Don't be misled. Simple questions that empower buyers.

Recently I was alerted about a reseller who stole my photos and content.  She used it on her website and etsy shop.  I decided to write about this, in order to raise awareness amongst buyers regarding the issue of misleading photos that are sometimes used.  I want to focus on the deeper and higher meaning behind this whole issue, as it is one that buyers should be acutely aware of. 

We have all had experiences buying things off photos that were misleading.  

Once I purchased some glass jars on Ebay.  Photos are important to me, since I don't have the means to view the products in person. However when they arrived, I was sorely disappointed. It was nothing like the photos. The containers did not fit the jar openings nicely and they looked badly made. I asked for a refund because they were nothing like the ones that I saw in the photos. The photos were mis-leading. 

In today's world, supplying the products is just not enough, people are looking for value added service. How you create  meaning in the products you carry is important. How you present them as they are is important. 

While price is important, so is reliability.  

Reliability comes in many ways - it includes 

- Sellers who present the item truthfully as it should be. No mis-representations.
- Sellers who spend time to experiment and research products, and takes pride to create photos and write a proper listing description for the product. 

And while reliability is important, trust is sacred. 

Can one really trust a seller who steals content (which includes writing) and photos and as a result mis-represents themselves?  

Even if the seller is selling a raw supply, but took someone's photo to show the products that were created with the raw supply, it is still a case of mis-representation because the seller did not create that. 

Before making a purchase, here are a few considerations which will help you to determine if you are dealing with a reliable and trustworthy seller: 

- Did the seller use the product himself or herself?
- Did the seller make their own notes about what worked and what did not worked?
- Did the seller think of creative ways that you can use the product? 
- Did the seller show you how to use it, in his or her own way? 

These simple questions set a conscientious standard which you can apply. Applying these standards should help to protect you as a buyer.

I hope in some small way this blog entry will serve to raise awareness on this issue.