Full disclosure...I use FileExchange extensively, but do not use variations. Having said that, thanks!! for the exercise!
1) First, not all categories will allow variations.
2) Here is an image of the appropriate fields in the csv file....
3) That will produce (with the additional necessary fields) a item listing....
The drop down list on this listing, will be the same as the example you provided.
Sorry, I can not leave the resulting listing available for you to look at. I could not find a test category that allowed variations. So I had to create a live listing. Fortunately, no buyers bought the $5000 birdhouse (I actually sell the item I used). I deleted the item listing as soon as I had the above images.
Notes:
1) I used a single image for this listing. You can provide individual images, if you like. Leave the image url blank on the item line (first line), and place the individual image urls on each variation instead.
The value for the first image url field would be '#1 Bob=https://imageserver.com/imagefilename.jpg' (without tics)..
2) Most important!! Any place that you use the = sign...place no spaces before or after the = sign. The listing will fail.
3) Many categories require a Product:UPC (or other GTIN). a) You will have to add this column to your csv file, b) do not place just one on the item line. You need seperate UPCs on each variation. For now, 'Does not apply' may work for you, but as eBay gets further into the Product Selling Experience, you will need real UPCs for each variation (or they may not show your listing to buyers).
Please reply to this thread, if you need further help. FileExchange is the best kept secret on eBay.
@mypaymentstest Please correct any info here (product info) that may not be correct.
@geonut wrote:
Greetings Community!
I am in need of assistance as I have not been able to figure out (thorugh advanced manual) how to impliment a variation for an item listing.
What I'm trying to recreate in FILE EXCHANGE is something almost exactly like this auction:
Simple, just a 'select from list', different quantities for each item, different prices, and different url's.
I'm fairly familiar with F.E. and used just for normal listings. Just don't know how to impliment the "select from list" variation.
Thanks in advance for anyone's help.
@geonut - Thank you for posting your question on this Community Board thread. The best way to start creating a listing like the example you provided is to select a category with variation options. This is important.
There are other things that you need to take in consideration. Please use "Best Practices" when creating a variation for similar item. Our system is set to review listings that appears to have different product in one listing.
With the example you provided, it's the "Brand (Collectors Choice)" that is the similar product and the different player cards is the variant.
Here is more information on our "Best Practices":
Consider listing in only one category.
- If you choose to list in 2 categories, make sure that both categories allow listings with variations.
Emphasize your most popular variations.
- List your product so that buyers can easily see the information they're most interested in. For example, in most Clothing, Shoes & Accessories categories, buyers want to see the various colors and sizes available.
- Remember to add plenty of pictures.
Use variation details and item specifics for which buyers are likely to search.
- Item specifics can help attract buyers to your listing, and we encourage you to follow the recommendations we provide during the listing process.
- When you specify a color, choose the more common color name, such as "red", instead of a unique color name, such as "cranberry".
- Use a unique color name only when you're sure that buyers will search for it.
Make the most of your photos.
- Pictures help buyers decide whether to buy an item, especially in listings where there is more than one variation of your product.
- We recommend at least one picture that displays all the variations in the listing, and at least one picture for each variation.
Try different combinations of details.
- Experiment with your listings to see which approach is the most successful in helping you sell your items.
- Example: You want to list cobalt blue Fiestaware place settings. Instead of selecting color as a variation detail (since they're all cobalt blue), you could enter "plates" as a variation detail, and then specify "dinner", "salad", and "dessert".
Consider the duration of your listing and monitor your inventory.
- Consider using a time frame of Good 'Til Cancelled for your listings with variations, and keep the items listed for as long as possible. Popular listings can appear higher in search results, allowing you to reach more buyers.
- When you sell an item, we deduct the item automatically from your quantity and price list for that variation.
- If you sell out of an item, it shows in your listing as "out of stock" until you replenish it.
- Use the Quantity and Price page to track your inventory. Make sure you don't sell out of all your variations. If you sell all the variations of the item, the listing will be removed from search results. Your listing information will be saved in your sold folder for 90 days. You'll need to relist the item to sell more.
Use variations that are appropriate for the item.
- For example, don't list a "gloves" variation of a listing for a pair of shoes.
- Attempting to avoid fees by selling different products with one variation listing is a violation of our fee avoidance policy and can cause poor search and buying experiences.
As long as you follow these "Best Practices", you'll be able to list like the example you provided.
Through File Exchange, you'll use the Relationship and RelationshipDetails headers to be able to create variation listing:
There are more details for Variation in the eBay File Exchange Advanced User Guide: page 30-34
This should help you get started.
If you need any further assistance in setting up a variation listing, please feel free to reply to this post or feel free to contact us at eBay directly for assistance.
Sincerely,
mykal@ebay
eBay Support
