Is it possible for each variation to have its own calculated shipping?

[green22-half]

I'd like to offer 2 versions of a lighting boom:  One version would include a counterweight, and the other version would not.

The weight is relatively low-value but weighs 15 lb, which would add nearly 50% to the shipped weight.  Given the weight's low value, I want both variations to be the same price, and let the buyer decide whether  getting the weight is worth the additional shipping cost.

Basically:

- Boom w/ weight $300

- Boom w/o weight $300

I'd prefer calculated shipping since it could vary greatly, from 35 lb local to 50 lb distant.

[nobody*s_perfect]

The variations format isn't appropriate when you have just one item but you are selling two "variations" of it such as with or without an accessory, monogram, etc.

[onefootflipper1]

I get that some customers like variation listings or at least haven't been burned by them enough times to stop clicking on them, but plenty of them have. And every time you list something using a variation listing you write off every single one of the customers who won't click on variation listings.

Meanwhile I have never heard of the customer who ONLY clicks on variation listings.

And the original poster  has plenty of free listings, so no reason to try to "save listings" with the variation.

Also, you can list it with and without the boom by using two different shipping choices inside the listing instead of a variation listing. 

However I would personally just list the weight as a separate item altogether. It probably won't actually be all that expensive to ship since I imagine it is very compact in size and will easily either get inside something flat rate or get a dimensional weight rate on pirateship.

[mam98031]

It doesn't take a Variation listing for a seller to act badly.  There are absolutely sellers out there that misuse a variation listings.  I encourage you to report those listings as you find them.  Or just report the seller for the misuse if they have a lot of listings that abuse the variation rules.  This is the path to stopping them.

https://www.ebay.com/help/action?topicid=4022

[inhawaii]

Lighting booms.  All exactly the same but 5 different colors.

THIS would be ok with a variations listing.

Lighting booms. One with a heavy counterweight, one without.

THIS would not be ok with a variations listing.

[onefootflipper1]

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@mam98031 wrote:

It doesn't take a Variation listing for a seller to act badly.  There are absolutely sellers out there that misuse a variation listings.  I encourage you to report those listings as you find them.  Or just report the seller for the misuse if they have a lot of listings that abuse the variation rules.  This is the path to stopping them.

https://www.ebay.com/help/action?topicid=4022

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I stopped wasting my time on it. You can tell them "Seller has 3000 listings, all are in violation of this policy" and they do absolutely nothing. No one is paying me to do that and it doesn't improve my sales any either.

There are entire categories where most of the listings are policy violations, such as added text and graphics to images, most ebay motors listings are in violation of that.

[mam98031]

I'm not familiar with the rules for Ebay motors, so I can't help with that.  However a single report of a listing rarely gets anywhere.  Multiple reports by multiple member [not multiples by one member] raises the importance of the team to review them higher and higher.  Same with Reporting a Seller.

[green22-half]

Then I would be in trouble, ditto for separate (w/ and w/o counterweight) listings, as I have only one boom.

The only clean option appears to be separate listings for the boom and weight, with a referring link in each.

[mam98031]

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@green22-half wrote:

Then I would be in trouble, ditto for separate (w/ and w/o counterweight) listings, as I have only one boom.

The only clean option appears to be separate listings for the boom and weight, with a referring link in each.

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@green22-half 

Well that is an EXTREMELY important detail you left out of your original post.

IDK why you even thought a variation listing would even be appropriate as you don't have TWO items.  My take from what you posted above is you have ONE boom that you are willing to sell with or without the counterweight.  

You need to decide which way you want to sell it and create ONE normal listings for that item.  

DETAILS are so important and this is a great example of why some small detail can make such a HUGE difference.

Imagine if you did have a variation listing and you had that boom listed once without the counterweight and once with the counterweight.  Imagine the problem you would have created for yourself if they both sold.  Then what would you have done???

[green22-half]

Sorry for that significant oversight.

I considered a single listing just to consolidate things for the buyer, not having to deal with another (post-sale) listing for a cheap but heavy accessory weight.

I'm aware of the possible double-sale.  These booms (Manfrotto Super Boom) are sparse on eBay;  a search turned up ZERO sold units in the full (boom + tripod) configuration like mine, so was willing to take a chance.

Thanks for your input / advice.

[mam98031]

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@green22-half wrote:

Sorry for that significant oversight.

I considered a single listing just to consolidate things for the buyer, not having to deal with another (post-sale) listing for a cheap but heavy accessory weight.

I'm aware of the possible double-sale.  These booms (Manfrotto Super Boom) are sparse on eBay;  a search turned up ZERO sold units in the full (boom + tripod) configuration like mine, so was willing to take a chance.

Thanks for your input / advice.

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IDK why you thought a variation listing would be the answer when you have only one item to sell.  I don't understand your way of thinking, sorry.

With that said, then sell the counterweights separately.  Note in the sale for the boom that you are also selling the counterweight if interested.

[green22-half]

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@mam98031 wrote:

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IDK why you thought a variation listing would be the answer when you have only one item to sell.

To provide an option (weighted, unweighted) without requiring that the buyer transact a second listing (for the weight) in the case of the unweighted version.  Conversely, including the weight could detract from the listing because, besides adding 15 lb, the weight is simple, wherein a buyer may prefer to improvise his own.  I simply wanted to consolidate the two versions into a single listing, given that the nominal product / application is the same in each case.

[mam98031]

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@green22-half wrote:

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@mam98031 wrote:

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IDK why you thought a variation listing would be the answer when you have only one item to sell.

To provide an option (weighted, unweighted) without requiring that the buyer transact a second listing (for the weight) in the case of the unweighted version.  Conversely, including the weight could detract from the listing because, besides adding 15 lb, the weight is simple, wherein a buyer may prefer to improvise his own.  I simply wanted to consolidate the two versions into a single listing, given that the nominal product / application is the same in each case.

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That is simply not the purpose of variation listings.  You have just one item that you are willing to sell with or without the counterweights.  Just list the two separately.  If someone wants the counterweights then they can purchase them.  In the Boom listing stated that you have the counterweights in another listing and put the link to that listing in the Boom description.  If someone buys both, you can tell them you will combine the shipping and give them a discount on the stated shipping amount.

Variation listings are for something like a short sleeve shirt with flowers on it and it comes in various sizes and/or colors.  Then you list each variation in the set up of the listing and the quantity you have of each color and size.  

I have lots of variation listings set up for craft stuff I sell like beads, sequins and stuff.  You are welcome to pop in and look at some of them to get a better idea.

I hope all of this has helped you.  I'm very glad you came here and asked because you could have really created problems for yourself if you had listed them as if you had two booms, one with counterweights and one without.