Oh my heavens ... what is or why is?  Who's on first? What's on Second. I don't know is on third.  Why is in the out field. Because is in center field. Tomorrow is the pitcher. Today is the catcher.  And I don't give a darn is the short stop.  

When they want to retain the ability to also sell it themselves !

Well, that means any agent can bring the buyers!

It is not a good option for a seller. The seller needs a real estate professional who is working exclusively on his/her behalf.

When the seller has a huge ego and enjoys seeing agents fight over who it going to get to work with the seller.

Carol Williams move to the front of the class with:   

An open listing is merely a FSBO, offering to cooperate with and compensate agents who bring a buyer

When they think they can sell their home on their own.

When is an open listing advantageous?

An open listing is merely a FSBO, offering to cooperate with and compensate agents who bring a buyer.  (CW)

When the seller is an attorney. Attorneys just may have a better use of their time.

When the intent is NOT TO SELL. As in an investor building lists.

When a bait and switch strategy is in place. 

When they are following the 'cut the nose of the spite the face' actions so many follow.

They are feeling lucky.

An open listing is merely a FSBO, offering to cooperate with and compensate agents who bring a buyer.  There is no advantage, other than the PERCEPTION of saving one side of the commission.  The loss of representation for the seller is an expensive risk... IMHO.  

only when the seller can find agents who are foolish enough to deal with them.

 IDK - YTM

Debbie Reynolds gave you the answer. A

What Debbie Reynolds said.

It's not, ever

NEVER

It is not!

The advantage of this is only in their minds and unfortunately their misunderstanding of how to sell a home quickly easily and for the greatest possible NET. If you want to learn how follow many here and or such sources as

Real Estate Info

FB real estate

We don't do them out here.  Exclusive or not at all.

never

NO.... the seller will get nothing for marketing....nothing.... 

Many good answers for open listing advantageous.

As Kathleen Daniels wrote. How's the weather in Utah?

Full commitment in professional marketing by a broker would not be there, therefore the home would not be promoted to its full potential. Of course the home may still sell, but I would not consider using this type of listing agreement on my own homes (even though I'm highly experienced in real estate), not worth it! There is a perception of savings, in reality, that may not be entirely true.

When they think they can wave a carot in front of agents and save one half of the fee. Since open listings don't have to be in writing, they are worth the paper they aren't written on.

Kathleen Daniels nailed this one!

What do you mean by an open listing?

Always

In my opinion, never.

Rarely. 

What is an open listing?

Never