Condition differences across categories

In general, each eBay top-level (L1) category defines its own default set of conditions (rather than inheriting from a marketplace default). Most L1 categories on a given marketplace will actually define the same default set of conditions, but some L1 categories define different default sets to meet buyer and seller expectations. Furthermore, within each L1 category, a significant number of child categories may use different sets of conditions than their parent categories. Call GetCategoryFeatures to determine which conditions each category supports.

For example, while the Sporting Goods category on the eBay US marketplace might define a default set of conditions that most of its child categories will inherit, a child category such as Running > Shoes would use the same set of conditions as the Clothing, Shoes & Accessories > Shoes category instead.

Similarly, the Books L1 category and child categories where items are typically CDs or DVDs (i.e., the DVD & Movies, Music, and Video Games categories,) are considered "media categories" and they typically all define the same default set of conditions. But a child category like Video Games > Systems has items that are electronic devices, so it defines a different set of conditions (the same set as the Computers & Networking meta-category).

Refer to Condition Definitions for complete information about supported Item Conditions.

eBay defines 10-15 overall sets of conditions. Each marketplace may have a few hundred categories that use one of these sets instead of a meta-category's default set. The condition sets are determined based on testing with sellers and category experts, as well as research into what buyers expect.