Stalker

[angelica1968]

I am not sure if anything can be done about someone that is following me. Is there any way that I can opt to stop someone from following me.? This individual does not purchase or bid on any of my items. Every time that I sell something, this individual turns around and  lists and sells the same thing. I feel that this individual is stalking me and I do not like this. Can we block someone from seeing what we are selling or block them from seeing anything that I do? 

[krazzykats · Accepted solution]

Create another id....another email...

[luckythewinner]

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@angelica1968 wrote:

 Can we block someone from seeing what we are selling

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No, you cannot block a person from seeing your listings.

In fact, a visitor to the eBay site does even need to be logged in (or even have an account, for that matter) to see what you are selling. 

[khavbt0]

I get them too... The more we rise to the top the harder it becomes to get away from secret pilferers who think nothing of "borrowing" a little cash wind from our listings. However I have found this pattern tends to point towards MQ listings so the best defense I have found are OOAK listings, start putting up One of a Kind items.

They won't fool with that stuff, because they can't.

And keep doing it, don't list any more MQ items and eventually they will get bored and seek their free item copies elsewhere but don't revert to those MQ's... It is unfortunate but easy money attracts this type of seller.

I may even tell you to keep the price on the high side until your listing allotment is FULL and the more OOAK items that are in there the better.

Once your store is FULL you might consider a sale or something to start emptying things out but I price pretty stiffly and thus far I have had no luck in slowing my sales down much.  Something about those OOAK items.

[chapeau-noir]

Looking at the OP's listings they seem to list OOAK, unless this is another account they're talking about. 

People copy cat here all the time, including OOAK items, checking what others sell, emulating, etc.  There are so many millions of sellers here that my suggestion would be just to forget them, but then I sell in fashion which is so supersaturated that it's almost impossible to tell if anyone is following anyone.

[reallynicestamps]

You can Block them from bidding and add No Communication.  It won't stop them from watching your listings though.

Since you are mostly selling mass-manufactured collectibles, what is he stealing?

Your pictures?  Have you considered adding a watermark?

Those are some sharp pictures by the way. I'm impressed.

Your descriptions and/or titles?  Annoying but  your seem to be pretty cut and dried, not like the essays and poetry some sellers compose.

Stalking is a strong word, but... this is obviously creeping  you out.

FWIW - I use several IDs for selling here, and I have noticed that this apparently masculine ID gets less pushback on my opinionated posts than when I post with another which is very feminine.

All of which goes to say- have you considered changing your eBay name or avatar?

Maybe Familyname1968 and a picture of Scrooge McDuck? 

You won't lose your feedback and this will not affect eBay's assessment of your selling account.

[coolections]

This topic seems very strange to me. What do you mean by stalking ? You say when you sell something someone else sells the same thing as you, what is the actual problem ? There are millions of users who sell the same thing as you so do you mean they use your description. pictures etc ?

[fern*wood]

I have several followers, but I have never thought about checking them out to see what/if they sell.   I have some sellers on my saved seller list (mostly sellers in my area) and do look at their items from time to time to see what they have found and how they are doing.   So maybe I am a stalker and didn't know it. 😯

[jewelbiz]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

[angelica1968]

Yes,

That is what they say. Thank you for responding!

[angelica1968]

I wouldn't say that you are a stalker. I also follow people when they sell items that I collect and have purchased from them multiple times. I do not follow people to see what they are selling so that I can sell the very same items. Maybe I should have used copycat in my subject line instead of stalker.  Have a nice safe day!

[angelica1968]

Perhaps I should have used the word copycat instead of stalker in my subject line. The actual problem is that it is creepy for someone to follow you just to duplicate what you are selling. I follow several people because I actually purchase from them and they sell items that are of interest to me not to see what they are selling so that I can list the exact same items as them. This individual has been selling items that are not related to what I sell whatsoever and all of a sudden they are on my followers list and begin selling the exact same items that I have listed. The question was if there is any way to stop someone from seeing my activity. I asked because I could not find any information on whether I could do so or not in the help and contact section of eBay. And yes millions of people do sell the same type of things that I sell but they are not following me and every time I list something they turn around and list the very same items. This has happened the last 4 items that I have listed. Thank you for replying Rockstar.

[angelica1968]

Thank you for your suggestions. I don't believe I ever used the word stealing in my original post. It really is creeping me out though. 

[soh.maryl]

So this person actually lists the very same items as you do? 

Don't understand how that would work.  Do they rush out and buy those items immediately when they see your listing? 

[angelica1968]

Thank you. You actually answered my question without judgement.