Making a "pick or choose" listing

[fury57]

I'm a long term member, over 22 years, so this isn't a newbie question. I have a large number of similar items, that have different serial numbers, and I want to list them all in one listing where buyers can choose which one they want and the rest of the items can continue. I can't figure out how to create such a listing. Please advise. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

Choice listings are a policy violation, based primarily on avoiding listing fees.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-policies/selling-practices-policy/avoiding-ebay-fees-poli...

eBay does have a format option called "Variations" but that's for closely related variations of the same item, such as a shirt that comes in different sizes and colors.

[fury57]

I see other auctions using this pick and choose format, so I don't see how it's a policy violation. But the other listings I've seen do use the variations format, apparently with ebay's approval, so I guess that's what I'm trying to do. So how do I select the "variations" format option?

[fury57]

And don't get me wrong. I'm not talking about a listing with one photo showing 10 items and saying pick one. I'm talking about a separate photo for each item, and the buyer selects the one or more they want and pays separately. 

[pjcdn2005]

Not all categories have the variation option. If that category does have it, you should see a button for 'variations' under the category area on the listing form.

https://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/sellingresources/multiplevariationslist.html

Just because you see a variation listing being used in a certain way doesn't mean that it is within ebay policy.   Not all policies are enforced all of the time which can make it confusing.

[portkoop-0]

Keeping in mind a variation listing incurs fees, if I have the room I would create all separate listings.

Not that hard, after you create the first one simply click on "sell one like this / sell similar" and create your next one,  and so on.

[nobody*s_perfect]

The variations format doesn't have any specific fees. It incurs just one insertion fee for the whole listing (per month), whereas separate listings would incur separate insertion fees (or would use up multiple monthly free insertions).  

But I agree with you that separate listings would be feasible nd would be a better selling strategy: More  searchable and more visible.

[erkosuniverse]

I myself asked about this same type of listing a long time ago and was told,"it is for store users only" store owner gets this certain type of listing "option"

That is what CS told me about 2 years ago

[dhbookds]

@nobody*s_perfect 

But I agree with you that separate listings would be feasible nd would be a better selling strategy: More  searchable and more visible.

I'm not sure why you say that.........  each variation is searchable...........ie Red Shirt, Blue Shirt.........etc  just as an individual Red Shirt listing would be.....

[dhbookds]

@nobody*s_perfect 

But I agree with you that separate listings would be feasible nd would be a better selling strategy: More  searchable and more visible.

I'm not sure why you say that.........  each variation is searchable...........ie Red Shirt, Blue Shirt.........etc  just as an individual Red Shirt listing would be.....

[nobody*s_perfect]

That's true for shirts, because the variations will be on color. But what the OP is proposing is essentially different items.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@erkosuniverse wrote:

I myself asked about this same type of listing a long time ago and was told,"it is for store users only" store owner gets this certain type of listing "option"

That is what CS told me about 2 years ago

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Once again, CS is making things up. The variations listing format has always been available to all sellers.

[dhbookds]

I can't tell what he meant by similar items with different serial numbers.......

[kensgiftshop]

@fury57 

Unless it's the same item, with different size or colors, the items need their own listing.

[luckythewinner]

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@fury57 wrote:

I see other auctions using this pick and choose format, so I don't see how it's a policy violation.

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Just because other people do something does not mean there is not a rule against it. 

That aside ... 

You are looking for a "Variation" listing. 

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/creating-managing-listings/creating-listings-variations?i...

Note that some categories do not have the variation option.

Also note that some items are not appropriate for variation listings. 

The guidance in the page is "When you have many similar items that have different variations, such as color or size, you can create a single fixed-price listing that includes all the variations you offer" and "For similar items that have variations such as color or size, you can create a single fixed-price listing that includes all available variations."

[thetoybox1138]

Creating separate listings is also more convenient for buyers who aren't going to wade through a list of garbage to find the one item they potentially want. For example, I buy a lot of CD's, and I won't waste my time with any listings that have the words "You pick," "You choose," etc. Having the specific item listed points customers directly to it, where they can make their purchase quickly and easily, which results in faster sales for sellers.