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Don't mind competition but surely this is not fair
 

One of my competitors listings are looking more and more like mine everyday. Over the past month they've changed there listing title to exactly the same as mine. There subtitle is now the same as mine, and in the seller notes for condition of the item they've copied what I've wrote word for word. This is on nearly all my listings. It's Not really bothered me as don't think there is much I can do, We are ranked pretty much next to each other so pretty much just split the sales and move on the adding other lines.

But the one thing that is now bothering me is that they are now making duplicate listings on all of these listings. As I said before it did not bother me as each listing was mine next to there's both getting sales. But now it's mine next to 2-3 of there's and seems my sales have dropped. dirty trick really but seems like it's working for them. Don't think it's allowed on eBay though so just wondering if anyone else has experienced out like this. Cheers

Re: Don't mind competition but surely this is not fair
 

Ebay has policies in place for these issues but you better be in tip top shape before taking that plunge.

Re: Don't mind competition but surely this is not fair
 

So it's not allowed?

What do you mean by taking that plunge?

Re: Don't mind competition but surely this is not fair
 

Calling ebay and having them go through your listings one by one comparing them to your competitor. Yes ebay will remove listings based on who had the title, picture or description first, but they are looking deep into your selling.

I have a staff that does nothing but this every Monday on two big accounts. Things ebay will want is your oldest item numbers showing your title/descriptions listed before the competitors.
The next thing the ebay rep might do is search the web and see if it is standard and not specific to you.

You do not want to be pointing the finger at someone else while calling the kettle black.

If you are 100% clean or as close to it as possible, go for it. :thumb:

Re: Don't mind competition but surely this is not fair
 

Also duplicate listings are against eBay policy

Re: Don't mind competition but surely this is not fair
 

You cant not use someones titles, descriptions or pictures without permission.

Now if it is NOT someones but a copy and paste from a website, you have little ground to stand on with ebay.

Re: Don't mind competition but surely this is not fair
 

Oh rite like I said i I'm not bothered if they have copied my title and subtitle. they can do what pleases them. I just don't think it's fair them making duplicate listings as before it was 50/50 chance buyer would by from mine or his but now it's 75/25.

Would you suggest I speak with eBay about the problem. If so they would only need to check there account for the duplicate listings. Also I have no problem about ringing eBay as I already ring them once a month and they already know everything I sell.

Re: Don't mind competition but surely this is not fair
 

Yes, call ebay if you are in the situation to do so.


When you say duplicate, you mean auctions?

Re: Don't mind competition but surely this is not fair
 

They are all good till canceled listings. before on best match search they had lots of listings that are exactly the same. But Now they are making duplicates so for everyone of my listings, this seller now has 2-3 of each exactly the same getting 3x the chance of a buyer clicking on there's and getting as sale.

Re: Don't mind competition but surely this is not fair
 

In the USA this is not possible without changing title slightly and usually price as well.
Does UK not have a duplicate listing policy?

Re: Don't mind competition but surely this is not fair
 

That's what I'm trying to find out. They are listing the exact same product with same variations, pictures, description. Everything about the listing is the same. They are doing this so each of there products has 2-3 listings. Surprised eBay hasn't took them down already

Re: Don't mind competition but surely this is not fair
 

This is one of the reasons I like stealth.

I have had a similar problem in that there are users out there who find a successful seller and watch them. When that seller finds a new product to sell, they do the same thing. Sometimes they will write their own listings, other times they will even copy them word for word and picture for picture.

There are many websites out there that will tell people to be successful on eBay, find a successful seller and do what they are doing. That may not be wrong, per se, but it galls me that I can spend 10 hours researching several products, come up with ONE that is worth listing and BOOM! 24 hours later someone else is selling the same thing on their account and trying to undercut my price. All without having to do any research or having a single original thought. Monkey see, monkey do.

So, I like to spread out my sales over several eBay accounts. It cannot prevent the copycatting completely, but it CAN keep it under control.

On my largest account I have over 5,000 products listed. One scumbag copycat even messaged me and asked if I would share a spreadsheet with my product information with him! Can you imagine the nerve??? I guess copying my listings one at a time was too time consuming for the little *******! I SHOULD HAVE responded and blasted him into a million little pieces verbally. But, instead, I took the high road and did not respond at all. That is when I started using many, many different accounts for my finds.

To be fair, not all of the products on that account were the result of research, sometimes if I found a good wholesaler I would use their information to create listings in bulk. But still.

I KNOW I don't have the exclusive rights to products, but many of these copycats take their copying way too far.

Re: Don't mind competition but surely this is not fair
 

So why not just increase your listings as well and/or make more accounts?

Re: Don't mind competition but surely this is not fair
 

Chat with Ebay rep and explain to him.