It is search manipulation. People looking for new listings will find your used shoes. Almost new is not new. It is used.

The item was listed as "used" under the category. The only place it said "almost new" was the title.

^ yes, but that would be considered keyword spamming i think

*sigh* That's pretty annoying. Manipulation requires intent, and I definitely wasn't intending to do anything except describe the condition of the item. Pretty frustrating that they'd let me post the item 3 times without doing anything, then the 4th time when I get a bidder they pull it an hour before the auction's end.

Someone probably reported you for it. eBay doesn't check for that stuff unless someone tells them.

Although you listed it as used putting "new" when it is not new is considered keyword spamming -- which is search manipulation.

eBay looks at it like this. You are selling a used item but you are attracting people who are searching for new items to your listing w/ the word new. These people want new items not "like new", "almost new" etc ,...

treasurehoard is correct.
you're not allowed to use the word "new" in the title unless the item actually is brand new

Perhaps from now on you should refer to them as "ANWT" in the title.
Sorry that happened, though. Clearly very frustrating, although I do see why it was reported.

I can't believe things like that get reported, but someone (usually someone who's selling horrible fakes) can put True ReligionRockandRepublicSFAM NWT Size 29 and not get it pulled. That pisses me off.

Yeah...don't you do a search to FIND things??

Like it takes precious time to read "Almost New" and decide to NOT click on the auction. People reporting that kind of thing have WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY to much time on their hands. Stick to reporting fakes.

If someone is selling a new item why should they need to compete with someone selling an ALMOST new item. It is not the same thing. Also almost new is very subjective. If I have a pair of jeans I wore 1 time and feel in the mud can I put almost new??? I only wore them 1 time!

If the item is used then that is what should be stated. New should be used to describe NEW items not used items.

When I search for things I don't type "new" in the title and just hope that anything that pops up will be new. I figure out the category (men's jeans for example) and there is a drop-down where you can click new or used. This automatically filters out whichever you want to exclude. Has nothing to do with the title of the auction at all.

Having a rule like this angers me because why does eBay need to protect people from their own stupidity. If someone reads "almost new" and is confused, they're a moron.

It's not about someone being confused it's about filtering the number of results during the search. It does bother me sometimes when I'm looking for something brand new and get like 500 results half of which contain "like new", "almost new", "pretty much new", "looks like new" and not all sellers use new/used option when they describe the item. I don't care enough to report such a listing, but I can see why this can be annoying.

Isn't that what NWT and NWOT and EUC are all about? I don't think I've used the word New ever. Maybe I should start, but I assume that when people are looking for something the first thing the do is type in the brand or item (jeans, etc.)

I guess when I search for something, I want to see all that is available.

I always filter my searches on the left for "new" or "pre-owned" every time anyway, which would easily eliminate anyone using "almost new." I find it's more of a problem with people who type every brand ever in their title so my search results are COMPLETELY off...at least with the "almost new" thing the proper item comes up in the search.

I know there's been lots of conversation/disputes regarding how to describe an item that's been used once. But even if it's been worn once, Mike's right and it is still considered used. Same goes for a pair of jeans that's been altered- I think it was Renee that had issues with that last summer- people "forgot" to explain in the listing that jeans had been taken in on the inside seam. If an item isn't brand new, never worn, it's not new.