PSA: Fraudulent eBay listing

[ColdBrew]

Hi PSers, long time lurker posting for the first time. (Please let me know if this is in the wrong section or against policies)

I found compelled to make people aware of what I believe is a fraudulent eBay listing:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/141240128855?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

It is clearly the trying to sell the same ring that a reputable seller sold two weeks ago:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tiffany-Co-PLAT-Round-Baguette-Diamond-Ring-3-68CT-/321200282061

Same photos used and same description. I confirmed with the original seller that the listing is fake. We both reported this to eBay and they have done nothing thus far - willful negligence. If you are the current bidder, please DO NOT pay. Obviously at those specs, it's a great deal but you'll lose it all (or it is money laundering)

 

[ruby59]

There is a seller on ebay who has stolen over 18 photos off of one of Pricescope's sponsor's, a person who posts here from time to time. I know both he and I have reported it to ebay, so I am not surprised that they have not taken any action. I believe that person once told me you have to prove a picture back "to the cradle" in order for ebay to act.

It is now up to $52,000. But at least buyers now have protection on ebay. So if the same item is not received, they should not lose their money.

 

[Niel]

Diamonds by Lauren? I see those all the time. And whiteflash ones too.

 

[ColdBrew]

Hmmm, looks like some buyer is going to spend the next month trying to get their $60K back.

Seems ridiculous to me that eBay could not intervene and simply take down the listing after the report. Ruins trust for the entire community.

 

[Rockdiamond]

You guys have no ideA you how frustrating this is.
On one level, my photos being stolen really bugs me.
This is my art, and it feels like such a personal theft.
Then you have the fact that this stolen property is being used to defraud others.
It seems so obvious to me that there is a thief stealing my photos – I can't believe eBay is not taking action – but they are not and apparently they will not.
I just got my invoice for the month from eBay… This is so frustrating. I really do feel like pulling all of our items, but why should we hurt ourselves. The fact that we do have the actual items actual descriptions and prices may prevent someone from getting ripped off if they seated two pictures. It's obvious that they are our pics.

Sad on so many levels

 

[FancyIntense]

You have the best diamond photography around, PERIOD!!

Your style is original and outstanding!!

You should be mad!!

 

[ruby59]

Yes, that seller who steals photos from DiamondsbyLauren also does the same with EraGems. And it does get very confusing because they have similar auctions times and sometimes the exact same picture will appear twice - one for each seller.

How does this guy explain to buyers why the item they received does not look like the picture?

 

[MyDiamondSparkles]

Knowing this makes me shy away from any buy on EBay. Buyer protection or not, i just dont want that kind of worry or hassle.

that being said, I deal with sellers stealing my photos several times a month. I've never had an issue getting photos removed. I send a DMCA takedown notice to the seller first. Then, if the photos aren't removed within 24 hours, send that same notice to either their website's host or Ebay/ Etsy/ Artfire, etc and my photos are always removed. Watermarking photos across the middle discourage most but not all photo stealers.

 

[FancyIntense]

As an ebayer you get used to things not looking as good as they do in the pictures, but how can they not notice, this isn't cheap stuff.