Variations

[jonathanbarlow]

I'm trying to create a listing just like this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185331323674

I have similar books that I'd like to sell in the same category in the same way, and I can't find the variations option in the simple or advanced selling tool.

The eBay help page doesn't really help either:

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/creating-managing-listings/multiquantity-listings-listing...

If I click on "Sell now" in the listing above, the form based on the listing doesn't include the variations option.

Does anyone know where the variations settings are in either selling tool?

Thanks.

[iamalwaysright]

I see it when I click on the same thing you did.

[monica-sells]

I believe variations have to be done on desktop (not mobile)

To 'enable' Variations (if the category allows it) click on the 3 dots upper right of the listing page (next to the ?) to enable the option.

If it is available, it will show you halfway down the page after Item Specifics and before Pricing......

[inhawaii]

When I click on the"have one to sell" button on that first listing, it allows me to create a new listing and use variations.

[jonathanbarlow]

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@iamalwaysright wrote:

I see it when I click on the same thing you did.

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I found the option to turn on the feature in the menu (Three vertical dots) at the top of the image that you posted. Thanks for the help.

[kensgiftshop]

I hate listings like that.

You have to look through all the titles to see they only 4 of them in stock and it's usually not the ones you're looking for.

[onefootflipper]

Almost any experienced buy hates variation listings and will not click on them. The item they want is either always already gone or overpriced, and many sellers seed every variation listing with a cheap garbage product to bring the displayed minimum price down.

I use them as little as possible.

[slippinjimmy]

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@kensgiftshop wrote:

I hate listings like that.

You have to look through all the titles to see they only 4 of them in stock and it's usually not the ones you're looking for.

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This!!!!

Another problem is that when most shoppers are looking for a book (or just an author) they search by Author and Title. In that type of Variation (the example listing you provided) the individual book don't show up in search.

No doubt there are buyers that specifically look for this type of listing and are willing to spend hours browsing for bargains. They will find bargain in this type of listing because sales will be low unless the prices are also very low.

Variation listings were not designed for this type of listing, Variation listings were designed for selling same/similar items were the differences are size, color, etc.

[mooncat_watches]

Creating a variation listing for books will reduce your "listing impressions" and "click through" rate, not increase them.

I suggest listing them separate using a template.

[dhbookds]

I disagree with alot of the comments (just my opinion).  If done right (which that example isn't).......every book should show up in an individual search for one of the titles.   If there are alot sold (greyed out) would seem to be an indication that books sell in this type of variation.  Personally, as a buyer, I love to find a particular author with many titles.......of which I can choose which (one or as many as) I want  IF they have a shipping discount......and, as a seller, I've had modest success on the ones I've tried........with multiple sales to one buyer.   They do take more time to set up than I'd like.........

[iamalwaysright]

If I sold books I'd probably list them separately and make a link or button on my description that takes the buyer to my store with the keyword search for that author. I'd probably also make a photo mentioning that button and add as one of the 12 photos I'm allowed to attach (but not use it as the gallery photo).

This is coming from a seller that has 99% of my listings as variations.