I am also setting up my Shopify store and having the exact same issue as I sell handmade one of a kind polymer clay earrings. I sell on Etsy too and need that same ability to list the one pair of earrings with multiple options for the customer to choose if they want hooks, studs etc
Topic summary
Core issue: Sellers of one‑of‑a‑kind or shared‑stock items need multiple customer options (message, size, hook/chain length, envelopes, scent, frame) while keeping a single inventory count. Shopify variants treat each option as separate stock, risking oversells and misrepresenting quantity. Some also need per‑option pricing with the same overall stock, or to track components (e.g., chain and bead) separately.
Suggested workarounds:
- Use “line item properties” (custom fields) or enable cart/order notes to capture choices without variants (coding required for the tutorial).
- Use third‑party apps for options/upsells: Infinite Product Options (free plan), Infinite Options, Bold Product Options; upsell apps (Upsell Recommendations, Bold Upsell, Candy Rack).
- Sync inventories across variants via automation/inventory sync tools (e.g., usemechanic).
- Create add‑on products and surface them as options (via apps) to preserve accurate stock; reported successes with Product Infinite Options (~$1.99/mo) and Product Options by BSS (free). Some apps may not support price changes for options.
Feedback & roadmap: Shopify staff acknowledged the request, will pass it to internal teams, and advised watching the changelog/Announcements. No native solution or timeline shared.
Status: Ongoing. Key unmet need is a native “shared quantity across variants” (with variant‑level pricing and/or component inventory) to avoid reliance on paid apps.