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Thanks, Shelli, I'm changing to Sellersourcebook as you suggested. My new auction just got hijacked ... just like my last auction. It's frustrating because ebay takes so long to respond to my complaints (I'm still waiting). I was using ebay's templates and my html but now that I know that there is a market for my bears on ebay I'm definitely going to spend a little more money to keep my auctions safe. As always, Shelli, thank you so much for sharing...Kathy Myers
I"m glad to be of help, but do realize that while a one-click, copy-and-paste operation won't work if you list with The Seller Sourcebook, because the coding there includes a right-click-disabled function... a clever person with some knowledge of computers (not me!) could work around that coding and copy your auction, anyway. It would, however, take many more steps. Or at least, that's my understanding of how it works.
Where's Kelly Zimmerman? Or Mark? They know about this stuff...
Kim-Bee BearsKathy! I saw your bears but didnt put two and two together that I knew you and that you were "minkbears"
Well, Shelli, right now I feel like I have an open door to be easily hijacked...so if these crooks want my auction they should at least work a little harder to get it.
I was taking a break from auctions next week anyway so it will be a good time to check out Sellersourcebook.
Thanks again
Kathy
Hi Kim...I know I adusted my bears for the ebay collectors. I figured out pretty quickly that my larger bears, especially my pandas, would get more attention than my miniatures. So all of my ebay bears have been created just for the ebay market. So far, so good...every bear that I've offered has found a new home. I'm really enjoying making bears that are not miniatures (which are so much harder to make).
Once again, I appreciate everyone who let me know that my auctions were being hijacked because I didn't have a clue. Bear Hugs, Kathy Myers
Posts: 10Here is what I posted on several of the Yahoo Groups
regarding this situation. As an update, one of the
offenders has been removed from EBay but many
more are popping up behind that one:
------------------------------------------------------
It has come to our attention at Bears&Buds,
that a series of what is believed to be fraudulent
auctions, recently posted on on eBay where sellers
are copying auction notices from authentic teddy
bear artists, who have items currently up for auction,
and offering these items for sale EVEN THOUGH
THE ORIGINAL ARTIST HAS NOT SOLD IT TO THEM
AND THE ORIGINAL ARTIST'S AUCTION HAS NOT
EVEN ENDED!
The alleged fraudulent auctions are usually one-day
auctions and can include up to "straight lifts from
current legitimate auctions. They often offer up
to 60 original artists' and manufacturers' teddy
bears (primarily Steiff).
The teddy bear artist world is reporting these alleged
fraudulent activities to eBay as quickly as they are
found, but we ask everyone to be vigilant and remember
the old adage about if it looks too good to be true, it
may not be.
Please inspect each auction carefully and if you suspect
illegal activities, report it to eBay or contact any of the
artists whose works are pictured, and ask them if they
have sold a bear to the seller whom you suspect.
One clue to watch for in determining the legitimacy of
any given auction is to check for the type of payment
requested. It appears that most of these alleged
fraudulent auctions are only accepting payment via
Western Union money transfers or money transfers
which is a direct transfer from your bank to theirs!
Ebay recommends to NEVER never use instant cash
transfer services.
Or, if you do not know how to contact any of the
artists in question, feel free to send me an email
and I will forward it to them as I have most artists'
email addresses.
This same type of fraudulent activity is taking place
amongst other collectible such as dolls, so please
be aware and examine all auctions carefully.
Please pass this message onto whatever groups
to which you belong or collector friends you may
have. We thank you for your consideration and
am sorry that such a notice must be posted.
-----------------------------------------------------
Beverley Mackenzie suggested artists perhaps
run some wording across their photos since the
offenders copy the listing completely.
If it was me, I would put the words, "Sold exclusively
by (insert your eBay ID). ANY other ID is fradulent
and should be reported to EBay", diagonally across
the photo but not so I would wreck the face. I would
also mention those same words in the text.
They might be able to take it out of the text IF they
read it but they can't take it off the photo.
-----------------------------------------------------
Ruth Johnson
Editor, Bears&Buds®
Amherst, WI (715) 824-2020
editor@bearsandbuds.com
http://www.bearsandbuds.com/
Upstate New YorkThank you Ruth! And welcome to Teddy Talk! :hug:
Matilda Huggington-beareThankyou Shelli for the info. I'm gathering everything I possibly can, for my future business. :clap:
Jazzy RagsIt's just all to much for me i think i will go to bed and stay there
Fran- ha!
Ruth -- Thanks for your wise input, and I'm glad to see you pop by! :hug:
Kim-Bee BearsRuth, thank you for that info! 
Past Time BearsHi, Ruth - how ya doin'? Thanks so much for your informative post . . . so glad you stopped by to see us for a sec. Have a great holiday!
Sophie Z'OursWelcome on the board, Ruth!
You should take take to join often here! We have such a great time altogether!
Beary hugs,
Sophie.
