Version 8.5: Import Order Data from eBay, Amazon & More
Connect Your eBay or Ecommerce Account to Stamps.com
Are you a regular seller on eBay? Do you operate an ecommerce store in Yahoo Stores or use PayPal or Google Checkout as a payment option for product sales? Stamps.com’s latest software – PC Postage Version 8.5 — is loaded with great tools to help online sellers manage their package shipping program in a better, more efficient manner. Version 8.5 lets you import your sales order data directly from the most popular ecommerce platforms and then use one interface to process and ship all of your packages. So if a business owner is selling products on eBay and also via their own web site, Version 8.5 will allow them to easily import order data from eBay and their shopping cart, and then use the Stamps.com interface to print all of their shipping labels.
Along with Yahoo Stores, eBay, PayPal and Google Checkout, you’ll also be able to import order data in various other formats including CSV, Excel, Access or XML. Data can also be imported with SQL database or Oracle® via an ODBC connection. Once the your order data is imported into Stamps.com, the Postal Analyzer checks to make sure that your shipping instructions and order data match, which eliminates the chance that you’ll send out the wrong product.
Package Tracking Numbers Post-Back to eBay or Amazon Accounts
Once your packages have been shipped, Stamps.com will automatically post-back the shipping details and a tracking number to your eBay or Amazon accounts. This feature will allow your product buyer to track the delivery activity on their new purchase.
Ship Globally with First Class Mail International
Stamps.com also saves money for you and your customers. PayPal and USPS’s Click-N-Ship force you to upgrade to Priority Mail International if you are shipping overseas, but Stamps.com will let you print postage for the more economical First Class Mail International. For example, if you had a 2 pound package going from Los Angeles to Paris, France, you would save $12.11 (41% discount) per parcel by using First Class Mail International instead of using Priority Mail International*.
More Shipping Features Added
Stamps.com Version 8.5 also features a New and Improved User Interface. Some of the highlights are:
- View all your orders and keep a track of how many orders remain to be shipped.
- Process Domestic and International Shipping from a single interface.
- Make inline edits and receive real time error feedback when orders are not ready to be printed.
- Search all your orders by any field.
- Make changes to orders and save your changes for processing later.
Version 8.5 includes some other important shipping upgrades. In an upcoming post, we’ll discuss the new ODBC connection features and how it can help business owners. Download Stamps.com Version 8.5 now!
* Price comparison is based on 2 lbs. package mailed from Los Angeles, CA to Paris, France September 19, 2009. Rate for First Class Mail International was $17.64 and rate for Priority Mail International was $29.75.
@Cathy
Hi Cathy, So far our system has not been able to post-back tracking details to PayPal. Our developers are hard at work! Hopefully, we’ll be able to offer this service soon.
Thanks!
Eric
Stamps.com
Loving the freedom and simplicity of stamps.com but wondering if the tracking information will post back to Paypal or must that be done manually?
i have two things.. first off im trying do download the 8.5 version but everytime i try to it just goes to blank screen. please help me.
the second issue is im trying to figure how to use stamps.com with my wifes business so i can make it easier for shipping packages
I have an Amazon bookstore, and was able to import and print a single order. But there were 4 orders and the application log said that 4 orders were downloaded using AWS. Where are the other three orders? I had to ship them manually because they did not show up under the batch option. Thanks.
@ppaz
We’re very sorry to hear about your issues with downloading the Stamps.com Version 8.6 software — we have occasionally received reports of this from customers, and these are typically resolved by a combination of deleting temporary internet files & cookies in the browser, and dealing with a variety of 3rd-party security software.
We do have an alternate download location which we are confident should work just fine for you: http://support.stamps.com/outgoing/stamps860.exe
@Michelle
We have a multitude of customers using their Zebra Eltron LP2844 thermal printers in concert with the Batch module of Stamps.com—and we want you to join their ranks! From your description of the issue you’re experiencing, there are a couple of possibilities as to what the source of the problem is. Please contact our Tech Support at 888-434-0055 (open 6am to 6pm PT) so that we can fix this issue.
8.5.1 buld 1945. In batch for Amazon orders, i cannot print labels to my Zebra Eltron LP2844 thermal printer. [The labels print but only a piece of the barcode is printed and half is cut off]. This is what i do, Click Batch, then i choose 11 oz. as the weight- First Class Mail and -choose the paper type ‘Zebra/Eltron’ on the bottom. Click ‘print sample’. The Zebra labels used to print correctly when i first used batch with the older version. [however with only the first 20 labels then when i closed the program and reopened it the labels now get cut off) My Zebra Eltron shipping labels print fine when printing from Fedex tab or Packages tab in the stamps.com program.
As a workaround, i dont use batch whenever possible and import the amazon orders using the amazon order report spreadsheet fields and match them to my stamps address book using the stamps import template each day and print from there to the Zebra.
The only difference from using batch vs the stamps.com address book, is that you have to add tracking manually by ‘confirming shipment’ on amazon. So now i print in batch with my laserjet printer (since plain paper is the only option that prints the labels correctly) and manually feed the fedex or usps blank labels into the printer rather than use the zebra (which is auto feed). And we all know that we cannot put more than one blank fedex label into the printer at one time or there will be a paper jam.
Eric –
I am currently unable to download stamps.com software upgrade to 8.6 on my PC, my laptop, and my friend’s laptop. I am a current customer, and wanted to install the software on my friend’s laptop so he could access my account since we both use it for business. Every time I go to the download page and hit the button, the screen goes blank. This is true on both IE and Firefox. I have no other programs running at the time. Are you currently experiencing issues with Stamps.com download and upgrade of 8.6 software?
Thanks for your time
Thats too bad :(
@Kel
Hi Kel, the Stamps.com software does not support the importing of Amazon.com order descriptions currently. However, we have received many requests for this feature to be added, and we may be offering this functionality in the near future. We apologize for any inconvenience.
I am attempting to import amazon orders however I need to be able to pull the description however that field remains blank. How do I get stamps.com to import the description. It does already import the asin, however
@sherri
Hi Sherri, There may be a couple of different issues that could cause this. Due to the technical complexity of your question, the best method for us to properly troubleshoot your issue is over the phone. You may reach one of our knowledgeable Technical Support Representatives by calling us toll-free at 1-888-434-0055 (select option 4).
I keep getting the following error message when trying to add my ebay web store – I input my store name, my ebay user id, then my paypal key – and I get
“You have encountered an internal error. Please try again later.”
I have now attempted over 10 times with the same error message.
How long is try again later?
@Evie
Upgrade is free for exsisting user unless you want to change your plan to a higher one. IE: Standard account to a premium account. I pay about $24.99 for my account so I can use it on multiple computers at the same time.
What is the monthly charge for the upgrade. somewhere I read it was mroe than what I pay now for Stamps.com 8. Please answer! Thank you
Does anyone else have the problem when you hit batch. The information that shows up on the screen is blank. But if you double click on one of the blank orders it shows the customer information in it?
@Mary-Ellen
A Return Shipping Label allows customers to generate a return shipping label for the item originally mailed using a domestic shipping label with e/confirmation service. It basically allows customers to pre-pay for a shipping label if their customer decides to return the item.
Create Return Shipping Labels
You can email your customers a return shipping label for any package shipped from Stamps.com that included either Delivery or Signature Confirmation. This makes it easier for your customers to send unwanted merchandise back to you. This label will be pre-addressed and include postage paid from your account. The label can be printed from any web browser up to 24 hours from the time you send the email, printed on any standard desktop printer, and can be shipped on any day.
Note: If for whatever reason your return label is not used by your customer simply request a refund for the postage no more than 10 days after the day you created the label.
To email a return label:
1. In the Main Navigation Bar, click Search.
2. Click the checkbox next to the print you want to generate a return label for. This will activate the Return Label button.
3. Click Return Label.
4. Decide whether you will send the return label using Stamps.com or your own preferred email client. Click Continue.
5. If you selected to use Stamps.com:
– Verify that the correct “from” name, as you wish it to appear is present. You can chose from a number of different headers/subject lines by clicking the name displayed.
– Next, enter in the recipient’s email address. You can add a short memo if you wish here as well.
– Enter in the details of the mailpiece, select your mail class and any optional insurance.
– To see a preview of the email that will be sent, click Preview.
– Click Send.
6. If you elect to use your own email client:
– Enter in the details of the mailpiece.
– Click Send when ready.
– The client will open your email client, generating a ready-made email.
– Enter in the email address details and send.
Tip: You can set return shipping labels preferences to set your return address and choose the best mail class for your return shipments.
Note: You must have Version 8.0 or higher in order to print Return Shipping Labels.
I noted in the 8.5 upgrade newsletter that ‘return shipping labels’ was listed as an ‘existing feature’. I am not familiar with this nor could I find anything about it. Please elaborate.
Thanks!
@Lela Ladd
Lela, please call support at 1-888-434-0055 to get this problem fixed.
@Dave
Stamps.com is working on a solution for Mac owners and should have something available in early 2010.
@melissa
@Walt
@Angela Believes In Freedom
@Marcelle Costanza
@Elizabeth
Here are the instructions on how to link eBay (or other stores/carts) and Stamps.com together:
Important note!!! You must have Version 8.5 in order to connect to your eBay account. You can download Version 8.5 at http://www.stamps.com/download/
Thanks to our new Batch Printing feature, you are now empowered to sync your web stores to your Batch screen in the Stamps.com client, allowing you to pull addresses straight from your Web store shipping database directly into the Batch Screen. Currently, you can integrate web stores from Google™ Checkout, PayPal™ (using Instant Payment Notification), Yahoo!® (using Instant Payment Notification), and eBay®.
To add a Web Store:
1. Click Batch in the Main Navigation Bar to go to the Batch Screen.
2. Click Manage.
3. Click New on the Manage Profiles popup.
4. Select the type of Web Store you have from the next popup and click Next.
5. On the Add Web Store pop-up that appears enter the name of the web store and click on Next.
6. From here, follow the instructions that appear for your specific web store type.
7. When instructed continue the set up process by closing the Add Web Store pop-up.
8. On the Profile Options pop-up that appears you can set the Return Address, Sender Phone Number, Return Address Graphic and Hidden Postage fields.
9. Once you have set your profile options click on Done.
10. Click Done to close the Manage Profiles pop-up.
You will now be able to view your profile in the Batch window. Select the profile you wish to view and your orders will appear. If you see no orders but expect click on Refresh next to Manage and your orders should appear. Sometimes it may take a few minutes before orders begin showing up.
Note: You must already have an existing seller account with Google Checkout™, PayPal™, Yahoo!®, or eBay® to be able to configure Stamps.com to accept orders from a web store. Also, it may take up to 15 minutes for your eBay sales to appear in Stamps.com.
If you need help, go to http://www.stamps.com/support and enter “batch” or call support at 1-888-434-0055
@Cherry Empire
Hi Cherry,
Thanks for your comment.
#1 Agreed, 100%. This error has been brought to customer support’s attention, and Duplicate IDs will be allowed in a future release. We are very sorry for the present inconvenience.
#2 The eBay item description is not currently supported, but we think this is a great idea & hopefully will be able to add this field for a future release.
#3 You’ll need to contact our support team so they can understand the PayPal issue better. Please contact our tech support team at 1-888-434-0055 so that we can get this problem resolved for you.
Stamps.com
@Kathleen Weaver
Kathleen, there is no cost to upgrade your Stamps.com software. To upgrade, go to http://www.stamps.com/download/
I have had the Power Plan foralmost 9 years now but I cannot seem to find any way to import order info from my Yahoo Store. I do not have an option for any ODBC toolbar in my Tools menu. The user guide says this is only available for certain plans but no where can I find any info on that either! Why does this have to be so difficult to figure out?
So.. where is the help in using this new version. There is NOTHING on the website about how to use this new version with Yahoo, Ebay, Amazon, or the Quickbooks plug in.
How exactly do we initiate the Amazon / eBay / Paypal connections?
When will Stamps.com release a Macintosh version of Postage software!? Our business desperately wants it.
Interesting post but not enough information to be of any actual use. For example, HOW do we set it up to import sales data from PayPal? I could find no menu options for that and a search of the built-in and online help resources turned up nothing.
I tried upgrading – having run into the screen stating that Stamps.com detected Microsoft Word program running, to close and continue with install. I shut down ALL programs – still would not go passed this screen. I cancelled update – restarted computer and went through the download again (19 minutes) without opening any files – same screen appeared (even though there was nothing opened on my computer) and still won’t go passed. Wasted over 30 minutes trying this twice!
How much does the upgrade cost on a monthly basis? I currently have Basis Stamps.com
sounds great! but HOW do you link stamps.com to ebay?
I am not an Ebay seller, but if I become one in the future, can I still join this function?
I have encountered couple errors so far with stamp.com 8.5 batch print function.
1. Missing or No duplicated id. I realized that the program cannot import the order with the same eBay Item number. Since most sales are generated from Buy It Now, duplicated ID should be allow.
2. The program didn’t import eBay item description. Its hard to tell what items I sold without item description
3. Paypal import is not working. I did change the IPN, but nothing happened so far after 3 hours.
Please advise how to correct these problems.