Cars.com FTP Datafile Creator

This feature will create the data file(s) that you need to use with cars.com FTP datafeed in order to list all your inventory on cars.com without needing to re-enter it manually. Everytime that you create and send the datafile your entire inventory will be replaced with the current lsitings in the data file.

How does it work?
When you create the data and image files, all the listings in the database that have the required data will be added to the formatted data file and saved to the folder specified in the config file. Cars.com uses the files to update your inventory.


How many files are there?
There will be two files. One for the inventory and one for the images.


How do I get an account setup?
While we provide the code to create the formatted data file, you will need to contact cars.com for all other information concerning their services, requirements, and details.


Settings
(config.php)
After you have setup an FTP account with Cars.com open config.php activate the feature.

  1. $Cars_com_Active = 1;  // 1=On 0=Off  -  Truns the feature on and off
  2. $Cars_com_DealerId = "CC1234";  -  Your Cars.com Dealer ID - (Case Sensitive)
  3. $Cars_com_Used = 1;  -  Inlcude Used Inventory 1=Yes | 0=No
  4. $Cars_com_New = 1;  -  Include New Inventory 1=Yes | 0=No
  5. $Cars_com_NumImages = 9;  -  Maximum Number of images to include per listing. 9 is the Max.
  6. $Cars_com_Pending = 0;  -  Include listings that are marked pending. 1=Yes 0=No
  7. $Cars_com_SalePrice = 1;   -  List the sale price instead of full price when available? 1=Yes 0=No
  8. $Cars_com_FilePath = "/home/user/inventory/admin/cars_com_files/";  -  Full path (not url) to the folder with trailing slash. Must chmod 777 writable.
  9. $cars_ftp_enable = 1; // Enable automatic FTP upload to cars.com 1=ON 0=OFF  -  Will automatically FTP the file(s) to cars.com.
  10. $cars_test_mode = 0; // 1=Yes 0=No  -  Turn on for testing and off once your datafile is approved.
  11. $cars_ftp_server='domain.com'; // Cars.com ftp server
  12. $cars_ftp_user_name='username'; // Cars.com ftp username
  13. $cars_ftp_user_pass='password'; // Cars.com ftp password


Basic Steps:
 (Auto FTP enabled) - FTP support needs to be enabled in PHP. Check with phpinfo();

1. Login to the admin section of your site.

2. Click the button to create the data file.

3. The files will be uploaded directly to cars.com for you.

4. You will see the results page and have the option to download the file(s)


Basic Steps:
 (Auto FTP Disabled)

1. Login to the admin section of your site.

2. Click the button to create the data file.

3. You will see the results page and should download the data file(s)

4. You will then need to upload the files to cars.com using an FTP client.


Notes:
- Do not rename the files. They are formatted to cars.com spec's.
- The data files are plain text (ASCII).