Japanese seller selling something I own. This is has happened twice in the past week.

[edokura]

Clifton Karhu Rare Large Triptych Woodblock Framed Nishijin Roofs 1983 22/100 | eBay

[edokura]

I complained to EBAY and they said they couldn't find anything wrong with the listing??? Blows me away.  There are many many EBAY sellers in Japan selling the same thing that they do not own.  These items are often for sell on web sites in Japan.  How can this be legit?  If it is, then I guess the times are a changing. 

[fashunu4eeuh]

You provided the link to your listing. Does the other seller also have your item listed on eBay or on some other site.? Can you provide a link to the “offender’s”listing?

[richard1rst]

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@edokura wrote:

I complained to EBAY and they said they couldn't find anything wrong with the listing??? Blows me away.  There are many many EBAY sellers in Japan selling the same thing that they do not own.  These items are often for sell on web sites in Japan.  How can this be legit?  If it is, then I guess the times are a changing. 

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Well, if they have it listed but do not own it then, if they sell it, they are going to have to buy it from you to complete the sale.

So, your outrage notwithstanding, you WILL make a sale you might not otherwise make. Why are you complaining about making a sale?

Personally, I have identified several sellers who are using me as their product source. I get to make a sale I might not otherwise make. Why should I care who buys it and why. A sale is a sale.

[mam98031]

More information please.

[bennotbill]

If you get the timing right, when they sell the item, you could always double your price.

[mybigsale]

Great news! Have they sold any of your items for you yet?

There is a Japanese company that sometimes markets my items to Japanese buyers. The company has the items delivered to their company (us location) that can economically deliver items to the final destination in Japan. All sales so far have been without issue.

eBay also has an affiliate program. eBay PROVIDES links to any item on eBay. Affiliate can list and "Sell" those items on their web site. If you click through on those links, you will eventually end up on your own eBay listing. eBAY WILL THEN PAY the person a certain percentage of the item that was "SOLD" on their website (item was actually sold by you on eBay).  eBay isn't going to help you fight their own program.

You haven't provided enough information to know exactly what is going on in your case. Is it another eBay seller posting at a higher price?

[ittybitnot]

@edokura 

There seem to be quite a few of these prints available online.  Since they are numbered as yours, there is only one that I found through a quick Google lens query that has THE SAME NUMBER as yours.  It was sold on the Japanese Mercari site.  They seem to have included more photos than yours though, and seem to favor the use of the "red outline" to highlight other areas.   Is that the one you mean, or was your listing on eBay? 

[ittybitnot]

@edokura   

I also found a listing on eBay that seems to have lifted your photos, but has left out the "numbered"  one, and does not mention that at all.  eBay allows using pictures from another seller.  Since that one is priced considerably less than yours by about $2K, I don't think they will be buying yours to fulfil their order.  

[edokura]

I contacted EBAY and complained but they said they could not find anything wrong with the listing (now gone).  I guess it is ok to resell something you don't have - I cannot compete with someone who has 1500 items but owns none, unless I myself partake in the same scam.  

[edokura]

Yes,  I wasn't fully aware of the amount of listings that had my item until I listed it.   I can understand an affiliate program where you post a link on a different website, but multiple listings on EBAY of the same thing with difference prices just makes everything look fake.    I complained to EBAY but they said they could not find anything wrong with it.  Unbelievable, I guess one could spend time rushing to buy something that thse non-inventory sellers sell and beat them to the punch- but seems like a poor way of doing business.  I do not believe there is any going back to requiring real 'inventory'.... I am leaning towards 'if you can't beat them, join them'  - it has become a serious source of income for EBAY so what can you say.

[edokura]

Ideally, yes.  However, I do believe they just claim item is 'out of stock' and cancel the transaction.  There seems to be stalling techniques such as claiming you sent the item when you haven't or finding a replacement item very difference from the pictures.  I am amazed at how high the feedback ratings are.  Quite jealous.   Obviously I can't go out and buy 1000 prints to compete with these guys... so basically, game over for me.

[mybigsale]

@edokura 

I do not believe there is any going back to requiring real 'inventory'.... I am leaning towards 'if you can't beat them, join them'

I have been on eBay for over 20 years. I personally have not seen the multitude of sellers reselling other sellers' items on eBay without having the actual items. I have experienced it once or twice over the years. I personally have all my inventory. Buyers praise me and eBay has made me a Top-Rated seller.

My experience with eBay sellers who do not actually have real inventory is requests on this forum on how they can be reinstated after being permanently banned by eBay.

If you personally find long-term success selling without inventory or can send me some successful eBay sellers doing so with long-term success, I would like to hear about it. 🙄

[mybigsale]

I do not understand completely. If these sellers are selling YOUR ITEMS from your store, then your sales should be good.

Of the 5 items you sold in March, April and May, do you believe all of them were purchased from other eBay sellers reselling your items?

[powell-memorabilia]

I’m not sure what the problem is. I don’t see anyone on eBay selling the same thing that you have shown to us. I see similar listings, and for a lot less money – is that the problem?

And, no, eBay isn’t making money if a seller sells something that he doesn’t have. What do you think is true – and the seller there just canceling the transactions – then There is a refund. The seller never send it, and the buyer files for a chargeback, eBay doesn’t make money. Not if that seller is truly a scammer and is just trying to skip town with money.