Can anyone help me figure out what variation theme this seller is using?
I’ve tried color, color-size, SizeColor, but no changes take affect on my listing. I have created new child ASINs with duplicate sizes, different colors, and swatch images, but nothing changes. I think there may be an issue with the catalog that won’t allow change the variation theme, and I may need to delete my listing for 24hrs, re-enable it, then contact seller support when that doesn’t fix it, and do a week of back and forth to get them to actually fix the whatever is preventing me from making the change.
Before I embark on that arduous journey I would at least try to figure out the correct theme that I am trying to use. Any help would be appreciated.
Google result for: “how to set up Amazon offer for blinds with different sizes”
Method 1: Using the “Add Products” Tool (Manual)
This is best for a small number of variations.
Log in to your Amazon Seller Central account.
Navigate to the Catalog menu and select Add Products.
Click on “I’m adding a product not sold on Amazon” (if the base product isn’t already listed).
Search or browse for the appropriate category for blinds (e.g., WINDOW_SHADE or Home & Kitchen).
On the product identity tab, provide the required details (product name, brand, etc.) and select the checkbox for “This product has variations”.
Go to the Variations tab.
Select the appropriate Variation Theme. For blinds with different dimensions, look for a theme like “Size” or “Width x Height” (the available themes are category-specific).
Enter all your different sizes in the available fields and click Add variations. A matrix will appear.
For each child variation (each specific size in the matrix), enter the unique details:
Product Identifier (UPC, EAN, GTIN, etc.).
Seller SKU (one can be automatically generated if left blank).
Condition, Price, and Quantity (enter 0 if using FBA).
Fill out any remaining required tabs, such as images, description, and keywords. The main image will display for all variations unless a specific image is uploaded for a “visual dimension” variation (like color).
Click Save and finish. The variations may take up to 15 minutes to appear in your inventory.
Method 2: Using the Variation Wizard/Inventory File (Bulk Upload)
This method is more efficient for a large number of sizes.
Log in to Amazon Seller Central.
Navigate to the Catalog menu and select Add Products via Upload.
Click the “Download spreadsheet” tab, search for your product category, and download the appropriate product template (inventory file).
Fill out the template (refer to the “Example” and “Valid Values” tabs for guidance):
Create one Parent SKU entry with “parent” in the Parentage column and your chosen Variation Theme (e.g., Size). Leave price, quantity, and weight fields blank for the parent.
For each different size, create a Child SKU entry. Enter the Parent SKU in the Parent SKU column, “child” in the Parentage column, the Variation Theme, and all unique details like price, quantity, UPC/EAN, weight, and specific dimensions.
Upload the completed file in the Upload your spreadsheet tab of the Add Products via Upload page.
Check for errors and resubmit if necessary.
The Variation Wizard tool, accessible from the Add Products page, can help simplify the process of generating a pre-populated template or combining existing standalone listings into a variation family.
@oneida_books is the best one to give advice / help on variations.
I’m all good on "how to set up Amazon offer for blinds with different sizes”. Been doing that forever. Tryin to replicate what this seller (the largest on the site) has done to add what is basically a dummy color to side step the new tiles that have replaced the drop-down on desktop (was only on mobile now desktop as well). Now any listing in the category that has over 60 or 70 variations will bring any browser running on even modern hardware to it’s knees, making a purchase almost impossible.
I use flat-files daily, but multi-step (I.E. color PLUS size) is new to me. There are several available even after the theme culling a couple months ago. Just trying to make sure I am picking the right one.
All of the rest of the variations showed (Deprecated: Do Not Use).
For a 2 inch blind with multiple colors, we would think you would use COLOR/SIZE.
The example you gave had 2 inch blind with multiple sizes (drop down) and showed an option of 1 inch blind (second image) with one size option (drop down) and was out of stock.
1) A 1 inch blind is not a variation of a 2 inch blind and would need to be a different listing.
2) A 2 inch blind could have a COLOR variation with different SIZE options available.
3) A 48 x 36 inch Faux Blind could have a COLOR variation with a SIZE option of 1 inch blind or 2 inch blind.
The decision would be on how you think best to market between #2 or #3.
If there truly isn’t a color option (everything is white), we are not sure if you could use the COLOR variant for 1 inch Blind and 2 inch Blind to set it up that way. The COLOR input is not a drop down so you might be able to put in 1 inch Blind or 2 inch Blind. We put in Stainless Steel as our color because we do not want customers to be confused with saying it is Silver and then thinking they are getting a Silver metal item. Your parent item would just be a Faux Blind.
It would be something you would have to try to see if it works.
Interesting! For the last five plus years we have gotten updated templates when prompted to do so on upload inventory page. When you upload a spreadsheet, if it’s out of date, your offered a pre-filled new version.
Going through the download a spreadsheet page and opting to download something completely new, what is downloaded is very different. We agree, COLOR/SIZE looks like the way to go.
i see it as a standard “COLOR/SIZE” type variation … but I’ve also had the flu and spent 3 days almost solidly in bed.
Maybe explain a little more about how yours is acting that’s different … or provide an example?
Just trying to guess, but are you referring to the fact that they have sizes that are width & height?? If so … that is just making the size as say, 60"L X 30"H instead of trying to label Length and Height separate.
Referring to the color option (Bright White vs White) above the size.
I think my confusion pertaining to the variation theme was related to the “updated” flat files that Amazon has been providing me were not very…updated. With the new version Color/Size really feels like the only viable option.
I could modify what I’ve been using with my eyes closed. The fresh copy not so much. The colors of the header cells are throwing me LOL.
Previous you could sneak in some slightly different colors through XML uploads, or just persistence. Maybe this listing has been there for a bit?
I honestly though don’t see the deal here. White is pretty much white to me.
One thing I’ll add. Once the color is set it’s nearly impossible to change it. In the past I’ve had to get Amazon to intervene at times when I couldn’t push something through.
Outside of my UK Wildcats getting stomped Friday night … everyone I wanted to win in either NCAA Mens BB or College Football WON, and my Dolphins are up 21-0 in the 1st quarter.
So after a couple business days worth of whack-a-mole I was able to achieve what I was going for. One ASIN in a new color that I was able to set to zero stock which in turn returned the drop-down box and got rid of the “tiles” on desktop.
Color/Size was the was pretty obvious choice for variation theme. The new sheet definitely required some new information, and I’m slightly hopeful that using the new flat files will help the organic ranking issue I’ve been dealing with.
