Creating trouble for thief competitor

[TurtleCove]

In another thread, I opened up the discussion of whether or not to retaliate against a ex-employee, now opening an AZ account, and copying my hand made products. I don't want to duplicate that thread.

So, let's assume:

1. This other seller is indeed copying my items.
1a. Let's refer to this seller, I'm trying to make miserable, as UES (Un-Ethical Seller)
2. UES is new on AZ. Less than 3 reviews, and has copied 13 of my items thus far.
3. UES is rather low-tech.
4. I will tether my cell phone to my laptop, and obtain unique IP address.
5. I will create a new user/session in Windows thus having a clean footprint.
6. I will get prepaid CC at Walgreens.
7. I will create a new AZ buying account, using bogus street address.
8. I will buy a batch of products from UES, have deliver to a PO box, and then return them all as defective.
8a. I will leave neg. seller reviews and product reviews.
9. I will repeat doing step 8 and 8a, until UES either goes away, or AZ closes my shill account.

I'd like to try hard to not have this thread digress into:
"It's not worth the bother" or
"Just focus on your own business" or
"Copying your items isn't illegal...leave them alone.
Let's assume, I'm hell-bent on moving forward with this.

Question:
Is there an easier/more effective way, to make them miserable then step #9?
Also, I may simply purchase an AZ account up here, from a board member, rather than messing with steps 6 and 7.

[GreenBean]

I hate assumption.

Bad vibes, bad vibes.

[s.crew.eb]

I like it! )

[dealagreeproceed]

sounds like ALOT of time wasted

[garry9061]

Your on the wrong forum for what your looking to do.

[JamesNorth101]

Your just not going to get a how to guide on how to take down another seller here no matter how justified it may or may not be.

[BigCJ]

Question:
Is there an easier/more effective way, to make them miserable then step #9?

Yes, go to another forum.

[SaiJin]

Just focus on your own business

It's not worth the bother

[nickopedia]

OP: I know you are upset, I would be too if an ex-employee of mine started re-selling my items. That said, there are more constructive and mature ways to deal with this issue.

In the time spent trying to take him down, you could be using that same time to work on your own business and actually make money. You can always get your money back, but your time is lost forever. Use it wisely.

[Beautiful]

Why not just strike a deal with the supplier of the products?

Surely you are buying a lot more inventory than the ex employee right?

[TurtleCove]

Originally Posted by Beautiful

Why not just strike a deal with the supplier of the products?

Surely you are buying a lot more inventory than the ex employee right?

Yes, I certainly am much bigger than the ex employee.
The products are all "home made".

[TurtleCove]

Originally Posted by dealagreeproceed

sounds like ALOT of time wasted

Easy to feel that way, when your products are not being stolen....

[TurtleCove]

Originally Posted by nickopedia

In the time spent trying to take him down, you could be using that same time to work on your own business and actually make money. You can always get your money back, but your time is lost forever. Use it wisely.

This is indeed good, constructive, advice.
But, right now, my emotions have the best of me, and it's hard to look the other way, when I see my products being sold on AZ, by someone else. It's a very violating feeling.

[ivanicon]

I hope it gets better for you

[TurtleCove]

Originally Posted by ivanicon

I hope it gets better for you

Me too.
I really thought there might be a "service" out there, that offers to "take down another seller", or at least "trash their reviews".

[phaz0rz]

Originally Posted by TurtleCove

Me too.
I really thought there might be a "service" out there, that offers to "take down another seller", or at least "trash their reviews".

Either would be illegal and easily detectable, which is why they aren't offered.

Just burn down their house if you're serious about getting even.

[Beautiful]

I would just talk to the supplier and let them know what is going on

I'm sure you guys can work something out

[ROWDYLANE]

Wasting your time -will never amount to nothing --in my opinion

[phaz0rz]

Originally Posted by Beautiful

I would just talk to the supplier and let them know what is going on

I'm sure you guys can work something out

Might work with a USA-based supplier, but probably not with any Asian suppliers.

If this were my supplier they would sell to anyone who can meet their MOQ. Unless you're Apple or Amazon big I doubt you'll have much luck talking an Asian supplier out of selling to others. Even with Apple being a trillion $ company they have "leaks" all over their supply chain because of their Asian manufacturers selling their products out the back door.

I wasn't serious about burning anyone's house down, but I honestly think it would have more of an impact than any of this using a phake account to sabotage crap.

Just my $.02 lol

[TurtleCove]

Originally Posted by phaz0rz

Either would be illegal and easily detectable, which is why they aren't offered.

If it's easily detectable, then Amazon Ghost wouldn't exist.

[TurtleCove]

Originally Posted by phaz0rz

Might work with a USA-based supplier, but probably not with any Asian suppliers.

As I've pointed out before, these are "home made" items.
There's no "supplier".

Think of it like selling a uniquely designed magazine rack, or foot stool, or wooden puzzle....on that order.

"Going to the supplier", is not an option.

[phaz0rz]

Originally Posted by TurtleCove

If it's easily detectable, then Amazon Ghost wouldn't exist.

We were talking about a "sabotaging service", not the Amazon Ghost book. Such a service would be unlawful and easy to detect. Which is why there's no such service.

That e-book is for making seller accounts, not for creating buyer accounts to sabotage your competition. Buyer accounts that exist purely to sabotage competitors are extremely easy for Amazon to detect and shut down.