Listing items that share the same barcode
I’ve tried to get help from the help team (12 different agents, so far) and awaiting contact from someone on the matter but I don’t think they understand. I think my issue is simple to understand, but having spent a week communicating with India, I hope you will understand the simplicity in my explanation:
I have Fuggler Snuggle Edition cuddly toys available to list.
These toys are variants of ASIN B09WVSHD7Y. The toy in the ASIN is a “Snuggler Edition” variant, just like the one’s I have available to list.
All of these variants SHARE THE SAME BARCODE.
When I try to list my variant, it brings up errors for each value that does not match the existing ASIN (such as colour, model name etc).
How do I list my variant, in a way that does not require the barcode - as clearly this is what is causing the conflict.
13 replies
Seller_qZO3ZCjoBXEeL
This is an incorrect situation. By the very definition, every variant must have a unique barcode. The barcode identifies that specific variant/item and cannot be shared.
Seller_SITNVuZK87zGK
From what I can tell with these incredibly weird toys is that they do in fact have the same barcode - but it looks like they have been sold in some sort of blister pack situation? So all the items are unique but you have no idea what is in the box? THen what has happened is they’ve become popular, and sellers have setup the items with their own listings?
If you look at the listings under the brand Fuggler all those listings have completely different barcodes, suggesting individual sellers have setup the listings randomly based on the dolls they had.
That’s just a guess, its not a scenario I’ve come across.
Seller_amUAzjvL5uIzu
The only way I can see to allow you to list is for you to purchase EAN’s from GS1 & create a new listing for ech variant.
Seller_FqalN2Equ13mj
Having dealt with Spinmaster and other toy manufacturers like Posh Paws in the past who sell products in packs of variants but have the same barcode, the advice i offer is:
Example, Set of 4 Disney Princesses, Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel & Arora
Do not use the barcode supplied for one of the variants, ie Cinderella, this will get confusing later as another seller will change the listing to one of the other ones and the first time you will be made aware is when a customer returns it with a note that you’ve ruined a little girls life as she wanted the one advertised!!
In the 1st instance, i would do a search for the actual variant, and if its their, list against that ASIN.
If its not listed, sign up to GS1 and get your own barcodes and allocate one to each variant.
When this became an issue, i went to the manufacturers and highlighted the issue and some took it on board, however, if you think Amazon don’t listen, Spinmaster have a “God like” approach to retail and since they bought Gunda few years ago have ruined some good Soft Toy Ranges, but i digress!!
Actually, i haven’t finished with Spinmaster, if you want to sell their products, make sure you are part of their authorised Online Re-seller programme. When they introduced that a couple years ago in the US, it was the classic, please apply for the programme, however we are not taking on any new applications!!
Seller_rLNyRNI1jSpqi
Sometimes when more than one product has the same barcode, a listing will say ‘colours may vary’ or ‘you may receive X, Y or Z at random’. There’s nothing wrong with this, but it does mean the customer doesn’t get to select which exact one they’ll receive.
You could send the evidence (photos, barcode) to Seller Support and ask to create a ‘variation’ on the existing listing. However, I’m guessing you might just end up in a loop with Seller Support saying ‘it appears this listing is controlled by the brand owner’ in reply to whatever you say.
Perhaps you could create a ‘bundle’ of 2 toys with a new barcode?
Seller_lf5vv8vF2sGlR
This is very common with toys.
I have a product that is unlistable on Amazon as the contents vary with each production run but the product name and barcode do not vary.
It’s also really common to have a counter display of mixed items in a range where every time in that box has the same barcode.
