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AIBU?

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Original poster

Someone's copied bits of my listing on ebay.

132 replies

SophiesDog · 30/07/2015 20:39

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?

OP posts:
ThroughThickAndThin01 · 31/07/2015 09:47

This thread is really making me smile. The OP's outrage -and a few others-is jumping off the screen at me, but I don't get it. At all. It's a few words, describing a very similar item, there can't be that many ways of describing something surely.

Original poster
SophiesDog · 31/07/2015 09:47

understand = explain

OP posts:
Balaboosta · 31/07/2015 09:47

I took Sophiedog's Ebay listings away with me as holiday reading. I couldn't put them down. Page after page, the prose was literrrrallly jumping off the page. The grammar! The punctuation! And the humour.... Well, rarely in the history of comic prose has such hilarity combined so well with good punctuation to such comic effect. I call for Ms Dog to be nominated for next years Man Booker. An emerging talent and one to watch.

KatoPotato · 31/07/2015 09:47

Okay being serious then. Say I was looking for a yellow bugaboo footmuff. I look at the thumbnails, click the listing and look at the pictures. Then I read the listing. If the seller has went to the effort of describing the condition, or how long they used it for then that is very much appreciated. I'll bid. But it's not a deal breaker. I'm not swayed by humour or perfect prose. I've seen the pics, bid a price I want to pay, and feel protected by eBay if the item wasn't as expected.

That's what i found funny about this thread. References to jk Rowling etc. of course I'm not cackling at you feeling your business is affected.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 31/07/2015 09:51

Ooh classic x post Grin

19lottie82 · 31/07/2015 09:58

KatoPotato but it IS a deal breaker. Good listings equal more sales, and that's been proven time and time again.

I am however, talking about bulk "buy it now" items, not one off auctions. BUT these are the types of listings where descriptions are most likely to be ripped off.

Goshthatsspicy · 31/07/2015 10:01

I really had your back till you mentioned googling the seller! Grin
Are you dehydrated?
Even when the sun isn't out, we need to be careful Wink

Original poster
SophiesDog · 31/07/2015 10:06

Kato I would agree fully with you there. It's a generic item of which there are thousands and thousands.

You might be wary of one that just said 'brought off ebay hardly used bran new no offers call me on 077........ non payers reported' with shite photos where it clearly looks like it has turned grey and bobbly and has an actual hole in it though?

Various things might make up your mind. One that said 'lovely bugaboo footmuff bought new from JL a year ago and used a handful of times, please ask if you have further questions, thanks for looking' might float your boat a bit more.

In the case of a large, expensive, investment item then yes you need more information as it's a lot of money, you need its history (for instance service history for a car) as this may not be obvious and might make the difference between something that's worth it and something that isn't.

People need to use technical terms to describe something like that. You also need to trust them especially if you are paying cash on collection. It's really important to have a good rapport or it can lead to huge problems later.

OP posts:
KatoPotato · 31/07/2015 10:18

I am only commenting from my own experiences of small frivolous purchases which is how I use eBay.

In your example then I see your point. I personally would never buy anything 'risky' through eBay but can see why you'd be annoyed.

HeyDuggee · 31/07/2015 10:19

I agree with the OP in that a description does make a difference. I look for a factual one.

If come across a long one, I almost never ever bid on it because in my experience, the pictures will show a well-worn item while the long description waxes lyrically about its pristine condition and how well it was stored.

And they're usually completely overpriced.

KatoPotato · 31/07/2015 10:20

Oh and you did actually make me laugh with 'brought off eBay bran new...'

But I'm still not buying what you're selling! Wink

Theycallmemellowjello · 31/07/2015 11:05

Eh I can't understand mn sometimes. Of course an ebay seller is within their rights not to have their description copied! If the description doesn't matter in terms of the sale then why would someone bother ripping off another description or having a description at all. I'd have no qualms about reporting anyone who did this.

Theycallmemellowjello · 31/07/2015 11:08

Come to that, why is there an advertising industry at all if we are all some completely immune to being swayed even a tiny bit by advertising copy?

Starbrite00 · 31/07/2015 11:12

It is common and ebay allow you to do it, they even give it as an option.
Seriously of this is the only thing you have to moan about then you love a very privileged life.

Starbrite00 · 31/07/2015 11:13

And my post is full of typos.... To have that copy and paste option from ebay right nowGrin

19lottie82 · 31/07/2015 11:13

ebay allow you to do it, they even give it as an option.

No they don't.

There is an option to "list similar item", but this copies item categories etc, NOT photos or description.

19lottie82 · 31/07/2015 11:15

pages.ebay.co.uk/help/sell/copyrights.html

pocketsaviour · 31/07/2015 11:25

I get it, OP.

Some people cannot understand copyright. "If someone steals copies your work, it's a compliment!"

Presumably if they get burgled, they think the thief in question was just commenting on their taste. Hmm

Ireallyneedtoletitgonow · 31/07/2015 11:29

Oh come off it op, each subsequent update is almost bragging about how much of a competent ebayer you are. If you wanted to come off as a novice seller, you have failed

Original poster
SophiesDog · 31/07/2015 12:58

Hi Ireallyneedtoletitgonow

How did you manage to get the impression that it was my intention to 'come off as a novice seller'?

What possible purpose could that serve?

I mentioned that I am not a frequent seller to illustrate that it is something that takes me time and effort and not something I just reel off as a matter of everyday habit. It's difficult and time consuming and that was my point.

I can't see how you could presume I had any other intention with the comment about not being a frequent seller.

As for 'come off it op' I think that's uncalled for. I really don't know what you're insinuating.

Not only have you misquoted me but you have kind of made up what I've meant as well as what I've said, but if that's what you prefer to do rather than reading my actual comments and discussing those, then feel free.

OP posts:
MrsMummyPig · 31/07/2015 15:15

Maybe you were 'misquoted' deliberately by ireally
To avoid copyright issues Grin

Lovelydiscusfish · 31/07/2015 15:48

This thread is really baffling me now. Why are so many people suggesting it doesn't make a difference what you put in your listing? Of course it does! You can buy books all about how to be a successful ebayer which tell you how to write your listings! As someone said upthread, why would there be an advertising industry, if the way you promote something doesn't matter?

Of course, depending on the nature of the item, how specific and descriptive you are will be more or less important. But it's surely advisable in any circumstance to be as specific as you can.

And does it really matter at all how much OP uses eBay? Unless you think she's a troll, setting out to deceive us (and this would be the most sedate topic for a troll thread ever) then it really doesn't signify.

OP, I think if I were you I'd stop reading. You are right, of course, to be annoyed by the plagiarism. Inexplicably you appear to have enraged lots of people on here by mentioning it. You live and learn.

Original poster
SophiesDog · 31/07/2015 15:59

Thank you Lovely, I intend to let it drop off now...(and ha ha, MrsMummyPig Smile )

The other person has changed their copy. I suggested they might, and they have done so.

They also have some bids which is excellent for them.
Hopefully it was resolved in a friendly enough way.

I think sometimes with MN it is very hard to gauge what the overriding feeling of a thread will be and tbh sometimes it is all about competitive devil's advocate-ism and anti-snobbery and all that sort of thing, I think.

But anyway thank you to the nice people who posted, on either side of the argument. Smile

OP posts:
swallowed · 31/07/2015 17:49

to answer lottie at 08:34...

No, I wouldn't be able to list anything if I didn't copy because my written language skills are not good enough to come up with a decent sounding description myself.

I'm dealing with non English eBay.

Original poster
SophiesDog · 31/07/2015 18:32

But swallowed, how can you know what your listings say if they are just a copy and paste job? Or do you have enough language to understand approximately?

OP posts:
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