changing categories from Xml feed from 3rd party

[roofus]

Hi There,

Quite obviously I'm new to both PHP and Zen cart- so please KISS

I'm completely stuck on the following:

I have set up a shop with a XML fed database from dropshipland.com.
They arrange their products in categories named after the manufacturer, which is not user friendly at all- and results in a terrible navigation system whereby you have to visit 5 different locations to find all 'belts' for instance.

There are about 5000 products and if I move them into new categories named by product type- as soon as the feed updates they all move back to their original categories- by manufacturer.

Has anyone had any experience of this problem and come up with a simple solution? Or am I missing something really basic?

Thanks

[fairestcape]

How are you getting the XML feed uploaded into the zencart database?

[roofus]

Hi,
I know this is going to sound stupid, but I don't actually know. The dropship company ensure you use their hosts, and upload their own Mysql database onto your site automatically. So all I have to worry about is customising the php files. I have asked them about the back end system- the only response I got was that if I did move the products from one category to another, they would end up back at square one once the update had taken place.

I have had one thought- would it work if I just copied products from their main category into one I make of an appropriate name, and then on my site I only provide a link to my category?

i.e. Copy product 'Bra#1' from default category 'manufacturer x'
to new category 'bras'

then only display 'bras' on the main menu.

is that possible?

thanks for the help in advance

[fairestcape]

If your host company is doing all of this, and don't allow alternatives, then there is nothing any of us can suggest that will fix the issue.

Either live with the current set up...

... OR...

Consider setting up your own store on your own domain.

Get the XML feed and use MS Excel (2003) to convert the feed to a spreadsheet.

Use the spreadsheet to create a tab-delimited EasyPopulate file, where the category formats are suitable to your need.