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New concern using new photos/images for Ebay listings
 

Good Morning all!

I have had a similar thread about using photos, but could use a little more feedback.

I now understand that I will need to retake ALL photos and to NOT use the same ones I had/have in my Pictures Files when I was last suspended.

Please keep in mind that ALL accounts are fresh and ready to go including EVERYTHING under a new User Account.

So having said that, and by going into a New User Account, do you think I will be able to use my Newly-Taken photos for Ebay listings?

Or...will it be absolutely necessary to filter ALL photos? Auctiva seems to be my next step, but for now...will I be safe to go into my new User Account with fresh pictures to use as my image for Ebay listings.

I use a small digital camera that is about 4 years old, nothing fancy. I sell Sports Cards and have taken new photos of some of the same cards that I had last year, but ALL pix are new and have been downloaded into the new User Account.

As always, I thank everyone for their help even if ,sometimes, my repetitive questions bug ya. At times I'm not very clear about what I'm asking, but I'm working on it.

Thank you!!!

waterproof=}-

OK, so this is what you have done:

new account, new address, new IP, new payment method, new phone.
(See where I am going with new?) Now you have created new photos for your listing. I gather from the pm that the camera has not been used before for ebay so: List away.
You appear to have done the required stealth steps and are a NEW you, just go for it:cheer:

GreenBean I tried to message you the other day.

Anyway...I learn something new on this forum every single day. I have had my account reinstated but haven't dared to even THINK of touching it yet. I'm losing money and suffering..but oh well.

So I *have* used that camera for eBay..just about 30 listings of the 1000 that I have ever had I believe. So you suggest to not use that again? Well, I know my case is different because this is the same account...but if I make a new account (which I will be doing this Monday @ another pc), you suggest to use a different camera?

It's completely frightening to think how much control they have over our privacy etc. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm in America lol. geesh

Thank you for your reply GB to my post. Everything is correct, as mentioned above, except I have used the camera before for Ebay.
Will this be a problem?

Thank you!

I am all of a sudden concerned about this Meta Data stuff. But I am thinking that by being in a different User Account and everything being "new", then all should be fine.

All opinions welcome!

Thanks again!

I gave you the program to strip the exif and stuff in your other thread...

Using Auctiva has so many advantages for Stealth Accounts.

Hope someone can make a thread about the advantages and dissavantages of Auctiva because I sure don't know. :pout:

There should be one, just type auctiva in the search box above.

if you strip the meta data (exif) from the new image, they are therefore then completely different. I'd probably resize them from what you used to use but other than that, they would be safe.

I dont remember if it was ever declared 100% ebay reads image meta data but better to be safe than sorry.

Additionally, I have read on here that when uploading a photo to ebay for listing, ebay may even be able to see your HDD volume ID. Not sure if this is correct either but with ebay, seems anything is possible?

There are free programs that handle both meta data & volume ID changes :thumb:

Great.Now i gotta buy separate cameras for separate accounts.

what would a camera have anything to do with ebay???is there some special code on the images that is put in on every specific camera and ebay records them or something...thats too much...and hard to believe

Pardon for my ignorance.....

Can you not alter each photo in Win Paint....

eg..Alter size....shape...put in text...etc

How can they tell what Camera you use if you alter the image a tad with photo altering software...

Im not sitting around editing photos all day.Looks like i gotta start to buy new cameras for my new accounts.This stuff is beginning to add up FAST!!!!!!!!

i've used the same camera for the past 2 years .. back when i had my original accounts.. never been linked in any way.... its good to be safe but its also safe to say the paranoia is getting the best of some of you! lol

Well I suppose some people will think it tedious to edit their photos,
and take the easy way out and keep buying new Cameras per new account and then whinge at the mounting cost involved....

With that attitude no wonder they keep getting bounced out of ebay....

I use "stealth" as my user account name on laptop, so when I upload pictures to list on ebay the picture's document path (C:\users... etc) is displayed. Is the word "stealth" being shown to ebay and if so - is it too risky?

^^^It seems like this is a new development with the Ebay picture tracking.To be safe id change the user name to the account name.Make sure you buy all the editing software to edit all your photos. Im playing it safe and buying all new cameras.

item search pattern
 

I wonder wether anyone realises that even your item search pattern can start the bells
ringing for ebay to single you out and keep an eye on you....lol

I Agree with YAW...

To much PARANOIA in this thread. I can almost guarantee your search results will not have eBay looking at you.

Keep it simple, if possible use Auctiva and most of all follow the easy steps outlined in the Stealth Book.

And I can almost guarantee that they are relying on software to match up any kind of similar patterns to catch people out....hence all the stuffups...

You know they use Robots for everything they do.....

Doesn't matter how many accounts in different names I make my behaviour in using them will be the same even without realising it....

No use sticking your head in the sand and when you find yourself on the outer you say,

Wa Happen.....

I use "snagit" screen capturing program for all pix on eBay.

If you use Auctiva do you have to spend all day editing pics or buying new cameras?

I use "snagit" program eliminates all beacon problems in any pix.

http://www.shockmd.com/wp-content/52_kellogvib_pic.jpg


The topic is crossing to gaga-land. Form a line for medication :peace:
At this point, it is not established new cameras are needed for every account. Auctiva allows a layer of protection for its use to do listings. If it does not then expect to hear a loud holler from me. Active accounts are split between same camera(pre-forum days), new images (duly amended) as recommended in ebay stealth and a new camera which only ever has the full on treatment a la Official Genius. Note I never list thro' ebay.
Comments by Crackar Jack are not unreasonable concerning the bots and the fact that accounts may be run in a similar way. BUT (ya'll know I love but) if certain precautions are taken B4 touching ebay/paypal, the opportunity to link should be so diminished. Surf ebay if you must: don't be signed into your user account, B4 you 'do actual ebay clear cookies etc. Now this is maybe even going too far (like the thread;) ) have another computer if you are so paranoid.
The final determination of a suspension is mostly human: apply ebay stealth correctly & there should be no problems :peace:

NO

But do not use previously used or same images/pictures from other accounts that you don't want linked.

I hear what yur saying GreenBean.....

''The final determination of a suspension may very well be made by staff"
However me seems to think these actions may be based on various Computer generated data.....wether it be accurate or not...

Me first for my Medication......lol..........:grin:

So to finally put to bed the picture tracking issue.Use Auctiva and never use the same pics from account A to account B etc.There is no need to go out and buy expensive picture editing software and new cameras.

Personally I use same the camera, different colour background (i.e. paper, blanket, other fabric etc) for each account without issue.

If you want to indulge your paranoia you don't need expensive or complicated software. There is freeware out there that will strip exif data from your images... jStrip is one such app but there are many more.

CaptainJack

There really is a heap of free picture editing software........ :thumb:


Link... hxxp://www.thefreecountry.com/utilities/imagephotoediting.shtml


Paranoia

"You're mind is working at its best when you're being paranoid.
You explore every avenue and possibility of your situation
at high speed with total clarity."

— Banksy

Lol......:lol:

I use the same camera my every ebay account and if I get an account suspended I still continue to use the pictures I have taken. (pure laziness)

I have NEVER been suspended because of this.

I dont think ebay staff have the TIME or the BRAINS to compare this and check this out.

I am about to use THE SAME images that I used in 2 previous accounts, now NARU'D, If the new account has problems I will let you know.

Don't you think sometimes we look for reasons for suspensions where we see none and we sometimes give them more credit? I mean have they got the time to trace pictures and then suspend users? People copy and use other pictures all of the time, so they would have to suspend other users for just using pictures...right?

I always edit my photos in photoshop and try to dress them up in some way. I do this in a different style across all my accounts (hey, I sell on ebay so that I have lots of free time, lol). Saving a picture that you copy and paste into photoshop automatically strips it of its EXIF data as well.

Jack I do the same
 

Yes Jack, I do the same. I have seen some threads saying that a specific digital camera can be identified and have even heard talk about people using a different or new digital camera for EVRY ebay account.

While I like to think of myself as open minded and free thinking I feel that this is unlikely that an ebay suspension would come about from photographs from an offending camera alone.

However as we all know it is always better to be cautious and never dismiss any ideas completely, the way we all stay ahead of the game is by being wary.

Yes, the idea of using different backgrounds is a big thumbs up.

But I really think that IF an ebay account was to encounter problems because of photos then the reason would be the army of self appointed ebay members that feel a civic duty to report other members.

Now if one of these members, I call them the Trust in Trade members (TITS)

The really decicated ones are Trust In Trade / Help Everyone Avoid Disputes. (TIT HEADS)

I think if one of these renegades sees a listing and recognizes it then THEY are likely to report it to ebay forcing ebay to take action.

If this is the case we might wrongly assume that our photos are to blame fro the WRONG reason. We might think their super duper software is recognizing our offending camera, yet the truth is more likely a dedicated "ebay snitch" wanting to make the world a better place.

These are scary people and would have loved the rise of Nazi Germany, especially the opportunity to torture people.

Extreme maybe > true possibly.

I think the other problem too is the fact that eBay looks at such a ridiculous amount of listings, and accounts, they probably don't have the time to go, "oh wait, look!!! these pics are the same!" Unless you're dealing with some kind of super auditor, If you think about how many accounts go through paypal verification alone, .... way too much work for one database, or a team of people.

you can't view these detail discussed in the thread unless the pics are downloaded.... do you have any idea how many listings are active at a given time on eBay? It would take some kind of super computer years to track it. Best advice, host the pictures on a different website, or different photobucket account.

i use same camera for the past 3 years, edit pictures in Photoshop. I don't think i've ever been linked cause i use same camera. So dont worry about it and i wouldn't recommend spending $ on new camera for new account. Save some $

Ok i read this whole thing and there is a free photo editing software called Photoscape.
It also has an option to delete the exif data, change photo name, etc.
And you can edit photos super fast...once you learn it.

I wouldnt waste the money of buying a new camera.

I had account go down because of photo linking. But i learned from my mistakes.

Check out Photoscape, and let me know what you think.

I usualy just take the easy way out and use ebay's stock photo or steal one from amazon or another auction site.

...
 

Yeah, I've been doing that as well. Any feedback? Do you think its ok to just find a google image of your product from another site and use that? Possibly resize it or something just for safe precautions? That way you never have to worry about using old cameras etc... Its way faster and easier, and you can usually find some pretty professional looking ones

A lot of people use standard "stock" images of a product. Some are very good and very professional and I use them if they are widely available on the internet.

But I think it is also better to in some cases take your own pictures as they add professionalism and authenticity to your listings while giving the potential buyers more confidence.

Also if you are selling against several other ebay sellers who are all using stock images, your image that you took with your own camera will instantly stand out as being different.

If you're selling used, rare products or have a specialized business then yeah you would want to take pictures but if you're just selling popular brand new products then a stock photo is gonna work just as well unless you've got a tight margin and you wanna get the best price possible then yeah you would want your own proffessional looking photo's in that case if you can't find 1 better on the internet.