Printable View
I have a revolving ad on CL (in the wanted section) for computer scrap. I just noticed that some guy copied my entire ad word by word, added his contact info and put the ad in the CL computer section. From the fact that he put his name, phone number and address in that ad tells me he's a newbie. Still, I am a bit pissed off. I am tempted to write to him telling him that he should at least spend some time creating his own ad instead of lifting mine. Or should I just let it go? What would you do?
I would say something to him.. Competition is fierce out there.. if he does something stupid.. people may confuse him with you.. They will see your ad and say "That guy is a *@@) don't call him" Definately nip it in the bud sooner than later!
Also, I would flag his ad and send link to all friends and family and ask them to flag it as well. Keep flagging.Quote:
Originally Posted by sledge42
Heck, post a link here and we can flag it. Whether someone steals your stuff or your words, they are a thief.
Send him on a wild goose chase and waste his gas and time.
that's actually copyright infringement, or, you could write yourself another ad
I can relate! That has happen to me on this very forum :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ilyaz
I've always been advised that imitation is the best form of flattery.
I sell and buy a lot on CL and have seen some very tacky behavior on a regular basis but most (not all) of the replies on this thread are also in very poor form to say the least.
CL allows us to use their venue for free and they expect us to act like adults with some manners.
I admit I got plenty pissed off a couple times when I first started but after doing a little site research.
I realized that I was there for one reason.....my own business.
So grow up and take care of yourself and ignore what you don't like so you can concentrate on your own affairs in a way that you and others can respect.
The world hates whiners,wannabes and freeloaders so if you want something for nothing you better be ready to accept a bunch of turds in with the free litter.
and do it with a smile and a nod.
Good luck
unfortunately there are unimaginative a holes in every business.
IMO, just let it be or as suggeted by Bear, change your wording slightly. Getting into a "flagging" war will be counter productive, because the other guy will most likely figure out who is doing the flagging and will do the same to your CL ad.Quote:
Originally Posted by ilyaz
My 2 roubles worth.:)
Write to him and tell him he has 24 hours to either remove the ad in question, or you be pressing legal matters.
BTW..Since we are kind of close, it is not me! lol
if you know a lawyer thats a friend or in the family and wont charge you. You can do the following.
1. Send the user a Cease and Desist letter.
2. File a court order to have CL give you the information of the user
3. File a small claims court suit against said user for damages / copyright infringement.
4. Get angry when he just stiffs you on the judgement anyways.
Aside from being mildly pissed off by the plagiarism, I am more concerned about my reputation, along the lines sledge42 has suggested. I am not going to flag him, although other people might since, strictly speaking, he put his ad in the wrong section.Quote:
Originally Posted by sledge42
I know it's not you. Since he listed his address, name and phone # :)Quote:
Originally Posted by GeorgeB
I think in the long run it will be better for him to have his own working instead of copying me. Maybe he'll realize this, but if he does not, I am not going to lose sleep over it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Re-cycler
Must have missed that part lol. Plus, you know I dont pay right now anyways lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by ilyaz
I would give him a call and be like "dude, wtf?" lol
I had a guy do that to me once. Little did he know, it was his webmaster who copied me.
It was over a second on my website, and not CL though, but same thing just about.
Emailed him yesterday. He never responded but he did change his ad. His own wording now. Happy end... :)
Now I just need to figure out why my renewed ad is not showing up in CL search results. But that's a different matter.
Not that I condone it, but if he doesnt respond to your request to change his ad, I would unleash an ad flagger software on him that would drive him crazy.
All you folks posting on CL need to track your ads. Not just for what ads and headlines pull the best, but to see who is flagging your ads.
If your ads are being flagged, you can detect the ip and block the ip from seeing your ad in the future. If they can't see it, they cant flag it.
If only they existed!Quote:
Originally Posted by FourNines
You're not looking hard enough George.Quote:
Originally Posted by GeorgeB
Do Tell about how to detect ad block an ip from seeing your ad.. I'm most intrigued.Quote:
Originally Posted by FourNines
Also, if you have some insight as to get an almost instantaneous text alert off a customized search on CL.. PM me.. I have yet to find one that will give me the edge I need in my market to be the 1st call! Thanks in advance!
You need multiple computers flagging a add as flagging is based off a number of factors.Quote:
Originally Posted by FourNines
1. The unique number of Flags
2. The number of adds you have had flagged in the past
3. The reason they were flagged, spam, miss categorized ect.
4. The category that the adds have been flagged in.
These are all part of an algorythm that determines if your post is removed.
Software does not exist to remove peoples adds from craigslist. Their are services that will do this however.
Dont post mis information.Quote:
Originally Posted by FourNines
1. You cant detect the IP that is flagging your adds. Craigslist owns the system you have no access to that information.
2. You cant block people from seeing your adds.
"Data mining", including using software that gathers IP addresses is a very unwelcome violation of CL TOS You may get by with it for a time, much like speeding on the freeway, but, it'll eventually get ya
If your ad isn't showing up in search, it's probably "ghosting", and you'll probly need to start over with a completely re-written ad
I put my avatar on here on my cl ad when it comes time to add pictures which is actually my merchandiser ad. so even if someone copies my ad word for word they cannot copy my avatar without some editing anyway
I'm not going to get into a pissing contest with anyone, but you have no clue what YOU are talking about.Quote:
Originally Posted by drozenski
With one pixel imbedded in my ad, I can track number of hits, ips, etc.
So before you ASSUME that these things cannot be done and bash me on a public forum, do some research.
if some one did that to me i'd be calling and talking to the guyQuote:
Originally Posted by ilyaz
Or the one over on gold refining forum doing that with your ad there. Some company over their just registered as username CLR which I thought was odd but typical of my luck.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ewasted
Im not gona lie, the saying "if its metal or has metal parts, has a power cord or takes batteries we recycle it" I use on my kijiji ads and flyers...ive seen it on here a few times, and keeping it short and sweet and to the point for news paper adds its perfect, I cant figure out a shorter more to the point way of describing my services.