Note: If any variation within a listing has at least one purchase, the listing's item-level data is subject to the usual revision restrictions for listings with purchases.

Change the category

If you change the primary category of a listing with variations using ReviseFixedPriceItem, the listing must adhere to all the rules (including item specifics rules) that apply to the new category. Otherwise, the listing request will fail.

When the primary category changes, you may need to specify the Item.Variations node again. As eBay's recommendations are different for each leaf category, we suggest that you give the seller the option to review and choose from recommended variation specifics for the new category.

When you change the category, the relisted item does not retain the popularity of the original listing.

Add variations

To add new variations when you revise or relist, pass in the new Item.Variations nodes. (You do not need to pass in all the original variations.)

For example, if the listing already has variations for small-size blue, medium-size black, and large-size pink, you could add new variations for medium-size blue and large-size black. As a general rule, when you add a new variation, it appears at the end of the list of variations in GetItem.

If you add new variation names or values in the new variations, be sure to also update existing variations as well as Item.Variations.VariationSpecificsSet. Refer to Modify existing variations.

Adding a variation when relisting does not affect the sales rank or popularity of the other variations in the listing.

Delete individual variations

If you want to delete a variation that has purchases, set the Item.Variations.Variation.Quantity to 0. You cannot fully delete a variation with purchases, because the order line item data needs to remain available to the buyer(s) and the seller.

If a variation has no purchases, delete it by set the Item.Variations.Variation.Delete field to true. (Do not use DeletedField.)

Note: DeletedField can only be used to delete a parent node or all instances of a child node (e.g., all instances of Item.PictureDetails.PictureURL). DeletedField cannot be used to delete a single variation.

The listing must retain at least one variation with a non-zero quantity to remain active.

Deleting a variation when relisting does not affect the sales rank or popularity of the other variations in the listing.

Modify existing variations

When you modify variations, they are subject to the same rules as any new listing with variations (i.e., every variation in the relisted item must have the same set of names and a unique combination of values).

If Item.InventoryTrackingMethod is set to SKU, you cannot modify a variation's SKU when you revise or relist.

Add variation-specific names

To add new variation specifics to active listings, pass in the entire set of variation specifics in a single request, and include the new detail for all of them.

For example, you could add Strap Length to a handbag listing, with varying values like Shoulder, Wrist, etc.

Delete variation-specific names

You can delete an existing variation specific name (e.g., Material,) from a variation by using ReviseFixedPriceItem.

The following example code deletes the variation specifics Size and Color from an item and adds variations with only Color.

  <Version>1189</Version>
  <ReviseFixedPriceItemRequest>
    <ErrorLanguage>en_US</ErrorLanguage>
    <WarningLevel>High</WarningLevel>
  <Item>
    <ItemID>1**********7</ItemID>
    <Variations>
      <!--Delete variations with SIZE and COLOR-->
      <Variation>
        <Delete>true</Delete>
        <SKU>t*************2</SKU>
        <StartPrice currencyID="USD">5.68</StartPrice>
        <Quantity>10</Quantity>
        <VariationSpecifics>
          <NameValueList>
            <Name>Size</Name>
            <Value>L</Value>
          </NameValueList>
          <NameValueList>
            <Name>Color</Name>
            <Value>Black</Value>
          </NameValueList>
        </VariationSpecifics>
        <VariationProductListingDetails>
          <UPC>00885631496220</UPC>
        </VariationProductListingDetails>
      </Variation>
      <Variation>
        <Delete>true</Delete>
        <SKU>t*************2</SKU>
        <StartPrice currencyID="USD">3.39</StartPrice>
        <Quantity>12</Quantity>
        <VariationSpecifics>
          <NameValueList>
            <Name>Size</Name>
            <Value>S</Value>
          </NameValueList>
          <NameValueList>
            <Name>Color</Name>
            <Value>White</Value>
          </NameValueList>
        </VariationSpecifics>
        <VariationProductListingDetails>
          <UPC>00885631496220</UPC>
        </VariationProductListingDetails>
      </Variation>
      <!--Add variations with only COLOR-->
      <Variation>
        <SKU>t*************2</SKU>
        <StartPrice currencyID="USD">5.68</StartPrice>
        <Quantity>7</Quantity>
        <VariationSpecifics>
          <NameValueList>
            <Name>Color</Name>
            <Value>Black</Value>
          </NameValueList>
        </VariationSpecifics>
        <VariationProductListingDetails>
          <UPC>00885631496220</UPC>
        </VariationProductListingDetails>
      </Variation>
      <Variation>
        <SKU>t*************2</SKU>
        <StartPrice currencyID="USD">3.39</StartPrice>
        <Quantity>12</Quantity>
        <VariationSpecifics>
          <NameValueList>
            <Name>Color</Name>
            <Value>White</Value>
          </NameValueList>
        </VariationSpecifics>
        <VariationProductListingDetails>
          <UPC>00885631496220</UPC>
        </VariationProductListingDetails>
      </Variation>
      <Pictures>
        <VariationSpecificName>Color</VariationSpecificName>
          <VariationSpecificPictureSet>
          <VariationSpecificValue>Black</VariationSpecificValue>
          <PictureURL>https://i*******.com/***/************.JPG?set_id=5****F</PictureURL>
          <PictureURL>https://i*******.com/***/**********.JPG?set_id=C****B</PictureURL>
          <PictureURL>https://i*******.com/***/*************.JPG?set_id=3******0</PictureURL>
        </VariationSpecificPictureSet>
      </Pictures>
      <VariationSpecificsSet>
        <NameValueList>
          <Name>Color</Name>
          <Value>Black</Value>
          <Value>Blue Violet</Value>
          <Value>Ceramic</Value>
          <Value>Grey Heather</Value>
          <Value>White</Value>
        </NameValueList>
      </VariationSpecificsSet>
    </Variations>
  </Item>
  </ReviseFixedPriceItemRequest>

Modify variation-specific names

When you are revising a listing, you can change the name (e.g., from Material to Fabric,) by using Item.Variations.ModifyNameList.

To change the name, specify the current name (e.g., Material,) in Item.Variations.ModifyNameList.ModifyName.Name, and the new name (e.g., Fabric,) in Item.Variations.ModifyNameList.ModifyName.NewName. If you are modifying the values, also be sure to specify the new name and its modified values in Item.Variations.VariationSpecificsSet, along with the names you are not changing.

To ensure consistent results, also update Items.Variations.Pictures.VariationSpecificName if any pictures are associated with the old name.

Note: You cannot change the name of a required item specific.

Modify variation values

When you revise a listing, if you need to correct the spelling of a variation value, you first delete the variation, and then you add a new variation instead. For example, suppose you realize that a set of T-shirts that you listed with Color=Blue should use Color=Periwinkle. In this case, you would delete the variations with Color=Blue (or set their quantity to zero if they are not eligible for deletion,) and add new variations with Color=Periwinkle instead.

When you relist, you are creating a new listing, so you can change the text of the names and values. Use the same process that you use when revising listings. The relisted item is subject to the same rules as any new listing with variations (i.e., every variation in the relisted item must have the same set of names and a unique combination of values).

Modify a variation's price

You can revise the price of a variation as long as the quantity is greater than zero (or if you increase the quantity to a non-zero value at the same time,) even after it has purchases. This enables you to adjust the price competitively and to offer discounts or sales as needed.

To revise a variation's price, specify the variation to be changed in ReviseFixedPriceItem, and include the revised price in Item.Variations.Variation.StartPrice along with the other details of the variation. It is only necessary to specify the variation to be changed.

Alternatively, if you use SKUs to track your listings, use ReviseInventoryStatus to quickly change the prices of variations across multiple listings. Specify the variation's SKU in InventoryStatus.SKU, and the variation's price in InventoryStatus.StartPrice.

Modify a variation's quantity when revising

You can revise the quantity of a variation, even after it has purchases (order line items).

To revise a variation's price, specify the variation to be changed in ReviseFixedPriceItem, and include the revised quantity in Item.Variations.Variation.Quantity along with the other details of the variation. It is only necessary to specify the variation to be changed.

Alternatively, if you use SKUs to track your listings, use ReviseInventoryStatus to quickly change the quantities for variations across multiple listings. Specify the variation's SKU in InventoryStatus.SKU, and the variation's quantity in InventoryStatus.Quantity.

If you change a variation's quantity but items from it have already sold, eBay adds the quantity sold to the new quantity you specify. In other words, suppose you list with AddFixedPriceItem and set a variation's quantity to 10. A few days later, the quantity sold is 6. Now you increase your inventory and you use ReviseFixedPriceItem to set the variation's available quantity to 20. In GetItem, the variation's quantity is returned as 26 (Item.Quantity + Item.SellingStatus.QuantitySold). (This means the quantity available can still be calculated as Item.Quantity - Item.SellingStatus.QuantitySold.)

You can revise the quantity of any variation to zero (0), as long as at least one variation in the listing has a non-zero value. If you revise a variation's quantity to zero and the variation has never had purchases, eBay deletes the variation. If quantities of the variation have been sold, it cannot be deleted (but the quantity can be zero). Refer to Delete individual variations for other ways to delete a variation.

If the variation sells out, and then you restock your inventory, you can revise the same variation to add more quantity, as long as the listing is still active. For example, suppose you list 50 medium blue Polo shirts in one variation and 50 medium red shirts in another. You sell all 50 medium blue shirts (so the quantity available is now zero), but the red shirts are still available. A week later, you get 20 more blue shirts in stock. You can revise the medium blue shirt variation and specify a new Item.Variations.Variation.Quantity of 20 as long as the listing is still active.

Modify a variation's quantity when relisting

When you use RelistFixedPriceItem, each variation's quantity retains its original number (not the quantity available) unless you specifically change it.

For example, suppose your listing includes a variation with 20 blue shirts. You sell 15, leaving 5 available. Then you end and relist the listing. By default, eBay assumes the quantity of the blue shirt variation should be set to 20 (the original quantity). Therefore, it's a good idea to set the correct quantity for each variation when you relist. Use the same process that you use for revising a variation's quantity (refer to Modify a variation's quantity when revising).