newusername
New Member
I am looking for advice on what to do about a situation where another seller on an online auction site is saying false statements about me and to see if it would qualify as defamation. If I was selling $10-$20 items I wouldn't be worried but I sell large lots that are roughly $20-$50k per auction and some of the false statements being made could cost me thousands of dollars per auction. Basically a competitor of mine is saying things in their auctions and ask a question section to discourage people from buying from me. Some examples that I have cut and pasted below.
A statement they made when someone asked them about me:
"Your point about whether the guy would actually ship out is absolutely dead-on, and should scare people. This character uses only "private" listings, hiding the supposed "winners" (you can't match feedback to anything, he can literally make anything up!), undoubtedly shill bidding to the moon, and one of these days, eBay may get sued too, for turning a blind eye on a person who stomps over all the rules. Buyers, if they only knew, should realize this is NOT a person they can trust! This is one reason we would like to post this response, we hope you don't mind, but we worry about the poor unsuspecting buyer who stumbles on their phony game"
Here's where I consider it defamation:
Basically I use private listing which isn't against ebay rules, I've sold a lot of items on ebay and is trying to make it sound like I'm not going to ship out the items, accuses me of shill bidding, tells people they can't trust me, and accuses me of running a phony game. If a bidder seen these false statements obviously it could make them not want to do business with me.
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Another statement they made:
since we refuse to use the highly dishonest "private" auctions (which may be fine for the "Adult" materials category!), we must limit zero bidders so that serious bidders have the confidence that they are bidding on a completely legit, "true auction". Other sellers may use this term, but it means absolutely nothing if they are hiding behind a private listing. Oh how we wish we could "save" the poor bidders from these sharks, but it is really up to eBay to finally do something to stop them. No, we have no desire to pontificate on this matter, it's just that it's so serious, and it is a current gap in what eBay is doing to protect their bidders
Here's where I consider it defamation:
He calls us a shark and states how he wants to save poor bidders from us
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Some more statements made by the other seller about me:
we pray no one will end up a victim.
In short, they hold all the cards, and can do whatever they choose. Obviously, there are rules against disparaging other sellers, and we have not said anything in particular, but we hope people will read between the lines, for their own good.
Folks, it's only a matter of time before this fellow gets what he deserves, but please, in the meantime, we recommend you avoid him like the plague!"
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I have complained several times about all these statements made and others for the last month and the auction site will not do anything about it. I have a 100% positive feedback rating and run a good legit business. I don't think it fair that someone can make false statements about me and I want it to stop. I don't know what else to do, Any suggestions?
A statement they made when someone asked them about me:
"Your point about whether the guy would actually ship out is absolutely dead-on, and should scare people. This character uses only "private" listings, hiding the supposed "winners" (you can't match feedback to anything, he can literally make anything up!), undoubtedly shill bidding to the moon, and one of these days, eBay may get sued too, for turning a blind eye on a person who stomps over all the rules. Buyers, if they only knew, should realize this is NOT a person they can trust! This is one reason we would like to post this response, we hope you don't mind, but we worry about the poor unsuspecting buyer who stumbles on their phony game"
Here's where I consider it defamation:
Basically I use private listing which isn't against ebay rules, I've sold a lot of items on ebay and is trying to make it sound like I'm not going to ship out the items, accuses me of shill bidding, tells people they can't trust me, and accuses me of running a phony game. If a bidder seen these false statements obviously it could make them not want to do business with me.
-----------
Another statement they made:
since we refuse to use the highly dishonest "private" auctions (which may be fine for the "Adult" materials category!), we must limit zero bidders so that serious bidders have the confidence that they are bidding on a completely legit, "true auction". Other sellers may use this term, but it means absolutely nothing if they are hiding behind a private listing. Oh how we wish we could "save" the poor bidders from these sharks, but it is really up to eBay to finally do something to stop them. No, we have no desire to pontificate on this matter, it's just that it's so serious, and it is a current gap in what eBay is doing to protect their bidders
Here's where I consider it defamation:
He calls us a shark and states how he wants to save poor bidders from us
---------------
Some more statements made by the other seller about me:
we pray no one will end up a victim.
In short, they hold all the cards, and can do whatever they choose. Obviously, there are rules against disparaging other sellers, and we have not said anything in particular, but we hope people will read between the lines, for their own good.
Folks, it's only a matter of time before this fellow gets what he deserves, but please, in the meantime, we recommend you avoid him like the plague!"
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I have complained several times about all these statements made and others for the last month and the auction site will not do anything about it. I have a 100% positive feedback rating and run a good legit business. I don't think it fair that someone can make false statements about me and I want it to stop. I don't know what else to do, Any suggestions?