First time trying to add variations to a listing.....HOW & WHERE TO FIND THIS????????

[austinr-66]

Hello fellow seller folks,

I need some help.  I'm about to pull my hair out trying to find where to go to add variations to an existing listing!  I've been trying to figure this out for about 2 days now.  This should be simple, like basic math.  But instead, it's turned into trigonometry or a flippin Rubix Cube for F&*@!$%'s sake!! (pardon the French).

Is there anyone out there willing to hold my hand through this (probably) simple task??  Am I overlooking something?  Or is there a secret, hidden button that takes me to the neatherregions of what I like to call, the "Dark Web of eBay"?

Thanks for any input, advise, pats on the head, etc.

Respectfully, Kate

[popblox]

Hi, variations are only available in certain categories, so it depends on what category your listing is in. What is the item number? 

[shipscript]

@austinr-66 

First, make sure you do not have "Auction format" selected because variations are not supported by the Auction format. After selecting the Fixed Price format, the "Create variations" button will be near the top of the listing form, but only if the category supports variations.

The Quick Lister, shown to new sellers, does not support variations.

In the Business lister, it is up near the category selector.

In the new Unified lister (shown below), it is between the photos at the top and the description in the middle (but only if listing fixed price and only if the category supports variations.)

Unified Lister - Variation section

 

A variation listing can only be started as a new listing. An existing listing can not be converted to a variation. However, an existing variation listing can be edited to add more variations.

Once the Variation option is selected, the screens are very similar for both the Business lister and the new Unified lister.  This tutorial may help:

http://shipscript.com/ebayhelp/lister_hub/creating_ebay_variations.htm

[austinr-66]

Thank you so much for responding!  Ok, so I've never used the Business Lister.  I have a seller account along with a store.  I'm assuming my seller account needs to be a business account?  I can't remember if I signed up for that at the beginning. How do I know if I have a business account or not?

Thanks for your help.  I really appreciate it!

[austinr-66]

Hi there,

Thanks so much for your response!  The item ID is #384857570138.  It in the clothing category.

[shipscript]

@austinr-66 

The clothing category does support variations.

Variations are not supported by the mobile App.

If you are using the Quick lister (a simplified tool for new sellers), you should see an option at the top of the listing form to switch to a different listing tool.

I'm not sure which listing tool you are using, but you don't need to have a business account to use the Business lister (also called the Advanced listing tool).  You will not be able to add variations to your existing listing. Instead, start a sell-similar and look for the Variation option while creating your new draft. If it exists, you can finish and post the draft, and then end the listing you copied from.

[siamjane8]

its probably there somewhere but to make the new tool look simple- they just hid all the functions and options in a puzzle of hidden secret popup boxes and sub menus that you have to unlock in the correct order to find... it fun- like a game. it takes 10x longer but its cool. 

    Ebay ahs been to most complicated site on the internet to list on because of all the item specifics and hoops to jump through. you cant make it simpler by hiding what you require  us to fill out.

If you would dial back the item specifics and reprogram the search algorithms to show us what we type in the search box instead of "who knows what" then maybe people would start listing and buying here again.

[shipscript]

---

@siamjane8 wrote:

its probably there somewhere but to make the new tool look simple- they just hid all the functions and options...

---

@siamjane8   I know you are trying to get your message out on every thread that might allude to the Unified Lister, and I don't blame your effort, but in this case, the response misrepresents the question. The Variation option is not hidden "somewhere".  It is exactly where the screenshots in my earlier post show it to be — right there on the main screen. Right there on the Business Lister and on the new Unified Lister. No hunting required.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Seller-Tools/First-time-trying-to-add-variations-to-a-listing-HOW-amp-...

The common reasons for a missing Variation tool are:

• The variation tool is NOT available on the Quick Lister or on the Mobile App Lister.
• The variation tool is NOT available when Auction format or Classified Ad format is selected.
• The variation tool is NOT available within some excluded categories.
• The variation tool is NOT available when revising a listing that did not start as a variation.
• Best Offer is NOT available for variation listings.

Those are the valid issues to address when someone can not find the Variation tool.  I know this comes across as blunt, but the Variation tool, by itself, is complicated, and I just wouldn't want people to get lost in the weeds of other discourse. I agree with your main point, but just not on this thread about Variations. I hope you will appreciate my view on this.

[siamjane8]

@shipscript 

   No problem at all- in fact I have been appreciating your efforts and great walk throughs on how to figure out this new unified listing tool.  I actually was lust talking with a merchant support agent about the limited color choices now available.( they ae soo muted that they don't even stand out to highlight defect in an item- we use this to avoid returns and poor customer satisfaction) She said she cant stand the new tool and is glad she can still switch back. She also noted that they have gotten so many phone calls about the new tool that she cant imagine that they wont do something about it soon.   

    We can hope