After my last post, reader Chuck wrote back to clarify that he was interested in learning how to provide the customer the ability to choose more than just the quantity.
“What I want people to be able to do is select weights, package types and quantities.”
eBay calls this “creating a listing with variations” and it looks something like this:
eBay offers listing variations in the following categories:
- Baby
- Clothing, shoes and accessories
- Health and beauty
- Home and garden (some sub-categories excluded)
- Jewelry and watches
- Pet supplies
- Sporting goods
What is a Variation?
Instead of creating a number of separate listings for a product that has a choice of options, you can create a single multi-quantity fixed price listing that includes all the variations you offer. For example, a T-shirt might come in multiple colors and sizes. Buyers can select which variation they want to purchase from the single listing.
How To Create a Listing With Variations
To create a listing for beef jerky that offers variations in flavors I would first select the option (located near the top of the Sell Your Item form) to create variations:
Upon clicking the Create Variations button, I’m presented a page where I can tell eBay what kind of varieties I’d like to offer my customers. After clicking the link labeled Enter Your Own Variation Detail, a pop-up appears where I can name the variation (flavor) and enter the first option (barbecue):
After clicking Save, I’m presented with the opportunity to enter the next flavor (teriyaki):
Create SKUs
I would click the + Flavor link to add more. Clicking continue will provide the opportunity create additional variations. After I’ve finished this process, eBay asks me to create a SKU for each variation:
Add Pictures
Next, I can enter the pictures that are applicable to the specific variations and shared pictures that apply to all:
Price and Quantities
Finally, I can enter the quantity of each variety I have in stock and available to sell and specify the price for each variation:
You’re Done!
Clicking Save brings me back to the Sell Your Item page where the Variations table now shows the fruits of my labor:
This is actually a pretty neat feature that eBay offers. If your category and your inventory support variations, you might just give it a try.
Questions?
If you’ve got a question that you would like me to address on this blog, feel free to drop me a note.
Offering Multiple Quantities on eBay
Filed Under How-To's | Leave a Comment
Chuck writes:
I’ve run into a situation where I have access to some product people order over and over and over.
I’ve perused eBay and ran across a listing where the seller had it set up where the buyer could select order quantities right there in the eBay listing.
For the life of me I cannot figure out how to replicate this.
I’m sure with your experience you have heard of this type of thing.
How do I do it?
I’m assuming Chuck wants something like this…
To enable the multiple quantity feature, simply select the fixed price selling format and enter an appropriate number in the Quantity box:
That’s all there is to it.
If you’ve got a question for me, feel free to drop me a note.
eBay Removes the Google Penalty
Filed Under Industry News & Analysis, Sellers' Insights | 2 Comments
I’m pleased to report that it looks like eBay has decided to stop plastering links to other sellers’ auctions above the descriptions on listings presented to customers who arrive from the Google search results. They still stick this box at the top of the listing:
…but I think I can live with it.
Almost makes me think that eBay is listening! (If you are, thanks eBay!)