WHAT IF NO UPC CODE ?

[izzame]

I saw this question on the Fall discussion but didn't see an answer and for myself it is an important issue.

For product id, it states:  "By February 2017, for most categories, newly-created listings will require at least one type of product identifier (e.g. UPC, GTIN, one of the above, etc.). Also, note that the options “Does not Apply” and “NA” will no longer be available for the majority of items." 

Most of my items are either old, antiques, collectibles or "stuff" with no UPC,  What does one put  for these items?

Does anyone know what this work around would be? I thought that I did see somewhere that you can make up your own code? What are the guidelines for this? What if my "made up code" is an actual legit code for some other product? If things are leaning to "product codes" as opposed to "title search" how is anyone other than myself going to know my "made up product code" ?

Thank you for any help, ideas, input.

[ypdc_dennis]

Fall 2016 Update questions thread:

http://community.ebay.ca/t5/Seller-Updates/2016-Fall-Seller-Update/m-p/349044

Those categories with UPC requirements:

http://pages.ebay.ca/sell/item_specifics/product-identifiers.html

-..-

[femmefan1946]

Two categories I sell in regularly (books and sewing supplies ) don't have UPC codes.

Sewing patterns have a bar code, but the number is not a UPC code and is not accepted in that space. I have been putting it in the MPN box when it exists.

Vintage books, printed before 1980, don't have ISBN or UPC numbers. And the  product catalogue does not accept ISBN numbers that are not from US publishers.

In both cases, I suppose the seller can use an Amazon ASIN number -- which seems rather an odd thing to do. Wouldn't that steer the eBay customer to the competing site?

Someone was not thinking this through.

At the minimum, the requirement for a UPC/ISBN should be connected to the manufacturer's location and to the date of manufacture.

If those dates are 'too early' for the requirement or if the manufacturer is not in the USA, the Not Applicable should be accepted.

Or don't change the coding and let the seller accept Not Applicable.

The onus is on the seller.

If she thinks it is acceptable to forgo the extra searchability the UPC/ISBN number is believed to give, so be it.

We're grownups here.

[decal-fx]

All my items are made by me & as such no UPC exist. I sell in Motors Parts & Accessories, Currently I put "Doesn't Not Apply" but as of 2017 that will not be an option???

[katlover1952]

On the fall seller update Raphael says in one post something about making up a UPC code if you don't have one but that makes no sense to me at all. He did say in another post after someone questioned this that he was going to get some clarification so perhaps there will be an answer on this. I too would have this problem as I sell older vintage items and used items mostly jewelry and there are no UPC codes for most of the stuff I sell.

[kays_place]

Also included in items with no UPC code are many used items ( e.g. Collectibles) that often come without a box.

[recped]

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@kays_place wrote:

Also included in items with no UPC code are many used items ( e.g. Collectibles) that often come without a box.

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Used items don't currently require product identifiers and this isn't going to change.

[femmefan1946]

Then there are the outliers.

Sewing patterns are closer to 'New Old Stock" than to either New or Used.

They are  often bought with good intentions,and never actually used.

The paper envelopes definitely get crumpled, there is usually a 'not for resale' stamp, and sometimes preliminary notes.

But the are also "Uncut, Unused, Factory Folded".

And they don't have UPCs or ISBNs. 

Sigh.

[gifts_of_elegance]

Most of my Christian Dior and Burberrys of London jewelry still have their original tags.  I copied all  the  UPC codes unto  my listings and eBay rejected them all as "invalid".

What now?