Online Shoplifting...theft of images and ideas

Can you believe you can SHOPLIFT online?! Yes you can, and, really, it's just as bad as being a shoplifter in the real world. In this case, however, it's not the customers that steal, it's OTHER STORES. Stealing is stealing, whether you slide an expensive scarf or bottle of perfume into your purse or you download or copy another store's copyrighted images or descriptions.

At 7 KIDS, I take pride in my website. Many of the images and descriptions come directly from the manufacturer's website, however, I do write many of my own descriptions, photoshop manufacturer supplied images or take my own photographs.

Unfortunately, there is a specific retailer out there who thinks that my work is for their benefit. During a recent google search on some of my products, I noticed that my EXACT description for a Sarah Kay stamp appeared in this other retailer's listing. I went to their site and saw that they had simply copied and pasted my self-written descriptions into many of their Sarah Kay listings. So, I took a look around and saw that they also had downloaded all the Robin's Nest boxed dew drops pictures that I had custom cropped and color corrected, which took an enormous amount of my time.

Of course, and unfortunately, this isn't the first time this company has stolen from me. These are not the first images of products they have stolen AND they have even stolen card images created by my design team and customers that I had posted in the store. So, not only do they steal from me, they are also stealing from my customers and individual designers. It is despicable, chronic and seemingly never ending.

The owner of the store also placed a very large bogus order in my store taking a number of stamps completely out of the store so real customers could not purchase them. As my customers know, I accept paypal. If you choose paypal as your method of payment, the order is placed in my system, but payment is made through a separate website. This person placed a huge order, indicated they would pay with paypal and didn't pay. This took the stamps out of inventory, but left them unpaid. Fortunately, as with most shopping carts, the IP address the order was placed from is recorded in the transaction (even though she provided a fake name and address). When I searched the IP address, this competitor's business name came up as the owner of the IP address.

This person is simply the most unethical and immoral person I have ever had the displeasure of having to deal with.

I am not going to publish the store site or the person's name here. However, if you, like me, do not like to support unethical businesses, you are welcome to e-mail me for information on a store you might want to avoid. In addition to my account of theft and lack of ethics, you will also find a lot of information on popular bulletin boards about this company's incredibly poor customer service and dishonest business practices. I am not alone in having been abused by this company's lack of ethics. It is fairly widespread.

I have not spoken out publicly before. However, because I believe good people keeping quiet about bad things does not benefit our community. The internet is a great place to share ideas, connect, do business and explore and celebrate your craft. But it's only great when honesty and mutual respect for other people's work and contributions is supported and maintained. The craft world has blossomed through the internet, and many friendships and great ideas have occurred because of the power of the web. Let's continue to grow a great and satisfying online crafting community by upholding the standard of respect and fighting against copyright infringement and theft.

UPDATE ADDED 9/7/09. A few days ago, one of the design team members from the store I am speaking of contributed to this blog with some very crude posts, as well as one with profanity that I, obviously, had to remove. The commenter said I would certainly remove the posts because I didn't "agree" with them. However, I would never remove her posts because they so poignantly illustrate the character of the individuals who would steal from and interfere with another person's business, as well as the independent crafters who post their work to their own blogs for the inspiration and enjoyment of others, not for the benefit of thieves.

Here is what Lorraine had to say (these posts are still in the comments section):

"I think this is extremely mean and underhanded ,,, you are maliciously slandering another company without actually naming them so they can't sue you !! This is unethical if anything is ,,, you are mean and manipulative and I for one will never shop here again and will spread the word about just how nasty and vile you are, you absolutely disgust me,,,

bet you don't publish this comment eh !!

you are sooo nasty and no doubt extremely jealous,,,"

Then Lorraine submitted a comment with profanity that had to be removed.

Then she posted this set of threats:

"I am going to email everone in this post and tell them how nasty YOU are,,, and tell them that you remove comments that don t agree with you ,,,, you deserve to be sued ,,, i am going to spread the word around blogland and the scs,,, will not stop till you remove this posting ,,,, i will let EVERYONE know what mean toads you are"

Then she posted this admonition telling me that if I can't say anything nice...well, you can read it for yourself:

"Ok Tab,,,maybe I should have used different language ,, Did you ever see Bambi, if you don t have anything nice to say don't say anything at all ,,,, I think mose sensible people will see this for what it is,,,,,,"

I did respond to these comments and they are included in the comments section, as well. I hope you will read them. I feel very sorry for these people. They are truly misguided. Rather than taking a look at their own behavior, they lash out at the people they are violating and blame them. Sad...

Comments

[Kelly]

I honestly can't believe there are people out there that would do this. I mean really, how hard is it to fill in your own description of the products you choose to sell in your store, not only that, but to steal picts that other people have spent a great deal of time on and to "falsely" purchased inventory just so it looks as though you have no inventory, that is absolutely ridiculous. I surely hope this persons gets a conscience and gets a grip!

Sorry to hear this is happening to you Tab! Keep up the great work though hun (not for the stealer's benefit though, for your loyal and loving customers) because your store is fabulous!!

[Nunt]

Only when these things are spoken up can they be rectified - you are a brave person to come out with this!

All best for you and your store,
xx,
nunt

[Michelle Adams]

Oh my goodness, this is so rude and ridiculous! So very many people in the stamping world are so caring, kind, and love to share ideas and inspiration. To learn that this is going on is so disappointing, most of all to you. Keep up the great work with your store and your site. I thoroughly enjoy shopping with you and your service is always excellent.

[Greta]

This just makes me so mad that SOME PEOPLE can't get a clue and do the right thing. I agree that you work way to hard for someone to come in and take your photos or descriptions out right from under your nose and use them like that. I wish there was an easy way to get the word out there right now that all of their customers could see and know what horrible business practices they are running! I know I will NEVER shop there! Your store is my go to place for everything! Wishing you only the best out of this situation! Going to work on a blog about it myself!

Keep up the great work and never let people like this get in your way of keeping up with fabulous customer service and reliability!

[Merry S.]

This person has no morals! She obviously doesn't have enough skill to describe the products on her own, and stealing your photo's is just being lazy. I'm so glad I know who it is, because I will most definitely pass the word around to my circle NOT to shop there!

You do a wonderful job Tabitha, and it's always a pleasure shopping at your store. I'm sorry this has happened to you, but you know the saying "what comes around, goes around".

[Kristy Rooney]

Thank you for providing the consumer with this information. I personally will never purchase from this company. Their behaviour is apprehensible and only lends the consumer to wonder what other aspects of their business are not completely on the up an up. I don't think I have ever heard of such childish behaviuor. Did this individual seriously think this would help their business? All the best in your business endeavours and I look forward to future orders. Keep the awesome stuff coming!! I'm loving all the preorders I'm seeing.
Take care
Kristy :)

[Lisa]

I'm sorry that this has happened to you. That's just unacceptable. I can't even imagine WHY someone would need to do this. The manufacturers provide pictures to the vendors, don't they? And if they don't, while that's a shame, it doesn't give you free reign to steal from other vendors. And yes, this is stealing. And unfortunately, it's very common these days.

:O(

[Maureen W.]

Thanks for posting this - I was unaware of all the problems with this company and had considered ordering from them. I'll definitely NOT give them any of my business!

[Sandra Andersen]

I would definitely not do any business with such a company. Seems that the greed and dishonesty of Wall Street has come to the stamping world as well.

[Denise]

I think I know which company you mean but unfortunately I cannot get the email me link to work (wants to configure my Microsoft 2007 and I don't know a password) so I can't email you for confirmation of my thoughts.
Darn shame people need to be like this!
I'm glad you're above this and I think speaking up is what gets changes to be made.

[Stephanie King]

I appreciate you tactfully calling this unacceptable behavior to light. I personally refuse to support dishonest sellers... why should I when there are so many pleasant and honest sellers out there? Thanks for being one of those. I will never purchase from the company of which you are speaking.

[Kim G.]

Oh my word! I can NOT believe that someone would stoop so low and be unethical and dishonest! The part that bothered me the MOST with your story is how this retailer tried to be an unknown customer and try to purchase products to take them out of your inventory! HOW RUDE and DISHONEST!!!! I would LOVE to know who this company is as I would NEVER purchase from them!!! Thanks for being honest and informing us on this disgraceful practice of another merchant! I love your store and your products, keep up your amazing work!
Hugs~
Kim

[Cindy Stewart]

WOW! I cannot believe that an online retailer would do something to tacky and dishonest. I am sorry to say I have purchased from this retailer in the past but they have lost my business forever. Hang in there Tab... you are one of nicest, most honest sellers on the internet. (((HUGS)))

[lkbaughan]

This whole thing is disgusting. I am just so glad I have never purchased anything from this vendor. I certainly won't now. There should be some way to get vindication especially since it affected your business. That is just wrong.

[leslie]

This is just crazy. What nerve!

[sainusa]

Why would anyone want to support a store/person/company that has such low morals/ethics. Its one thing to take another's verbage, set-up ideas and so forth which can be construed as "lazy" (but still unethical). But to place a large order, in order to mess with your inventory is a flagrant, willful and despicable act. They will reap it in turn.

I'm so glad you brought this to everyone attention.

"Hang in there Tab... you are one of nicest, most honest sellers on the internet." I second that!

[Carleen]

Thank you for posting this and standing up to companies like this.

[Sandy in WI]

Tab,
Thanks for bringing this to our attention: I guess you could say that is in a way it's a "HUGE" compliment to you and your store. Someone doesn't have enough talent to meet your HIGH standards and so they have to play games emptying your inventory and stealing your descriptions and photos,soooooooooooooooooooooooooo SAD! You can be sure I will spread the word and NEVER EVER shop there.

Thanks for the wonderful "honest" place to shop.

One of your FOREVER customers,
Sandy

[Nancy Schultz]

Thank you so much for being brave enough to tell us about this company! I will never do business with them nor will I participate in any challenge that they are sponsoring the prize! I hope that all challenge sites will remove them from there sponsor list. I will do my best to spread the word to total avoid this company. I do not like theives and she needs to learn how to run a honest business!
Thank you so much for your honest business. It has been a pleasure to order from you and I will continue to give you my business.
Nancy

[Leslie Springer]

Thank You for your reply.

I guess I should not be surprised at this person for what she has done. there have been quit a few threads on her and her tactics on SCS. She treats her customers bad too. After reading all that was on the threads about her, I decided NEVER to order from her, no matter what. Too bad we can't let her know what we know. She would more than likely retaliate against one and all-and that is just not worth it. If she continues to harass you, you should contact SCS since she now advertises on the site. They maybe able to do something about her harassing you.-Just a thought.

Love your blog. Keep your head up high.

[Shirley]

I think that you are courageous to out her. Thanks for the information. Blocking sales by tying up inventory is fraudulent. She must have no morales. I won't shop there.

Can you embed something in the photos such as your web address?

I have just purchased from your shop for the first time and am very pleased with the service (except that you are out of an item that I really, really want.) If you are out because it is blocked by an unscrupulous person then I'd really be mad.

[Maryvel]

Wow! This is unbelievable! and I am VERY sorry this happening to you! So many crocks out there! Thank you for making us aware of such an issues! Hopefully these people will get a life and start respecting others! This is totally un-aceptable! Now that I know who they are, I will definitely stay as far away from them as I can, hopefully everyone else will do too. Thank you so much for your great service, it is always such a joy to shop in here, so PLEASE, don't let this to get you down, and keep up your great work!

[colleen]

Tabitha, thank you so much for speaking out about this unethical shop owner. I now know for sure that it WAS who I was thinking it was. You are right... she's well-known for bad practices. You can be sure I won't spend a cent with her and I will make sure I steer my crafting students away from her also.

I am a firm believer in Karma... she will get hers in the end.

Hugs to you.

[Cheryl O]

Hey Tabitha, how horrible for you to have had this happen! You put so much work in a website/webstore, only to have your hard work taken from you, that is not fair! Theft falls under Karma, what goes around comes around. It's a real shame people can't use their own creativity and earn on their own...... You are brave to speak out and come forward, I'm proud of you!!!!

[Lynda aka alrlsmom]

It just turns my stomach to read this. I had a layout stolen from an online gallery and posted in a store gallery overseas last year...I just can't believe individuals would do this on purpose to one another. Good for you for standing up for yourself!