Be careful when canceling - default is to relist at current listing costs unless you un-check a box

[electrola_man]

I had two "buyers" win low-value items on minimum-bid prices, and then ask to cancel.  I hadn't realized until too late that when approving a cancellation, the default is to relist, too, unless I un-check a box.  Watch for this.  I had lots of auction listings up because of a promo deal for free auction listings with buy-it-now included.  That deal is now over, and my missing this cost me a couple of listing fees today for the same type (auction with buy-it-now) which are now $.50 each.

[popeye3165]

The ole "GOT YA fee" someone at eBay got a big bonus for coming up with the GTC idea!

[tunicaslot]

Thanks for the heads up - I'm sure many sellers will miss that!

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

This change was detailed in the Spring Seller Update. It's always a good policy to read the full update when it comes out.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

It's under Marketplace Updates:

Easily relist cancelled items and remorse returns for single-quantity listings

Starting in May 2019, when you successfully complete a cancelled item or remorse return for a single-quantity listing we'll provide you with a more convenient way to relist the item, which will help you resell the item and manage your business more efficiently. Upon completing a return or cancellation, a checkbox will be preselected for you that defaults to an automatic relisting of your item.

Cancelled item eligibility

The easy-relist default setting will be displayed and preselected for cancelled items that:

• The buyer initiated and you approved
• You cancelled due to an issue with the buyer’s address
• Is for a single-quantity listing

Remorse return eligibility

The easy-relist default setting will be displayed and preselected for remorse returns if:

• Tracking shows the item was returned to you
• You provided a full refund
• The remorse return is for a single-quantity listing

You will be able to deselect the preselected check mark in the default checkbox if you don't wish to relist the returned item.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

Also, it is ALWAYS a good idea to read through the entire FAQ for each part of an Update. Here's a link to the FAQ:

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/seller-updates/2019-spring/marketplace-updates.html#m22_tb_a2_1...

[electrola_man]

Yes, admittedly I missed that.  I do not always read all of those things in great detail.  I just find it frustrating to have it decided for me, with that box checked seemingly because that's what I would want.  I do not want that by default.  I'd rather make a conscious decision to relist, when I want to relist, rather than have to make a decision to not relist when I'm in the middle of processing an already frustrating cancellation that has my attention on other things.  This should be changed.  That box can be there, but should be un-checked by default, or something we can adjust in our preference settings.

[sharingtheland]

Oh wow, from cottage's link:

If I sold my item using the Auction format, will the returned or cancelled item be relisted in the s...

Yes. The same settings will be applied, but the listing can be modified after it’s relisted.

This is a whole 'nother ball of confusion and insertion fee grab.  Auctions?  Maybe I didn't pay attention (duh) but I doubt there are many that want to automatically restart an auction with no changes.  And what about start/ending times the seller wants to use?

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

This is from the FAQ. Why they didn't do this BEFORE releasing this change, I have no idea. And whether they will actually DO it, rather than just EXPLORE doing it, I don't know. 

Will I be able to opt out of easy relist for cancelled and refunded items at an account level?

We are aware that sellers want this functionality and we are exploring adding it in the future.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

Yes, and if you selected any extras, or set a Promoted Listing rate, etc, that will all carry over. So, as electrola_man said, be careful....