Power Sellers Unite

hotnana · Joined: 02 Feb 2008 Posts: 875

antiquetoys I would put a few items on some of the classified sites for now until you get this situated especially if you sell gift items that need to be seen ASAP. As I mentioned once the feed is resubmitted you are good to go again.
The information you were given is what Google gives he eCrater, I've seen the same message on the boards at eCrater and I've seen it posted at BISI as well...so it's a standard response from GB.

I honestly can't believe simply having the same name on two sites would be the issue unless somehow Bonanzle has included your name in their feeds. I know it was discussed that Bonz feed all the items on the site in one lump rather than doing it per store as eCrater does, but they might have changed that.

I feel bad that now is when you lost your feed...hope its fixed soon. :(

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4780

eCrater is doing it the way that Google requires.

RecycleBin · Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 152

antiquetoys wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")Hi RecycleBin,

I wish some of Google's rules were definitive. In my case, I wish I had been provided the specific source of the feed problem vs. a generic and not forced to guess and feel compelled to take radical actions which is what I did to try to resolve the still unresolved issue(s?).

I sent a message to eCrater yesterday asking if they will be resubmitting the feed at some point or what happens next. I have not received a reply. And, of course, I don't know if I resolved whatever the real issue is. This is extraordinarily frustrating.

I am at a complete standstill of what to do at this point. I have done all I can think to do and nothing has changed. I have no idea when or if it will or even what the actual process and time-line to rectify it is.

I understand what you mean about "waiting for the axe to fall". I felt the same way when reading the problems others were encountering the past couple of months. Most of the sellers affected seemed perplexed at what specific issue was causing their Google feed problem so they could rectify it. That is what caused me concern and now I am in the same boat.

On a positive note, this issue has made me abundantly aware that I cannot afford to rely solely on "marketplaces" so I am never in this position again and particularly at the busiest selling time of the year.

I set up my Bonanzle booth a year ago and well prior to Google's latest marketplace rules. I never listed a single item there and chose to use eCrater so duplicate listings aren't an issue. I couldn't find anything on Google that said you can't have the same store name on different marketplaces particularly since each would have a different URL. But, I felt I had no other option and closed the Bonanzle account (since you cannot change the name) just in case it was the problem.

You're probably not going to believe this, but every month I get an email from Google stating that they are rejecting my feed....they never say from what site. So I say "geez" and run on over to Google, put one of my items into a product search and what appears but the same product listed on both sites. I then say "huh?????". Therefore, the only other suggestion I have for you is that you put one of your items into the product search to see if it miraculously shows up. The item I use is quite unique, where yours may not be if it's Christmas related, but it's worth a try. Other than that, I too suggest that you check with Dimitri at eCrater and see if he can help.

I feel your frustration and completely understand it! Good luck to you!

RecycleBin · Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 152

DaLizardsLair wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")eCrater is doing it the way that Google requires.

Unfortunately, at times, Google doesn't even know what the requirements are..........apparently. :?

antiquetoys · Joined: 25 Jun 2009 Posts: 17

Hi DaLizardsLair,

I used the "Contact" link on the eCrater home page Tuesday. Is that the correct method for contacting him? Many thanks!

NewSkies · Joined: 03 Dec 2008 Posts: 272

Hi Antique!

So sorry you are having to still figure out the problem.

Maybe it will help if I mention I DID have a couple of eCrater Google feed problems at its 1st inception. I don't think (?) it stated the same message you received. However, it all went away very soon after I:
1. Removed boilerplates
2. Shortened appearingly too long titles
3. Removed any "adult type" keywords words such as casino (or gambling?), etc (Ok if adult if have set up as adult in some section of store as applicable) - think with your products you may not sell any keyword type "adult type" products but likely would not even have to be adult type, just adult type words such as a child's game that might read "take a gamble at winning a piece of candy, etc etc". Now I am not certain of this but worth removing as applicable.

My feed problems were then gone quickly with no further problems to date. Now which one of the 1, 2 or 3 above corrected it, I have no idea as did them simutaneously. My guess would be the boilerplate removals to be the largest remedy.

Best of resolution luck again!

antiquetoys · Joined: 25 Jun 2009 Posts: 17

Sorry, I forgot to update this issue which was resolved after several weeks. I emailed Google Merchant Center regarding the URL issue explaining it was not being used elsewhere and that I do not have any products listed on any other marketplace. They emailed back and said they fixed a domain registration error. I have no idea what or if there really was a registration error.

I then contacted eCrater admin as the same Google URL feed error continued to display and they provided a very fast reply. I was informed the feed issue was that I did not accept PayPal or Google Checkout. So, I added one and the feed went through fine within a couple of days. Could this have been the problem all along? Unfortunately, I do not know. I was aware of the new requirement, but because it was not shown as the error, I assumed Google had not begun enforcing it. It was a reminder to never assume.

Bottom line....feed errors shown may not be the actual problem. I wish I knew a method for finding out what the errors are when they occur. If anyone knows how, it would be great to know!