Someone's copied bits of my listing on ebay.

[SophiesDog]

Very similar item and not very common in the UK, mine's been on for less than a week and has a lot of watchers.

Theirs is a worse version on at a fifth of the price, but similar, and they have basically stolen about three different long sentences I have used to describe mine, and bunged them into their description.

I have sent a friendly message saying 'nice item, did you mean to copy bits of my listing word for word?!' Best wishes, etc.

Bit nervous now...but honestly how hard is it to write your own bloody description?

I wouldn't bother emailing them just report to eBay and they will pull their listing.

Eh? Is this not allowed then? Because I'm pretty sure if you click the button saying "Sell a similar item" you get the listing basically replicated for you and all you have to do is add your own photos and click post.

This is pretty common tbh - they were probably in a rush. Does it matter really if the items are the same?

Really? Is there more to it or have they literally just copied a segment of your description? If not YABU. They saw a market in your item and catered to it.

I always copy other people's - is it against the rules? Why on earth would eBay pull it?

Lottie - I don't want to land them in it so I probably will let it go but I wanted to tell them I knew.

I don't think it is that common, no.

I mean if it's a generic item - say mens shoes, size 10, black, Clarks whatever. That's to be expected but when it's unusual, you've spent ages writing a nice description then some dick comes along and pinches half of it, no, that's not alright.

It's lazy and blooming cheeky. I would never do this to other people so why do they think they can do it to me? I'm not a free 'write your listing for you' service FFS and I haven't got time but I still manage it!

Wow! How TERRIBLY RUDE of them... Report them to the CIA.

PLUS there will be a very small audience for these items - they are 'niche' if you like, hardly any of them on there so people reading their description are also guaranteed to be reading mine. And probably think I stole it from them.

Arggggggh

Why is aibu full of sarcastic tits these days?

You do not get the listing text when you choose to sell a similar item. Just like you don't get the original photograph either.
God almighty - how hard is it to think up your own auction listings? Can't believe how many people think it's ok to just crib someone else's effort. Bloody cheek! Report them!

This is literally one of the best definitions of a first world problem I've ever seen

Sophie - never mind not wanting to 'land them in it' - they've not showed you the same courtesy! Report it - else next time they'll be copying another person's listing. It's such bad form and so effing lazy!

I think we need to see both listings before we can judge.

Unless it's used underwear, in which case I'm not going to try and imagine what makes theirs a worse version.

THANK YOU Far.

If I report them now they will know it was me and probably knacker my listing somehow.

They can't really do anything to your listing Sophie - it's not a Buy It Now so they can't fool around like that. They could maybe buy with no intention of paying but they'd be foolish because eBay are good with tracking suspicious behaviour.
Anyway - it's up to you, of course, but I'd report them. I hate entitled laziness!

I hate it when people do that. I sold something a while back, buyer relisted (no probs, obvs), but she had used my photos. Seriously pissed me off.

Sorry, I don't get the outrage? So somebody has been lazy. So?

report their listing and then add them to your blocked bidder list.

You can block them as a bidder, if you're so worried.

I think you're BU, though. Does it somehow hurt the price you'll get?

Far - it is a buy it now. But I kind of want to see if they apologise first iyswim. They might not have meant anything by it - maybe just thoughtless.

Will have a think. Thank you for the replies.

I understand that itis annoying to be copied but i really don't think anyone who is looking to buy will be that interested in who wrote what first as long as they get what they want. If the other seller has used your wording and its not an accurate description they will get negative feedback anyway and its surely not going to affect the bids if yours really is better.

Clearly you don't 'get it' Bertie. I put a lot of time and effort into my listings and I'll be fucked if I'm going to jump for joy when some idle fuckwit copies them word for word or nicks my pictures. You can get your listings pulled for nicking pictures from company websites so why should it be different for private listings?

For those who don't get it - there are laws against plagiarism! Would it be right if I was JK Rowling, right, and someone decided to write a book and copied loads of bits from mine?

You wouldn't be saying 'so? someone's been lazy - so what? Does it affect your sales?'

Bertie I have precious little time. It is hard to type with a dangerous toddler on your lap trying to put their hand up your nose and pinch your nipples at the same time.

It takes effort and energy and I hate doing it but still put in the effort.

Finding someone else can't be arsed so decided just to use mine - well fuck that for a game of soldiers.