posted on August 24, 2000 07:07:08 PM new
Has this ever happened to you?Some guy emailed me about a closed auction,asking me a question about the item.i checked him out at ebay before emailing back, fine, a new person at ebay zero feedback,so i emailed back it was sold and gave him some info.
Well i just noticed there is almost exactly the same item WITH MY DESCRIPTION on my closed auction he emailed about LISTED ON EBAY..by HIM,,can you believe? he has 180+ feedback comments too..he MUST HAVE TWO accounts at ebay.(after going to all the trouble to get two accounts then he signs his name "kirk",and "kirk" is in his other nickname!!but different email address.very SNEAKY..why bother??? gheesh...i mean it really is MY description,"hard to get an exact pic of the color,would make a thoughtful gift"(that is no coincidence!)how many people put thoughtful gift except me?also his is 1/2 of my price..but that is his business..i have no problem with fair competition.He just changed one word of my TITLE too..oooooow i am not happy.i tried to help him cause i thought he was new,i love to help new people....his pic didn't show up on his auction...(wonder if he tried to use mine? i got to thinking about it after the email & i deleted it but he may have had it all ready.) THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME? will ebay care if i tell them,do anything?should i let it go?have a great night,& watch your descriptions!Thanks for any suggestions...ps this guy makes a lot of money on ebay,tons of solds, & i am just a little guy here,i have 180 hard earned honest feedback & no negs.like most of us this helps pay the bills,it's not a game.thanks for listening.Any ideas??feel better i told someone...
posted on August 24, 2000 07:19:54 PM new
Yeah, something similar to this has happened to me and I get the impression it has happened to a lot of people. You do have recourse - you can join Vero if you think it's worth it.
Did he steal your pics or just your description? You can always send the seller an email, as I did, and appeal to their integrity. No guarantee they have any.
It's certainly maddening, but don't loose any sleep over it.
posted on August 24, 2000 07:46:14 PM new
thanks makes me feel better, i think since this was "pre-meditated" actually got another
ebay id & everything he must not have any.
i love doing descriptions,,so i don't know why it would be worth all this trouble for him unless he does this on all his auctions?saves typing or what?
hehe
thanks very much,Pam BTW if have seen on these boards VERO mentioned,& i don't know what it is?
posted on August 25, 2000 05:26:48 AM new
Actually some people freeze right up and can't type anything when they sit down to compose. Some have a disability and some
just were never helped in school. I have
tried to help some people use the auction and could not believe the vacant panicky look on their face when you ask them to tell you what is nice about what they are trying to sell.
They can sit and talk to you but it is like there is this huge gap that keeps the words
from going over to paper(or screen). My wife worked with an executive like this. He could smooze over lunch fine but when he got back to the office to write up the deal he either had the secretary do it or believe it or not called his wife at home to do it!
[ edited by macandjan on Aug 25, 2000 06:57 AM ]
posted on August 25, 2000 06:02:15 AM new
I think I would email the auction to him, tell him you are flattered that he liked your description so much that he would use it and tell him to please ask in advance next time. Come up with a fee for your artistic writing capabilities. See if you get an answer. Might be a fun way to let him know hes caught.
posted on August 25, 2000 06:55:34 AM new
Send the copy of your emails, both auction numbers and a complaint to [email protected]. They should send the copycat a warning at least.
posted on August 25, 2000 10:10:37 AM new
thanks John, yes it does seem he also TOOK MY PIC, but it won't work because i deleted it, but on his broken pic comes up my
pic NAME!!!
This was done on purpose...theft...of my words haha
well i may do that cause looking through his closed auctions looks like he did this to others..too
i thought maybe he doesn't have a camera? or what...
have a good day, Pam
posted on August 25, 2000 01:04:32 PM new
Here you go,
Dear Sir,
I couldn't help but notice that you have borrowed one of my auction descriptions. Currently my fee for writing descriptions is $10.00 or 10% of the final value realized, whichever is higher. I also require a $5.00 non-refundable deposit in advance. Please remit immediately.
Good Day
J. Hammar, proprietor
honestjonstoys
--------------
Don't take life so serious, it ain't nohow permanent.
posted on August 25, 2000 09:57:08 PM new
hehe i just took a pic of 2 slugs mating...i could put it back on aw would probably come up on his auction!!!
hhehe Well you said disgusting & this is.
well now it may be getting worse! i have 4 bids on my item over 40.00,,i just checked the "stolen pic(torn since i deleted it)& my description) ONE OF MY BIDDERS WENT OVER & BID ON ITEM AT 9.95 7 DAYS TO GO...that is fine!BUT DID HE EMAIL MY BIDDER??? If he did that is really ROTTEN ...
even thought of bidding & winning it myself...Would that blow his mind or what??but i'd have to give him my address & i don't want to do that..
i'm gonna do the pic thingy & see if it works,,wonder if he'll email me & ask for a better pic...thanks kids,pam
posted on August 25, 2000 10:14:22 PM new
I must be cracking up, it won't work,plus his pic has my pic name & bmp not JPG. i don't know anything about that kind. when you click on it you get all these boxes & squares computer language.went way back in his feedback,all good one neutral guy called him a name.One thing on a recent auction sale a couple of people asked questions which he printed on the description, he said this is just a representative pic,his item was sealed in the box...SO THINK HE TOOK SOMEONE ELSE'S PIC that time TOO?
Actually i wanted to be a photographer,maybe he will pay me..thanks
posted on August 26, 2000 03:22:07 PM new
This happened to me twice in one week on the same item. The first time it happend I sent a sarcastic email to the offender and thanked him for at least using his own picture of the book. It made me so mad that I emailed safeharbor and got a very quick reply and they emailed the other person as well who then canceled his bids, canceled his auction and relisted was his own discription. What I learned from safeharbor was that I DID have a copywrite on anything I create. There is no need to go through a formal process. If your work is original and published you have a copywrite on that material. The second time it happened I only emailed the offender with the info and a link to that info on ebay. They apologised and rewrote there discription. I probably would not have minded or even noticed except this is a book I have sold several times and plan to sell again. Email the people and tell them they have violated a copywrite and to remove the discription and if that doesn't work email safeharbor. Some people are so lazy and unimaginative.
posted on August 26, 2000 06:01:13 PM new
Had someone steal my description for the first time this past week. Didn't really bother me all that much as my item closed for well over book value. I guess in this instance I figured no biggee, but should I ever find my picture stolen or used - watch out! I'm gonna have some fun!
posted on August 26, 2000 10:21:36 PM new
I can't beleive this guy, first he has the "" you know what, tp email me to ask questions before he sells the same item i sell, then he STEALS MY DESCRIPTION & TRIED TO STEAL THE PIC, only it come up torn cause it's my pic name & instead of JPG it's bmp...must have been too big,,,then i deleted it from auctionwatch...now he has a bid FROM SOMEONE THAT BID ON MY SAME THING YESTERDAY..NOW we don't think he is a sneak,has 2 email address, 2 EBAY ID'S one with 0 feedback,(the name he gave me i thought he was a newbie & i am happy to help,other one with 180+ feedback. HE STEALS MY WORDS,how many people put "this would make a thoughtful gift?also this is so crazy it's almost funny,!,hard to get an exact pic of the color"my WORDS MY PIC,he even stole the title except for one word,then tries to ripoff my pic,NOW DO WE THINK MAYBE HE EMAILED MY BIDDER??????DURING THE AUCTION????
do you think ebay will do ANYTHING TO HIM??
if he is kicked off even, what is to stop him from having a friend or relative get a new id for him??AND HE'S BACK IN BIZ??
now that i think of it, since one of his previous auctions people had questioned re: the pic..he added to description after bids on it that "this is just a representative picture,my item is sealed in the box"
HEY KIDS HOW DO WE TAKE A PIC & STILL HAVE IT SEALED IN BOX..good one...so he must be doing this to others..Hey if he doesn't have a camera i am sorry he is making good money.he could BUY one..& this is not fair to others without cameras..THANKS EVERYONE FOR being there & LISTENING!! Pam
posted on August 27, 2000 02:24:02 AM new
HELP !!!THIS IS SERIOUS!!OH MY GOSH!!! I JUST CHECKED THIS GUYS OPEN AUCTIONS...THERE IS ANOTHER OF MY AUCTIONS! my Description & PICTURE FROM AUCTIONWATCH..oh my, does this mean he has hacked my auctionwatch account???
something told me to wait to report him cause
i had deleted my a/w pic he stole..
THIS ONE IS COMING UP ON HIS & ON MY CLOSED AUCTION so i have proof..
Why is he doing this??,,i checked his closed stuff all his stuff looks different,,some very profesional looking fancy descriptions some not.HE MAY BE STEALING for all his auctions..he does have good comments..
I HOPE WHEN I GET ALL THIS INFO TOGETHER & TELL EBAY THEY WILL KICK HIM OFF,,BUT WILL HE START HARRASSING ME?IF HE'S HACKED MY A/W DOES HE HAVE MY PERSONAL INFO?
please anyone that knows let me know appreciate any help this is creepy.ps i didn't know we could have 2 id's at ebay,,i checked safe harbor & you can just of course can't bid on your own auctions..
NOW I AM MAD,& MY HUSBAND IS TOO,,thanks for listening PAM
posted on August 27, 2000 02:46:18 AM new
Hello Pam
I am sorry you are expeiencing these problems. It is highly unlikely that your account and personal information have been accessed by this person but instead he/she is linking the picture by using your photo's URL.
Please email all the relevant details including auction numbers to [email protected] for her assistance.
posted on August 27, 2000 02:52:14 AM new
HI THANKS for listening,& the help,,it's kinda freaking me out.i just checked him out & he works for a fancy computer programming company! i think he is a HACKER.i will email you right after i change my password.thanks,Pam
Can you put up a little info so we can try to take a look for ourselves at this photo and description theif!
What kind of item were you selling?
KASKAS
I think you can post a link to your auction without having to notify the theif. Since your auction is yours I dont think it is against AW's Community Guidelines.
posted on August 27, 2000 10:56:18 AM new
timetravelers -
It is EASY to use someone else's picture.
In the future, put your eBay name into the picture. Makes it very obvious when it get stolen.
He is linking to pictures YOU uploaded? that is great, because you can upload ANYTHING you want (just keep the name the same) and it will show up on his auction.
Full-frontal nudity would be my choice, gross-out medical pictures, or maybe a huge JPG saying "I STEAL PICTURES FROM OTHERS ... DON'T TRUST ME AS A SELLER".
Or, as a sneaky and conniving victim did, upload a picture with text, showing LOTS of stuff, and added text to the picture that said it was included in the auction.
posted on August 27, 2000 12:45:59 PM new
Thanks for the ideas!would love to put the note "I STOLE THIS PIC" but i better let it be so the powers that be can ACTUALLY see he stole the pic..i also better not give info on here till this is over,i know you guys would never contact him, but some lurkers might.Pretty easy to find him by going to mine. I WANT TO SURPRISE HIM..thanks,Pam
big email to ebay..lets give them a chance, never had to ask for help, i hope they shut him down..HEY HE DOES HAVE A CAMERA,,my pics i deleted on the first auction wouldn't work, so i guess people emailed him,,,he just put up his own pic too.NOW THAT IS LAZY..thanks,pam
posted on August 28, 2000 10:17:18 PM new
hi again, emailed safeharbor,thanks for the advice,it says there do not email them more than once, but NOW HE DID IT AGAIN, listed today using my description...so i wonder how long before they will let me know,i want them to cancel his auctions & if it takes too many days..he wins.my pic,my description,my bidders.
anyone know how long before they will reply? i got the automated email they recieved my email that's it, i sent it yesterday morning.
do you think they will do anything?
thanks again,Pam
i emailed auctionwatch too.no word yet.
posted on August 29, 2000 09:53:05 PM new
This has me wondering...cant programmers at AW with all the technology today....make it impossible to steal pics. Make codeing that is sent to auction with the pic that will change the picture for anyone using it not going into the particluar AW user id. Seems like something can be done. Personally I take my pictures at angles that make it very difficult to crop with special wrapping paper or fabric behind it. I search the listings and so help the person who steals my pic. Luckly it hasn't happened to me but I am sure my day is coming. Tell the couch potato"e" to do his own work. (sorry...couldnt help the Dan pun)
[ edited by hamburgler on Aug 29, 2000 09:56 PM ]
posted on August 29, 2000 10:15:09 PM new
HI! thanks for the reply,,,seems you guys are the only ones that care...that is a great point we need auctionwatch to take care of this.
another person had a GREAT idea,i now put my name in when i name my pics...lottsa extra work cause of this creep.
changed all my passwords.& you WOULD CRACKUP if i could tell you what i put...IF he is hackin' me,...he will not be happy...
HEY EBAY HEY AUCTIONWATCH...does anyone care what is happening to me??3 DAYS WAIT..NO WORD FROM ANYONE..darn...this guy got my bidder,my pics,my description on now 3!!! auctions...i don't want them to end & he WINS..he needs to be shut down...
now i am having to find the oddest one of a kind items i can find to list ...I am starting to see why people say EBAY WON'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP..anyone have their phone number???
If they don't contact me soon i may just let loose an email to this creep...BUT I THINk he works for a fancy computer company(on "one" of his email addresses,so he probably KNOWS no one will care or help me.he's probably laughing..HEY THINK OF HOW FAST to list,,no pic to take,name,load to a/w,no description to write..(sure he has over 180 positives...plenty of time to ship fast no work to do).i think most of his auctions are stolen pics.!!..Plus if caught he can just get a new ID and start up again..If they just warn him i will be upset...first the pics & description,now my bidder bidding on his auction,then put on another complete auction pic & description (my work),NOW ANOTHER ONE MY DESCRIPTION!!
EBAY HELLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!
AUCTIONWATCH DIANA WHERE ARE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!
WE GOTTA STOP HIM NOW!!!!!!!!!!
you made my day thanks Very much for the post....Someone cares...wow thanks
pam
posted on August 29, 2000 10:24:17 PM new
Similar thing happened to me recently but she didn't take my pix. This gal who I had dealt with before who I didn't like was eBay-stalking me... surfing my bidder history and bidding on everything I was bidding on with the same sellers, putting links to her homepage on her listings in a format that is eerily like my own, and she cut and pasted my shipping policy schpeel, used some of my gifs, and worded everything like I worded it. I emailed her and told her to knock it off and I did notice a dissipation.. she's still bidding from the same sellers I buy from but she has stopped stealing my work.
posted on August 29, 2000 10:43:46 PM new
thanks VERY MUCH!! i know i have heard of things like that. One person left a neg& the person was stalking them,bidding on all their auctions, bidding against them,PHONING THEM etc..
in this case the reason i have NOt emailed the guy is i don't want it to be just me,,he has done this to others too..but i waited & it's getting worse..
Well we should think of all our great friends we've met on auctions,,definetly for me is 99% good...but i don't want to get into a bad situation...My husband said out of all ebay he had to FIND MY STUFF...what are the odds?
will re send my letter to the time add.
bless you guys,,Pam
posted on August 29, 2000 11:13:47 PM new
timetravelers:
Do not contact this person. Let ebay handle it.
Now on your pics, is this person using them, or stealing them. For a person to use , they download the pic on their hard drive, and post it on the internet. Not nice but major cost to fight, unless a copy write is posted as part of the pic. Then you can contact the provider of his web space and ask them to remove the pic.
Stealing a pic, lazy person types your pics url into the auction, thats called band width theft, and the website were your pic is stored will help you with that as It costs them money.
-and proud of it! 
LOL I love it!