Man, I hate eBay photo theives!

[Vroomfunkel]

A few days ago, I listed my copy of

Civilization 2 - Collector's Edition (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8282758983&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1)

It's a nice copy, in minty condition etc. etc. There hasn't been one on eBay for yonks, and there's none when I list. All is well.

Then, some creep obviously sees it and decides to jump on board - with my photo!

Other auction (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/civilization-2-collectors-edition-cd-rom_W0QQitemZ8283399396QQcategoryZ11053QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem)

Not only that, but it's due to finish before mine, thus stealing my thunder. And WORST, their description says that the box is "very battered" ... and yet they're using my photo of my nice undamaged box to sell it! :angry:

I wouldn't mind so much, if it weren't for the fact that they're potentially undermining my sale in the process.

Vroomfunkel

[Ro7co]

Just watermark your user ID over the photo, I do this when selling unique items (too late for that now though). Also, you should state as clearly as possible the pictures are of the exact items for sale and that should boost yours. Also, if you feel strong enough, it is against Ebay TOS to steal photos, so you can report it...

[Vroomfunkel]

Well, I've been slightly less obtrusive than that, and have used the "Ask seller a question" form to politely point out that stealing my photo is against eBay regulations, and request that they remove it.

If there's no response, then I will probably report it. As for watermarking the photos, it's not a bad idea I guess. Except it just adds more time to the process of setting up auctions, which I could do without. That, and I don't know if I have the software to do it!!

Vroomfunkel

[NeoSNightmarE]

thats pretty lame to do. what a douche.

[Ro7co]

You can just add text to your photos using Windows built in Microsoft Paint, but you will need something more advanced to do clear outline fonts which IMO work best for this situation. There are probably some freeware software tools out there to do the job, but I'm not really into graphics. I use Picture It which is also by Microsoft and came with my PC. It is no Photoshop but for my needs it does the trick. Anyway, I agree that it is a little extra time and that is why most sellers don't bother...

[BrokenFlight]

I saw an auction once where the water mark was a different person to the one selling it. They said "As you can see in the picture, it's in good condition."
:hmm:

[kevin_psx]

Why does it matter?

[Vroomfunkel]

Because someone who may have bid on my item, could end up bidding for this other one instead - on the basis of a photo of my goods!

And especially when the other item is in very poor condition, this is rather galling.

Vroomfunkel

[rpepper9]

So did he copy your photo, or are they also stealing your bandwith? If you wanted to make a point you could change the name of the photo in your listing, and then put a offensive photo that would then appear in the other sellers listing. I would do it just to prove a point!

[Vroomfunkel]

No, they just pinched the photo - it's hosted on ebay anyway.

Anyway, I got this reply:


Hi There,

As far as I was aware that was not against ebay policy. The only reason I didn't take my own pics was because I thought the item wouldn't sell due to the age so i wasn't going to worry too much. The item is the same so I am not sure what your problem is. i am not sure I like your rudeness. If you have a problem then report it.

Sarah

To which I replied something to the effect that I am aware some people don't realise it's against ebay policy, which is why I prefer to resolve things like this directly and amicably.

However, although it is not my preferred solution, I have followed her own suggestion for how to resolve the situation.

Well, if that's the way she wants it .. what can I do but oblige?

:/

[yok-dfa]

Why does it matter?

http://cgi.ebay.com/AIR-RAID-ATARI-2600-RAREST-GAME-OF-ALL_W0QQitemZ8283321523QQcategoryZ4315QQrdZ1QQcmdZ ViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8284216498

:D

[HotGear4GreatDeals]

:l I dont particularly see any problem with jacking someones photo as I've done it before myself. I fortuantely am well off enough to have gotten a digital camera recently but around a year or two ago before I had a camera and I sold on ebay I admit to doing that a few times on items that there were tons of, but I mean does anyone really see a problem with takin a pic from like Super Mario Bros or somethin of the sorts where there are millions of them out there? I mean I can understand if it was like a pic of Hot Slots or somethin but if your item is rare I dont know why in the world you'd jack someones picture when you could just take the time to get a picture developed from a disposable camera or somethin. Never knew this was actually a problem on ebay :l= learn somethin knew everyday

[Ro7co]

Vroomfunkel, did you ever hear back from the other person after you got their listing pulled? (good for you by the way, their attititude was poor and as you said, they asked for it). Also, I agree, common items, you can live with it, but when it is something there are not a few hundred of at any given time and your pic is stolen and posted at the same time you are running your auction, that's not cool.

[Vroomfunkel]

Not a peep.

I added them to my banned bidder list, just in case. Game sold for a decent amount too, so alls well that ends well for me.

Vroomfunkel

[kevin_psx]

Hi There,

As far as I was aware that was not against ebay policy. ..... i am not sure I like your rudeness. If you have a problem then report it. SarahTo which I replied something to the effect that I am aware some people don't realise it's against ebay policy, which is why I prefer to resolve things like this directly and amicably. However, I have followed her own suggestion for how to resolve the situation.


(1) She says you were rude. Were you? (Based on post #1 here --you sound angry/rude.) If yes I can understand why she was not cooperative. She was taking a defensive stance.

(2) I would reply,

"I followed your advice & reported you. You should have tried to work with me to change the photo & then you'd still have an auction. Now you have nothing.

"Shot yourself in the foot."

[Vroomfunkel]

(1) She says you were rude. Were you? (Based on post #1 here --you sound angry/rude.) If yes I can understand why she was not cooperative. She was taking a defensive stance.


I wouldn't say I was rude. I was annoyed, and that probably came across - I said that if they wanted to sell the same item as me that was fine, but they should have the decency to show people what they are actually bidding on rather than steal my photo.

Bear in mind here that they are using my photo of a good condition item to sell something they describe as "very battered".

In any case, I apologised if I had appeared rude but re-iterated that I was merely irritated that my time and effort was being co-opted - especially to sell something that was clearly not at all in the condition that my photo showed.


((2) I would reply,

"I followed your advice & reported you. You should have tried to work with me to change the photo & then you'd still have an auction. Now you have nothing.

"Shot yourself in the foot."

Well, I pretty much said just that - just pointing out that I would have preferred to sort it out directly with them than have to go the heavy-handed route.

Vroomfunkel

[Insaneclown]

Yes I know...it happened to me also like 2 months ago. I just reported the guy and bam...his auction gets the boot. :)