Variations

[desert_dream_seller]

Can't find them.  I give up this listing tool is the worst EVER!!  I even contacted someone still doesn't help.  I know the category qualifies still no option.

[stuff4divas]

@kensgiftshop   Yes Ken, Just found out thru @shipscript  what is going on with the variations, didn't know there were category restrictions, so your solution did not work for me, but I just listed a variation listing for another category that eBay accepted and it went smoothly. Thanx!

[siamjane8]

Glad you figured it! Not that eBay is any help. No instructions, no explanations, no roadmap, nothing... Just force sellers to search and guess and fight with a new tool without any help other than sellers helping each other. What categories support variations? Seems like a simple question that every could let us know in advance- they love pop-up boxes, why not give us information like that? Lol- although at this point it's not really funny what had happened here with the listing tool. 

We went from a refined, working, stable listing tool that had a straight forward, logical progression of inputting data..... To the unified listing tool-    well no need to explain- it is the opposite. 

[christophergeer]

It's true, correct categories + the 3 vertical dots + settings = Variation option. Although, I've found if I revise my listing, even with the right category and have not preselected 'variation' on beforehand, then it won't give me the option and leaves me the sentence you mentioned. Also, if I start a new sale and Ebay suggests similar matches, I have found the Variation option not always available, even if I make sure the category is correct.  So, now I'm just listing without selecting any matches if I know I will be needing the variation tool. 

You may find this useful once you get the variation tool sorted out -

[example;; selling Funko Pop! vinyl figures] I could categorize them a few ways:

   1) 'action figures; toys and accessories' = Variates by size, height, color, etc. but not by character or quantity

But if you switch the category to

   2) 'collectible figures; bobbleheads' = Variates by character's name, picture, quantity, and price.

It took me some trial and error to get those two categories straightened out.

[siamjane8]

Interesting... thanks for the explanation of what you figured out with the variations...... Unfortunately this new tool has proven to be overly complicated and confusing at best...... 

What would have been 10000% better?--- a variation toggle right on the main flow in every category.... and if the category was not supported, a simple dropdown message saying " variations are not supported in this category yet", when you try to click on it.    Done - simple/ self explanatory, and eliminates all the confusions and angst.

Granted, i do not have a phd in anything- or official training or schooling in web design...... but come on- the problems that ebay has created with this new tool are unnecessary.  This tool is flawed at its most basic design which causes all this confusion and lack of efficiency.   

LOL- this tool is like a politician- All you want is a straight answer (to activate a selection with 1 click- like a on/off switch), and what you get is the run-a-round answer ( click after click/ popup after popup/ do this first to activate that/  lol......... the unified listing tool is like the children's game "memory", where all the cards are upside down and you must flip them over one at a time and try and remember where the matches are lol.

[shipscript]

@christophergeer 

I would not recommend changing categories to get around variation names. Some categories do not allow variations to share the same name as eBay's reserved item specific names. This has been the case for a couple of years now. Be careful switching to a category that allows you to use a label that was not allowed in another category. As more item specifics move into the "recommended" or "required" groups, those labels may also be blocked and you may find yourself struggling with renaming variations (not a pleasant task). 

To avoid problems with reserved words, some can be pluralized (color→colors, size→sizes, etc) and some can be modified with a symbol (character-name, character_name, card#, etc) to slightly modify the variation name away from the reserved item specific names.

[christophergeer]

Thank you, this is very helpful:) I appreciate the specifics. I was struggling just to get the same tshirt sold with a variation of sizes. I have been locked before. No fun. 

[fxrzships]

This is really really really annoying , i’ve read lots of messages about this but i just can’t find the variation option , even if i put it to a category which allows variables , I just can’t get to find it  i’ve been trying for hours 

[shipscript]

@fxrzships 

I see that you are in the UK and posting here on the US forums.  As a new seller, you are probably seeing the Quick Listing tool for new users. Variations are not supported on that simplified tool.  Instead, use the option at the top of that tool to switch to the business listing tool.

[howen-9899]

You solved the problem that troubled me for 5 days😁，thank you so much , I want to kiss you now 🤣

[johnson.girls]

Yes. I spent all last night setting up variations on a number of colors of dollhouse wallpaper. Descriptions of colors, photos...wow, LOTS of work! Then, as if by magic, they all disappeared!  I wish I'd kept track of the keystrokes that made them all go away. Oh well. No worries. They're in a draft...Nope. My variations are just gone.

Why am I trying to list variations of anything on ebay? 

I straighten up. Breathe in. Breathe out. Then look for my etsy credentials. 

Here I go!!!!

[tfgold]

Thanks so much for a simple answer that could have been easily posted by Ebay whenever trying to figure out how to add variations. You would think Ebay would have tell how to add this option but instead it only states that most categories can have this option added but doesn't tell you how to do it. 

[ebooksdiva]

OLD THREAD FROM 2022

[kh-stanley1]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.