Instead of deleting a listing, can I reuse it to sell something entirely different?

[afoolisharrangement]

I had a couple of auctions that just renewed and I didn't catch them in time.  I was planning on ending them, but now since they have renewed for another 30 days, I was wondering if I could just repurpose the listing with entirely new content.  This would mean a completely different item, different category, different in all aspects.  In theory it sounds like it would work (change category, change text and pictures, etc.), but I wasn't sure if there would be listing bots or some behind the scenes workings that would end up putting the item in the old category or something similar.  I just thought if I could save myself $ of relisting I would like to be able to do that.  Every little bit helps!

Any thoughts on this?

[upgradedendmills]

Since I retired I have let my hair and beard grow out really long and now I just go to the park and sit on a bench and younger people make donations. Next year I am going to expand if possible and get some really dark glasses or practice either limping or twitching.  If I had just worried more about 35 cents when I was younger, I wouldn't have to do all this.

[upgradedendmills]

Maybe if it ever comes to pass that eBay is gone, we should all get together and share a meal and some wine. I quit drinking a few years ago and would give my share of wine to one of the cheerleaders.

[hurryagain]

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@upgradedendmills wrote:

Maybe if it ever comes to pass that eBay is gone, we should all get together and share a meal and some wine. I quit drinking a few years ago and would give my share of wine to one of the cheerleaders.

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...I'm sure that there will be no shortage of ebay stories at that table...and given the direction that ebay is going...you might be needing a few sips of that wine too. 

[this*old*attic]

Find a penny, pick it up. All the day you’ll have good luck.

[upgradedendmills]

You're definitely on the list!!! Bring Devin, he can buy the wine.

[mam98031]

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@the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth wrote:

It used to be considered fee avoidance. eBay seems to have stopped considering things to be violations if they can monetize them.

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Now they consider it search manipulation and it is a policy violation.

[mam98031]

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@hurryagain wrote:

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@upgradedendmills wrote:

I'll send you an invite and you don't even have to buy anything. You bring the pom poms and I'll supply the wine. I really hesitated to respond to the OP, but couldn't resist.

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After all is said & done, I think you should invite the OP as well...at this rate, they are going to be needing that wine more than anyone else in this post!  I would have inserted an emoticon but i couldn't find the wine in a gallon size.

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Gallon sized, you are my type of person!  Here is my little glass, would you mind pouring me a little more?

[mam98031]

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@upgradedendmills wrote:

Since I retired I have let my hair and beard grow out really long and now I just go to the park and sit on a bench and younger people make donations. Next year I am going to expand if possible and get some really dark glasses or practice either limping or twitching.  If I had just worried more about 35 cents when I was younger, I wouldn't have to do all this.

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I'm hoping that means you are a guy!!!  Because the alternative could give us nightmares!

You sound like my husband.  He would tell our son when he was young what he could do so we could get a free meal.  The twitching and stuff.  Of course it was a joke and our son remembers it fondly!  

[membersinceaug2001]

I have a consumable item on my watch list where the seller did this.  Threw me off as to why this other thing was on my list.  It looks like they are milking the sales history from the previous item.

[lightlily_arts]

I assume you actually mean a Fixed Price listing.  I have done this on multiple occasions.  You just need to make sure that your revised listing is in the correct category and pay attention to the item specifics, UPC and MPN are correct as well.  Check your shipping method and charge so that it matches your item.

[bigdeals.etc]

I wonder if the system allows you to create a listing, have tons of sales, then revise it to something in the mature audiences category.

[upgradedendmills]

It means I am a grumpy old guy.  So far it looks like we have at least 6 or 7 people coming to the party. Looks like a couple of more serious posters answered the OP's question and actually got a few more sellers interested in trying the same thing.  Sometimes I think that sort of question is asked only to point out how ridiculous things are becoming but sometimes it asked seriously and is a true concern for the people asking.

     I hope I never have the time to dwell on 35 cents. Same thing with MP, many posters truly concerned with the timing for a payout because they are depending on the funds to pay bills or obligations. As I read those posts, I keep thinking that sales are not regular (they never will be in most cases) that the timing of actually receiving the funds is sort of a moot point. If you are depending on eBay revenue to pay your bills, you have to have the sales before the payout even exists, so a few days either way is not a consideration.

     If 35 cents stops you from continuing a listing, that item has no chance of selling or producing any revenue to be delayed. You have to spend the 35 cents first. When I list, the chance of an item actually selling is the prime consideration, not how much revenue it could generate if it actually sells.  Sometimes I guess right, sometimes not so much. Until something sells I do not count on the proceeds. Because I have no idea of if or when it will sell, a day or two or a week's delay in getting the money doesn't make any difference.

[mam98031]

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@upgradedendmills wrote:

It means I am a grumpy old guy.  So far it looks like we have at least 6 or 7 people coming to the party. Looks like a couple of more serious posters answered the OP's question and actually got a few more sellers interested in trying the same thing.  Sometimes I think that sort of question is asked only to point out how ridiculous things are becoming but sometimes it asked seriously and is a true concern for the people asking.

     I hope I never have the time to dwell on 35 cents. Same thing with MP, many posters truly concerned with the timing for a payout because they are depending on the funds to pay bills or obligations. As I read those posts, I keep thinking that sales are not regular (they never will be in most cases) that the timing of actually receiving the funds is sort of a moot point. If you are depending on eBay revenue to pay your bills, you have to have the sales before the payout even exists, so a few days either way is not a consideration.

     If 35 cents stops you from continuing a listing, that item has no chance of selling or producing any revenue to be delayed. You have to spend the 35 cents first. When I list, the chance of an item actually selling is the prime consideration, not how much revenue it could generate if it actually sells.  Sometimes I guess right, sometimes not so much. Until something sells I do not count on the proceeds. Because I have no idea of if or when it will sell, a day or two or a week's delay in getting the money doesn't make any difference.

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Well said.  But I must say I am concerned about those on this thread that have said they are going to give this a try.  I'm telling you that significant changes to an existing active listing can get you into trouble.  In an effort to save that 35 cents or one of your free allotment of listings, they are risking a policy violation.

Changing a listing to another product whether it is in the same category or not is something you can be dinged for.  Changing something on a listing because you see you need to add additional information, correct spelling, change your description or something normal like that is fine.  But changing a ABC widget to a CDE widget can get you into trouble.

The risk is not worth the gain.

[upgradedendmills]

Totally agree!!! Never dawned on me that others might want to try the same shenanigans as the OP.  Even if I hate the rules as they are or any changes made to them, I try to abide by them. Trying to beat eBay out of 35 cents for what amounts to a new listing is ridiculous to the extreme.

     That being said, I feel that most posters with those ideas are only looking for agreement and would not accept any reasonable answer or solution from someone with a differing viewpoint.  Kind of a waste of time to entertain them, but maybe we will get a party out of it.

[my_boston_baked_beans]

Last I knew this is a discussion no a statement based on 1 or 2 opinions. Everyone is free to express their's as you are free to disregard. It is not fair to make judgement about others based on their point of view 🙂 Just saying