|
|
I have been a regular user of Ebay in the past years with great results. I have been able to sell some of my unwanted items and in return get great deals on parts in order to keep my Volvo's running for a fraction of what a auto part store charges. But over time I have been noticing that Ebay is getting a new wave of Ebayers (mostly sellers) that are changing the tide on how & what is Ebayed.
One item in praticular came to my attention a few days ago. As I was checking for Volvo 260 parts I came across as very interesting auction. The auction which has already ended can be seen at the following link:
1979 Volvo 262C Bertone on Ebay
Welcome back. The auction for this Bertone is very informative but what really got me was that the picture of the vehicle in the auction was that of my very own 79 262C Bertone. If anyone noticed, the picture listed in the auction has the words www.brickboard.com on the upper left hand corner. That same picture can be found in my profile (in the upper left hand corner of this post) and has been there for sometime now, actually the day after I bought the Bertone. Below is the picture in question:
I made contact with the seller regarding the false picture of the vehicle he was selling and all I got was a "I don't know what you talking about, Good Day." What a polite guy I must say but rather dumb. I would think you would want to list real pictures of the item(s) you are selling on Ebay so the bidders have an idea what they are getting themselves into. I really hope that 79 262C Bertone gets a good home (not for $2,500 though, my 262C cost me $600 and it only had 150K miles).
Thanks to all for their time and letting me rant/rave about how Ebay is going to the crapper. Take Care!
Sincerely,
--
Julio Meza 1979 264GL B27F 127K --> BW55->M46, CLS, IPD Sway, 81+ Dash, Gauges, Flat Hood & E-Codes 1979 262C B27F 163K --> Restoration Project 1984 245DL 216K --> Sport Wagon 2002 Mercedes C320S 33K --> Wifemobile
|
|
|
|
|
I see that the auction is now ended. I was going to inquire about the photo and ask many 'stupid' questions just to be annoying.
It would be good for giggles.
That's ridiculous to peruse through E-bay and see your car in a photo.
E-bay's a great tool but like many good things...it's getting ruined
--
'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me
|
|
|
|
|
When Chrysler introduced the PT Cruiser, they sent out a 60 page magazine compilation of articles about the r&d and production of the cars. Anyone who emailed for information got one. I got one early, and immediately thought to ebay it. There were several already listed. I must have done a good job describing it, mine sold for $55.00. Within a few days after my auction ended, about a dozen ebay sellers clipped and pasted my description to use in their auctions.
BTW, it didn't work as well for them. I never saw another one sell for what mine brought.
|
|
|
|
|
About a year ago I sold an item on ebay and had that happen.
It was a 28" statue of "Dobby" from Harry Potter that the local WalMart
had awarded to the library of the school where my wife is librarian,
and after keeping the ugly thing (in its 4-foot tall display case) in the
library for a couple years, they decided to sell it and use the proceeds
to buy library books. The thing brought $400. I had taken many pix of it
and used about 8 of them to show all the details. These were hand-painted,
total quantity of them = 2500, so they are all slightly different.
A few weeks later I happened to check to see what they were going for,
and found my pix on a listing for one. I e-mailed the seller and his
stand was that everybody does that and I probably was doing the same
thing too (although that was my very first sale on ebay) and I was being
stingy and not a good member of the ebay community. So I contacted ebay
and they immediately removed the auction. Within a couple hours I got an
e-mail from the guy and he was FURIOUS. Said he was going to watch all my
auctions for stolen pictures (not sure how he would identify them!) and
turn me in to get back at me.
Naturally, I have not sold many items on ebay but for the most part I have
found them pretty responsive on bonafide complaints made in a timely manner.
All bets are OFF after about 2 months, though - they purge their records,
so if you buy something to put on the shelf, check it when you get it and
complain immediately if it is not right.
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!
|
|
|
|
|
Darn Julio, I saw that auction and didn't notice the Brickboard in the corner. I'll ask if I can come see it since he's local. It's always fun to hear the excuses for why they can't show the car.
I agree about what ebay's become, I don't even bother selling anymore, too much time involved for a minimal return. And if you think the sellers are getting flakey don't worry, the bad bidder ratio has gone up a lot also.
--
Dave Shannon
Spring Valley, California
'67 1800s
'73 1800ES
'88-240
my pages
|
|
|
|
|
I dunno, I must still be doing something right. Volvo Ebayers, nicest, most reliable people in the world. >1000 transactions (I've lost count) and maybe two losers out of all that. Still a perfect feedback rating... (I grew up in Illinois farm country, it was a pretty flat 'hood).
|
|
|
|
|
For the most part you're right, I just wish bidders would read the darn text and conditions of payment. Not to mention I just don't have the time now to spend hours yarding (it's been 3 weeks since I've been) then more time writing the auction, emailing, packing/shipping. I'm sure you've noticed prices are down, the way I figure it if I can't make at least 2x what I make at work/hour it's not worth spending my limited free time doing it. Maybe in a year or two when I'm retired.
Cheers
--
Dave Shannon
Spring Valley, California
'67 1800s
'73 1800ES
'88-240
my pages
|
|
|
|
|
retired in a year or two, you lucky duck. some people have stole my ebay pics and used them to sell their item on ebay. i emailed on such schmuck and congradulated him on the clarity of my pic and asked how he got the pic so clear. his reply = trade secret. volvo on!!
|
|
|
|
|
I am a professional photographer. Use of your photo without your permission is legally copyright infringement . You could sue this person and I think you would win. However costs involved are probably not worth it. I too have had this happen to me on E Bay. Whenever I catch it I write to seller and demand they remove my photo. Usually get an apology. Most people do not understand copyright infringement and think it is ok to use anothers photo/work without permission. Unfortunately this is a bad side effect of the internet and our modern electonic age where means to do so are so very easy.
|
|
|
|
|
I think I'll ask the guy a few questions about his car. Maybe a couple dozen others will as well ;-)
The easiest way to fix this is to have Jarrod put a picture of a wrecked car or a man-ass or something in the place where your 262 picture used to be.
Also a note from him to Ebay with a mention of copyrighted material should get the auction shut down pronto.
--
Volvo Farmer: 21 Volvos '58-'91 445-544-122-144-1800-240-740 sorry, no FWD
|
|
|
|
|
Julio,
I was wondering about that, but then 2 things crossed my mind.
1) Why would you sell your 262?
2) Why has the auction gone twice now?
Both are now answered. You haven't lost your mind and the car is likely a 500 dollar pile of scrap being sold by a rip off artist.
Funny thing about selling cars on eBay, why can't the sellers sell them locally? I mean for a 262 that's a special interest car, but all those garden variety 200's, 700's, 800's, 900's, etc... no homes for them around town? Or is there something to hide?
--
Happy Bricking!!! - Richard - '87 245 DL , '82 242 GLT - Volvo's are alive and well in Brampton!!!
|
|
|
|
|
I would think that the seller who used your picture has committed a form of fraud. Did any of the specs line up? Mileage, VIN, options, etc.??
There is a way to contact eBay and bring this up. Since you are neither buyer nor seller, you may have to do a little work to find the path.
Also, Jarrod has a dog in the fight, since he owns copyrights on much if not all of the Brickboard.
Go for it,
Bob
:>)
|
|
|
|
|
Hello Bob,
I actually sent an e-mail to Ebay via the proper channels regarding the image theft. I have reported image theft in the past (once) with great results (the auction was shut down & Ebayer was no longer registered). Ebay's main rule say's that an image or description can not be copied from one auction to another without the original posters permission. Since the picture of my 79 262C Bertone was never listed on a Ebay auction I really do not expect them to do anything. I'm just amazed at the crap that people try to pull off over the internet to unsuspecting buyers. Ebayer's like that is the reason people have a horrible experience with Ebay. To bad such a nice car belongs to a not so bright owner. I hope it gets a good home. Great hearing from you. Take Care!
Sincerely,
--
Julio Meza 1979 264GL B27F 127K --> BW55->M46, CLS, IPD Sway, 81+ Dash, Gauges, Flat Hood & E-Codes 1979 262C B27F 163K --> Restoration Project 1984 245DL 216K --> Sport Wagon 2002 Mercedes C320S 33K --> Wifemobile
|
|
|
|
|
Having used ebay motors to look for a good used brick recently, I get the sense that "stock photos" -- not those of the actual vehicle offered -- are sometimes used by sellers with something to hide. Not sure if this constitutes a fraudulent practices per ebay rules, but in any case potential buyers should always confirm that images posted are "authentic".
This particular instance seems to constitute a clearer case of intentional misrepresentation, and one that ebay should definitely be contacted about. The link to report fraudulent auction activity should be easy to locate in the FAQ section or page footers. The fact that Julio is a not involved as a seller is a moot point: promoting a different vehicle by the unauthorized use of his photo still compromises the legitimacy of this auction. Ebay should (and does) take appropriate action in such cases.
BTW, I found ebay -- in conjunction with other more local advertising, KBB, carfax reports, SB FAQs -- very useful for locating/evaluating available used Volvos, c. 1991-95, and getting a general sense of typical asking prices. With a bit of practice, it's fairly easy to read between the lines of sellers' descriptions and overall presentation to separate the good deals from the duds. The 1991 944 Turbo, 141k mi. I bid on was "local" enough to inspect in person, and it was clear from the description & interaction with the owner that the car was very well maintained. Bidding didn't reach the seller's reserve price, but I negotiated with him after the auction ended and purchased the vehicle "off-line" for a very fair $2500. My search took a good 6 weeks total, but my patience paid off in the end.
Yours,
Peter A. Rogers
1991 940 Turbo sedan, 142K
|
|
|
|
|
