Someone is Using My Pictures on eBay. What can I do?
Published March 4, 2009 | 
If they are linking to a picture in your web space, you can always replace the picture, but a great gag would be to use a picture of your item, but horrible destroyed. Just be sure none of your current auctions are using the same picture! If the seller was smart enough to copy your picture before using it, you can complain to eBay or the seller, but this is mostly ineffective since eBay takes 2-3 days to respond and you’ll need to prove somehow that you indeed own the picture.
So if you consider your artwork and auction listings valuable, register with eBay’s VeRO program and state your rights on About Me page. I haven’t heard any feedback on how effective this tactic is, but the VeRO email address is looked at quicker than safeharbor.
A good way to discourage people from using your pictures is to put your name or eBay handle in the graphic image with an editor. For example, put the text “Copyright 2009 -your ebay handle-” in the image using your favorite paint program before posting it.
Someone could always edit it back out, but it takes much more effort, especially if your background is multi-colored.
eBay – I Didn’t Receive an Item I paid for. Does eBay offer Insurance?
Published February 15, 2009 |
eBay doesn’t offer an insurance program, but if you paid for your item using PayPal and as long as you meet the eligibility requirements, you’re covered by the PayPal Buyer Protection program, and eligible transactions receive coverage up to the full purchase price and original shipping charges.
To check whether an item qualifies for this coverage, look for the PP icon in the Meet the seller section of the listing, and click the “See eligibility” link.
PayPal claims must be filed within 45 days from the date of payment. To begin the claim process, review the steps for dealing with an item that wasn’t received or wasn’t as described. You should be sure and review the eligibility requirements and learn more about the program.
If you didn’t pay for your item using PayPal, review our complete list of buyer protection programs.
eBay – I Won an Item but no Longer want to Buy it. What Should I do?
Published February 15, 2009 | When you bid or purchase an item on eBay it becomes an obligation to purchase the item, because it is considered a contract. However, if you feel that you have a legitimate reason for not buying the item, you should do your best to contact the seller and explain your situation, since most sellers are willing to work with you if you communicate with them openly and honestly. If you haven’t done so already, request the seller’s contact information and call him or her. Possibly, things can be worked out to everyone’s satisfaction, which is the case in most situations.
Remember that it is a possibility the seller won’t respond in a way to meet your satisfaction, and that failure to purchase an item you have won can result in the seller filing an unpaid item strike against you, and if you get too many strikes in too short a time period, your account may be restricted or suspended.
eBay – What Shouldn’t be in my Auction Listing?
Published February 13, 2009 | Try not to make the listing so busy that it becomes a distraction, and takes away the buyers attention from the item you are trying to sell. Also, background music, large or dark backgrounds, animated images, and huge pictures of the item for sale can take a long time to load on most computers, and buyers in general as often too impatient to wait. Keep in mind, if the listing is too busy visually, most buyers will find it difficult to figure out what the offer is and might move on.
It is important to know that people do not read everything included in the description, but scan the text instead for the key information about the item, and complicated backgrounds, particularly with small text, are extremely difficult to read. If the background has a pattern containing colors similar to the text, the text may be illegible. The bottom line to consider is the value of the graphic, image, or other elements in helping to accurately describe your item. If it doesn’t help the buyer determine what they are bidding on, leave it out.
Sellers should also keep abreast of listing violations that may cause your auction to be canceled by eBay or cause them to NARU (Not a Registered User) your account.
eBay – Paper Payments Ended October 2008
Published February 13, 2009 | Beginning last October 2008, all items listed on eBay.com must be paid for using one of the following approved payment options:
- Direct credit or debit card payment via a merchant credit card account
- PayPal
- ProPay
- Payment on pick-up
Paper payment methods such as checks and money orders will no longer be accepted on eBay.com.
By January 2009, all approved electronic payment methods were integrated into eBay checkout. For example, buyers will be able to enter their credit card number directly into eBay checkout, and the payment will be routed to the seller’s Internet merchant account or to their PayPal account.
Please note that the new payments policy do not apply to the vehicles categories in Motors, capital equipment categories in Business & Industrial, Mature Audiences and Real Estate.
Meeting expectations for online payments
Buyers expect online checkout and payment to be safe, reliable and fast. eBay provides the same or better experience to attract and retain buyers and generate increased sales for our sellers. Electronic payment methods integrated into eBay checkout are necessary to deliver this experience. The vast majority of ecommerce shoppers, including eBay buyers, now use online payment methods. On eBay.com over 90% of transactions are paid with online payment methods and the use of offline paper methods has declined by 40% over the last 3 years.