Hi, is anyone wondering what's going on with SOLD V? Its hard to get responses to questions we have about the product? Not a lot has been done in terms of features lately. While SOLD V is still mostly usable, it is starting to break as eBay continues to roll out new features.

The Store Categories is not working for any longer.

Is anyone looking at other products? I am reluctantly toying with the idea of using eBlackthorne.

I use SOLD V strictly for auctions - not stores. I noticed recently eBay made some changes and SOLD V didn't work properly, but new updates were out pretty quick to fix the problems.
I dread the day I have to switch from SOLD V to something else, but for now I'm pretty happy with it.
Thanks again for having this forum.
Bill

You are very welcome. I just downloaded eBay Blackthorne last night and have been playing with it. It works quite well in terms of importing all my completed (last 60 days) and active listings. It also generates inventory for me automatically and recognizing identical inventory and only creating it once. It is a memory hog I will admit, using 144MB while idle and going up to 200MB when I am importing listings. The interface also feels sluggish as I work with it.

While I don't want to start talking bad about SOLD V, the longer I use SOLD V without support for features, the less I feel SOLD V will be a part of my business. I use everyday now, but with Store Categories being broken, best offer not being supported, etc. it is starting to conflict with business.

I have been using Shooting star. It is really taking big jumps for a change. I was using Sold and then I came back off a long vacation all of a sudden it just stopped. I started asking questions and got the idea I was not wanted on Sold. So I just gave up on it. Been using Shooting Star ever since. They are making a lot of changes.

After the problems we had with updating last month we dropped SoldV.
Considering we had just switched to Sold the month earlier. We seriously asked how you can run your business with software that is not updated. We opted to run SoldV in tandem with AW200 and happy that we did, when the updating issues started, it caused many issues; the delay in tech service was not a good sign. If we supplied the same service to our customers we would not be in business very long.

Sold is a good product that’s why we switched, in fact I asked the question on this board when considering Sold, your comments proved favorable. But if the updates are not forthcoming and no further progression in the software, it normally spells impending doom.

As for Bill's comment regarding updates are fast, maybe in your case, but if you notice the updates we had were basically fixing the previous update, indicating the software was rushed through and not tested. This caused major headaches, and to think Timbersoft was using paying customers to test their software.

Sorry if my comments are on the negative side, but our company believes in our customers, likewise we expect the same from our vendors.

I recall there was some issue with updating Store items this last build or previous build. It can be tough to make updates for the software since eBay runs multiple web servers and they do not all operate the same. They will roll out a new change to some but not all. So, there is some delay in getting updates out until eBay completely changes over. So, it is judgement call on getting an update out quick versus waiting for eBay changes to settle. That is a typical issue with programs that "scrape" data off the eBay site.

I hear there is an API version of the software coming out but I have not heard anything about it since last year.

I have sent an email last week and nothing! When I open SOLD it asks if I want to renew, hell, if I can't get an answer I won't renew!

I sent an email asking how to use the value pack option and Gary responded.
He stated that "I'm very sure Bill will not be adding it, he has not done anything for Sold! in a very long time."

I really think this software is good but it's disappointing that it appears that the originator has lost interest in it.

It seems odd that now that there is an annual renewal fee he's stopped supporting it. It seemed that it was always being updated back when it was a one time purchase.

I think that since he is no longer supporting it that he should atleast remove the renewal function that we can use what we can in the software!

You would think that since we all have to pay yearly he would be doing more than when it was a one time fee.

As of 6/14, the Timbercreek Software website is down with the notice SERVICE UNAVAILABLE...

I tried to email both Bill and Gary and both bounced back. When trying to go to Gary's website it evidently has been taken down.

Does anyone have current emails for both Bill and Gary?

Thanks,
Steve

Yes, I tried to email them both today as well with no joy. I attempted to call the phone numbers registered with their domains and both are not working. I just emailed Gary just the other day and he helped me with a little issue with SoldV so I don't know why this is happening. Maybe there all at eBay live??

If anyone can offer some assistance with this matter please speak up.

Sincerely,
Dave

I would like to note that I stopped using Sold about 3 months ago because they promised an API version around 1/06 and never delivered. I must say that the demise of Sold has been a boon to my business, which saddens me a little because it has been part of my everyday routine for more than 5 years. I started using Blackthorne Pro, and while it tended to be a little buggy at first, I now am using a more recent beta release and it is just terrific. This program has cut listing and order processing times in half - literally. If you are still using Sold I urge people to give Blackthorne Pro a try. Please note that I am usually loathe to recommend anything that eBay is pushing, but this program appears to be the very best that I have been able to find.

Chet
Momthrewitaway (eBay ID)

I had rather NOT change to another program but if this is truely the end of SOLD then I will be forced to of course.

I have been using Timbercreek Software since March, 2000 and really dread having to learn another and create new templates!

In the meantime:

#1 Does anyone have the correct email address or phone #'s to Gary and Bill

#2 Other suggestions for Auction/Listing/Management Programs

Thanks Once Again,
Steve

I have this information. This is Bill address and phone. However the phone just rings and rings which makes me think that there out of town at eBay live or something. I really doubt Bill would leave all his subscribers (I'm sure there are hundreds of them) hanging like this on purpose. I also doubt he would end SoldV without giving us fair warning.
He has always warned us ahead of time of changes and other big issues he was integrating into SoldV. I believe
his web server has crashed and he's not home to reboot the system. The site is not down it's just appears to have
crashed. But I'm not a computer genius so I don't know for sure. Someone's got to know something. Where the
hell is Gary? He's always swift to help out us SoldV users. He helped me just the other day with a problem.
Of course I can't open a support ticket because the site is having issues.

Bill Hilton, (512) 335-3962, 12340 Alameda Trace Cir, Austin, TX 78727

Sincerely,
Dave

unitedhbn,

I think that possibly you are correct because finally I can get to
http://www.timbercreeksoftware.com/

But many of the links are still unavailable.

When I do a whois on Timbercreek it shows Bill's email address as billh@GTWEED.COM . I emailed tweed.com asking for Bill's correct email address and they immediately got back with me stating the below:

"Bill Hilton no longer works at Greene, Tweed."

I am totally confused as to what to think!

Thanks,
Steve

UPDATE. The main domain is back up and running now!!

http://www.timbercreeksoftware.com/index.htm

I'm getting this error on some of the pages...

Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC Drivers error '80004005'
[Microsoft][ODBC Driver Manager] Data source name not found and no default driver specified

I believe there Micosoft Server 2003 or something that's used to operate the sub webs of the site has crashed. It just needs to be fixed or re-booted. But once again I'm not computer genius.

Sincerely,
Dave

Hi guys..I also have used Sold for a long period of time and rely on it greatly...I've worried over the last few months about less and less updates..only the no updates on the category expansion has bugged me...so it may indeed be time to switch..i've heard good things about Auction Sage and hte customer support cant be beat on that they say..powerseller board on ebay recommended it highly seemed like..so I may give it a try

Sold counters are down, and its been spotty for months. I am afraid this is the end. I spent 24 hrs with Blackthorn PRO and it imported 100% of my inventory! had to tweak it but it is what SOLD should have been. I know its Ebay but that HAVE to keep it running! Try it I know of nothing else that will grab 3000 items and save weeks of work. Anyone else know a desktop program that can grab your past listings?

Has no one else on here tried Auction Sage?

Auction sage is ok but it wont import your listings from Sold or Ebay.

Can you copy and paste the auction number like Sold?

Has anyone tried Inkfrog? If so what are your thoughts?

I finally can get to Submit a Ticket section at www.timbercreeksoftware.com . Bill has an announcement there.


"Due to a catastrophic hardward failure we in the process of rebuilding the site and all stores. If you are a store owner we expect to be full recovered in the next day or so.

Note to all user that are hosting their on DNS: you need to change your IP address for your store to 64.34.161.89. This is a temporary server so the IP will change again next week."

To me this is Fantastic News that he is working on the issue and evidently Timbercreek is still in business! Of course I am sorry for the catastrophic hardward failure but I suppose that is part of it.

Steve ~ Binkie47 on eBay

Yes this is good news, however the no new features added such as updating the ability to list in custom categories when they expanded still concerns me and I"ll probably go ahead and switch to sage or blackthorne

auctionsmd...how do you got about importing your inventory into blackthorne?

Since the 14th, I haven't been able to download my Paypal info. I filed a support request so we'll see what they respond.

A few weeks ago I filed a question about using the new value pack. Gary responded that Bill hasn't been supporting Sold for quite awhile. I ended up using turbolister to get the option.

I just renewed my subscription last month before I realized that they are not supporting it very well. I hope they get back on track. The program does exactly what I need it to do and would hate to have to switch over to something else. I got lots of info on other options at live. I guess I should start reviewing them.

blondie,

Last night I also filed a support ticket on PayPal downloads. Still haven't heard anything but I assume that he is extremely busy fixing his hardware failure. At least I hope that is what's going on.

I received a response already. It was because of the hardware failure.

"The timbercreeksoftware server crashed from a hardware failure as mentioned on the front page of the help desk. The paypal downloads are not working at this time, you will need to add the inforamtion to your sales orders manually until it is running. I will let you know when it's working again."

So what is the consensus of everyone here? Most of you sticking with sold or going to others? I've tried out Blackthorne the last couple days and seem to be having a few problems with it

I'm sticking with SOLD. I haven't found anything I like better and don't have any problems with it - although their customer service could be a little better.
I'll be opening an eBay store soon and am a little concerned about SOLD managing the store items. Have all of those issues been cleared up?

I'm also going to stick with Sold as long as I can. I have tried other software out there and nothing I like near as much as Sold.

Here is keeping my fingers crossed that Bill with do at least the basics to keep it working.

I agree with both billd and justme, I also am going to stick with SOLD for the same reasons.

Maybe we should all email Bill and let him know how much we love and want SOLD!! I would also like to see the Forums opened back up!!!!

billd - SOLD handles eBay Store items just as nicely as it does your other listings. I have used it for my Store ever since eBay started them and have had absolutely no problems.

Hi, I'm sticking with SOLD V for now. The Paypal transactions have not been fully operational for one week now. eBlackthorne would be the alternative, but SOLD V runs much faster and is stable. eBlackthorne is slow and buggy every time I go for a test-run.

My only concerns are that SOLD V is not being cared for nor are we receiving communication on what the future of the product will be. Maybe he's on summer vacation? ;)

Has anyone heard anything from Bill yet? I think I have about decided to go back to sold after 4 days of messing with other programs, nothing seems to do everything like Sold does...hmm lets just hope he continues with updates if needed

Here is a general announcements from the Help Desk as of June 21, 10:18am: "Due to a catastrophic hardward failure we are in the process of rebuilding the site and all stores. If you are a store owner we expect to be fully recovered in the next day or so.

Note to all users that are hosting their own DNS: you need to change your IP address for your store to 64.34.161.89. This is a temporary server so the IP will change again next week or so.

The Paypal IPN downloads are currently not working, this will be addressed but may not be until everything has been moved from the temporary server back to a dedicated server.
"

Anyone heard exactly when the paypal downloads might work again?

Looks like Paypal Downloads is lower priority than getting stores up again. This is bullshit at this point - its almost two weeks know since the service is unavailable. If you can't recover from a hardware disaster in few days, you should not be running your own web service - you should be renting space from other people. I'm certain this happened due to poor planning and lack of a disaster recovery plan.

Looks like their website is down again.

I dont understand why they dont send out an email announcement to all their users at the least..the last week or two my sales have went down just due to the fact I've been messing with this ordeal...maybe they are getting things switched over today so things will be working soon, who knows

Tekgems is right this is BS. I can't believe that Bill has no backup server or some form of crash protection. It appears that Bill doesn't even know what the problem is and until he knows nothing will be fixed. Here's an email I received from Gary...

Hi,

Sorry, an ETA is not known. Bill when finds a solution to the problem it will be fixed. It's like asking how far is it from point A to B when you have no idea where point B is.

Gary

So has anyone finally made the jump to another program, if so what??

Another email from Gary...

Hi,

Bill's been working on it for 11 days with the help of Microsoft, do think that would qualify as professional help? They have not been able to figure out the problem. Maybe you can help! The problem is that the encryption dll used to encrypt and decrypt winsock communications can not be registered on the server. This dll is required to decrypt the communication from paypal. This is not your everyday problem and has many people stumped, registering a component like this is a very simple task. Until this is resolved it is going to be down.

Maybe you can pass this information along to those in the forum.

Thanks,
Gary

Hi, I am not satisfied with that answer. If you are recovering from a catastrophic hardware failure, you can install all your operating system from scratch, but you don't change versions nor do you add anything that is unknown. Seems to me that the best course is to use what you know and stick technology that you know works together. You don't want to upgrade from Windows 2000 Server to 2003 Server. I don't know if this is what he did, but this difficulty with Microsoft is a terrible block in the road. While Bill tries to figure it out (and he may never be able to resolve due to compatibility issues) we are suffering the delays of a major crash. Personally, I've been having to update each Paypal transaction manually. My wrist used to not hurt, but all this clicking is starting to hurt my right hand again. I am very dissatisfied. The only reason I am sticking with SOLD V at this point is due the investment I have in the program. I'd like to change to a different software, but the effort involved is more than I care to do at this point.

I really hope Bill learns from this disaster and figure out to a way to minimize our down time.

I used to always promote Sold when someone was looking for auction management software. It does exactly what I needed it to do. Since the crash the manual Paypal is a pain. I only have a handful of sales each day so it's not too bad but I feel for those with more.

Anyone know if Bill does this on the side or full time?