My emotions don't pay the rent, cold hard cash does.
You said that there NOT using your name, so where is the problem, you should be flatted that they want your items not banning them.
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@connydeylen wrote:Someone alerted me to the fact that someone was selling our items on facebook and their website for twice the price. I took a look and they were using our photos and stories without asking our permission (keeping the handmade bit but deleting connydeylen). And then I realized they were listing them as soon as we started an auction. They waited and as soon as one of their customers showed interest they placed a bid. This person claims to be a Physchic and her customer base is basically people who have recently lost a loved one. I am absolutely seething and have blocked them as bidders. But are there otherways to put this con artist out of action?
Can I start by saying you are amazingly talented and your photos are just gorgeous !
In my view there are two sides to every coin and depending on your take on the situation, there are obviously two very different reactions. I have read through all the comments, and silly as it sounds, can agree with most of them. Whilst I don't necessarily agree with the way this person is going about things - (particularly they were listing them as soon as we started an auction), it also shows many positives.
The first time I found out someone was buying my bracelets and on-selling them, like you I was enraged - then I took a deep breath, counted to ten & exclaimed 'Daffodils' ! Once you get over the initial pain, if you think about it, wow, what a compliment, someone is buying your items, at your listed price. (I don't Auction - so maybe you might wish to increase your starting price). The way I looked at it, they are reaching an entire market I would have absolutely no contact with what-so-ever, so they are extra sales, with no extra effort or outlay on my part. I see it as a win - win. I have a jeweller who buys from me regularly, she sometimes buys listed items, other times she messages, tells me what her client wants, I make it, send her photos to be sure she and her client are happy and then do a custom listing. I've never even asked what she sells them for, because I'm getting the price I want, although it does make me wonder if people can then on-sell at a higher price, could I sell for more. I have a couple of other customers who sell on Facebook through like fan pages etc. But with that said, I'm only a small seller and certainly not in a niche market like you, but we're all here to sell no matter what our products are.
If I were you, I would actually be contacting the person and politely telling them you are not happy that they are using your Copyright materials - photos and stories, but, that I would be happy to work with them. Keeping in mind, they are probably all extra sales you may not make otherwise and sales you are making with virtually no extra time, effort or advertising expense.
There are many people who refuse to shop on eBay !!
Anyway, just my thoughts and which ever way you choose to handle the situation, I wish you all the best, your items are gorgeous
Some of you people need to get a grip, the op is advertising on a world wide platform these type of things happen countless times a day, what is the worst thing that could happen to the op?
She might sell more items and make a few extra bob, wouldn't that be terrible.
@robinsonmarineparts wrote:Some of you people need to get a grip, the op is advertising on a world wide platform these type of things happen countless times a day, what is the worst thing that could happen to the op?
She might sell more items and make a few extra bob, wouldn't that be terrible.
If you're looking at this from a purely business perspective, at least recognise the value in protecting intellectual property on that level. That's not an emotional thing at all - it's a business thing, all about that almighty dollar. 😉
Secondly, maybe you could try to broaden your perspective a little - your posts asks people to think in the same kind of terms you do, so I ask you to at least try and think in terms of the OP for a moment.
People who handcraft items like conny's dolls are artists, and they deserve credit for their work - that's not about money, it's about respect, and for some people that's just as important as money. Not everything can be reduced to dollars, especially when you take a long to time to learn and hone a craft, create beautiful objects, and then share them with others. Yes, she's asking for money for them, but that doesn't suddenly mean anyone has the right to be unethical in how they go about taking an opportunity to make more money for themselves on the back of someone's hard work and effort.
The reseller could ask about wholesale purchasing and/or permission to use images and description, they could be honest with their buyers and admit all they're doing is offering a "spotting" service, or they could at least make it clear the items were made by someone else.
