Does Etsy no longer allow you to restock previously sold out variations?

[FirstCampaign]

I made a post about this last week, but I am still having the same issue and wondering what the heck I can do. Since last week, I've been trying to restock some previously sold out colors of my Christmas stockings (my best selling listing) and I keep getting an error code. I've tried a couple different browsers and through the app. When I reached out to Etsy last week, they said it was a known issue that their engineering team was working on. Today, they had no update or further information for me.

When I posted about this last week, someone said that Etsy is trying to clamp down on folks reusing old/sold out listings (I guess to keep the stats and help boost the listings??), but this listing isn't totally sold out, I'm just trying to restock some previously sold out colors.

I can't tell if this is something on my end that I can fix, if this is an Etsy tech issue, or if it's some kind of Etsy test that is on purpose?? Anyone have any ideas? Customers are reaching out about stockings and all I can tell them right now is to order a color that is in stock and specify the color they actually want in the personalization box or make a special listing for them...

[booknookcreations]

Maybe try copying the listing and putting the accurate quantities in the new listing instead? 

[FirstCampaign]

Thank you so much for your reply! I have thought about this, but this listing has over 100 reviews going back years and I don't wanna lose my stats. Worse case scenario though, I will try this! Thank you!!

[booknookcreations]

Do be sure to copy it first before making changes to the current listing, just in case! Then you could always use the copy for a different variation in the future.

[NanaLetha]

@FirstCampaign  I only have 1 listing with color variations and I am able to update the quantity using my desktop and Firefox.

[FirstCampaign]

Thank you for your reply! Just tried Firefox and it didn't work either. It's weird because some listings will let me restock variations and others won't.

[GlassyFields]

I was having issues saving a listing. I contacted Etsy support and they told me to remove and re-add the attributes.

Variations are an attribute.

At any rate, that worked.

I think that some really old listings don't function well with changes that Etsy has made to the listing form and the problems pop up when trying to edit and publish these listings.

I do like to hang on to listings that have a good performance history. So I would note all variations that still have items in stock. Delete variations. And then add the variations back - using my notes (or actual inventory) to make the necessary updates.

Good luck.

[FirstCampaign]

Omg thank you so much for your reply! Yes, exactly, the listing won't save. I tried adding one new color under the variation as a test and it wouldn't allow me to save that one either. Did you completely delete your whole attribute before re-adding them? I am always so worried to mess with a best selling listing too much, but if I can't change this then I guess I have no choice. Thank you so much for your help!!

[GlassyFields · Accepted solution]

@FirstCampaign 

Yes, I completely deleted all the attributes I could find including variations (which are usually the most complex).

Then I save the listing. You may have to add a price and quantity since those used to be in the variations.

Then I open it and re-add the variations and all of their details.

Then save of course.

And Etsy support told me months ago, that this is a known technical issue and its often the attributes that prevent saving and so to remove those. And that worked.

(Yes, Etsy support knows about this.  But I think their fix is to have support share the hint that it's variations from listings that are older working with the new listing form.)

[FirstCampaign]

Thank you so, so much for this! I really appreciate you taking the time to give the step by step and for all your help!! I'll try this!

[FirstCampaign · Accepted solution]

EDIT : Wait wait!! Tried this on another listing and you don't actually have to delete the variations!!! Variations are okay— seems like the glitch is with the other attributes like Material, Sustainability, Width, etcetc. I deleted these attributes, saved, and then went back in to the listing to update the sold out quantity. Worked like a charm! You are a life saver!!!

ORIGINAL REPLY : Omg... Okay so far this worked!! Tried it on one of my less popular listings first to see. But you are right, you literally have to delete every single attribute and add them all back. You can't just delete variations, had to delete everything. Ahhhhh so silly!! Well, it seems like if you experienced this months ago and it's still not fixed, then I'll have to do the same with all the other listings too. I really, really appreciate your help! I was starting to panic a bit!! 

[UptownYvette]

I updated a colour variation just last night from a quantity of 0 to 1 on a currently listed item and I didn't have any problems.

[FirstCampaign]

So weird! It seems like it's happening with some of my listings and not others. I'm glad you had no issues!