Entering a UPC vs "Does Not Apply" search results problem

[handygearhub]

I'm running into a search results issue with my listings.  When I list and item and include the UPC, it gets attached to an item in eBay's product catalog, much like an ASIN on Amazon.  However, my item doesn't show up in search results this way and thus, my sales go down.  When I enter "Does Not Apply" in the UPC field, it DOES show in search results and my sales go up.  

Any ideas as to why this is?  I only ask because I'm trying to use a 3rd party re-pricing tool, but it only works if I enter the UPC when making the listing.  It needs to be in eBay's product catalog, which seems pointless if it's not going to show up in search results.  Any thoughts?  Thanks in advance. 

[dtexley3]

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@handygearhub wrote:

I'm running into a search results issue with my listings.  When I list and item and include the UPC, it gets attached to an item in eBay's product catalog, much like an ASIN on Amazon.  However, my item doesn't show up in search results this way and thus, my sales go down.  When I enter "Does Not Apply" in the UPC field, it DOES show in search results and my sales go up.  

Any ideas as to why this is?  I only ask because I'm trying to use a 3rd party re-pricing tool, but it only works if I enter the UPC when making the listing.  It needs to be in eBay's product catalog, which seems pointless if it's not going to show up in search results.  Any thoughts?  Thanks in advance. 

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As I recall, when you use a UPC that matches a catalog item, eBay "groups" your listings with others, and only shows ONE listing in search, the "best" one, with a small link to see all the rest.  Unless your listing gets picked to be the "front" page item it may never be seen by buyers.

[second-chance-sa1es]

Glad I havnt been using the upc numbers

[around-the-block]

Wow. Just wow. So Ebay is now punishing sellers for using the stupid catalog system they shoved down our throats? I guess I am not surprised, since it seems to be their goal to bankrupt every seller, but wow. Guess I will remove all the UPCs from mine too and see what happens.

[escuintla]

It's been a long time since I put the UPC number in that box and Ebay would show the picture of the product. 

So, waste of time then, just describe it, list it, and have a nice life. 

[around-the-block]

And to add a little more fuel to this dumpster fire, I looked through all my sales for the past 6 months. 95% of them were items that had no matching product category items. 

So there you have it. The product catalog is literally a detriment to your sales and every seller should refuse to use it.

[tunicaslot]

That's really helpful  - I wondered why items that were great sellers a yr ago are just sitting. Not sure how much it applies to me at this time as I sell mainly clothing but if the UPC is accepted than that item is probably in the catalog - correct?

[handygearhub]

I would say most likely, yes.  You can test that out by just doing a basic search for the item, then specifically looking for your active listing.  If it doesn't show up in search results, then it's because of the UPC.

[dhbookds]

Actually leaving out the UPC doesn't guarantee that the item isn't in the catalog.

Op's saw

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Makita-XRJ05Z-18V-LXT-Li-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-Reciprocating-Saw-Tool-Only...

shows on this catalog page

https://www.ebay.com/p/Makita-XRJ05Z-18V-LXT-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-Recipro-Saw/2254309848?_...

They are also matching Model #'s (MPN's) and actually, from what I can, using them more than UPC, since the UPC can be used across models in some cases. 

[millcreekrescue909]

Very interesting!

[ekmadonna]

I sell a fair amount of books and very rarely enter a ISBN number. When you use the ISBN # it gets attached with catalog information to a SINGLE category that EBAY chooses and there is no way to put the item in a better fitting category unless you use DOES NOT APPLY and forgo the ISBN. The only time I use ISBN'S is if there are no other similar items or only 1 or 2 listed. I have seen no drop in sales by not using ISBN'S.

[city*satins]

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@dtexley3 wrote:

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@handygearhub wrote:

I'm running into a search results issue with my listings.  When I list and item and include the UPC, it gets attached to an item in eBay's product catalog, much like an ASIN on Amazon.  However, my item doesn't show up in search results this way and thus, my sales go down.  When I enter "Does Not Apply" in the UPC field, it DOES show in search results and my sales go up.  

Any ideas as to why this is?  I only ask because I'm trying to use a 3rd party re-pricing tool, but it only works if I enter the UPC when making the listing.  It needs to be in eBay's product catalog, which seems pointless if it's not going to show up in search results.  Any thoughts?  Thanks in advance. 

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As I recall, when you use a UPC that matches a catalog item, eBay "groups" your listings with others, and only shows ONE listing in search, the "best" one, with a small link to see all the rest.  Unless your listing gets picked to be the "front" page item it may never be seen by buyers.

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Well that goes a long way to explain why my Ralph Lauren items aren't getting any bites.  NWT Ralph Lauren listings can't be launched without a UPC (grrr - what a time waster)  but since I started entering those UPCs the views and sales plummetted dramatically.

Now I know why.  Maybe I will start listing these as NWOT and eliminate the UPC code.

[handygearhub]

Interesting!  That's definitely gotta be because of the MPN.  I'm curious, how did you find it within the catalog?  

[dhbookds]

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@handygearhub wrote:

Interesting!  That's definitely gotta be because of the MPN.  I'm curious, how did you find it within the catalog?  

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See up at the top of the listing page........where it says "See more whatever".......that's a link to the catalog page.  When you are searching, anything with "Reviews" also has one, or the "see 5 new, 14 refurshed" means there is a catalog page.

[donforprez]

Sorry I can not see that in the picture that you provided, can you circle what you are referencing to?