Reseller's

**Badgerferrit** · 08-02-2021, 10:55 PM

It’s 100% ok to buy and resell. Using someone’s pictures should be ok if it is of the product you bought, because you bought the product from them. If you just steal their pictures to advertise your own product that would be rather immoral.

**Garlic_Mike** · 08-02-2021, 10:56 PM

No, and by your description of a money first entity, don't really care about feelings.

**Garlic_Mike** · 08-02-2021, 10:59 PM

If you don't have your own picture, it suggests you haven't ripened the fruit or verified the plant.

You shouldn't use anyone's photos without permission. Scammers often hijack legitimate pictures too.

**ginamcd** · 08-02-2021, 11:04 PM

Using photos that are not yours without permission of the owner is not acceptable. If photos are copyrighted or on a copyrighted site, then using them without permission is downright illegal.

**ginamcd** · 08-02-2021, 11:14 PM

If it's someone selling on Figbid using photos that are not theirs, report them to Danny using the contact information on Figbid. If there is an offender selling there, he'll deal with it.

**mwhight34** · 08-02-2021, 11:39 PM

If you contact someone and get their consent to use their photos to sell your own product, then you are in the clear, as long as you mention the owner of the photos in your listing.
If you just copy and paste without that consent or siting your sources, your listing will be reported to management and probably taken down.

as far as reselling, I’m of the opinion that once you buy a product, it is yours to do with as you please, as far as figs are concerned.

**acerpictum** · 08-03-2021, 12:30 AM

In my opinion, the use of other people's photos is unacceptable, and it is undesirable to use your own photos, but from previous years. There are too many photos of virtual fruits on the virtual plant market. I think it would be right and fair to show customers a photo of your real product in real time, and not what you bought once in the past. Or so: when selling cuttings or a vegetating plant, you can not show a photo of ripe fruits that causes salivation in the buyer, but it is quite acceptable to give text information about the quality of fruits. In general, it is better to avoid any manipulations with the consciousness of a potential buyer for your product in the market.

**TNJed** · 08-03-2021, 01:13 AM

It’s the “Israeli 7” guy tryna put some coins together….

**Drfig** · 08-03-2021, 09:49 AM

a message board is like the underside of bridges in fairy stories. Trolls always some how live there

**Sod** · 08-03-2021, 10:58 AM

Violating copyright is bad juju. Intellectual property is still property and there are protections in place for that. You wouldn’t believe how many artists get ripped off from “companies” stealing images of their work to put on clothes, posters, decor, etc. all because Instagram is so integral now to getting your name out there. And it’s on the artist to track those entities down and take the next steps to get them to stop.

Using someone else’s photos of figs you’re trying to sell is just cringe-level bad. Most people should know better, and my guess is that they do and just disregard their moral compass, even if momentarily. Is that motivated by money or fervor and excitement, I have no idea. It’s a bad look either way.

**ginamcd** · 08-03-2021, 11:02 AM

Funny thing is, a couple of weeks ago the person in question was on here looking for help getting listed as a trusted eBay seller. I told them their first and only eBay listing of an unknown fig likely would not yet qualify them for that status. They accused me of being insulting...Now I see they have added another eBay listing using others photos. That practice usually lands people on the forum's eBay naughty list.

**arachyd** · 08-03-2021, 11:56 AM

No. It is not ok unless you are clear where the photos came from, with permission from the pics owner, and can put your own reputation on the line to verify the trees are the correct variety.

**Shaft** · 08-04-2021, 04:24 PM

Wish you would have brought this up to me directly Mike. I'm still reading through the posts and comments. I'm the person being discussed here. I'll provide a response shortly. I'm in transit to figfest on ocracoke Island

**Shaft** · 08-04-2021, 04:40 PM

Okay. So now I'm caught up.

Let's begin with, AFAIK, I have permission to use every photo I used. I saw the photos, I contacted the person using the photo to ask permission which was granted. If you know a way to verify where photos originally came from other than this, please share how. About 2/3 of tge way into this process I even started documenting with screenshots who gave me permission and who it was. When I return home next week I would be happy to provide that information insofar as I have it. In future I will make damn sure that doesn't happen. If these people didn't have the ability to authorize their use then cool. Show me how you guys confirm source origin.

As someone else said, I'm the Israeli 7 guy. I'm new here. I haven't ripened fruit, I didn't even know that was a custom. I thought it was unprofessional not to use my own photos so I am buying a dslr, but it never occurred to me something like this thread would happen between now and then.

Do I resell? I guess it depends on your definition. According to figbid, I do not. The plant is substantially changed. I buy distressed plants, prune them, add things like worm castings and let them grow a few feet until healthy. Almost every customer I've had has been 100% happy with their purchase: those who were not blame usps and we have insurance claims going for 11 day deliveries. My customers are satisfied. That and the respective property of the true IP owners are the primary concerns of this thread. My customers have my back. I just found out I may have sold a W. Marseilles that was, in fact, a Tena. My customer insists it is w. Marseilles because he has Tena. I will make amends to that customer if abd when it becomes necessary.

I have been entirely open with the fact I have been in this game less than a year. I made a post called fig father in this forum. Until recently I included that story in my listing description. I removed it for brevity, but to suggest I'm using someone else's photos for malicious purposes or to deceive people is problematic considering how open I've been with my story..

I'm quite angry right now

Without knowing how I go above and beyond for my customers, you created a post degrading my character. You could have contacted me directly. Please do so next time.

By the way, I am the owner of Forest of Eden farms. That is my own photography. This will be my only comment on this subject

**Red_Sun** · 08-04-2021, 09:29 PM

Shaft

I get nothing to do with this thread. But just like to re-quote what @jessup42 said at another thread referring to you. I believe you've read that too.

#4.4
jessup42 commented
Today, 04:03 PM
@Shaft twas nothing personal, you got bunk’d like many others & didnt know. It happens. ................. Now you know better. Happens often so thats why everyone is skeptical. Smallcrowd here tread lightly people have big toes

It is a wild fig world out there. "tread lightly people have big toes"

Just a friendly advice. Wish you the best luck...

**goodfriendmike** · 08-04-2021, 10:59 PM

Ok Just to clear things up Shaft I have No problem with people buying cuttings growing them themselves and selling them later on. Or buying a tree and air layering it and selling those. But my problem is you are buying tc fig trees from a box store for 10 to 20 dollars and reselling them using others photos to unknowing people for 35 on sale to 50 plus shipping. I have spent thousands and have over 90 varieties and have not sold one why? Because I am collecting. And I will never sell something I can not prove is true to type.

**ginamcd** · 08-04-2021, 11:32 PM

I feel it has nothing to do with stepping on toes. It all has to do with truth in advertising and integrity of a seller.

The large number of aspiring fig growers who have been scammed by sellers using others photos is a reality. We can't help but assume the worst of anyone who uses such measures to sell a tree or cuttings. Anyone who has been a member here for any length of time knows the sinking feeling when a new member first posts something along the line of, "I bought cuttings of 'Rare Expensive Fig' on eBay last year and the leaves/fruit don't look like they're supposed to." They put their trust in the fact that the photos shown in the listing are ones the seller took of their own trees/fruit and hit the buy button. We hate having to burst their bubble when a year or two later the truth makes itself known.

Aside from the fig communities feelings on the matter, anyone listing on Figbid can and should read the terms which include not doing the following:

infringe any Intellectual Property Rights that belong to third parties affected by your use of the Services or post content that does not belongs to you;

I'm betting eBay's terms have something similar, but guessing they don't enforce it as well as Figbid. Regardless, we as a community always try to police ourselves, and this is why threads like this are begun when someone sees something that isn't right.

**Red_Sun** · 08-05-2021, 12:37 AM

I totally agree that if you sell any anything, then seller should use own photos. This is what I do if I need to sell a phone or camera on eBay.

After coming back to the fig world after about 20 years, the "new" fig world really shocks me. Before, I ran a local garden club and we had plant, cutting and seeds swaps twice a year. I had a very large UCD fig collection and I gave away a lot of fig cuttings and fig plants to other local gardeners. We also donated plants to local schools and churches. No one asked for money or sold any fig cuttings. We always donated plants to any new members.

I'm still the old school now. I've re-built my new fig collections via old friends and new friends. Also from some friends at another fruit forum. Making friends is much more important than making $$. I really enjoy the process. I've given away like 30-50 fig plants to local friends over the past two years.

I surely understand that now with the multi media and social media, there is a commercial fig world out there. I have no problem if someone roots cuttings and sells fig plants for profit. Or someone buys fig plants from local stores and sells for higher prices by adding the descriptions etc. I've also seen a lot of fig hunters find new fig varieties and sell those rare and new fig varieties. If there are sellers and willing buyers, it is none of my business for such legal transactions.

Sure we've seen some cuttings or plants sold for 3 or 4 figure $$ amount. And someone can root a RDB and sells for $100 or more. Not sure if there is anything one can stop that.

I guess I'm used to this new fig world right now. Whenever money is involved with a hobby, then things become different....

Just hope everyone gets what they want and has some fun here.

**Californiacuban** · 08-05-2021, 02:58 AM

Removing the drama and just discussing the legal aspect: there seems to be some misinterpretation of copyright law.

Clear and simple: Using a photo taken by someone else is a violation of copyright law. There is no need to copyright a photograph.The MOMENT you press "click" and take the photo, it is by law your photo and your property. It does not matter who is in the photo, or who owns the camera, or anything. It is immediately property of the person taking the photo. Any use of that photo without written consent, is a violation of copyright law. Even if the photo is a picture of you, it is not your photo. Even if the photographer is a 2 year old, they own it. It's clear and simple. The person who took the photo, has an immediate copyright on that photo.

Shaft, To answer your question to confirm source, one may ask "did you take the photo?" Because if they did not, 99.9% of the time, they cannot give you authorization. Unless they bought the photo or have rights to pass it along, which is extremely rare, especially in a hobby.

Disclaimer: I am not an attorney and this is not legal advice

**Shaft** · 08-05-2021, 04:46 AM

Originally posted by goodfriendmike View Post

Ok Just to clear things up Shaft I have No problem with people buying cuttings growing them themselves and selling them later on. Or buying a tree and air layering it and selling those. But my problem is you are buying tc fig trees from a box store for 10 to 20 dollars and reselling them using others photos to unknowing people for 35 on sale to 50 plus shipping. I have spent thousands and have over 90 varieties and have not sold one why? Because I am collecting. And I will never sell something I can not prove is true to type.

That's your policy, not mine. You went looking for problems. If my customers are happy its none of your business. You got jealous man. Not a good look. You don't know what I buy my trees for, what size they were when I bought them or what I did to them after the fact

I've spent thousands to get over 50 varieties in under a year. Jealousy is a green monster..

--"0

What isn't being described here is how goodfriendmike set me up. He pretended to be my friend and mentor. I would ask him questions about how to run My business or figger customs. He never once mentioned to me my photos were an issue. I will attach screenshots. I thought my photos were fine, and according to definition on figbid I'm not a reseller. This guy was soliciting problems. Neither an ip holder nor one of my customers complained. AFAIK I contacted each ip holder for permission but I'm going to learn more about a reverse image search someone mentioned so I know for sure. And my customers have no complaint. I replace trees no questions asked, I provide plant care advice and tutorials 247. I'm available any time of day for any reason.

Mike found out how much money I make and got greedy. That's the bottom line

Attached Files

**KDAD** · 08-05-2021, 05:33 AM

If I were to sell a fig tree on line the picture would be a recent one of the actually tree that the buyer would be getting and nothing else.

**Shaft** · 08-05-2021, 06:53 AM

As for the people who say it's about making friends, not money, I agree with you. But I also know, even with the most generous heart, it's hard to give something if you have nothing. This business began with me taking care of my son. Now I take care of my community, I have enough food from the garden to give to those who need it. I also give away a ton of trees and cuttings. Some people can afford higher prices. With those profits you give back to the community. When yall start giving 75% of your potato harvests to soup kitchens then and only then should you dare speak my name in this fashion ever again

People who want a fig tree but can't afford them get them from me for free. Some of yall are drama queens

Attached Files

**goodfriendmike** · 08-05-2021, 07:00 AM

Shaft I am far from jealous. And it would not bother me at all if you had a disclaimer stating that the photos are not yours and the plants might not grow true to type. If people still bought them for whatever price you want to sell them for that is fine by me.

**Shaft** · 08-05-2021, 07:37 AM

Out of idle curiosity, goodfriendmike would you share a link or photo of the $10 TC VDB you suspect me of selling. Like, the original source. If you know where to buy this 3 foot tall specimen for $10, you and me, we can make a fortune

If you can't link to it, and you can't find an unhappy customer in over 90 sales THIS SUMMER then... I'm afraid your true face has been revealed. You let the mask slip

If your concern was solely for those reasons, you would have told me in private. You have my Facebook, my PMs here, my email and iirc I even gave you my phone number.. I usually do. Instead you drug my name through the mud hoping to sabotage my business,, which is a crime called defamation

I have to ask because it bothers me. Do ya'll think it is ok to buy from a store and resell or to use others photos to market your figs? And if not ok how do you go about sheding the light on it in a nice way? Or Is it cool to do it my way straight up? (not nicely but honest)

You originally made it sound like you didn't know how to fix the problem but you wanted to "shed some light" so nobody got hurt. What you neglected to say is you had the private contact information of the person in question, did not address the issue or even hint at it, you pretended to be that person's mentor, then wanted to shed some light, meaning to reveal to everyone something that could've been handled in private. If you had said something to me and I refused, this would be an acceptable post. As it is, it's useless drama, the very same thing you said you wanted to stay away from.

My brand is defined by charity and community, but you wouldn't know that. You're not one of my customers, nor are you part of my circle. Almost were, but not quite. We are a Christian (Rastafarian) company who pays our employees a living wage, gifts out tons of produce and free trees, and provides shelter for at risk youth.

The fig harvest calendar and the perennial year round harvest calendar? So that we can give free meals to those in need every month of the year, grown fresh, cooked fresh. Timing and prediction is important when you're trying to feed over 100 heads

Reseller's

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