WC -> Square Sync for Large Inventory

Hi there!

First, could you confirm if you are using the most up to date version of Square. There were some known issues with earlier versions where this happened, but generally speaking, the newer versions should work a bit better. If your version is outdated, please update and try again.

If your version is updated, then there’s a few things we can try:

1. You can try the CSV option, but I suspect you’ll have trouble getting the products to recognize in all cases.

2. You can try to sync in batches, but that would require going into each product and marking sync or no (and then adjusting after the sync is completed so that they all sync going forward).

3. Another option would be to export your products from WooCommerce, then delete all but a chunk, sync, then import another chunk, sync, etc.

Can you provide any details on the specific errors you are getting? In case that sheds any additional light on this?

Hello Melinda!

Thanks for the prompt response. We are using 1.0.34. I think that it the current build. Additionally, I have attempted to import by creating a CSV of instock items only as well as a XLSX of instock items (using Square’s format) and in both instances I get errors because two items have the same title. Apparently Square sees items with the same title as variations….

I did see the error that stopped my last attempt to sync via plugin:

SyntaxError: JSON.parse: unexpected character at line 1 column 1 of the JSON data

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the update!

Have you done a plugin and theme conflict test? That would be my next suggestion as something is being blocked somewhere, that’s what the JSON is telling us.

There’s a guide to doing that at https://docs.woocommerce.com/document/woocommerce-self-service-guide/#section-4

Ugggh was afraid you’d say that. I’ll try to do that tonight. I installed on the production site initially, so I’ll have to copy the product catalog over to the staging site, install a copy of WC Square, and run plugin/theme conflicts. We’re really not in a position to do such tests on our production site – ’tis the season! ??

Got another JSON error trying to sync. This one was:

SyntaxError: Unexpected token < in JSON at position 0

You wouldn’t happen to have a known list of conflicts would you? I could post list of active plugins and see if there’s a match on something that’s already been reported.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 11 months ago by rayhunt0917.

You may also want to give https://www.ads-software.com/plugins/wp-staging/ a try? That way you can create a copy of your production site with a few clicks and give that a try that way?

Thanks but we already have a copy in place under a subdomain for staging. That would duplicate a lot of work that was already done. Was just hoping to avoid the conflict testing LOL. I’ll reply with further developments – I have a few hunches as to what may be in conflict if there indeed is any.

While I have not pinpointed the exact source of the JSON errors, I have been able to identify what may be a related site event that triggers the syntax error. It seems that every time an eBay order is processed that involves a catalog item, the syntax error occurs and the sync process is terminated. The sequence of events would be as follows:

1) Initiate manual WC->Square sync
2) Allow catalogs to sync items
3) Order is placed for catalog item through eBay
4) Product catalog is updated on webstore
5) Corresponding Square catalog item is updated
6) JSON syntax error occurs
7) initial sync process is terminated

I am not certain that the order source is critical in replicating this behavior, as a webstore order, or manual order may cause this as well since it would trigger an inventory update. Adding new inventory to the WooCommerce store doesn’t seem to cause this either, but I’ll keep watch. Has anyone else reported this?

Thanks for the update. Our next step will be to look at your server error logs to see why you are getting the JSON errors and this would be easier to do via our ticket system.

Could you please contact us at WooCommerce.com > My Account > Tickets? You may need to create an account. We will be able to help you further there.

Please reference https://www.ads-software.com/support/topic/wc-square-sync-for-large-inventory/ in your ticket and attach a copy of your server error logs. You won’t be able to attach the log right to the ticket form, but when you get the email confirmation you can reply and attach (or you can upload the log to somewhere like dropbox and attach the link).

If you’re unfamiliar with where to find that, see [Your server’s own PHP error logs](https://docs.woocommerce.com/document/debug-subscriptions-paypal-ipn-issues/#section-1) *IMPORTANT* Do not copy/paste the log file in this ticket but rather You can either attach that to an email reply to this ticket or upload to dropbox or similar (but NOT tinypic) and share the download link with us.

Ok sounds like a plan Melinda. Before we continue though, let me share our expectations with you so we can confirm that we’re heading in the right path. What we would like the WooCommerce Square integration to be able to do is:

1. Remove or update stock of Square inventory item (SI) when an order is placed through the webstore or received from eBay. We have WP Lister for eBay in place which provides a two way inventory sync with eBay and our webstore.

2. Provide a current inventory to Square that mirrors our WooCommerce inventory (WCI).

3. Update stock of WCI when an order is placed through the Square app

4. Update WooCommerce orders when an order is placed through the Square app which includes line items of order, total, and method of payment.

If this is possible with this plugin, or with a similar one you offer, by all means lets proceed. Thanks for your time!

Hi there!

No, the Square plugin will not serve all of your needs.

The Square plugin will sync inventory between your WooComemrce and site and your Square account, and allow you to use your Square merchant account to accept payment on your WooCommerce website.

1. If WP Lister reduces the stock on your WooCommerce store, then yes, the stock will reduce with the next auto-sync back to Square. Square will not talk directly to WP Lister, but it will talk to the overall inventory levels of your products.

2. Inventory will sync hourly so that the inventory in both places match. When a sale happens on WooCommerce, that will sync to Square almost instantly, however if a sale takes place on the Square side (at POS for example), it will sync back every hour.

3. Addressed above.

4. This is not possible. Orders on WooCommerce will only be for orders placed on the website.

Thanks for the reply Melinda. The hourly sync from Square to WC would be a dealbreaker unfortunately. Our plan was to use this at trade shows since the interface was nicely responsive and usable on iPads and smartphones. However, since we simultaneous market our inventory on eBay as well as our webstore, you could easily see the trouble caused if we sold an item at a show, then 20 minutes later sold it on eBay before the sync would occur. I appreciate your time on this and do contact us if you develop a plugin that would meet our needs, regardless of cost.