Overview of the Catalogs and how it all works

Every listing you create on eBay or Amazon uses data from one of PSS’s three catalogs, with that data applied differently for each marketplace.  Understanding the difference now will save you confusion later, especially once you're troubleshooting a listing issue.

Additionally, the listing process differs slightly for each.

🎥 Insert video here: side-by-side visual comparison of the three catalogs.

The three catalogs

Aftermarket Catalog

Distributor-sourced parts and accessories data complete with images and descriptions. PSS aggregates pricing & inventory from each distributor and its individual warehouses nightly.  For most dealers, this is the bulk of what gets listed.

OEM Catalog

Original manufacturer "replacement parts" that dealers like you typically stock on their shelves. Catalog data is limited, often including only a product title and a brand logo as the image. Sellers can customize titles and add their own product images. PSS does not receive pricing or inventory feeds from OEMs; instead, dealers use their Lightspeed pricing and inventory data.

📌 Key Point: OEM Parts, Garments, and Accessories can be found in the Aftermarket Catalog.  We put them there because they have attributes similar to aftermarket products.  The OEM catalog just has replacement parts.

Private Catalog

You create your own custom products — anything that isn't provided by the major distributors or manufacturers that we integrate with. You create and control this data from our system entirely.

How listings are created

  • Aftermarket - You create these listings using the provided catalog data.
  • OEM - We create these listings in bulk for you based on what you have available in Lightspeed.
  • Private - Same as aftermarket.  You create the listings from the products that you create.

How catalog data feeds your listings

  • eBay - You create listings, and we push images and descriptions.  Additionally, we will attach an "EPID" (eBay Product ID) to the listing, which will apply eBay's Ftiment.
  • Amazon - You hook onto an "ASIN" (Amazon Standard Identification Number), and we push price and inventory.  Amazon uses its own catalog data to power each ASIN.
  • Pricing and inventory are calculated at the catalog level, then pushed to each marketplace every morning.

Next step

Continue to Know Your Support Channels.