Dear Amazon Team,

Recently, we have encountered a significant issue that has severely disrupted our product listings in the rugs category. The recent changes in the variation setup have led to operational problems and sales losses, consuming a considerable amount of time to resolve. I’d like to detail the issues we’re facing and suggest possible solutions:

Problem Description and Issues Encountered

Mandatory "Size" Field Update:

In the rugs category, when setting up variations, the "Size" field for the parent ASIN is now mandatory.

The size information entered for the parent ASIN automatically applies to all child ASINs. However, our products have variations based on both color and size, leading to incorrect information across the listing.

When we try to add a new variation to an existing listing, the mandatory "Size" field disrupts the individual size data for all child ASINs, causing the entire listing to become inconsistent. This issue negatively affects both our product rankings and sales.

No Issues with Excel (Flat File), Problems with Panel Interface:

We do not encounter this issue when uploading listings via Excel (Flat File). However, it is impractical and time-consuming to rely solely on Excel for every update.

The issue primarily arises when adding variations through the Seller Central panel interface, which was previously not problematic. The recent changes were implemented without any prior notification to sellers.

Misrouting of Support Cases:

When we request technical assistance, the cases are often redirected to unrelated teams such as Brand Registry or Handmade, which have no relevance to our issue.

This results in delays, and cases are repeatedly transferred between teams, making it nearly impossible to get a timely and relevant response.

Suggestions and Requests

Revising the Mandatory "Size" Field Requirement:

Variations in the rugs category are typically based on both color and size. The mandatory "Size" field for the parent ASIN should be reconsidered or made optional to preserve the integrity of the variation structure.

Removing this requirement or making it optional would prevent disruption in the variation setup.

Limit Panel Interface Product Uploads or Provide an Override Option:

Consider disabling the mandatory "Size" field when uploading through the panel interface, similar to the flexibility we have with Excel uploads. This would offer a practical workaround for sellers.

Improving Case Routing and Support Response:

Ensure that technical issues are directed to the appropriate teams, such as Product Support or Category Management, rather than unrelated departments like Brand Registry or Handmade.

Establish a specialized support team knowledgeable about category-specific issues, providing direct and effective assistance.

Advance Notification for System Changes:

Any changes or updates affecting listing and variation structures should be communicated to sellers in advance. This would allow us to prepare and prevent disruptions to our ongoing operations.

Addressing these issues promptly would greatly enhance the seller experience and help prevent further disruptions. We request that you consider these points and implement necessary adjustments to resolve the ongoing problems.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Best regards,

@Julia_Amzn

@JiAlex_Amazon

@Sakura_Amazon_ @Sarah_Amzn @Julia_Amazon @Winston_Amazon