Keyword spammer with no consequences

[kshine7]

There's an eBay seller called Kippy Kowgirl who keyword spams most of their items and it seems there are no consequences for their actions. They write brand-name titles in their auctions to attract attention to their items and are getting away with it. Customers have contacted eBay to let them know, but this seller's auctions are still up. It makes it difficult for buyers to know if they're actually getting the brand-name item or not. What can be done about this? Thanks.

[queenrob]

I can't even find her on ebay..

[Stone]

kshine7
How about a link to one of the auctions?

[kshine7]

Here are a couple of auctions. 260153489383 260153490264

[queenrob]

Ok her store is Kippy Kowgirl

[rachelnine]

I find the report button is useless, because you can't point out the exact keywords... BUT.. I found a handy dandy other reporting method, where you can actually WRITE to eBay the list of keywords:

Go to this link

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/keyword-spam.html

THEN, IMPORTANT, scroll down TO THE BOTTOM and click on:
"Report listing violations or problems with another eBay member" and then you can actually describe all the keywords you need!

~*~
Why do we call it PMS? Because MAD COW DISEASE was already taken.

[twisttolife]

What are you referring to as "keyword spamming" in those auctions?

[multipaws]

kshine7
I can't find any keyword spamming in her auctions...All seems fine from what I saw...Which auction are you referring to?

MP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Animals are such agreeable friends--they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.

[LisaMarie]

can't find any keyword spamming in her auctions...All seems fine from what I saw...Which auction are you referring to?

Same here - can't see any spamming in her titles

[Floridachickadee]

kshine,

Looks like everyone that reported her previous violations has seen the results. As MP and LisaMarie said, I can't see any keyword spamming in her auctions. I scanned all her current listings and didn't see any brand names listed in the titles and looked at a few of the auctions themselves and didn't see any keyword spamming in the descriptions either.

So if she was causing a big problem she shouldn't be now.

[kshine7]

Well from what I understand the word kippy is a brand name and they slyly call their store 'kippy kowgirl' to use the word. Why write the store name in the auction title unless they are trying to grab false attention. Also they write kippy kowgirl in quotes in their auctions. Why quotes, unless they know they're doing wrong.

Here's the brand owner. http://www.kippys.com/

I think they are keyword spamming if I understand ebay's policy correctly.

[Floridachickadee]

they slyly call their store 'kippy kowgirl'

Honestly, this is far from what I would call key word spamming... And would seem to me that unless the products Kippy's sells is the same or very similar a person searching for that brand would be able to easily see from the title that it's not what they are looking for. I can't tell what they sell cause I've not been able to get that website to load.

When I think of key word spamming I think of someone selling a purse and putting Coach or Dooney in the title and then in the description saying that it's an off brand that looks like Coach... Or someone saying they have a lot of clothes and listing brands like Gymboree, Gap, Ralph Lauren and then have a lot full of off brands and none of the brands in the title... I've also seen where someone may frequently sell items such as Gymbo Gap etc. and keep a paragraph at the bottom of their description that says to check their auctions for the following brands and then has a huge list of every popular brand, but the actual auction isn't even for clothes or those brands...
In those cases I can see it being a legit keyword spamming case, but I'm just not seeing it here.
I actually got the impression that Kippy could be the name of their dog, or even a nick name of someone... It is entirely possible that they came up with their store name on their own without trying to be sneaky or sponge off of another brand.

I've never heard of this Kippy brand, but it looks to me like they put their store name in the auctions for search purposes where someone may be able to easily go out and search their store name and come up with their listings, similar to how people will put things like forum group names so that other members can find their items.
It's entirely possible that ebay wouldn't do anything about it unless the owner of the Kippy brand were to email them and tell them that she's in violation of some type of copyright or something. Otherwise she's within her right to promote her store name in her auctions and I would think the quotations is to place emphasis on the fact that it is their store name.

And I've been trying for 10 min. now and have not been able to get that kippys website to load.

[kshine7]

Maybe you are right. I did notice that someone left them feedback and wrote 'not a kippy belt, but similar.' That's what made others think this was intentional to get people to view their auctions and get their attention.

[twisttolife]

they slyly call their store 'kippy kowgirl'

You are correct kshine7. I got the Kippy's link to work just fine and 'kippy kowgirl' is basically selling knock off Kippy brand merchandise.

Perhaps email Kippy's and tell them as Floridachickadee suggested, and report to eBay on the link that rachelnine posted. You will have to paint eBay a clear picture on this one!

[multipaws]

Here's the brand owner. http://www.kippys.com/

You are correct kshine7 ... The Kippys products are quite expensive!! I never heard of this maker...It is a wonder how she is getting away with it. Probably because for the same reason that I and many others have, we never heard of Kippys...
I just recently had an auction booted from Ebay because I used in the Title "Like New!" and this was spamming? Well anyways, I re-listed the item and eliminated the words Like new...That was the first time that I ever had a boot by ebay... So, in my description I just wrote that it looks like it has never been used. This kippy kowgirl is mis-leading the public with knock offs....

MP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Animals are such agreeable friends--they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.

[multipaws]

kshine7
I just noticed that she left out the S in Kippy ... the manufacture's name is Kippys not Kippy ... Tricky huh?

MP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Animals are such agreeable friends--they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.

[LisaMarie]

I've never heard of that brand before either. I say send the owner of Kippy's a nice little informative email with links to her items. I know I'd be upset if someone was trying to make a buck off my hard earned work.

[kshine7]

I think I may contact kippy's. As far as letting eBay know, I think it would be better if a few people contacted them to let eBay know of these violations. I feel bad for the buyers who are unknowingly purchasing these items thinking they are the real thing. It's a shame this eBay seller is taking advantage of people's naïveté. Thanks for confirming what I thought was true all along.

[biggfredd]

I just recently had an auction booted from Ebay because I used in the Title "Like New!" and this was spamming?
EbAy's stupid checker keyed on "like".

[Floridachickadee]

You are correct kshine7. I got the Kippy's link to work just fine and 'kippy kowgirl' is basically selling knock off Kippy brand merchandise.

Today the link is working fine for me and I see too that yes it looks like it's a sly way to sell knock offs and like everyone else said, the reason it's not been picked up yet it probably just because of the lack of widespread knowledge of the brand... because of course if someone was saying they were Tommy Girl's or something there would be more fuss and attention brought to the kw spammer.

I also agree that members contacting ebay is not likely to get any action taken... but if you were to contact the company Kippys and point out a few of this person's auctions, I'm sure they would have more luck with getting through to ebay and they may require her to change her store name or at least remove the store name from the titles so it doesn't come up in searches...

It was hard for me to tell yesterday cause the link was not bringing up anything and after many minutes would go to page not displayed... though everything else was working. But today I see it fine and see all her items are similar to what Kippys sells.

[Floridachickadee]

just recently had an auction booted from Ebay because I used in the Title "Like New!" and this was spamming?

This is a fairly new policy, before it was just a suggestion that you not use those terms, but now they've moved to saying your not allowed to use them because people searching for NEW Swimsuits will also bring up the ones that claim to be like new and buyers were getting upset with that saying if they wanted used they'd not be specifically saying New... but there should be some type of toggle that could let them check off only New with tag items etc. Since in most categories the details are selected on ebay to say if it's new or used or other...

You know it'll change everyday.

[gypsumoon]

"Like" is the word they're after - say "as" as in "as new".

Of course, this will be outdated info soon...

Cindy at Gypsum Moon
http://stores.ebay.com/Gypsum-Moon?refid=store

[Floridachickadee]

"Like" is the word they're after - say "as" as in "as new".

Of course, this will be outdated info soon...

LOL could be already, as last time I spoke with someone at ebay it was something the stressed in their 'tips' (you know when they call hoping you have a minute to talk and then send you all the same info in a follow up email? lol) The woman that I spoke with said they were really moving away from allowing the term New in the title of anything that wasn't actually new or part of the items such as a New York T-Shirt etc.

So if I would have gotten the same boot MP did, I would have quickly assumed it was due to the term new. I've long ago tried to get away from using that as a description though. I used to chat with a very large group of ladies that purchased a bunch of the type of clothing I was selling at the time and from their rants and raves I found out quickly that they are a very particular group of women and I found myself being much more critical of clothing items than I would normally be, because there is such a wide range in what is considered excellent condition by one may just be rated as good by another, and for them like new meant it was new with out tags or had just hung in the closet and never worn, if it so much as touched the washer or dryer... heaven forbid! http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/lol.gif Thank goodness I don't sell much of that anymore! LOL only my own kids stuff when they outgrow it and I'm careful to not use the word new in the title unless the piece is new.
I know they are a picky group of women and have heard of plenty of times when they've reported someone for what they consider to be violations.

[twisttolife]

EbAy's stupid checker keyed on "like".

I just got a "store" item booted today for "LK NEW" (for lack of space)in the title.

[ellie]

Why all the fuss aver what someone else does? Like new indicates a condition and it is a legitimate way to describe an item. Let the buyer beware is also an established tradition. If there was not so much effort policing other's auctions perhaps eBay would not feel that they have to protect thier idiot buyers by eliminating a very legitimate term.

I cannot imagine spending the time to report another's violation to eBay which will earning me ZIP, NOTHING! versus spending the same amout of time listing something that WILL earn me cold cash.

Just my 2 cents worth!

[multipaws]

I cannot imagine spending the time to report another's violation to eBay which will earning me ZIP, NOTHING! versus spending the same amount of time listing something that WILL earn me cold cash.

This is very true...I feel like I'm doing the work for Ebay and not getting paid for it!! Well, I am guessing that it has a lot to do with anger...Angry because one Ebayer's auction gets booted, while another is feeding off of their mis-leading titles on their auctions... Sooner or later they will have problems because you just can't get away from cheating the public for very long.
I don't spend my time reporting either

MP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Animals are such agreeable friends--they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.

[multipaws]

"Like" is the word they're after - say "as" as in "as new".

Thanks Cindy!http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/grin.gif

MP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Animals are such agreeable friends--they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.

[twisttolife]

I would be reluctant to use anything but "NEW"anymore.

[twisttolife]

Well from what I understand the word kippy is a brand name and they slyly call their store 'kippy kowgirl' to use the word.

Interesting comment since eBay user ID kshine7 has a store with the name
"Kippy Shine" and is selling similar merchandise to "Kippy Kowgirl" and kippys.com

http://stores.ebay.com/Kippy-Shine_W0QQsspagenameZL2QQtZkm

Is this you?

[Floridachickadee]

Interesting comment since eBay user ID kshine7 has a store with the name
"Kippy Shine" and is selling similar merchandise to "Kippy Kowgirl" and kippys.com

Interesting...

Is this you?

They do use IF....

[jvl1929]

http://stores.ebay.com/Kippy-Shine/ (http://stores.ebay.com/Kippy-Shine)

Here's the link to her store. I guess she wasn't counting on any froggies being smart enough to figure out there was a motive behind her post. heehee
She's pissed that she has some competition and hoping to get rid of it. She knows if she reports it, she'll be screwing herself as well so she's trying to get some froggies to do her dirty work.

Well maybe some of us froggies should report both of them since she hates thinking that buyers are being screwed. Here's a quote of hers
"It's a shame this eBay seller is taking advantage of people's naïveté"

Just reading through her posts is a joke. She's guilty of doing the same thing she's accusing this person of which is selling knock offs and using the word Kippy to attract buyers. She's just pissed the other seller is out selling her! I guess she didn't count on someone doing a little research and checking out her background. Kudos to you Twist of Life for being on top of things. I wonder if she'll post any thing else now that we know what's up?

She's acting like she just found this bit of news out, what a scammer! She damn well knows it's a brand name and she's using it herself! http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/down.gif

Well from what I understand the word kippy is a brand name and they slyly call their store 'kippy kowgirl' to use the word. Why write the store name in the auction title unless they are trying to grab false attention. Also they write kippy kowgirl in quotes in their auctions. Why quotes, unless they know they're doing wrong.

Here's the brand owner. http://www.kippys.com/

I think they are keyword spamming if I understand ebay's policy correctly.
I think I may contact kippy's. As far as letting eBay know, I think it would be better if a few people contacted them to let eBay know of these violations. I feel bad for the buyers who are unknowingly purchasing these items thinking they are the real thing. It's a shame this eBay seller is taking advantage of people's naïveté. Thanks for confirming what I thought was true all along.

Maybe we should all do our civic duty and the right thing and report her 1st and then her competition. After all we wouldn't want to have buyers being taken advantage of, right?

BTW kshine7 are u still out there? http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/confused.gif Are u reading this thread I hope so and I hope you're realizing you screwed up, in your quest of getting rid of any competition you've also unwittingly ratted on yourself and possibly started the downward spirl of your own demise.

What I think is funny is, you thought you were being slick and trying to manipulate others into doing your dirty work. http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/down.gif What you didn't count on is a lot of these froggies are smarter http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/lol.gif than you thought and they (I should say she, since it was a particular smart froggie who did the checking) figured it (you) out.

Kudos to you twist of life for catching this scammer in her own scam, http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/up.gif

ebay id: jvl1929

eBay Store: http://stores.ebay.com/PUZZLES-and-OTHER-STUFF-YOU-NEED

eCrater Store:
http://dillsdeals.ecrater.com/

[jvl1929]

Florida,
I checked out twists' info she's got it right, it's the same exact person.

We should all be very pissed about this little charade she was trying to pull off. She was hoping to get one or more of us to report her competition so she could hopefully pick up all their sells once they were NARU'ed and then she'd be living on ez street. The one she's bitching about does way more sells than she does. Too bad her little sceme didn't work out. http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/lol.gif Now she'll most likely be NARU'ed right along with her buddy.

I couldn't find where she sold to the other one but I think I was looking for the store name and not the user id so that's probably why I couldn't find it. I'll check it out again later.

BTW, where exactly would someone go to report this kind of stuff?
I want to do the right thing so this kshine7 can sleep at night knowing she helped to stopped this other seller from scamming and misleading buyers

BTW kshine7, I will have to report ALL the scamming sellers that I know about but that's what you would want anyone to do, right? I thought so, don't worry we'll take care of it for you http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/lol.gif http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/up.gif

ebay id: jvl1929

eBay Store: http://stores.ebay.com/PUZZLES-and-OTHER-STUFF-YOU-NEED

eCrater Store:
http://dillsdeals.ecrater.com/

[jvl1929]

I think they are keyword spamming if I understand ebay's policy correctly.

Yeah, she sure does, she should, she's doing it herself! What a fraud, and a sneaky one at that. She pisses me off waaay more than the seller she's complaining about. Hmmmmhmmm hmmmmm

I don't usually let things bother me, life's too short but the way she did this, just burns me up. She's a sneaky one.

ebay id: jvl1929

eBay Store: http://stores.ebay.com/PUZZLES-and-OTHER-STUFF-YOU-NEED

eCrater Store:
http://dillsdeals.ecrater.com/

[jvl1929]

I think I may contact kippy's.

Yeah, and don't forget to tell them about yourself k(ippy)shine7 http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/lol.gif

You might as well, you're already pretty much BUSTED!

As far as letting eBay know, I think it would be better if a few people contacted them to let eBay know of these violations.

k(ippy)shine7 I think you're absolutely right! http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/up.gif WE SHOULD REPORT THIS AND I'M SURE WE WILL THANK YOU! http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/lol.gif

I Hope you have a wonderful day and I hope you came back and read this thread, gotcha! you sneak, you're unbelievable! You probably know these forums are full of honest sellers that do believe in stopping bad sellers so you thought you would play on it but you forgot one thing, these honest sellers are also intellegent and savy people. Twist smelled a rat and checked you out and let us know what your real agenda was. http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/up.gif http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/up.gif Twists!

ebay id: jvl1929

eBay Store: http://stores.ebay.com/PUZZLES-and-OTHER-STUFF-YOU-NEED

eCrater Store:
http://dillsdeals.ecrater.com/

[Floridachickadee]

jvl1929,

You know... in one of my responses I started off asking why she was so upset about this, and was it a personal issue she had with this seller (as it sure seemed to be) but then, having not done any research myself, I figured I better not go accusing anyone of something so I edited it out before posting... but seems I was right on the mark anyway... The whole tone of her post seemed to be a 'how come they get to but I can't' that I would hear from my 10 year old! kwim?

I think what the issue is, is that she probably was busted for keyword spamming herself because someone reported her and that's how she understood that the other seller was guilty, now she wants to make sure that this other seller doesn't get to do it either, because yes, they're gonna get the bids cause they have the 'partial keyword' in their title... I looked through some of kshine's stuff and she doesn't have the kippy part of her store name in any of her listings... which would likely be because she already got her hand slapped for reaching in the cookie jar and had to edit her listings.


What a fraud, and a sneaky one at that. She pisses me off waaay more than the seller she's complaining about.

Honestly, the seller she was complaining about didn't bother me at all, because again the buyer that is looking for a Kippy belt or bag etc. should be able to tell that it's not by doing something as simple as reading! Shocking huh? http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/lol.gif...
I see a ton of people that sell toys say a Fisher price kitchen for example and they'll put in the title that it's a fp kitchen 4 little tikes... we all know it's a slick way of attracting the searches for little tikes kitchens as well as the fisher price kitchen... but if a person is looking only for fisher price or little tikes, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see it and move on.

If we just got back to the fact that buyers need to have learned how to READ in grade school, many of these things wouldn't be an issue.

I don't waste my time reporting listings... I waste enough time doing things I shouldn't be doing (like posting here lol) when I should be listing! LOL But at least they're fun things! http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/lol.gif

[jvl1929]

Hi Florida,
I've done the same thing you did, where I type something but think twice about it and edit it out.

It's just like I said earlier to kshine7, "these honest sellers (froggies) are also intellegent and savy people.

What got me so mad is the fact that she was trying to manipulate us into reporting this seller. She didn't want to do it herself, in fear of attracting too much attention to herself and her own stores' name. It was just so sneaky and underhanded. I wonder if she has came back to read this thread she started, I hope so and I hope she's running scared now, she should be. I most likely won't report her, I should but I know I won't. I know she's not a big time seller and I hate to ruin someone's business or life by screwing with their income, I strongly believe in karma and think, what goes around, comes around, she'll get hers sooner or later,
I also thought about emailing her competition and letting her in on what her one of her sellers (and competitors) is up to. Again, I know I won't but it's a thought.
Well, I think I've spent enough time and energy on this little "wanna-be-trouble-maker". I think I'll get back to work and try to make some money myself. It seems to be getting harder and harder these days to do so.
It makes me feel good knowing just how intuitive and smart my fellow froggies are. It gives me a sense of comfort. I know I can always come here to these forums and get all the help I need and I learn new useful info almost daily.
Thank you, all of you. Lanita

ebay id: jvl1929

eBay Store: http://stores.ebay.com/PUZZLES-and-OTHER-STUFF-YOU-NEED

eCrater Store:
http://dillsdeals.ecrater.com/

[twisttolife]

We got duped and best pay better attention especially to "new tadpole" posts.

kshine7 recently joined IF and "Keyword spammer with no consequences" was the the only activity from her on the
boards.

Another thing. Notice the amount of "unregistered users"
from "who knows where" peeping around on the IF boards,
compared to "registered users". Right now, here are the #'s.. actually a low amount of "unregistered users" compared to every other time I have checked.

I am the only "registered user" here right now..like in a fishbowl!
:: unregistered users online » 14
:: registered users online » 1

[queenrob]

Notice the amount of "unregistered users"
I've noticed this too..

[twisttolife]

I've noticed this too..

Perhaps we need to go back to the SD/Inkfrog boards that are closed to unregistered users. What do ya think?

http://community.sparedollar.com/

[jvl1929]

We got duped

As for being duped Twists, I don't think so, you seemed to figure her out pretty fast. Something made a lightbulb go off in your head and you checked her out pretty fast, at least I think so.
As for yours or anyone's first responses you gave them in good faith, you're like many of us here you respond thinking something is a legitimate question. You don't go in thinking, why is this person asking this? You believe, or at least you want to believe, that most posts are from honest and decent people.
But you had a gut feeling about this one and you went with it and checked a few things out. You have good instincts. http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/up.gif
As for only registered users, that sounds like a good idea, it would help to keep the riff raff out but it might also close these wonderful forums that are full of great advice and experience, to a lot of honest people. it's something to think about and to consider.
BTW, how do you know if you're registered? Does being a member of IF qualify you or do you have to registered seperately? If so, I want to make sure I'm registered.

ebay id: jvl1929

eBay Store: http://stores.ebay.com/PUZZLES-and-OTHER-STUFF-YOU-NEED

eCrater Store:
http://dillsdeals.ecrater.com/

[LisaMarie]

If so, I want to make sure I'm registered
Since you're posting, I'm sure you're registered. People who aren't registered can't post to the forums.http://www.buildaforum.com/inkforums/img/smilies/grin.gif

[Floridachickadee]

Notice the amount of "unregistered users"

It could also be members who have cleared their cookies and are reading throuh the posts but are not posting yet... they'll have to sign in to post and then will likely remain signed in...

But I've had it happen to me, I clear my cookies/cache etc. and then when I go to different sites I have to re-enter my info and on these forums since it lets me in and read, I always forget I'm not signed in till I want to post something...

I'm sure it doesn't account for all the unregistered users online at any given time, but could account for some.

It wouldn't bother me one bit to have it limited to only registered members, but I think they've been asking for a long time for that and it's just not happened.

[twisttolife]

Something made a lightbulb go off in your head and you checked her out pretty fast, at least I think so.

Ya jvl1929, it was this statement she made.. since she didn't seem to want to turn Kippy Cowgirl in herself, I said, "WHY?" and checked her out. Here is her quote.. "I think I may contact kippy's. As far as letting eBay know, I think it would be better if a few people contacted them to let eBay know of these violations."

[twisttolife]

BTW, how do you know if you're registered? Does being a member of IF qualify you or do you have to registered seperately? If so, I want to make sure I'm registered.


Yes, any IF member can sign in with IF ID and password. Basically the same boards are there except for IF updates which we can read/posted here.

the IF/SD boards are closed for unregistered members to READ which is much safer.

Greg will not close the boards here..probably for advertising reasons. SD boards are closed since they will not make IF any money..my best guess.

There have been some heated discussions on these boards that can be misinterpreted by "unregistered users"..dangerous..get my point?