A listing type is required for a new item listing. If not specified in an API call, the listing type will default to an auction listing. Some listing types have other seller qualifications.
Available listing types include:
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Auction
For the duration of the listing, the seller receives bids for the item. The highest bidder (who also meets the Reserve Price if one has been specified,) at the end of the listing wins the item.
The seller also has the option of implementing a Buy It Now option for the item which allows buyers to buy the item at the Buy It Now price. However, the Buy It Now feature is disabled for the listing as soon as it receives the first bid that meets or exceeds the Reserve Price (if one has been specified).
The seller can offer a Buy It Now or Best Offer option for an auction listing, but not both. Once the first qualifying bid has been received for the auction listing, the enabled option is automatically disabled.
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Fixed-price
The seller lists an item at a fixed-price and buyers are able to purchase the item without bidding. The seller has the option of implementing the Best Offer feature on a fixed-price listing, where the buyer can propose a Best Offer that has a price which is lower than the fixed price for the item. It is up to the seller to accept or reject any Best Offer or counteroffer that is received for the item.
The duration of all fixed-price listings must be set to Good 'Til Cancelled. No other listing durations are supported. The only exceptions to this rule are motor-vehicle categories (i.e., 6001, 6024, 6038, 26429, and 66466,) on eBay Motors and on motor-vehicle categories (9800) on the eBay UK and eBay Italy marketplaces.
Good 'Til Cancelled listings automatically renew each month as long as there is inventory remaining for the listing. Generally, a fixed-price listing automatically ends when the available quantity of the item is at 0, but sellers can select the Out-of-Stock Control option in My eBay Site Preferences, and listings with 0 quantity will be kept alive by eBay but will be hidden from search results. The seller can then add more inventory to the listing.
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Classified Ad
With this listing type, the seller is announcing the availability of the item on eBay, but if a transaction occurs (i.e., a buyer purchases the item from the seller,) it is done off of eBay's platform. This listing type is not available for all eBay categories. Call GetCategoryFeatures to identify those categories support the Classified Ad format.
Note: For a complete list of available listing types, refer to ListingTypeCodeType.
Argument: Item.ListingType