Ebay rip offs

[TinaTuna]

Can you believe people are bidding $40+ on ebay for a set of Rich Regals Stampin Spots that they can order from any demonstrator for $21.50? What a rip off!!

[emilymomto3boys]

Arg! Isn't that frustrating?!?! At least I can understand the sky high prices on retired stuff.....it's retired. But current....?!?!

[Shirleyone]

That's what I have been saying. People will pay anything on there. :shock: They are not hurting Demos at all. If anything they would help people try to find a Demo for themselves.

Shirley

[emilymomto3boys]

Although, before I was a demo and I was up late late at night with my baby....I bought some current stuff off ebay....I would bid on things all the time, then when I was actually awake I would hope that I got outbid because I knew I didn't want to actually win!

[Elizabeth Moran]

By the way, did anyone buy the piece of toast or sandwich that supposedly had Mary's face on it?

[Ronda Nix]

Yep, the grilled cheese went for 28 grand! A Canadian on-line casino bought it as an to use as an ad gimmick. It was a sad day to be a Canadian...spending that much money on a piece of stale bread. Now there is a guy with a fish stick with Jesus on it...will it ever end?
Ronda

[Elizabeth Moran]

Where in the world did you see the man with the fish stick on ebay? Gosh just think, we could stamp an image on a stale piece of cracker and get millions for it!!!!!

[jeanent]

I wonder if someone bought the spots on e-bay because they are back ordered through SU?

[heresrita]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elizabeth Moran

Where in the world did you see the man with the fish stick on ebay? Gosh just think, we could stamp an image on a stale piece of cracker and get millions for it!!!!!

Selling it will be the trick. I'm sure someone somewhere has already stamped on toast(bread, crackers)!!

[mauimelymel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeanent

I wonder if someone bought the spots on e-bay because they are back ordered through SU?

I would rather wait than pay an extra $20!

[RenHoward]

Sometimes I get so angry when I look at ebay and see all of that current merchandise for sale. I kind of gave the person the benefit of the doubt about not being a demonstrator --didn't want to assume the worst and all-- until I looked online during Convention and saw that they had actually taken pictures of the stamp sets that they'd gotten there and listed them for sale on line! I saw the same thing happening with the new hostess sets that can be earned early. Anyway, ever since then I've reported people like that to SU and copied and pasted the link to that page into the email that I send to them. Do you think that's too harsh?

Renee

[Faryprincess]

Please don't hate me for what I am going to say. I am not a demo so I am always looking for the best deal. I have bought SU on ebay but I will only bid if I am getting a better deal than if I was to buy it from my demo. I would rather give her the commission. Most of the time it is a better deal to just buy it from a demo because of the outrageous shipping they are charging.

I also don't have parties so if there is a hostess set I want I will bid on it because I would never get the $400 to earn it.

[scrappinchick]

I am not a demo, and i have bought sets off EBay. I wont pay more than 10 dollars for a set, and i refuse to get into bidding wars. I buy alot from my SU demo, too. Most of what i get on Ebay are not current items anyway. I have seen sets go outrageously high, and i sit here like :shock: ....but to each his own. It is unfortunate for those that "cheat" the system, or break rules as demos.

[picklepuss]

Before I became a demo, I had a friend who bid & won current sets on ebay and they were shipped directly from SU! That really irked me. I couldn't believe someone would do that as a demo. Luckily, now she goes buys them from me!

[miss missy]

Is there a way to fine out if someone selling on ebay is a demo or not..I mean I have the name of a person, can I call SU and ask if they are a demo? There is a person that had stuff listed last week that was from the new winter mini, i emailed them to see when it would ship since it was labeled that it was not available until 12-1, they responded that they had it in their possesion, so obviously they are a demo or they are working with one...I didn't do it to get anyone in trouble but just happened to have the name b/c of it..the stuff they were selling was going for much less than offered in the catalog also...

[Pendant23]

Quote:

Originally Posted by miss missy

Is there a way to fine out if someone selling on ebay is a demo or not..I mean I have the name of a person, can I call SU and ask if they are a demo? There is a person that had stuff listed last week that was from the new winter mini, i emailed them to see when it would ship since it was labeled that it was not available until 12-1, they responded that they had it in their possesion, so obviously they are a demo or they are working with one...I didn't do it to get anyone in trouble but just happened to have the name b/c of it..the stuff they were selling was going for much less than offered in the catalog also...

I understand from another board, there is an email address you can use to report the auctions to SU. I assume the person is a demo if all the sets are new and unmounted and they are selling a TON of them. It is obvious if they have prerelease stuff they must be.

It is funny because some people use a variant of their name for their ID and have their town listed in the "ships from" area. Seems to me like DLSmithStamps in Whosit, IA would be easy to find on SU's demo list, KWIM? That is like hanging a sign!

When I had more time I would troll and report eBay violations to eBay. That gets people suspended from eBay. It will stop all their auctions, not just one.

[miss missy]

I understand from another board, there is an email address you can use to report the auctions to SU. I assume the person is a demo if all the sets are new and unmounted and they are selling a TON of them. It is obvious if they have prerelease stuff they must be.

Thanks for the info, this is pretty bad but normally I wouldn't even care but the person was extremally rude when I contacted them, so I am kinda thinking it would serve them right...I am not having a good day though so it is probably just my bad mood getting the best of me...

[do-it-4life]

Ok, I'm going to go against the grain on this one. I am not a demo. But why would you turn people in who are selling on ebay? Sure it is against "the rules" , but I'm a person who also would never tattle tell (for lack of a better word) on anyone. It's not like they are selling stolen goods or something. I personally would only buy things off ebay if I can get them about 1/2 to 3/4 off of the regular price with shipping included. If some idiot wants to pay $20 more than reg. price for something, so be it. I know this is a violation of SU policy for demos just like it is for CTMH, Creative Memories, Longaberger, Mary Kay or whatever. I guess I believe that if SU wants this to stop, they have the same means of finding these people out and putting their foot down. Again, just another perspective. I definitely do not agree with what they do, but feel SU should "police" these people, not me. :?

[mom2kjs]

Okay, now I've been really bad because I have gone to the person who bid 2nd highest and e-mail them to tell them that I could get them a better deal if they are interested. I know you're not supposed to do that but then again...they aren't supposed to be selling current stuff on eBay. I know, I know, like my mom used to say...two wrongs don't make a right. Hmmm....I haven't used that one with my kids in awhile! Anyhow, shame on me! :oops:

[spammie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by do-it-4life

But why would you turn people in who are selling on ebay? Sure it is against "the rules" , but I'm a person who also would never tattle tell (for lack of a better word) on anyone. It's not like they are selling stolen goods or something.

From what I've read, the folks who are reporting ebay sellers are demonstrators who abide by their contract with SU and are concerned about unfair competition from demonstrators who do are violating their contracts. I bet they get tired of spending their time & money doing demonstrations & then hearing potential customers say that they'll just get it on ebay instead!

[JulieHRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by do-it-4life

Ok, I'm going to go against the grain on this one. I am not a demo. But why would you turn people in who are selling on ebay? Sure it is against "the rules" , but I'm a person who also would never tattle tell (for lack of a better word) on anyone. It's not like they are selling stolen goods or something. I personally would only buy things off ebay if I can get them about 1/2 to 3/4 off of the regular price with shipping included. If some idiot wants to pay $20 more than reg. price for something, so be it. I know this is a violation of SU policy for demos just like it is for CTMH, Creative Memories, Longaberger, Mary Kay or whatever. I guess I believe that if SU wants this to stop, they have the same means of finding these people out and putting their foot down. Again, just another perspective. I definitely do not agree with what they do, but feel SU should "police" these people, not me. :?

IMHO, to sell, against SU! policies, on Ebay, is damaging and hurtful to EVERY demonstrator that DOES abide by the policy and earns their way to the cruise, etc. legitimately.

I myself have several customers that shop on Ebay for SU! stamps. It hurts my business DIRECTLY that they do so. One lady actually asked me if that hurt my business, and I replied that yes, it does, if you are purchasing current merchandise. I explained the policy to her. SHE was horrified and told me from now on she'd only purchase retired SU! stamps there. But, in all honesty not enough of them feel badly enough about how much it hurts me to cease buying on Ebay . . .

If WE do not stand up, when we witness such activity, and say this is wrong (by reporting violating auctions to SU!), it is as if we CONDONE the behavior.

[debbiemom23cs]

I really feel that these people who are selling on ebay are doing a great disservice to the customers. The whole reason you buy from SU is so that your demo can be available to SHOW you how to use your products. If you buy a stamp set from someone on ebay - more than likely it is priced higher than in the catalog and they cannot show you how to use your products. This is just my own opinion.

Usually, I am a lurker but this issue is really bothering me. I would never in a million years, charge someone $20 or more than the retail price for something. My conscience just couldn't go with that.

[JulieHRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spammie

From what I've read, the folks who are reporting ebay sellers are demonstrators who abide by their contract with SU and are concerned about unfair competition from demonstrators who do are violating their contracts. I bet they get tired of spending their time & money doing demonstrations & then hearing potential customers say that they'll just get it on ebay instead!

Aaaaah, Spammie. Precisely and well said.

[nipmats]

I too think it is wrong to tattle. I don't really see how they can be selling this stuff any cheaper, because it would cut their profit. I am a demo and I admit I bought stuff on ebay before I was a demo and before I signed up and found out we could not sell on ebay my plan was to sell the stamps on ebay and make all kinds of money for very little effort. I bet the person who is bidding $40 on stampin spots doesn't even realize they are bidding on spots, I bet they think they are bidding on Classic pads.
:(

[mommakate]

I ahve seen this too and since I am not a demo I have sent the bidder an email and offered the page and rpice in teh catty and pointed them to the "fnd a Demo" button on the SU website!

I know you demo's cannot do that as its a marketing violation but there is NOTHING to stop me as a customer from doing it!

If people LOVE stamping - GREAT - but I also want people to get more for their money!!

Smiles

Kate

[spammie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nipmats

I too think it is wrong to tattle. :(

I don't consider it tattling to ask the company to enforce its contract requirements.

[spammie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mommakate

I know you demo's cannot do that as its a marketing violation but there is NOTHING to stop me as a customer from doing it!

Unfortunately, this kind of email is considered interfering with a sale & violates ebay's terms of service. You're probably better off reporting the seller to SU, I think.

[sunneedazee]

I also saw the stamp set from Regionals listed yesterday on Ebay, Natural Beauty. Shame on whoever is selling that!!!! :(

[WillStamp4Food]

You have to wonder if the bidding person doesn't understand and thinks they are getting the full sized pads for a great deal!

[AngFab]

Well I could talk at length about ebay, but that should be a whole seperate topic! I will say that I have ordered many retired sets myself from ebay - I keep looking at the old cattys for ideas and then get my heart set on something... but I limit myself to keeping my bids at or near what the original cost was and try to factor in how badly I'm wanting the retired set versus a new set from the catty.

Anyhow - what kills me about the spots going so high is that for a few more dollars you could get a whole set of the regular pads!!! :shock: I really think that ebay gets to be sort of like gambling and you get caught up in the bidding and just want to win and to heck with your budget! (Sadly, I speak from experience! :oops: )

SO - I used to cruise ebay all the time, just to see what was out there and what was hot, but it was making me so angry that now I try not to even look! There seem to be so many people workin' the system - I hate that!

[tskenly]

I live in a small town in Alberta and the EBay problem is really starting to hurt our business. Since our dollar is getting stronger and stronger, it is way cheaper to buy sets off the US Ebay and have them shipped up here.
When one customer sees great deals, she tells her friends and so on and so on........ I couldn't believe that brand new sets from the mini's are already showing up. Hopefully it will calm down soon.

[wkonieczko]

:oops: :oops: I have to admit I purchased some items on ebay that were SU.. most retired but I did order some stamp ink pads for a co-worker who in turn screwed me and never paid for them but the person I ordered from turned out to be a SU demo.. she ordered directly from SU and had it shipped to my house, and she posted that she could sell to me at a discount if I continued to order from her...

HOWEVER, I like my demo (waterpixie - emily) she's wonderful. She gives me great ideas and is always helpful and willing to share new ideas and stuff with me. I will only order from her, and I dont buy SU on ebay anymore..but I do look at the pictures of the sets when I don't have a catalog to see it for myself.

I agree, Demo's have a hard enough time making their business work and it's not fair to them to have to compete with EBAY selling demos. I think any DEMO selling current stuff on ebay should be suspended and/or loose his/her privledges thru SU!!!!!

wendyk

ps I'm not a demo, but it' sure sounds like it would be nice.. maybe I should look into it.

[sweetandsour]

I freely admit that I have bid & won SU items off eBay. And since I'm Canadian, I paid MUCH less than the list price because SU's Canadian prices are set 30% to 35% above the actual exchange rate of US to Canadian dollars.

I won 3 sets of Stampin' Spots and I'm glad I did, because it's been six weeks since I ordered my spots from the demo...and if I find the 4th set of SS on eBay I will cancel that item from the demo. Yes, I know it's not the demos fault, but if I need stuff to make Christmas gifts, tags & cards...well, after the new year just isn't going to cut it! LOL

Plus, with eBay I get stuff shipped to my door. The demo I was dealing with does not - I have to go pick it up over 30 minutes away on a good traffic day.

[miss missy]

I was not trying to start a great debate and I am not a "tattler" by nature, I just wondered if there was a way to turn it into SU if someone wanted too...I agree though that it is not really tattling if it is going against their contract, I am not a SU demo, but I am a CM consultant and it does hurt business when people are getting current items through other sources...like I said in my other post, i probably will not do it but I am having a bad day so you never know

[Geribeari]

I have purchased quite a few stamps from e-bay BUT only retired sets that I did not purchase or was not as into stamping when they were current. I too marvel at those paying MORE for a current set than it is in the catalog...do they not know there is a cattie???? Go figure.

[scrappinchick]

are retired sets worth anything to a collector??? I know that they are priceless to a stamper, but to a collector or a person buying current sets for outrageous prices, that did not know there was a catty to buy current sets...you would think the are NOT stampers if they are buying them at those prices, cause who is a stamper that has not heard of SU????? If they are buying SU sets, they must know the company??? I dunno..just thinking and typing...sorry to babble......lol

[Henrysmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RenHoward

Sometimes I get so angry when I look at ebay and see all of that current merchandise for sale. I kind of gave the person the benefit of the doubt about not being a demonstrator --didn't want to assume the worst and all-- until I looked online during Convention and saw that they had actually taken pictures of the stamp sets that they'd gotten there and listed them for sale on line! I saw the same thing happening with the new hostess sets that can be earned early. Anyway, ever since then I've reported people like that to SU and copied and pasted the link to that page into the email that I send to them. Do you think that's too harsh?

Renee

Not at all. We all know the policy. We all know the consequences. I don't know how anyone can NOT know since it's been stated over and over in our publications and even has a spot on the demo homepage. I quit selling card stock rings on e-bay when I found that it violated policy (even though SU doesn't sell them - I called DS and confirmed that it still violates policy).

[GMAX]

I am not a demo... SU is a BIG company making BIG bucks. Why don't THEY hire someone to sit at a computer all day and cruise e-bay and then go after violators? Those of you who report violators to SU - do you really think SU follows up on your reports? Really, I would like an answer - do you really think SU follows up on your reports?

[Henrysmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMAX

Those of you who report violators to SU - do you really think SU follows up on your reports? Really, I would like an answer - do you really think SU follows up on your reports?

Good question! I bet the only way is to check back on an auction after it's been reported. I don't have any idea how long it would take though. Anyone else know?

[StampinNan]

Just had to join this discussion. I have purchased MANY retired and a few new sets on eBay, and the economics sometimes work in the purchaser's favor if they do their homework. SU Demonstrators are at an unfortunate disadvantage because they have to charge shipping and sales tax, in our area that adds 16% to the purchase price of each item. :( If your order is large enough, of course, you get free stuff (yipee) and that helps, but sometimes the financial advantage is in buying from eBay when the price and shipping costs warrant it. I am really sorry, but I want my $$ to go as far as possible for my family's sake. I really like my SU Demonstrator and want her to succeed, so I buy everything possible from her, but I will continue to buy from eBay as long as it's to my advantage.