Replace Page with custom post type, using an existing permalink

Now that custom post types exist, I would like to replace my Product pages with a custom post type of ‘Product’.

This creates a problem though. I would like to use the same permalink structure. But WordPress doesn’t allow me to delete the page and have the Product post type replace the permalink. I could create a variation of the permalink structure for the custom post type.

For example:

Currently the product pages exist at: thehousestudio.com/wp/products/nameofproduct

I could setup the Product custom post type to: thehousestudio.com/wp/product/nameofproduct

The problem with that is any outside links will result in 404’s.

Any ideas?

A couple I have..

– Setup some redirects in the .htaccess to the new Product permalink
– Create a new WP install, import a modified database that doesn’t pull in any pages

Very curious to hear your thoughts.

Thank you so much!