Price Variations Misleading

[halfcentury]

When offering more than one item is a single listing, the lower priced option is published first, giving the impression that the overall price of the item is considerably lower than the actual price. For example, when offering a lamp and a shade separately, the price of the shade is published first, indicating on the thumbnail that the price of the lamp is a fraction of the actual price. This is very misleading to the viewer. It is only when clicking on the item and viewing the listing that the options appear in the drop down menu. The only work around available seems to be creating a separate listing for the shade which creates a separate potential issue as I don't want to offer the shade without the lamp is was intended for. There is no option to list the lower priced item AFTER the higher priced item. Has anyone figured out a way around this?

[SewInspiredByJapan]

Etsy continually changes how information appears on a search page so even a work-around wouldn't work indefinitely.  In the past on the search page listings with variations would show the range (USD50-70).  Then they changed it in the past 2 years for whatever reason.  If the price range is huge, you are better off doing separate listings because some buyers think it is a bait-and-switch if the photo is a lamp and the price is for the shade.  It's better to pay the additional listing fee than annoy a potential buyer.

[halfcentury]

I agree wholeheartedly about the "bait-and-switch" issue, which is my main concern. I'm not concerned about paying an additional listing fee; I'm concerned that creating a separate listing is fraught with it's own possible issues, having to offer disclaimers about it not being available separately and having non-reading buyers purchase it anyway but more importantly, I think it's just bad marketing, prompting buyers to click on a separate listing for a component that is clearly made for the main item by the same designer. I can see how it may be the only solution but it's really annoying.

[SunnytyDE]

I’ve seen a lot of shady shops doing this on purpose. Like @SewInspiredByJapan  mentioned it’s called a bait and switch. I would also make a separate listing with a link to the lampshade in the listing for the lamp and vice versa. 

[PillowDetails]

I know what you mean, @halfcentury  .  For items in my category of Home Decor, many Sellers offer samples for a nominal price, that shows as the cheapest option for listings that cost much more, but filter to lowest price searches.

If you are thinking of a way to be "honest" with selling a lamp and a shade separately - and I believe this exact scenario was discussed in the Forums a few days ago (lamp/shade) - most people wouldn't buy just the shade, unless it was very ornate and special (yes, I know there are shops that sell only lampshades).  Lampshades are widely available, at least in my area.  But if we are talking about a vintage lamp, and the shade would add to the shipping costs substantially, due to the size, I would list the lamp base as the first price, and the base + shade as the second price.  The only reason to list the lampshade as the lowest price option, would be if you were willing to sell the lampshade by itself, in which case, you may as well have a separate listing.

[halfcentury]

I would prefer to be able to list the lamp first and shade second within the same listing. Are you implying that's an option? BTW, in this case, the shade is made for the lamp but it would be cost prohibitive to ship together. I'm pricing the shade for the shipping oost as  the cost of shipping separately is very high, but at least the buyer has the option.

[PillowDetails · Accepted solution]

@halfcentury  Absolutely you can - Options in the Variation would be -

Lamp base only - $150

Base + shade - $200

* Keeping in mind we only get one shipping setting per listing, so the extra cost of the combo would need to be worked into the price.

[PillowDetails]

https://community.etsy.com/t5/All-About-Shipping/Can-you-have-two-shipping-price-choices-on-a-listin...

[halfcentury]

I considered this and concede it's the lesser of 2 evils but I appreciate the solution. It's definitely preferable to creating 2 listings. Thank you.