This is really petty but...

[MrsZoidberg]

I know you can't copy other Ebayers pictures but what about titles?

I sell an item that has become exceptionally popular - I bought 24 of them 2 weeks ago, and have just had to place an emergency order for another 30.

I have spotted someone selling the same item at the same price (this is ok, I like a bit of competition) but her title is exactly the same as mine, even down to the slight mistake I made - it is not just the name of the item but a list of uses as well.

The picture is the same, but it's a stock photo so not too worried (note to self to put Watermark on pictures so lazy ebayers have to go find their own and not copy mine!) .

There I said it was petty didn't I?

I think my irritation is that I have a listing style, and I worry that someone may mistake her listing for mine - I get a lot of repeat business.

So can I do anything? Is it worth it?

is she registered as a business ?
a good place to start (assuming you are of course)

It's not petty if her/his customers receive shoddy service/goods and other Ebayers make a link in their mind between your business and this copycat one.

Try a polite PM asking that they edit their product description. Other than that, take preventative action in future to safeguard the individuality of your site.

TalkinPeace2 - Hmmm, no they don't appear to be a business seller and yet they have a number of items with multiple quantities, all new (none of them related to this item. But what can I do with this information?

Mignonette - I think I'll try that.

Obviously feeling pettier today as I am taking a certain delight in knowing that they are almost definately paying alot more for this item - I deal direct with the manufacturer and they have quite a high minimum order value - certainly much higher than the 3 this seller is selling. The only other trade supplier of it charges nearly £2 more [evil grin emoticon]

The response I got wasn't the one I wanted - I think I annoyed her . But I did learn something new - apparently if you click on the "Sell one like this" Ebay kindly copy the title.

Oh well, I did say it was petty, I have far bigger issues to worry about like how I post 4 of these to Japan, within the amount of postage I quoted!

Well done for trying anyway. Maybe she'll think on it.

You can report her to ebay. 1 for not being registered as a business and 2 for copying your listing.

Unfortunately, it is only the title she has copied (I suspect the photo as well, but it's a stock photo so she's only being lazy if she did), she has written her own description.

I can't report her now - she'll know it was me - I have blocked her though in case of retaliation at me daring to complain to her.