Problem's with Seller's Customs Cats.

[DiscerLes1]

HI All

I am hoping that someone out there can help me. I have tried to add some more countries to my seller's custom cats with no luck. It has been well over 60 hrs since added I these countries. If someone could tell me in baby steps how to add countries, it would be greatly appreciated. I maybe doing someyhing, so I would like to get this problem solved. Thanks for any help in advance.

[michael78651]

Your Australia and Canada searches work fine. The Croatia doesn't work because you spelled the country name wrong in the search parameter. You'll need to check how you entered the Malta one as well. Double check spelling!

[DiscerLes1]

Thanks for the information. I guess I need a gentle slap on the back of the head or my eyes check. Thanks for your patience

[michael78651]

Also, make sure that you select only the STAMPS category in which to conduct the search. Don't go deeper than that, such as selecting a subcategory. And check the Titles and Descriptions box.

Don't worry about the misspellings. You're not the Lone Ranger on that one!

[michael78651]

You've got them working now. You may want to go back and change the search categories for Canada and Australia to either stamps or all categories rather than using the subcategories. In Canada, for example, if you add an unused stamp, it won't show up in your search since you have it "Canada-used".

[LickinGoodStamps]

Also, make sure that you select only the STAMPS category in which to conduct the search. Don't go deeper than that, such as selecting a subcategory. And check the Titles and Descriptions box.

Don't worry about the misspellings. You're not the Lone Ranger on that one!

Michael, why is this? I have been playing around finally with the Seller's Cats and I find some work fine, others not? Others grab only a handful? Is this normal? Could it be a time generated thing (takes the computers time to conduct a search, and stores the results for the seller for a certain cat?).

Also, I have went deeper than STAMPS on many of my Seller's Cats. Should I go back and re-tweak them all to the Main Cat of Stamps?

Thanks again for your time! I must say, I was having some fun (Once I figured out just how simple it is to create them!).

[LickinGoodStamps]

Also, make sure that you select only the STAMPS category in which to conduct the search. Don't go deeper than that, such as selecting a subcategory. And check the Titles and Descriptions box.

Don't worry about the misspellings. You're not the Lone Ranger on that one!

Another point:

Are SEARCH KEYWORDS: CAsE SenSitiVE?

Also Under SEARCH KEYWORDS:, How do you separate MULTIPLE Search Words?
example: Cat, Lion, Kitten, Feline, Cheetah, OR Cat Lion Kitten Feline Cheetah???

Michael

[Mark]

There's no reason not to use sub-categories beyond 'Stamps'. In many cases you may want, just remember that items will only be returned if they are in the category you select and sub-categories of that category.

We recommend against using titles and descriptions, as this will slow down the results page. However, if you're searching for something that is only in the description of your listings, and not the titles, then this option would be appropriate.

There is a delay in the counts (number of items shown as being in the category). But there is no delay in the results actually shown. As in, as soon as you create the category the count will show 0 for a little while, but clicking on it will show the correct results instantly.

When searching, the same options and features apply as anywhere else on the website. Keywords are not case sensitive. Here are the "Search Options & Help?" page from the main site:

Help - Search Modes
Using different search modes can either decrease or increase the number of results matched - by searching in different ways. Here is a quick overview of how each search mode words.
Please Note: 'Restricted' and 'Extended' are only available when searching for numbers (such as catalog numbers).
Restricted: Only look at the single best guess for the catalog number in a title.
Smart: Look at any apparent catalog number in a title.
Extended: Search the entire title.
Titles & Descriptions: Search the entire title and the description.
Note: All searhcing is 'Smart' in that it will correct for common typos and consider terms such as 'Never Hinged' and 'NH' the same. Particularly when searching for stamps or coins, since sellers are not required to specifically enter in the catalog number or year (for coins) we make our best guess as to what that is to match your search. If you see too many irrelevant results try switching from 'Smart' to 'Restricted'. To try and find more results try switching to 'Extended' or 'Titles & Descriptions'.

When searching there are also several advanced options you can use:

Exclusion: Placing a - (minus sign) before any word will exculde the word.
Example: '591 -pair' will match all 591s excluding pairs
OR Searching: By default all searches are AND, however you can use OR between any two keywords.
Example: 'Canada 51 OR 57' will match all Canada 51s and Canada 57s
Parentheses: If you want to use 'OR' with multiple groupings of keywords use parentheses.
Example: 'Ancient (Gold OR Silver) (Helmet OR Sword)'
Wildcards: Place a * at the end of two or more letters to enable wildcard searching.
Example: 'Fr*' will match France, French, Franklin, etc.
Number Ranges: Place a - (minus sign, no spaces) between any two numbers to enable a range search (max 100).
Example: 230-245 will match 230 through 245. Note: Use Q1-Q10 (NOT Q1-10)

-Mark

[LickinGoodStamps]

Thanks Mark (Once again!). I think this should also assist many other Store Owners as well in the future!

Just one final thought...

In my previous question about Search Keywords, Cat Lion Kitten Feline Cheetah, would the following be correct then?

Cat OR Lion OR Kitten OR Feline OR Cheetah ? From your previous post, this sounds to be the best result. (I'll give it a go). Just did so, and I scored 6 results! Beats the big GOOSE EGG!

Anyways, Thanks again Mark for your valued time making BidStart a Happening Place!

[LickinGoodStamps]

Also, make sure that you select only the STAMPS category in which to conduct the search. Don't go deeper than that, such as selecting a subcategory. And check the Titles and Descriptions box.

Don't worry about the misspellings. You're not the Lone Ranger on that one!

Michael,

I have found that the system auto-checks for the COUNTRY, so there is no need to have Titles & Descriptions checked off if you are making a country list. BUT... if you are creating a specialized TOPICAL LIST, then YES it is best to check off the Titles & Description box. Works wonders if the listings one creates, mimics the format used at LickinGoodStamps! (where there is a lot of detail in the description area).

There are Exceptions to this rule, of course. Such as, I have Czech B&M in my TITLE AREA for Bohemia & Moravia, so either the system is real smart, or it is best to check Titles & Descriptions for cases as such.

[michael78651]

I was speaking specifically about DescerLes and what he was trying to set up. Sorry if I confused anyone.

[LickinGoodStamps]

I was speaking specifically about DescerLes and what he was trying to set up. Sorry if I confused anyone.

Michael, no way! Your advice sure helped me along the way, BIG TIME! No need to apologies here, friend! I believe this forum will assist many new users as they come along, and should also assist others with their own stores better too! All in all, great assistance, if you ask me!

[michael78651]

OK, I see what you mean by that.