Variation Listings for Sports Cards

[arrowhead10-7]

Hello, any help would be appreciate or insight on listing variations for sports cards after this new update.  Keep getting errors. 

[coffeebean832]

I saw your screenshot in the chat. The issue isn't that variations are no longer allowed- it's that in certain categories eBay is strict about the Attribute used.

You used "Card" as an attribute which is not permitted- so you won't be able to revise your listing until you wipe out that attribute and select one that's valid for the category.

You can start fresh with a new listing or you can retain your existing listing, but you'll have to completely wipe out your variations and re-add them under a new (permitted) attribute.

I've dealt with this issue in multiple categories and- depending on the number of variations you have- it can be a huge amount of work. I still have a few listings on my account from past updates that need to be overhauled. Until the changes are made you won't be able to edit any aspect of the listing.

[arrowhead10-7]

Well that is frustrating...so if I am selling "cards" then it wont be allowed to be used? Maybe use card number or make my own up that does not have "card" in the title?

[coffeebean832]

Yes, it's definitely frustrating. Do this- start a listing from scratch and click on the variations button. See what variations they suggest using and go from there. If you follow that process on a live listing then you may not see the suggested attributes if you've already filled it out somewhere else within the specifics- so open up a new listing for the full picture.

[arrowhead10-7]

That is exactly what I have to do then....tried this and card number was acceptable.  Looks like a lot of work is ahead of me...thank you very much for your help

[stephenmorgan]

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@coffeebean832 wrote:

I've dealt with this issue in multiple categories and- depending on the number of variations you have- it can be a huge amount of work. I still have a few listings on my account from past updates that need to be overhauled. Until the changes are made you won't be able to edit any aspect of the listing.

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Is there a new (permitted) attribute list or does it pop up when your listing?

For my Variation Listing I have one Attribute and 20 variations.  Does this look like something I will have to edit or will my future listings have to be done differently?  Item #264789972997

[coffeebean832]

eBay never provides lists of what's permitted and what isn't. It's trial and error- and they can change the attributes list at any time.

All I can tell you is that I try to be as "safe" as possible when creating attributes to lessen the likelihood that I'll have to overhaul my listing down the line. Use the eBay presented attributes when possible.

If you go into a current listing and attempt to revise it and you don't get an invalid attribute message then your listing survived yesterday's changes (as far as variations go).

[stephenmorgan]

Ok, Thanks.

[coffeebean832]

Tagging in tyler@ebay- just an FYI that this is due to the selected attribute. Variations are still working in the category. I saw you opened a ticket on this, though I'm not sure that it's a technical bug and rather just a change to the item specifics affecting variation attributes.

[tyler@ebay]

Thanks for this @coffeebean832 - it helps immensely (since I can't access the edit listing page any longer I'm flying blind without the ability to poke around in the nuts and bolts so to speak). 

I'd like to put together a post we can pin to the top of Tech Issues around this, to help further understanding. 

@stephenmorgan, @arrowhead10-7  - are you okay if I use the screenshots you've both provided on this thread and in the chat?

[stephenmorgan]

Sure, you can use my screen shot. I am not having a issue with my listing at the moment. I was just wondering if I may have a issue in the near future.

[arrowhead10-7]

absolutely 

[arrowhead10-7]

Another issue that I did not get to yesterday, when I go in my listings and try to make the changes...I keep getting this error: 

"The provided condition id is invalid for the selected primary category id."

What am I doing wrong?

[coffeebean832]

@arrowhead10-7- From what I've been reading, eBay made changes to the condition field in both comic books and sports cards. tyler@ebay would be able to confirm if this is part of the issue that will be resolved within 5 days (like the missing item specifics) or if this is an intended change. What item condition do you have on the listing in question?

If it's an intended change then that means whatever condition was chosen on your original listing is no longer a valid condition with the new category, so you'd have to select something different from the drop down menu of choices.

Tyler- a post on the Tech Board sounds like a good idea. I don't know if my above posts are clear enough, but if not then I'll bet @shipscript would be able to help with a more comprehensive explanation.

Card number is not the only attribute that can be used in this category- that's just what works best for the OP. The bottom line is that if someone gets the error message shown in the screenshot posted in the chat yesterday, then they'll need to either overhaul the listing by using a different attribute, or end the listing and start fresh with a different attribute.

[arrowhead10-7]

@coffeebean832 That is part of the issue, no matter what I select as the condition it throws me this error.  Might just wait out a couple days  to see if any fixes are made with the glitches.  

On another note...why change what is acceptable for attributes for variation listings? This is going to create a lot of extra work that isnt needed.  Thank you for your time and response.