, but have you tried using snippets and IF logic within those snippets?  It feels like programming (because in a sense it is), but I've used it to add a "Made in America" bullet point if the product country is set to United States.  If not, the line is not added.

In theory, and I say that only because I've programmed applications and not tried anything this complex within SixBit, but in theory you could create a snippet called "Shipping Terms" that used a series of IF logic functions to insert lines of text into your Description based on the shipping snippet used.

It's an interesting idea...and those are like catnip for me.  🙂  I have no need for such a snippet at this time, but it might be fun (I have an odd sense of 'fun') to try and work it out.

If your template needs were mostly defined by other settings within the data, this might be a source of assistance for you.  The packing slip thing -- being a programmer by nature, I'd probably code an export format with the addressing and order details to CSV and then import that into a Word document that would create a one-page for for each line (sale record) of the CSV.  Which would likely be time-consuming and irritatingly fragile, but would be a "see...I can too do that!" achievement.  🙂  I once ported an entire business application from one environment (say Unix) to another (say Linux) over a weekend.  On a "do you think we could do this" question from my boss (who was a really great guy to work for and gave me more 'toys' than I probably needed).  It wasn't that I didn't want to get paid (I got a licensed copy of the environment), more that it was a challenge to see if I could do what I thought I could. 

Those were the days.... 🙂

-Bob.

[abfabvintage]

Morning, Marie. There is a recent comment made on the other TLister thread you may want to review. Poster in Australia who has been using TL for some time now cannot for some reason.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Turbo-Lister-latest-situation/m-p/29453567#M1362672

I will try notifying Ina again to see if she has plans to provide the "comparison" list of alternates to TL that we have talked about.  Hope this is helpful.

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

The reason they can't use it is because ebay Australia dumped Turbo with absolutely zero notice.

[abfabvintage]

Morning myjunque. I knew that. That is why I cited the thread so others could read over. I didn't want to specifically say it was because ebay just ended it with no notice to sellers since Dolly left a reply questioning the OP on specifics related to the TL "shutdown." Only trying to be helpful here lolol.