I am preparing to offer a 2 pack of a popular item. I would like to create a new parent listing and add my current single item as a child, with another child for the 2 pack.
Is this a good plan? I don’t want to risk my original item listing details, history, etc if something goes wrong.
If this is a good plan, any tips on how to go about it?
That should work. Haven’t added new variations for a bit, but when we did, we’d create the new variation as a stand along ASIN. Then once it was how we liked it, we’d create a parent ASIN and add the variations to it. But then again, we were uploading a flat file and not doing it directly in seller central.
I can resort to a flat file if directly in Seller Central doesn’t go smoothly. It’s been a long time since I used a flat file and most recently it was for handling time settings.
I should get proficient at using them, that’s on my ‘someday’ list. My ‘everyday’ list always seems to have more pressing entries.
A long time ago I used a flat file for catalog corrections/updates and I remember it took a long time to correct all the errors. I think it gave me one error at a time so each upload brought another error to correct. Maybe it’s better now.
In theory yes, but I have had a lot of problem adding variations of item quantity to old items.
Many times when I try to do the new variation, it has been so long since the original listing was created that something in Amazon has changed and it does not accept that the 6 pack was a 6 pack or the 12 pack was a 12 pack. It’s convinced that the ASIN is a given different unit and won’t budge
When I have updated it, either flat file or though a lot of begging, I have managed to kill the original listing and lose the entire track record (reviews, positioning, etc)
My suggestion is add a new condition to the existing listing, and play with that condition. Add it to the family and risk that condition. Don’t compromise the original sku with the reviews and track record, it is significantly harder to damage an ASIN if you play with a new condition than if you play with the original sku.
Whatever you do, and this is from painful and hundreds of lost reviews of experience, if Amazon tells you that an ASIN/sku is not an X-pack (even though it is), don’t create a new ASIN under the new route that Amzn has given it (trying to create the family that you described) and then tell Amazn that that new ASIN is the same as the x-pack that they are not recognizing. This will sadly backfire and the old ASIN will be obliterated.
Amazon can kill asins, so be very careful
Thanks for the heads up!
This is what I am afraid of, and also why I’m hesitant to make the original listing a parent.
It is currently a single and will stay a single. The plan is for the new sku/child to be the 2 pack.
So I don’t plan to change the quantity attribute on the original sku, just transition it to become a child as is under a new parent.
Parent - New
Child 1 - original listing unchanged, just ‘moved’ to be a child under the new parent.
Child 2 - new 2 pack
I know that you know the terminology, but just to make sure
You can’t make the original listing a parent. A parent is place holder, not an active listing. You can only make the original listing a child
My experience has been that you’re right to be nervous. But also the trade off is very beneficial. Families sell significantly more than stand alone asins. You’re doing the right thing.
Exactly. That’s the correct theory, and in principle that should be the case, and it will be, as long as Amazon recognizes that the original item is the correct count for the variation family.
I hope that I can transmit the problem that I have had, which is not necessarily the one that you will have, but is the best I can offer.
I had a product that was a 12 pack, Amazon did not count it as a 12 pack but as a single pack. When I tried to create the family as you’re explaining it, leaving the old ASIN as the 12 pack and adding the 6 pack and the 24 packs, Amazon told me that I couldn’t do it, because the og ASIN was allegedly on the wrong count (i.e. it was seen by Amazon as a single and not a 12pack) this is the part that is stressful and where you need to be careful.
This is perfect and in principle has to work, but Amazon may have re-mapped the older items, taht’s where problems can arise.
Since my og ASIN is a single, hopefully there won’t be a wrong count issue like you had.
I do expect it to pay off if all goes well. I get quite a few multiple quantity orders on the item already. Most of the sales are FBA, the MF offer is ‘free’ shipping, I’m getting some price complaints for the size but with the cost of FBA/shipping the price is where it has to be. I should be able to provide better value with the 2 pack.
Thanks for the advice. I will let you know how it goes!