Update existing eBay item price markdown promotions by modifying discount details, inventory selection, and scheduling through the Marketing API.
Update item price markdown promotion through the eBay Marketing API.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| request | Yes | Update item price markdown promotion request body | |
| promotionId | Yes | promotionId required endpoint parameter |
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
v1.14.1Input schema / properties / promotionRemoved value: -{
- "additionalProperties": {},
- "description": "Updated promotion configuration",
- "type": "object"
-}Input schema / properties / promotionId / descriptionPrevious value: -"Promotion ID"New value: +"promotionId required endpoint parameter"Input schema / properties / requestAdded value: +{
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "description": "Update item price markdown promotion request body",
+ "properties": {
+ "applyFreeShipping": {
+ "type": "boolean"
+ },
+ "autoSelectFutureInventory": {
+ "type": "boolean"
+ },
+ "blockPriceIncreaseInItemRevision": {
+ "type": "boolean"
+ },
+ "description": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "endDate": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "marketplaceId": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "name": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "priority": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "promotionImageUrl": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "promotionStatus": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "selectedInventoryDiscounts": {
+ "items": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "discountBenefit": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "amountOffItem": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "currency": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "value": {
+ "type": "string"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "amountOffOrder": {
+ "$ref": "#/properties/request/properties/selectedInventoryDiscounts/items/properties/discountBenefit/properties/amountOffItem"
+ },
+ "percentageOffItem": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "percentageOffOrder": {
+ "type": "string"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "discountId": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "inventoryCriterion": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "inventoryCriterionType": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "inventoryItems": {
+ "items": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "inventoryReferenceId": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "inventoryReferenceType": {
+ "type": "string"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "listingIds": {
+ "items": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "ruleCriteria": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "excludeInventoryItems": {
+ "items": {
+ "$ref": "#/properties/request/properties/selectedInventoryDiscounts/items/properties/inventoryCriterion/properties/inventoryItems/items"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "excludeListingIds": {
+ "items": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "markupInventoryItems": {
+ "items": {
+ "$ref": "#/properties/request/properties/selectedInventoryDiscounts/items/properties/inventoryCriterion/properties/inventoryItems/items"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "markupListingIds": {
+ "items": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "selectionRules": {
+ "items": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "brands": {
+ "items": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "categoryIds": {
+ "items": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "categoryScope": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "listingConditionIds": {
+ "items": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "maxPrice": {
+ "$ref": "#/properties/request/properties/selectedInventoryDiscounts/items/properties/discountBenefit/properties/amountOffItem"
+ },
+ "minPrice": {
+ "$ref": "#/properties/request/properties/selectedInventoryDiscounts/items/properties/discountBenefit/properties/amountOffItem"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "ruleOrder": {
+ "type": "number"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "startDate": {
+ "type": "string"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+}Input schema / requiredPrevious value: -[
- "promotionId",
- "promotion"
-]New value: +[
+ "promotionId",
+ "request"
+]v1.8.10Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are present, so the description must fully explain behavior. It only says 'Update... through the eBay Marketing API' without detailing side effects, required permissions, partial update behavior, or limits. This is insufficient for a mutation tool.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is a single sentence with no waste, but it lacks structure (e.g., separate sections for behavior, parameters, examples). It is adequate but not exemplary.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the tool's complexity (nested objects in request, no output schema, many sibling tools), the description is too minimal. It does not explain the promotion update process, required fields, or how the response looks, leaving significant gaps.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The input schema has 100% description coverage, but the descriptions are minimal ('promotionId required endpoint parameter', 'Update item price markdown promotion request body'). The tool description adds no additional meaning beyond the schema. Baseline 3 is appropriate.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the action ('Update') and the resource ('item price markdown promotion'). However, it does not differentiate from sibling tools like ebay_create_item_price_markdown_promotion or ebay_delete_item_price_markdown_promotion, which could lead to confusion.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
No guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives (e.g., create or delete). There is no mention of prerequisites, context, or exclusions, leaving the agent without decision support.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.