4 ms·

I'm pretty sure ASINs are not as unique as the author is making out. I'm pretty sure they are just created when you upload to Amazon.

tacker2000 4y ago
What do you mean bu not as unique? When a product is newly created on Amazon, it receives its own ASIN. ASINs are only used on Amazon, and are closely tied to the UPC/GTIN/EAN barcodes that are used in worldwide retail.
- mountainb 4y ago
  Amazon allows sellers to create ASINs without providing UPCs through brand registry, but yes usually an ASIN is deeply associated with a given UPC unless that ASIN is merged with other(s) at a later date.
8organicbits 4y ago
Here's one example I noticed recently. These appear to be the same product. The second URL mentions "value", so perhaps there's a quality difference? In any case, the local store may want to use both ASINs to match both products since these are likely equivalent to consumers. * https://www.amazon.com/Ziploc-Freezer-Bag-Gallon-Count/dp/B00I9JK8GU/ https://www.amazon.com/Ziploc-Freezer-Bag-Gallon-Count/dp/B0... * https://www.amazon.com/Ziploc-Freezer-Bags-Value-Gallon/dp/B000V9VZKE/ https://www.amazon.com/Ziploc-Freezer-Bags-Value-Gallon/dp/B... Amazon also has some strange item counts. I'd expect a local store so carry a low count and a high count. Amazon has some interesting clustering of counts: [24, 26, 28, 30], [60, 72, 75, 80] [144, 152, 160]. This made it harder to cost compare boxes. I suspect ASINs are mostly unique, but manufacturers will have some incentives to flood the space with many slightly different products (each correctly with a different ASIN). Amazon's search is pretty terrible for stuff like this. There's room for someone to build a better system. Why can't I search for `bag count > 10 and < 30` `sort by lowest unit cost` `type: freezer`? Amazon doesn't even implement the price filter correctly... try `price < $25` and you'll still see stuff for $30. Presumably high profit items Amazon is tricking you into buying.

tacker2000 4y ago

What do you mean bu not as unique? When a product is newly created on Amazon, it receives its own ASIN. ASINs are only used on Amazon, and are closely tied to the UPC/GTIN/EAN barcodes that are used in worldwide retail.

mountainb 4y ago
Amazon allows sellers to create ASINs without providing UPCs through brand registry, but yes usually an ASIN is deeply associated with a given UPC unless that ASIN is merged with other(s) at a later date.

8organicbits 4y ago

Here's one example I noticed recently. These appear to be the same product. The second URL mentions "value", so perhaps there's a quality difference? In any case, the local store may want to use both ASINs to match both products since these are likely equivalent to consumers. * https://www.amazon.com/Ziploc-Freezer-Bag-Gallon-Count/dp/B00I9JK8GU/ https://www.amazon.com/Ziploc-Freezer-Bag-Gallon-Count/dp/B0... * https://www.amazon.com/Ziploc-Freezer-Bags-Value-Gallon/dp/B000V9VZKE/ https://www.amazon.com/Ziploc-Freezer-Bags-Value-Gallon/dp/B... Amazon also has some strange item counts. I'd expect a local store so carry a low count and a high count. Amazon has some interesting clustering of counts: [24, 26, 28, 30], [60, 72, 75, 80] [144, 152, 160]. This made it harder to cost compare boxes. I suspect ASINs are mostly unique, but manufacturers will have some incentives to flood the space with many slightly different products (each correctly with a different ASIN). Amazon's search is pretty terrible for stuff like this. There's room for someone to build a better system. Why can't I search for `bag count > 10 and < 30` `sort by lowest unit cost` `type: freezer`? Amazon doesn't even implement the price filter correctly... try `price < $25` and you'll still see stuff for $30. Presumably high profit items Amazon is tricking you into buying.