ShipScript has been an eBay Community volunteer since 2003, specializing in HTML, CSS, Scripts, Photos, Active Content, Technical Solutions, and online Seller Tools.
mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999
In a prior thread, the topic came up about lack of information for those wanting to start using variations.
@mcdougle4248 wanted to try using variations, but there was no helpful roadmap, or perhaps those that existed online were outdated, so I said I would start one.
@myjunqueyourtreasure and @mam98031 specifically mentioned in that thread that they both regularly use variations, so I'm putting them on the spot here to ask what pitfalls and workarounds they've dealt with and which listing forms they are using (desktop vs mobile). 
I've taken this endeavor to 80% completion where we can plug in, correct, or rearrange information. It's long winded because there is a lot of territory to cover. I've created new variation listings and have revised an existing variation in order to test and screencapture, but surely I have not hit all the gotchas. 
Hopefully, we could come up with a shorter bullet list for those who already "get it" if they just knew how to start and only needed a few references. Or, for those who just like to follow pictures, perhaps we can add any pictorial steps that are missing.
Anyway, here is a work in progress, still rather rough around the edges, and when we get it smoothed out, we could post it here on the forums where others could more readily find it.
http://shipscript.com/ebayhelp/lister_hub/creating_ebay_variations.htm
@mcdougle4248 wrote:
Thank you for your explanation.
I will use my angel ornament as an example here. Right now I have 36 different angel ornaments listed individually. The correct way to set up the listing is to put all 36 angels in one variation listing, right? And I think I would only need one option for each, that being the can type that I used to make the ornament. Now, what to do about a gallery photo? I am terrible at taking photos and do not think I could take one photo of all 36, well one that would attract buyers anyway.
I run into this all the time. My main pick is one I create by clipping the pics together. If you look at some of my listings for beads you will see them. I use Microsoft Publisher. It isn't too hard to learn. I now have templates set up to use for the various number of pics I need to bring into one.
With 36 Angels, I would suggest using two pics like this. So it isn't too crowded or small.
@mcdougle4248 wrote:
Thank you, I will give it a try.
I thought myself how to use it. And take it from me, that can be a bit challenging at times. 
It really isn't hard to use, I can just get a bit thick headed sometimes. I can use the heck out of a computer, but not quick to learn new programs.
@shipscript wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
- Using the "sell similar" feature from an existing variation listing can be problematic as it will not let you add new attributes. If the original listing used pattern attribute and you want the new listing to use color attribute it will kick out an error when you try to add color. ..
@Anonymous
Just tested this on seller hub listing tool and there was no problem restructuring the "attributes". I have the option of manually adjusting the grid or letting the tool auto adjust and reset all data fields. I chose "manual" and it looks good so far.
Of course, my test listing that I was revising has no sales, and that could be a key point. When I ran my other tests last night, I was surprised that many issues that I documented over a year ago no longer exist.
Because we may be using different listing tools, can you confirm? I did not actually post my sell-similar, so don't know if there might be further issues if taken that far.
I appreciate the observations you have supplied so far and will be working through them.
I thought you might be on to something with the listing having sales. I also considered the listing having renewed once already to be a factor, so I tested this with brand new MV listings.
When I did a sell similar and tried to add a new attribute I got the same error I always do. I tried 3 different listings using 3 different browsers.
@mcdougle4248 wrote:
@myjunqueyourtreasure wrote:
@mcdougle4248 wrote:
Thank you for your explanation.
I will use my angel ornament as an example here. Right now I have 36 different angel ornaments listed individually. The correct way to set up the listing is to put all 36 angels in one variation listing, right? And I think I would only need one option for each, that being the can type that I used to make the ornament. Now, what to do about a gallery photo? I am terrible at taking photos and do not think I could take one photo of all 36, well one that would attract buyers anyway.
What I do for way too many to photograph properly is use shipscript's Zippy Photo Stitcher tool and put up to 9 photos in one gallery pic - for 36 you'd need to do 4 pics with 9 in each.
http://zippyhelp.com/imagetools/stitch/photostitch.htm
Thank you for your suggestion. My photos have too many MP each. The lowest MP setting on my camera is 5MP.
Ebay doesn't like pics that are too big either. You can edit the MP down. Easy to do, well for me it is easy to do. I have all my pics on my desktop. When I transfer them from my phone or camera onto my computer I can use the paint program to downsize or upsize the pics as needed. I just right click on the pick and my options appear.
@mam98031 wrote:
@mcdougle4248 wrote:
@myjunqueyourtreasure wrote:
@mcdougle4248 wrote:
Thank you for your explanation.
I will use my angel ornament as an example here. Right now I have 36 different angel ornaments listed individually. The correct way to set up the listing is to put all 36 angels in one variation listing, right? And I think I would only need one option for each, that being the can type that I used to make the ornament. Now, what to do about a gallery photo? I am terrible at taking photos and do not think I could take one photo of all 36, well one that would attract buyers anyway.
What I do for way too many to photograph properly is use shipscript's Zippy Photo Stitcher tool and put up to 9 photos in one gallery pic - for 36 you'd need to do 4 pics with 9 in each.
http://zippyhelp.com/imagetools/stitch/photostitch.htm
Thank you for your suggestion. My photos have too many MP each. The lowest MP setting on my camera is 5MP.
Ebay doesn't like pics that are too big either. You can edit the MP down. Easy to do, well for me it is easy to do. I have all my pics on my desktop. When I transfer them from my phone or camera onto my computer I can use the paint program to downsize or upsize the pics as needed. I just right click on the pick and my options appear.
Thank you this worked. So, how many MP does eBay like for pictures? I think that I am digging myself into a bigger hole with every question 
@mcdougle4248 wrote:
@mam98031 wrote:
@mcdougle4248 wrote:
@myjunqueyourtreasure wrote:
@mcdougle4248 wrote:
Thank you for your explanation.
I will use my angel ornament as an example here. Right now I have 36 different angel ornaments listed individually. The correct way to set up the listing is to put all 36 angels in one variation listing, right? And I think I would only need one option for each, that being the can type that I used to make the ornament. Now, what to do about a gallery photo? I am terrible at taking photos and do not think I could take one photo of all 36, well one that would attract buyers anyway.
What I do for way too many to photograph properly is use shipscript's Zippy Photo Stitcher tool and put up to 9 photos in one gallery pic - for 36 you'd need to do 4 pics with 9 in each.
http://zippyhelp.com/imagetools/stitch/photostitch.htm
Thank you for your suggestion. My photos have too many MP each. The lowest MP setting on my camera is 5MP.
Ebay doesn't like pics that are too big either. You can edit the MP down. Easy to do, well for me it is easy to do. I have all my pics on my desktop. When I transfer them from my phone or camera onto my computer I can use the paint program to downsize or upsize the pics as needed. I just right click on the pick and my options appear.
Thank you this worked. So, how many MP does eBay like for pictures? I think that I am digging myself into a bigger hole with every question
I never post more than about 1,600 pixels or maybe a little larger, but certainly not more than 2k.
FYI, You need them to be at least 800 pixels so that they will zoom.
