Best method to set up/import duplicate product list and categories.

[Simon1]

Hi guys.

Hope someone is able to help out a newbie here with the best way to set up the following Product Categories and Products for a vintage tractor parts supplier.

I have been asked to set up in the following manner.
Main Category (New Parts) > Sub Category (Manufacturer) > Sub Category (Vehicle Model) > Sub Category (Part Group) > Product
and
Main Category (Used Parts) > Sub Category (Manufacturer) > Sub Category (Vehicle Model) > Sub Category (Part Group) > Product

There will be 21 Manufacturers, with over 100 Vehicle Models under some of the Manufacturers, approximately 13 Part Groups per Vehicle Model, followed by the Product, which will all need to be duplicated for the New Parts and Used Parts main category.

I have found a site with a similar product/category layout, although they seem to only sell new parts, (agrilineproducts.com), but I am unsure of my best way to set up the categories/products as above.

As I'm a total newbie Im not sure what more information is needed to successfully set this up in VM, but if the above description is too vague just let me know and I'll answer any questions I am able to.

I'm using VM 3.0.2 and Joomla 3.3.6, PHP version is 5.3.29.

Regards and thanks for any help.

Simon

[GJC Web Design]

I think your asking is there a shortcut to setting this up?  IMHO no --
You intention is the same setup as I have used here -> http://suzistore.com.au/four-wheel-drives.html  .. and yes .. was a lot of clicking and typing..

[Simon1]

I think your asking is there a shortcut to setting this up?  IMHO no --
You intention is the same setup as I have used here -> http://suzistore.com.au/four-wheel-drives.html  .. and yes .. was a lot of clicking and typing..

Thanks for the response.

I had a look at the website you mentioned and it does seem to be along the same lines as what I need to do here.
As you guessed I was looking for a quick way to set this up, but after trawling through the forums I came to the same conclusion, that there was no shortcut to doing it. 
Looks like my best way is just to knuckle down and get clicking and typing for the next few days..
Unfortunately, as I'm pretty new to the VM scene, I may have some more questions to ask, probably silly ones with simple answers.

Many thanks again for pointing me in a direction..

[GJC Web Design]

the only positive is it's a one time job...   

[Simon1]

Yeah, that's true.
Its just making sure I do it correctly the first time.
I had found some extensions which let you manage categories and products, ie import and export them, but unfortunately they are not yet supporting VM3.
I thought maybe something like that would be available as it would have made things so much easier, but again I wasnt really sure about the whole setup.

Thanks again..

[jenkinhill]

CSVI Pro supports J3.x/VM3   http://www.csvimproved.com/en/extension/features

[Simon1]

CSVI Pro supports J3.x/VM3   http://www.csvimproved.com/en/extension/features

Hmm, that looks like a possibility.
On a quick read through the description it sounds like it may just do the job, ie 2 main categories, with 3 sub categories each and products.
It would make the whole set up so much easier, although I'm getting to know my way around VM by doing all manually, but its ever so tedious.
I'll get a more thorough read through the specifications and see.
If it does the job I'll have to run it by the boss and see if the clients will pay up for making my life easier. 

Many many thanks for that pointer.

[Simon1]

Thanks guys for the helping hand.

CSVI definitely worked a treat for the categories importing, ended up with 32,604 lines.

I'm now working on the products csv file and am having a problem with getting these to display on the site via the Joomla Navigation Menu.

eg. They do show up when I create seperate menu entries and associate them with the Part Location, for example New Parts > Manufacturer (Ford) >> Model Number (TS90) >>> Part Location (Body), but to do this for each category is just not going to be feasible.

Is there any way to navigate and display them without having to create 32,604 new menu entries in Joomla.

@GJC Web Design
Just like your site below, which would be ideal for what I need to do except for the fact that some models stretch out to over 100 lines and would scroll off the bottom of the screen.

I think your asking is there a shortcut to setting this up?  IMHO no --
You intention is the same setup as I have used here -> http://suzistore.com.au/four-wheel-drives.html  .. and yes .. was a lot of clicking and typing..

I'm thinking I need to use filters for each product but am unsure how to implement them and if it is even the best way to go about it?
Im at a brick wall once again and perhaps should have thought the whole process out and read alot of Virtuemart manuals on how to display so many products/categories.

Once again any pointers or help with this is very much appreciated.

Thanks again.