BLACKTHORNE BASIC-The TRUTH About It

Maybe you are thinking about opening an eBay store and you need a database to help you manage your sales, inventory & growth.  So you clicked on the links telling you about the various eBay options for a database and you where so excited by your options both pricing and function.  Well, you get what you pay for; and sometimes you pay for it and still don't get what you deserve. The purpose of this guide is tell you the truth about Blackthorne Basic, so when you make your decision, you have relevant info to help you out.

Databases by design are created to SAVE us TIME by consolidating & stream lining our efforts.  Conceptually, Blackthorne Basic is wonderful BUT in actuality it is a sloooow, painful relationship. 

The Problems that I had...

1) Slow LOADING TIME for each initial use. When I turn a computer on for the first time that day, I expect to wait while the computer wakes up.  Likewise, when I log into a software package initially, I am prepared to wait, but not as long as Blackthorne Basic makes me wait.  There is also a noticeable lag time as I move from option to option inside the program.  Blackthorne is slow to me, consistently stealing my time gradually. If you have never used a database at all you may be happy, because this is better than manual.  If you want to make changes to information that shows up in every listing--you only have to change it once & so on. But there are other issues to consider...

2) Missing Data from IMPORTS.  In this software you can import any changes you make online in eBay and also import any sales or questions from eBay into Blackthorne Basic.  This way you have all the relevant up to the minute information on your desktop as well as online.  BUT there is one problem, when I use the import option--all my data and information does not transfer every time. One time when I did my daily import to update my information in Blackthorne, it down loaded the sale price of the item as a bid price, telling me that I had a sale that I did not have.  That's a problem!...

3) EXPORTING Data or REFRESHING your eBay listing with the recent changes you made inside Blackthorne Basic works better than importing.  It is slow, but all data did export properly....

4) No UNIVERSAL ACCESS.  Because I chose a desktop database, when I am away from my own personal computer, I have a problem (magnified by the glitches in the program).  I can make changes online through Selling Manager (which came free with Blackthorne Basic at the time).  But because Importing my changes into Blackthorne Basic does not always transfer all the data, I ended up having to update ONE listing 4 times!!! I made the changes in eBay in the morning, at the end of the day before I went to bed I checked my store online and then imported the changes from the day into Blackthorne Basic.  Made changes to other listings in Blackthorrne Basic and then patiently Refreshed my eBay listing with my changes in Blackthorne.  The next morning when I checked on my store.  The changes where gone because of problem # 2 listed above.  Still there is another problem...

5) Periodic FREEZING.  You can create your entire listing in Blackthorne Basic and then 'slowly' upload it to eBay.  You can even choose item specifics (brand, material, color, etc), except when I use this option the software routinely FREEZES requiring me to log out of the software and start all over again, bringing me back to problem # 1. Five problems is enough but I have one more concern...

6) Changes to the TAX TABLE locks the entire system up requiring that I log out of the software and begin again (refer to problem #1).  When you first sign up for the software you choose your state of residence and the tax rate for the state and whether you want taxes charged to shoppers in you your state.  I chose yes.  But I learned that my initial items did not need taxes, I tried to change it--thinking that I would be easy and I could adjust it as needed.  BUT the software locked up and locks up every time I try to address this issue and help can't help me and I no longer have the patience to suffer through one more issue.

In just a few more words, Blackthorne Basic is in its infancy and needs some time to grow up.  I bought it because I like the idea of my info being on eBay and on my computer, but I learned that I can download reports from an online software and most will download into MS Excel. 

My relationship with Blackthorne Basic is like one of those relationships that I should have ended a long time ago, but because he was so nice (eBay says great things about him) & she does some things right (bulk changes are awesome) I just dealt with her, tolerated him, toiled through.  Well, finally, I am feed up.  I want to move faster. I want something better and more efficient.  $9.99 a month is not worth it at this pace (tooooo slow, toooo much freezing, toooooo many glitches), because ALL my time matters.

I think I will try Sell Manager Pro & I will let you know how that goes...

Did this guide help you? Rate it below. Sincerely, MsJTRAVEL, Your Clearinghouse for Designer Handbags, Luggage & More!