Blocked from reporting copied images and descriptions on eBay?

porto_bello

Not sure if this is a temporary blip - anyone else been affected?

I discovered a wannabe entrepreneur has taken it upon themself to copy my photos and entire item description... including my own eBay ID and email address.

Unimpressed, I went to report the unauthorised use of image and description, but after getting to the point of entering the item number, found I was thrown out the entire website and back to the login prompt.

On the second attempt, as I reached the same point, there was a prompt in red to insert the correct item number, which already contained an unknown item number, that I could not edit - whilst the box itself was greyed out, preventing me from reporting the offending item number and seller.

So as things stand, I can't report this...

Anyone else had the same problem?
Is eBay talking tough and unofficially turning a blind eye?

Chickabiddybex

This has happened to the company I work for in the past and when we reported it to eBay they sorted it with no problem. It did take a long time though. We found the most effective way is to contact the seller directly and tell them you know they took your photos and say you won't take it further if they remove them right away.

porto_bello

Thank you, I tried a different route to get to the same menu screen, where you click an item number to report, rather than manually fill in the item number, and found it worked!

The item has 8 days to run, so with any luck they'll get a few bids before the item is pulled - hopefully just before the auction closes, so the bidders can see the seller is dodgy!

The same seller has 3 other items on sale and in 2 cases, they had similarly just copied entire descriptions and photos. I sent a message to both sellers who'd had their auction listings copied. Hopefully they'll submit complaints and the crooked seller will receive multiple messages of criticism from eBay in time for Christmas... Bah humbug!

porto_bello

I've just received a reply from eBay, advising that 'appropriate action' has been taken. Sure enough, the listed item has disappeared without trace - resolved in under an hour! :dance:

Amazing what is easily possible for eBay to achieve, when it actually puts its mind to doing something, rather than endlessly advising that it is committed to doing something, but not actually doing anything!

soolin

Well done on that. I have always found ebay quick to remove things I report for stealing my photos as well.

forgotmyname

I have reported items in the past or tried to and its come up invalid item number.

Thought its been removed already. But no it was still showing active days later.

Used a different browser and even my phone. Active listing yet no such item item number.

Pembroke

I seem to remember a case about a year ago where someone used some photos from another seller, but they had used ones that were linked from a photo hosting site so the original owner just changed the pictures to some messages in large read letters.

TKPeters

Phone eBay CS in th emorning & they'll most likely shut the account down if its a direct copy of all your listings & contact details etc.

Also as Pembrooke mentions if your hosting the images, then after contacting eBay copy them & change the originals to say 'I sell Fakes' after editing your own listings first