Selling a lens on ebay - where do I stand with this?

[burge]

I am currently selling a lens on ebay. I took a few pictures of the lens and added them with the description. This was a few days ago.

I was browsing through similar lenses that are for sale and came across one which caught my eye, or at least the advertising picture anyway. It's the picture I'm using to sell my lens which I took. Therefore the copyright belongs to me.

This particular sale has a £1 starting amount whereas mine is a lot higher. I fear that this may potentially ruin my sale. I don't want a potential buyer thinking I am trying to pull a fast one.

My sale (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tamron-AF18-200-18-200mm-f-3-5-6-3-XR-Di-II-Canon-Mount_W0QQitemZ190156455489QQihZ009QQcategoryZ3007 0QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

The other sale (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tamron-AF18-200-18-200mm-f-3-5-6-3-XR-Di-II-Lens_W0QQitemZ230175765209QQihZ013QQcategoryZ30070 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Where do I stand? Can I report this to ebay? I have contacted the seller requesting they change the picture but so far no reply.

[René Damkot]

I'ld report it.

[deadpass]

definately report it, or if they're hotlinking your picture but in another picture that's offensive so it'll show up on thier auction but edit yours to the new location of the picture so yours remains the same.

[ifonline]

Report it to eBay and they'll take care of the other auction. I have had this happen before as well...

Although I like the idea of swapping out the correct picture for an offensive one if the other auction is linking to your image!

[LotsToLearn]

As said, report it. It could also very well be a stolen identity that is doing the other sale as well.

[doidinho]

Or you could make two new accounts and raise his current offer above yours.;)

[GilesGuthrie]

Yep, report it.

And change your image to have your username in it.

[ifonline]

That's something I started doing. I added a copyright strip across the center of the image in a non-obtrusive way that included my eBay username. At least that way someone would have to put up with my eBay name all over the hijacked image in their fraudulent auction.

[Mum2J&M]

This is an interesting thread. I just sold my 24-70L on ebay. My picture of it was no wear near as good as yours. I know sometimes people use stock photos to sell their items and I wonder if this user thought that's what yours was...

[burge]

This is an interesting thread. I just sold my 24-70L on ebay. My picture of it was no wear near as good as yours. I know sometimes people use stock photos to sell their items and I wonder if this user thought that's what yours was...


Thanks for the compliment :). It was taken in a light box inspired from the light box thread on POTN!

All: Thanks for all the advice.. i will now contact ebay. I think the idea of my ebay user name on the photo is a great idea and something i will probably do in the future.

[azpix]

you could also make another ebay account, bid his stuff sky high, not pay, and tell him you're part of the "Stop Stealing Other Peoples Pictures Syndicate."(SSOPPS) he might eventually get the point.

if you're not feeling that devious, report it to ebay. They're usually good about removing those auctions but they are incredibly slow. Thats why play A is so brilliant.

[azpix]

Report it to eBay and they'll take care of the other auction. I have had this happen before as well...

Although I like the idea of swapping out the correct picture for an offensive one if the other auction is linking to your image!

If he's direct linking, that would be brilliant. Put up something like "I am scam artist"

[ifonline]

He he... yeah!

[amonline]

Edit your image with your PAYPAL name or a nice big tag that says "this image is stolen" and post a new image to your sale. (leave the edited old one in place if they're linking) I've done the latter... works like a charm. ;)

[tim]

So what. It's a photo of a lens, anyone could take it. Move on, stop worrying over nothing. Report it if you want but don't lose sleep over it.

[mblanton]

That's right, get over it.

[burge]

Nice one tim/ mblanton, nice to see this forum can rely on someone to be objective.

Except it isn't just a photo is it? It's a potential sale. It might be small scale to you but to me every penny counts. As it happens I got more for the lens than expected so i'm not overly bothered.

However, the principal of it is still wrong and it seems this happens more than it should on ebay.

[the.digital.guy]

Nice one tim/ mblanton, nice to see this forum can rely on someone to be objective.

Except it isn't just a photo is it? It's a potential sale. It might be small scale to you but to me every penny counts. As it happens I got more for the lens than expected so i'm not overly bothered.

However, the principal of it is still wrong and it seems this happens more than it should on ebay.

Did you report it to Ebay?
I have had the same problem in the past. Reported it to Ebay with my link and the other seller. They shut his auction down because I had proof of having the original pictures.
Again............DID YOU REPORT IT? If not.....Quit blowing smoke..............................!

[burge]

Yes I have reported it, awaiting to hear back from ebay.

[RedHot]

By the time you hear back from Ebay, both auctions will be done and over by more than a week. :)

[slappy sam]

I think it is a good idea to include a piece of paper (like post it size) next to your lens that has your username on it that way people know you actually have that item and then if he took it it would look bad for him.

[burge]

Listing was removed. It has been reposted with a different photo. Hopefull a lesson learnt for someone.

[the.digital.guy]

Listing was removed. It has been reposted with a different photo. Hopefull a lesson learnt for someone.

Good Job............usually if you are a Power Seller on Ebay; the listing would have been removed within hours of your notification to Ebay.
In the future I would Watermark your photos.

[Ballen Photo]

That's right, get over it.
Not My preferred answer guys. The photo was stolen to make money from the sale. That alone is a big NO NO!
Ebay is a community of sorts, and if these people (Thieves) are allowed to get away with things like that, it can only get worse. I'm glad they finally pulled the auction, BTW.
I report scams, theft, etc that I find on ebay whenever I run across them. It's the right thing to do.
-Bruce