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?

[pvcliff]

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@this*old*attic wrote:

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

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Don't walk too close behind me because you are likely to do a header over my crouched figure as I pick a coin up! Almost learned the hard way not to do that in a crowded subway station at the bottom of an escalator.

[upgradedendmills]

I was trying to make a statement about this and similar practices because they are important details that eventually affect all sellers on eBay and their ability to to run an honest business and prosper.

     Within the last couple of weeks, there have been at least two or three posts concerning sellers that felt they were unfairly charged a relisting fee for making a revision. (fact)  When I read those posts I thought maybe it was simply a glitch in the system and easily fixed. I have always felt free to revise my listings as needed to reflect actual changes.  Never once has eBay charged me a relisting or any other fee for doing this. If I were adding a listing of a different item, I would use "sell similar", make any needed changes and fully expect to pay a listing fee. eBay has apparently caught on to this scheme some sellers are using to avoid a 35 cent fee some sellers are promoting (you included) and eventually will determine it is costing them money and charge for all revisions. It will end up costing all sellers tens of millions of dollars or eliminate a useful free tool for them. It is not quite the innocent practice you seem to think it is. It is fee avoidance.

     The 10% FVF on shipping that we all dislike so much was directly caused by or at least enabled by a minority of sellers trying to cheat the system and avoid fees. They saved a few bucks and cost the rest of us at least hundreds of millions in added FVF's. That's my statement on cheating. If 35 cents will help you stop this practice, I will gladly give it to you. Would you care to have a discussion about this?  Thanks.  None of us are alone here and should consider the effect on others before gaming the system for 35 cents.

[my_boston_baked_beans]

You can express your opinion and distaste regarding others views, but you can not run others down because you want to discredit their behavior. I have no room for that in my business or life. I have been on ebay since 1999 other ID, and always paid my bills as well as being a TRS. So I have no place for your unkind, unjustified remarks that attempt to run others down! End of story..

[upgradedendmills]

Maybe you should step back and take a deep breath.  You seem to be taking my posts very personal. They have no reference to any individual, only to actions I consider detrimental to sellers in general. 

[my_boston_baked_beans]

 If 35 cents will help you stop this practice, I will gladly give it to you. Would you care to have a discussion about this?  Thanks.

How do you want me to interpret this remark?

I through with this nonsense and remove myself from your discourse.

[mam98031]

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@my_boston_baked_beans wrote:

 If 35 cents will help you stop this practice, I will gladly give it to you. Would you care to have a discussion about this?  Thanks.

How do you want me to interpret this remark?

I through with this nonsense and remove myself from your discourse.

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The reason most partake in this practice is to avoid having to pay a listing fee for a new item.  And that is why the comment was made.  I don't believe the poster meant it as a being rude or dismissive towards you or anyone else.  Some of the other posters even said they do it to avoid another listing fee.  

What other reason do you feel someone might do this?  To manipulate search returns?  That would be one I could think of.  What is your opinion.

BTW, we aren't talking about minor changes for the same product.  We are talking about listings being changed to be a completely different product being sold from the original listing.

[upgradedendmills]

Without this open discussion I would never imagine on my own that real people would do such things and openly admit to them.  I am aware that I can be curt and to the point, but I never try to be rude and sincerely appreciate others viewpoints. The OP was probably asking an honest question, some other posters are encouraging processes that are against the rules.

     There is some chance that the party can be in the islands. 

[mam98031]

Which island?  Not Alcatraz, right !???!  

[lightlily_arts]

Can you point us to eBay's policy regarding changing a listing to a different product? I was looking and couldn't find anything that expressly forbids this practice.

[damth_89]

There is no good but cheap product and also no good and cheap goods. Understand that. hiii

[upgradedendmills]

HI,  I've never been there, but would love to go. I hope you don't find anything that expressly forbids sellers to recycle listings.  It is strange to me that a seller with enough time to rework a listing to save 35 cents does not have enough time to look up the details of listing on their own.  Sometimes when in doubt, I go back to using what little common sense I have and go from there.  No matter how bad sales get, no matter what changes eBay makes, no matter how other sellers list or focus on 35 cent loopholes, I will try to concentrate on not wasting any amount of time to try to beat the system. Any other members are free to list in any way they choose  within eBay guidelines and rules.

[my_boston_baked_beans]

Your question is well taken:)

In researching this myself there is NOTHING in black and white regarding wrong doing in the OP's question!

There is however, a well defined page regarding relisting hows, but not a page dedicated to don'ts.

I, personally, am not concerned about paying my fees, but I am concerned about getting the most for money in my listings. 

Since, this discussion has been beaten like a dead horse it would be advisable  to call support to find out specifics and stop mud slinging:)

[mam98031]

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@lightlily_arts wrote:

Can you point us to eBay's policy regarding changing a listing to a different product? I was looking and couldn't find anything that expressly forbids this practice.

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Would you guys like to clarify this for those that are considering significantly changing a listing to a completely different product in order to save a listing fee.

@Anonymous 

tyler@ebay 

[my_boston_baked_beans]

trinton@ebay 

tyler@ebay 

to claify: Sellers are not looking to cheat the system , as has been implied, but rather the OP has asked a question regarding reconstruction of an ending or existing auction.

We appreciate your time in directing us to the actual printed information in regards this question.

Thank you

[my_boston_baked_beans]

To clarify: