This morning, I received an email from someone who noticed that images from my blog had been grabbed to create scam posts by a nefarious eBay seller. I happen to know where this bowl is sitting happily, and it is not at the “Unique_Handicrafts_Shop”. It makes me wonder if they actually ship anything to the buyer. I think not. But wait….there’s more:
This same scam seller has done the same with many other of my photos as well as photos from other makers. See more of the “Unique_Handicrafts_Shop” at this link.
When it comes to computer and online technology, my understanding is quite limited. It’s a wonder that I keep my website and blog together. So if anyone has some suggestions for ways I can at least make things more difficult for scammers, let me know. Put a tag or label on each photo? I see they’ve added their own. Or maybe it’s just the way things are. I assume that anyone familiar with my work would realize it’s a scam, but I hate to think of someone who is unfamiliar losing money over something like this.
I did finally find a way to issue a report to eBay informing them of the situation this morning, but I see the seller and the items are still active at this point. I doubt if I’ll hear anything back.
But before eBay shuts them down you’d better make an offer! I’m kidding. Do not do that.
David Fisher, Carving Explorations 
You can put a watermark on the photos you post on your web page. This can be done fairly easily with software that is free. Perhaps a you tube search can get you pointed in the right direction.
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Thank you. I can look into that going forward.
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I think maybe your pictures have been removed. Or maybe they have been sold out! :^)
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I just fixed the link. Thanks!! They’re still there.
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You can watermark your pictures. Sort of like a digital signature to mark the photo as yours. I don’t know all the ins and outs but the mark basically gives you some legal proof in a case like this if you wanted to press charges. Not that you likely would as that would be costly, but the scammer doesn’t know that. Most won’t dare try this with a watermarked photo, for fear of getting caught. It doesn’t have to be super obvious where it detracts from the artwork. It can be small and semi transparent so it blends. Place it somewhere over the bowl or close enough to it that the person can’t crop it out. You can create your watermark on Canva.com, then upload your pictures to Canva and put it on the photos. Hope this helps.
Sent from Proton Mail for iOS.
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How could an informed buyer believe th
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wow, I can’t help you with the tech but I’m hoping someone can–
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Shameful! I reported the seller to eBay. Might help..GH
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That is an excellent idea! All Dave’s fans should report this to eBay. Maybe that will attract their notice. Surely they can remove these thieves from their site.
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And here I have been feeling bad about “borrowing” ideas from you! Nobody would mistake what I make for yours, but still…
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This is lame! I reported it to Ebay also. If enough people report it they may take down the ads, hopefully!
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It is still there. I could not find the way to report it but maybe when my daughter gets home….
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I agree with the other responses: definitely add a watermark to your images, Dave.
if you get stuck let me know and I can help.
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Hello, everyone: I have just submitted reports to eBay for 3 of Dave’s bowls. It was not obvious how to do it, so forgive me if you’ve already figured this out. If you have not, and want to report these fraudsters, you go to the store’s main page. Underneath and to the right of the item, you will see 3 ellipsis dots. Hover your mouse over them, and you will see “Help and Report” as an option. Click on that, and you will go to a reporting box to the right of your screen. There, you can report it as IP infringement and I added “counterfeit item” in the next dropdown box. For detailed information, I provided a brief statement saying that this was David Fisher’s original work, gave ebay Dave’s wordpress site, and asked that the fraudster be removed from eBay. I then had to click a box attesting to my belief that I was offering true and accurate information, and then I could submit the report. Maybe if several of us provide reports, all attesting to the fact that this is Dave’s original work, and that the people in India are commiting IP theft and, likely, counterfeiting, perhaps eBay will listen!
This is so distressing! Best wishes to all Dave’s admirers…Sue in Chapel Hill, NC
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Thanks, Sue, and everyone else for all of your help. As soon as I get a chance, I’ll follow up on the watermark idea and I may call upon some of you who offered expert assistance with the technical aspects of that. I also appreciate all of the reporting to eBay, although it seems there has been no action taken on their part yet. I have a feeling that buyers probably don’t receive any product at all. Maybe they receive a photograph! Again, thank you all, sincerely.
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I have been st the other end of an ebay transaction. I received a combination square that was quite different from the cheap version I received. After reporting it to ebay,it was acknowledged but I think my insinuation that I might share the blatant misrepresentation by the seller with blogs etc. that triggered the intervention. The seller reombursed and requested s pic of the destroyed combination square he had sent.
Before the refund, the seller was able to switch the picture, but I had a screen shot of the picture from the time of purchase.
By the way, I really appreciate your pics and your description of techniques.
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Sorry about the typos in my comment. Shouldn t have sent i from my phone.
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Well, this is what eBay has just said to me, 3 times over:
“Thanks again for reporting the listing(s) you found.
What happened:
We looked into your report and didn’t find the listing to be in violation of our policy. This determination was made using automation or artificial intelligence.
If you reported content that isn’t listed below, we’ll send a separate email once we’ve made a decision.
Your reference ID:
2-101873548981
Here are the listings you reported that are included in this decision:
Item: 287030013438 Hand Carved Bowl, Wood Bowl, Wooden Cup, Wooden Vessel, Dish, Viking Kitchen Z1
Thank you for being part of the eBay community.
Thanks,
eBay
Please don’t reply to this message. It was sent from an address that doesn’t accept incoming email.”
Really disheartening — so much for the intelligence of AI.
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