App can't manually save zero quantities, only 1 or more

[RosaryPetals]

I reported this issue through Etsy help a long time ago, but nothing has changed.  I find it very inhibiting that I cannot change a quantity to Zero in the Etsy app when I need to.  I have multiple variations in most of my listings and whenever I need to manually adjust the quantity to zero in one of the variations I get an error message that I can only use numbers between 1-99.  So I have to mark the item as having 1 and turn off the visibility of the item so no one buys it.  Yet if something were to sell down to zero it works properly to report "sold out" with a zero quantity.  I am able to make the adjustment to zero on the computer where the web browser allows me to do this, however this is often not convenient and I may forget to do it.  That means my inventory is not as accurate.  This should be fixed.  Thank you.

[NanaLetha]

If you set up variations with "quantity varies" then when a variation sells out, it will show as "sold out" - If you set it up that way, you don't have to edit yourself.

[RosaryPetals]

I'm going to add to my original post: I need to adjust quantities to zero sometimes because I take the inventory for a custom sale or to replace inventory that I find is actually damaged (and I don't want to ship to the customer) or that I end up using for personal reasons or when I discover that my inventory is wrong.  There are absolutely times where I need to adjust that particular item to zero.  And I do not want to delete the variation because the zero is only temporary.

[ArtDollsbyJD]

But on Etsy every listing must be for sale so you cannot have a listing that does not have a quantity attached to it.  So even though you think this is simply temporary, Etsy has no idea that it is and there rule is every listing must have quantity so it can be sold. 

[NanaLetha]

You don't need to delete the any variation. If someone buys and you don't want to ship, then you must refund and cancel.

[RosaryPetals]

I want to manually adjust my variations to zero through the Etsy app when I need to.  I CAN do this through my computer, but I need to also be able to do this on the APP.  I don't want to cancel any orders because someone purchased something I don't have.  That is not a solution that is acceptable to how I want to do customer service.  I will not delete any variations because I use them when I have the product in stock again.  This is a technical issue that I am trying to get the attention of the APP makers to fix.  Unfortunately, none of us can do that.

[GroundZeroCreations]

I'm not entirely sure I understand why this is seen as such a significant issue. From what I gather, you're trying to enter a quantity of "0" in a variation quantity and save the listing, which currently isn't possible. However, there is a workaround available: you can use the "visible" toggle next to the variation to make it invisible, then click save — and the system accepts that change.

Personally, when I encounter a situation where a variation isn't available due to unforeseen circumstances, I simply make that variation invisible. Later, when it's restocked, it's easy to go back into the listing and enter the new quantity. It’s worth noting that making a variation invisible doesn’t remove it from the listing entirely. Buyers will still see the variation in the dropdown purchase menu, but it will be grayed out and unavailable for purchase.

Given that Etsy already provides the functionality to make variations inactive without deleting them, I believe it’s unlikely they will redesign the platform to offer a second method for achieving the same result.

[RosaryPetals]

To GroundZeroCreations:  I agree that leaving one as a quantity and making the listing not visible is a solution for some, but in my case it causes inaccuracies with my inventory.  I typically sell in sets of 3.  If I have 4 in stock I list one set of 3 and put the leftover piece into one of my variations that is selling singles only and I mark that listing as not visible. It is not cost effective for me to sell one at a time, but a set of 3 is okay, but the variations listing the items as singles are necessary to keep track of any leftovers that aren't multiples of 3.  However, if I pull an order and one of the set of 3 is damaged then I know, according to my inventory of singles that is not visible, that I have one extra available.  In that case, I need to modify the single listing to zero and save it as not visible again.  This is for my own inventory management purposes.  If I left it as 1 even though it was not visible, then I would waste a lot of time looking for it if I needed it to replace a damaged item.  I think the app makers could easily modify this option in the app to be "0-99" instead of "1-99".  Maybe I am the only one who needs this, but this is how I manage my inventory and I've been doing it this way for many years.  That's why this is important to me.

[ArtDollsbyJD]

but as I said above it goes against Etys' rule that all listings must have quantity to be visible as every listing must be for sale.  You cannot have listings saying zero no matther how temporary as that is against the rules.

[GroundZeroCreations]

@RosaryPetals 

You might find it more efficient and less stressful to try a different method for managing your inventory. One quick and user-friendly approach is to create a spreadsheet by exporting your current listings—this saves time and avoids the need to input everything manually.

To do this, go to Settings, click Options, then select Download Data, and choose Currently for Sale. This will generate a CSV file of your active listings. From there, you can customize the spreadsheet to suit your needs—hide any columns that aren’t relevant, and enter your current inventory levels in the appropriate fields.

Personally, I don’t rely on Etsy for inventory tracking. I perform regular inventory checks to ensure accuracy. There are also many inventory management apps available, including some that sync across multiple platforms if you're selling on more than one site. I’m having a bit of an off day, so the names of those apps aren’t coming to mind at the moment—but there are definitely some great options out there worth exploring.

I think two aps that will sync between Etsy and a personal website are Trunk and Sellbrite. But please don't hold me to that because when I have a migraine my brain simply doesn't function normally.

[GieseDeseiGns]

Cant you use the browser on your phone rather than the app that should work the same as your computer.

[RosaryPetals]

Yes, I can use the browser on my phone, but I shouldn't have to.  I should be able to use the app.  The app is wonderful and quicker to use to update my quantities than the browser.  I Just can't put in zeros, but I should be allowed to.  I've never made an app, but I can't imagine this fix would be challenging to do at all for those who manage the app.  They just need to change the parameters from "1-99" to be "0-99".

[TBQSC]

Etsy’s rules … everything listed on Etsy has to be available for sale … if a listing or a variation of a listing is not available, it cannot be listed at zero, so you will just have to deactivate it.  Trying to circumvent the system by changing the quantity to zero on an active listing will not work the way you want it to.  The app has its limits, like all apps do … they are not meant to be used as a fully functional website … just the basics are available.  

[BagmakerSupply]

@RosaryPetals: I don't think that Etsy has ever allowed a seller to manually mark a listing (or variation) as sold out. Even the Square integration used to (and possibly still does) mark the listing as inactive rather than sold out. Unless there has been a change recently, only a true sale through Etsy is reflected as zero on hand and marked as sold out.

[RosaryPetals]

To ArtDollsbyJD: I believe you are almost correct.  This is what the rule states:

• Etsy's Requirement:

  Etsy requires at least one variation to have a quantity greater than zero for a listing to be published. 

  Each of my listings with variations do have at least one or more variations with a quantity greater than zero.  Each variation is not required to be be greater than zero. only one of them.  So I am not breaking any rules in any of my listings.

[RosaryPetals]

To GroundXeroCreations:  Thanks for taking the time to suggest alternative inventory tracking methods especially when you are suffering through a migraine.  At this time I prefer to keep doing things this way because it is instantly adjusting my on-hands in the listing for one particular item and I don't need to involve another program to do so.  Which is why it seems inhibiting that the app won't accept zero as a quantity.  The app is quick and easy to use and I love it except for this flaw.