How to Group Inventory Using Classifications and Attributes
You can group similar inventory items together using classifications. When items are grouped together, you can set schedules for, associate upsell items to, and set posting priorities for all SKUs grouped in that classification. For similar items grouped together under a classification, you can then create additional information fields, called "custom attributes." You can then use this additional information in your ads with template tags. For grouped inventory, you can also associate eBay Item Specific information with your ads. For more information about using eBay Item Specifics, see the Item Specifics Feature Movie. Custom Attributes When you created a classification, you probably created custom attribute names. These attribute names will become additional information fields for each SKU assigned to that classification. Then for each inventory item assigned to that classification, you can assign values to those custom information fields. In addition to creating attribute fields, you can specify a default value for an attribute and define a list of acceptable values. The acceptable values you define will appear as a drop-down list when you edit the information for an inventory item. Using such a list will prevent you from accidentally entering invalid data for that attribute value. For example, the classification below is for digital cameras in which we have defined five custom attributes: Brand, Condition, MPN, Resolution, and Type. For Brand, Condition, and Type, we defined a list of choices and given the Condition attribute a default value of New. 
Viewing Classifications • Select Inventory > Classifications . 
The following fields can be seen in the Classifications view: • Classification Name - This is simply the name of the classification. Classification names should be descriptive enough to associate with your company's inventory. • Priority - Classifications may be given a priority of 1 to 10, which controls the priority the items are given when posting to the marketplace. The lower the priority number, the sooner the item will post to the marketplace if multiple items are queued to post at that time. • Custom Classification Fields - These are the attribute names you created in the classification. You can then use these field names as template tags for both your ads and eBay Item Specifics. • Shipping Option - Shipping may be assigned at the classification level as described in the Shipping tutorial. This column shows whether or not shipping information has been assigned to the classification and if so, what type of shipping option is used. • Schedule Option - This column displays if a schedule has been assigned to the Classification. This causes all items assigned to that classification to post according to the assigned classification schedule.
Note : Assigning both a Classification schedule and an Ad schedule to an item will cause the item to post using both schedules. In other words, ad schedules do not override classification schedules so if you use both, multiple listings for that item may post to the marketplace which is probably not what you intended. Therefore, we recommend either assigning a schedule to an ad OR to the classification. • # of SKUs - The total number of inventory SKUs assigned to the classification. You can use the following options: • Copy : Copies a classification. • Schedule : Assigns a classification schedule to your classifications in bulk. • Ship Option : Configures the shipping setting for your classifications. • Upsell Items : Assigns upsell items to that classification. Those upsell items will be displayed during checkout for any SKUs assigned to the classification. • Delete : Deletes a classification.
Create Classifications • Select Inventory > Classifications . • Click Create a New Classification . • Give the classification a name • In the Attributes section, create names for your attribute fields. • In the column labeled List of Choices, you can enter a list of choices for an attribute separated by double pipes ||. When you later edit or create an inventory item, these choices appear as a drop-down list for a given attribute. • To assign shipping information to the classification, click Save and Continue . Otherwise, click Save and Exit . Assign Shipping Information to Classifications • If you choose to assign shipping to your classification, you must select a distribution center and click Save and Continue . • Choose a shipping option and click Continue . • Fill in the shipping rates for that shipping option and click Save Changes .
Use Classifications with Inventory Items You can assign classifications to inventory using one of two methods: • Using Merchant or • Using a spreadsheet To assign a classification to a single inventory item, you can simply select the classification when you edit the item. When you assign a classification to an inventory item, you can then assign values for each custom attribute. Using the previous digital camera classification in the example below, if we did not create a list of values for an attribute, that attribute will appear as a text box in the inventory item. Notice that for the Condition attribute, the default value New appeared in the inventory item. Finally, looking at Type attribute, you can see a drop-down list created from the list of values we defined in the classification. 
Additionally, the attribute names you created in the classification can be used as template tags in both your ad and posting templates. The template tag version of an attribute name is simply the name capitalized and enclosed by double curly braces. For example, the template tag for the attribute name "condition" would be {{CONDITION}}. If you use these tags in your ad templates, the information associated with that attribute name will appear in your ad in the marketplace. In posting templates, these template tags are used to associate inventory information with eBay Item Specifics. To assign classifications to inventory using Merchant Assigning a classification to an individual item is simple. To assign a classification to inventory items: • Select Inventory > All Items. • Check the items you want to associate with your classification. • Click Class . • Select a classification from the drop-down list. • Click Save and Exit . To assign classifications and attributes to inventory using spreadsheets In addition to assigning a classification to items from within Merchant, you can also assign classifications, attribute names, and attribute values in bulk using the Inventory Upload Spreadsheets. To learn how to download and use the inventory spreadsheets, see the Create & Update Inventory with Spreadsheets tutorial. For information on specific data columns within the spreadsheets, see the Spreadsheet Guide. If the classification name in your spreadsheet does not match an existing classification in your account, a new classification will be created. Additionally, if an attribute name in the spreadsheet does not match an attribute in the classification, a new attribute will be created in the classification. Therefore, you should be careful to make sure all classifications and attributes match information already in your account. If you use the spreadsheets to assign attribute values to your inventory items, you can enter any data you want as an attribute value. In other words, Merchant does not check the data you upload against any acceptable value lists you have defined for your attributes. Updated: 11 June 2008 Login to give us your comments on this SSC content
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