WooCommerce ebay integration - common errors and their solution with sample code

Common Errors and Their Solutions

1. Missing or Incorrect Item Specifics and Category-Related Errors

**Cause: The eBay category requires specific item details that have not been set.

**Solution: Ensure all mandatory item specifics are mapped correctly in your WooCommerce eBay integration plugin setup. Update categories and specifics before pushing listings.

Code Sample:

php
// Set item specifics before listing to eBay
$product_data = [
    'category_id' => '12345',  // eBay Category ID
    'item_condition' => '1000', // New
    'item_specifics' => [
        'Brand' => 'ExampleBrand',
        'Model' => 'XYZ-123',
        'MPN' => 'XYZ123'
    ],
];

// Function to prepare the product data for eBay API
function prepare_ebay_listing($product, $data) {
    $product->set_category($data['category_id']);
    $product->set_condition($data['item_condition']);
    foreach ($data['item_specifics'] as $key => $value) {
        $product->add_item_specific($key, $value);
    }
}

2. Postal Code and Shipping Errors

**Cause: Missing or incorrect postal code in eBay profile or listing data.

**Solution: Add or correct your postal code within the eBay profile linked in WooCommerce or directly in the product listing settings.

Code Sample:

php
// Set postal code for calculated shipping
$shipping_profile = [
    'origin_postal_code' => '90210', // Replace with actual postal code
];

// Apply shipping profile to eBay integration settings
update_ebay_shipping_profile($shipping_profile);

3. Variation Listing Errors

**Cause: eBay category or marketplace may not support variations for the listed product.

**Solution: List the product in an eBay category that supports variations, or convert variation products into separate simple listings as a workaround.

Code Sample:

php
// Check if category supports variations
if (!category_supports_variations($category_id)) {
    // Convert variations to individual simple product listings
    foreach ($product->get_variations() as $variation) {
        list_single_variation($variation);
    }
} else {
    list_product_with_variations($product);
}

4. Account Connectivity and Token Expiry

**Cause: Expired OAuth token or changes in eBay account settings.

**Solution: Reconnect the eBay account through the WooCommerce plugin settings to refresh the authentication token.

Code Sample:

php
// Function to reconnect eBay account
function reconnect_ebay_account() {
    $auth_url = get_ebay_oauth_url();
    header('Location: ' . $auth_url);
    exit;
}

// Trigger this function when token expiry is detected
if (is_token_expired()) {
    reconnect_ebay_account();
}

5. Invalid Multi-SKU Item ID and Variation Specifics Mismatch

**Cause: The product was not initially created as a Multi-SKU item or variation specifics sent to eBay do not match product variations.

**Solution: Create a new listing for the product with correct Multi-SKU setup and ensure variation specifics align with eBay's requirements.

Code Sample:

php
// Clear old listing and create a new Multi-SKU listing
function recreate_multisku_listing($product_id) {
    delete_ebay_listing($product_id);
    $product = load_product($product_id);
    create_multisku_listing($product);
}

6. Return Policy and Payment Method Issues

**Cause: Missing or incompatible return policy settings or payment methods not set up in eBay account.

**Solution: Create or update the return policy on eBay, and ensure payment methods are configured correctly in both eBay and WooCommerce integration settings.

Code Sample:

php
// Set return policy for eBay listing
$return_policy = [
    'returns_accepted' => true,
    'return_period' => 30,
    'refund_mode' => 'MoneyBack',
    'return_shipping_payer' => 'Buyer'
];

apply_return_policy_to_listing($listing_id, $return_policy);

// Set payment method to eBay Managed Payments if PayPal disabled
set_payment_method('ManagedPayment');

7. Image Upload and Hosting Errors

**Cause: eBay requires images to be hosted on its platform (EPS) and disallows direct third-party hosting links.

**Solution: Ensure images are uploaded through eBay's services or via the integration plugin configured to use eBay Picture Services.

Code Sample:

php
// Upload images via eBay Picture Services
function upload_images_to_eps($product_images) {
    foreach ($product_images as $image_url) {
        $eps_url = upload_to_eps($image_url);
        // Replace product image URL with EPS URL
        replace_product_image_url($image_url, $eps_url);
    }
}

8. Quantity Sync and Stock Availability Errors

**Cause: WooCommerce stock management not enabled or product quantity not set properly.

**Solution: Enable stock management in WooCommerce and ensure quantity values are passed correctly during sync.

Code Sample:

php
// Enable stock management
update_option('woocommerce_manage_stock', 'yes');

// Sync stock quantity
function sync_stock_to_ebay($product) {
    $quantity = $product->get_stock_quantity();
    update_ebay_listing_quantity($product->get_id(), $quantity);
}

9. Description and Policy Violation Errors

**Cause: Descriptions containing insecure URLs or violating eBay policies.

**Solution: Validate and sanitize product descriptions to remove any HTTP URLs or restricted content before listing.

Code Sample:

php
// Sanitize product description for eBay
function sanitize_description($description) {
    // Replace http with https
    $description = preg_replace('/http:\/\//i', 'https://', $description);
    // Remove disallowed tags or content here
    return $description;
}

Additional Tips for Error Prevention

- Always update the WooCommerce eBay integration plugin to the latest version to avoid bugs and incompatibility issues.
- Regularly check your eBay seller account settings, including return policies, payment methods, and shipping profiles, as eBay updates its requirements frequently.
- Use testing or sandbox environments offered by some plugins to test listings before pushing live.
- Map product attributes and categories carefully according to eBay's required item specifics.
- When setting variations, test with supported categories to avoid variation-related errors.
- Monitor token expirations and reconnect eBay accounts proactively.