Stealing photographs or text on eBay - dishonest or merely lazy?

nutsohazelnuts

If someone uses another person's hard work rather than do their own work what does that say about them? Should one assume that they are a dishonest type of person or merely a lazy one? Would you choose to avoid buying from them on eBay or would it not factor into your decision?

My daughter has recently had an extremely confusing and stressful few days corresponding via e-mail with a lady who believes she has bought an item from my daughter and is unhappy about what has arrived when in fact she has purchased a similar item from someone who used my daughter's photographs. I am led to understand that the item which has arrived does not correspond to the one shown in my daughters photographs.

My daughter informs me that this kind of thing goes on "all the time" and finds my astonishment tiresome so I have decided to ask about it on this board.

DKLS

If your daughter uses Photobucket, and the image thief knicks your link rather than your image, its a doddle to change your image to something more appropriate.

When it happened to me, I just switched the images to !!!!!! images.

soolin

I'm confused though as to how the buyer thinks they have bought from your daughter merely because another seller has stolen their photo?

I recently reported three other sellers for using my photo of a difficult to photograph item, one even used my text as well, all three other sets of auctions were pulled within the hour. All my photos now have my user name in them in a prominent place.

TurkishDelight

We have bought loads of lots that coincidentally look exactly like this picture which happens to be the top google image link. :A

http://www.gamertell.com/gaming/comment/millions-of-fake-pokemon-cards-seized-in-nintendo-backed-initiative/

The article is pretty ironic. :rotfl:

But, ask these sellers and they probably think they are doing nothing wrong.
I see little wrong with it if it is a simple product, so there is little different you can do with it photographically. (I once had my listing removed because the maker said I had used their photo- I hadn't, it was just a bottle on a white background!)

I'd draw the line at text, and non standard products though- that's a bit much really.

suited-aces

If your daughter didn't sell it, just ignore the buyer?

nutsohazelnuts

soolin wrote: »

I'm confused though as to how the buyer thinks they have bought from your daughter merely because another seller has stolen their photo?

I recently reported three other sellers for using my photo of a difficult to photograph item, one even used my text as well, all three other sets of auctions were pulled within the hour. All my photos now have my user name in them in a prominent place.

As I understand it, the buyer believed my daughter to be selling similar items under two different eBayer names because of the photographs being the same. The other eBayer used the same photographs, the same text and even the same postage amount so I can understand her confusion.

nutsohazelnuts

suited-aces wrote: »

If your daughter didn't sell it, just ignore the buyer?

I am afraid my daughter is far too well brought up for that.

nutsohazelnuts

DKLS wrote: »

If your daughter uses Photobucket, and the image thief knicks your link rather than your image, its a doddle to change your image to something more appropriate.

When it happened to me, I just switched the images to !!!!!! images.

I shall pass your advice on! :rotfl:

suited-aces

A polite reply to the first email would be fair enough, but as you say, it's getting stressful now. I hope your daughter hasn't been bought up to accept unnecessary and pointless stress in her life? If the buyer's awkward, cut off contact and put on blocked bidder list (to avoid retaliatory feedback in future)

soolin

suited-aces wrote: »

A polite reply to the first email would be fair enough, but as you say, it's getting stressful now. I hope your daughter hasn't been bought up to accept unnecessary and pointless stress in her life? If the buyer's awkward, cut off contact and put on blocked bidder list (to avoid retaliatory feedback in future)

I agree, as this has nothing at all to do with the daughter I think it pointless to continue corresponding with the buyer.

fridayschild_2

OK, I'll own up, I have pinched text before and changed the colour, style etc. but I don't really see it as a problem.

Most of the time I am writing in a vast amount of description, measurements etc. and I couldn't give a damn if anybody wants to copy that.

In fact they can use my photos if they want, its no skin off my nose...

OP you have a very specific and strange problem relating to this and your daughter has been unlucky, I hope you get it sorted but remember, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery