Trusting eBay Sellers ? PL400

[TMZ2]

Trusting eBay sellers is getting harder and harder all the time. Is it just me or did these two separate eBay sellers are using some of the same pictures ? PL 400

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=311331687765

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=181715425051

 

[Northwinds]

Same pictures, I was watching the first one all week

 

[ksrigg]

eBay does stand behind the deals now. I have received two refunds from eBay lately as a result of crooked sellers. So, I wouldn't worry too much...and sometimes people do steal pictures, if theirs suck. Seems weird, but the could be the case here?

 

[TMZ2]

eBay does stand behind the deals now. I have received two refunds from eBay lately as a result of crooked sellers. So, I wouldn't worry too much...and sometimes people do steal pictures, if theirs suck. Seems weird, but the could be the case here?

I think eBay should not allow someone using other pictures other then of what you're selling . To me it's a total dishonest description of the product you're buying unless it's something brand-new unopened. Picture 11 shows faded spots above the meter and that picture probably is the picture of his unit but he's trying to get a picture of the brochure instead. All other pictures that possibly don't appear to be his is showing very clean like new unit. I just think it's very misleading and someone that may not have seen the other one being sold and know that those pictures are not of the actual unit is being misled.

 

[R1200S]

Having worked for eBay for 10 years I have to chime in here.... sorry. I did work with very high capacity sellers facing this very issue.
When you consider the millions and millions of pictures posted on eBay's site, you quickly understand why they're unable to do any sort of comparison of pictures from seller to seller, to police all the listings.

On a slightly off topic direction, try posting a Honda item on eBay using pictures you ripped off from Honda. Honda, Harley-Davidson, Dewalt, etc, VERY aggressively troll the internet for image theft. There are even companies they can hire to police this for them. Who knew that could turn into a business? eBay even has a department called VERO (Verified Rights Ownership) that handles this type thing but they have to be reported to eBay by the verified rights owner, before action is taken. (This is not the same as the image theft we're referring to here) VERO deals mainly copyrighted, trademarked, and similar materials. This is an absolute snake pit! Did you know that Dewalt yellow is registered as a "trade image" as well as the shape and color of the gas tanks on small Honda engines?
​

The course of action is for the "legitimate" seller to inform eBay of the theft of their photos and eBay will likely take action against the photo thief if informed in a timely manner. Even if the offender's listing has ended, eBay will likely still remove that listing.
Not the best solution but as active searchers, we could even supply the unknowing seller with this information in hopes that they would report the theft of their images. The "victim" is the only person that eBay will accept the complaint from.
You'll also note that to the far right of the DESCRIPTION tab is a link to REPORT ITEM. This is where the original picture owner would click on the offending item to report the listing to eBay, along with their original item number, for photo comparison.

 

[TMZ2]

Nice to know and very good point. I really didn't think eBay could police all the listings and watch for duplicate photos just was trying to vent a little bit. I'm sure whoever purchases the unit and and maybe it through aware of the reuse of the photos and that unit is not what it should be they won't have any hard time at all getting a refund by presenting this to eBay. It's just kind of a hassle to purchase something that you're hoping what it is and maybe turn out to be something different to go through all the return and filing a claim. I guess all I can say is keep an eye out of you're going to place a bid on this one....

 

[R1200S]

I completely agree!! I've actually taken advantage of their purchase protection myself. The key is to ALWAYS be the winning bidder unless you're picking up your purchase in person. Unless you're the winner, no protection via eBay/PayPal.

 

[MarkWComer]

I always look at the feedback rating of the seller before I bid on anything, also look at individual feedback comments to find the reason for any bad feedback.

I've had a couple of partial refunds because of items not matching descriptions, so at least a discount on the goods without the hassle of returning it.

I did manage to close a seller down for selling very good but illegitimate copies of Windows 7.

EDIT:
A source for OEM system / application software if anyone's interested: http://xlgcvchhrkhsxkzy.qualityappsstore.com/

 

[stuwee]

I've seen a lot of small/new sellers steal others pics, just keep your eyes peeled for similar pics as you've done and report to ebay and the original seller.

ACYA, always cover your ass, check feedback ratings and that includes reading between the lines on negatives. With close to 600 feedback rating since 2005 and over 4,000 positives as a buyer, I've had maybe 5 A-Holes that needed me to call them out...yes, I'm knocking wood right now !!

Buying $5,500 speakers and paying shipping made me have the cold sweats for several days (Web and Orange's sick video links of Fed Ex truck crashes and drivers wiping boogers on boxes didn't help either...Love ya guys tho!!! )

Buying the big SAE amp was a pleasure, I talked to the seller on the phone (against ebay rules) and was more than happy with my purchase. I love ebay and will continue to use it!

Be careful folks, there are bad folks everywhere!

 

[R1200S]

Chiming in again... apologizing in advance.

Actually eBay's policy has always been for open communication between buyers and sellers. It's definitely NOT against policy to contact a seller by phone. On the side if the business (vehicles) I was on, we encouraged sellers to post their phone numbers in their listings so potential buyers could call them with questions. This is always a personal decision for each seller and different for every situation. Be aware that some sellers will try to sell their item to you directly via that phone call to save on the eBay/PayPal fees or other less savory reasons. Remember that if you're not the WINNING BIDDER, you have no Buyer Protection.

Here's what's posted on the eBay site and good info to know:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/buy/contact-member.html

Request a member's contact information:
If you're involved in a current or recent transaction, and can't reach the other member through email, you can request the other member's contact information. Here's how:
​

1. 
   [*=1]Click the Advanced link at the top of the eBay home page.
   [*=1]In the Members section on the left side of the page, click Find contact information.
   [*=1]Enter the username of the member and the transaction's item number.
   

We'll send the contact information, including the member's name, city, and telephone number, to your registered email address. The member will also receive your contact information. You'll both need to respect our User Privacy Notice when using this information.
​

One thing to know is that you must have a listing in common. Means you've bid on their item (doesn't really work for a Buy It Now does it?). Also, the seller receives YOUR contact info in this process, it's only fair. Even if you've bid on an item, you CAN retract your bid. Don't wait till the last minute to do all this! You have to give the seller time to respond.

Other than this, there's always the Ask A Question link at the bottom of all listings. Response is not guaranteed.

Stu, is absolutely right about being careful and doing your research. I've had major purchases like him and come out with great results on all of them. Many of my latest purchases have been small items from sellers in Asia. Typically $10 to $20 and I like to see how fast the shipping is. Surprisingly fast but usually small items.

 

[MarkWComer]

As far as using stock photos go, there were a few listings that I posted where a stock photo was actually offered in the listing.

 

[laatsch55]

Chiming in again... apologizing in advance.

Actually eBay's policy has always been for open communication between buyers and sellers. It's definitely NOT against policy to contact a seller by phone. On the side if the business (vehicles) I was on, we encouraged sellers to post their phone numbers in their listings so potential buyers could call them with questions. This is always a personal decision for each seller and different for every situation. Be aware that some sellers will try to sell their item to you directly via that phone call to save on the eBay/PayPal fees or other less savory reasons. Remember that if you're not the WINNING BIDDER, you have no Buyer Protection.

Here's what's posted on the eBay site and good info to know:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/buy/contact-member.html

Request a member's contact information:
If you're involved in a current or recent transaction, and can't reach the other member through email, you can request the other member's contact information. Here's how:
​

1. 
   [*=1]Click the Advanced link at the top of the eBay home page.
   [*=1]In the Members section on the left side of the page, click Find contact information.
   [*=1]Enter the username of the member and the transaction's item number.
   

We'll send the contact information, including the member's name, city, and telephone number, to your registered email address. The member will also receive your contact information. You'll both need to respect our User Privacy Notice when using this information.
​

One thing to know is that you must have a listing in common. Means you've bid on their item (doesn't really work for a Buy It Now does it?). Also, the seller receives YOUR contact info in this process, it's only fair. Even if you've bid on an item, you CAN retract your bid. Don't wait till the last minute to do all this! You have to give the seller time to respond.

Other than this, there's always the Ask A Question link at the bottom of all listings. Response is not guaranteed.

Stu, is absolutely right about being careful and doing your research. I've had major purchases like him and come out with great results on all of them. Many of my latest purchases have been small items from sellers in Asia. Typically $10 to $20 and I like to see how fast the shipping is. Surprisingly fast but usually small items.

Just don't try to give your e-mail in a question about an item. I couldn't even describe a capacitor like this 47uf@50 volts...

 

[orange]

Pacific Stereo at TH helped solve this problem for a member who had his post of TH basically copied for the description of a reel to reel. Since he owns the copyrights to all intelllectual properties on the site he filed with eBay and the auction came down. You have to ask permission to use quotes and data from TH and it says so now at the bottom of the Copyright information.