Concern about E-Bay for IAFF members

[FFPMMonrad]

I am a career FF-PM and want to pass something along to other IAFF members. I have noticed for quite some time that there are numerous IAFF logo items for sale on e-bay. I have seen window stickers go for as much as $20. I have e-mailed several of the sellers and most of them are not even members. I know my local is very proud and protective of our logo, as is the international.

What is even more upsetting is many of the sellers have used some sort of reference to the 9-11 tragedy in their listing, capitalizing on it to make a buck. Now I see an "official" commemorative sticker and patch available. I'm pretty sure these are not "official", especially since one seller of patches states that delivery could take some time, as the patches are made overseas.

To me this is upsetting and disgusting, and I hope others feel the same way. We have all worked very hard to get our union stickers, and I don't like the idea of just anyone being able to put one on their vehicle, or someone producing a junk copy of our logo to make a buck. It's really a small thing in the whole sceme of things, but still upsetting.

I would encourage anyone to go to e-bay and enter a search for IAFF. You might be shocked to see what you find and what people are paying for it. I would also encourage you to e-mail these sellers and tell them how you feel.

Thanks brothers

Steve

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Good post, Steve!

I have been approached by people asking me to get IAFF union stickers for their vehicles. They seem to think that having the sticker will make their vehicle "ticketproof".

I have always made it a habit to remove the IAFF stickers from my vehicles when they are sold or traded in, so nobody can take advantage of the things that the IAFF has worked hard for. If you want an IAFF sticker, become an IAFF member!

[MetalMedic]

Have you brought this to the attention of e-bay? They are pretty strict in their operation so I bet they have a rule that prohibits the unauthorized sale of copyrited items such as the IAFF logo.

[ 11-25-2001: Message edited by: MetalMedic ]

[firemtgene74]

I have brought it to the attention of ebay several times with no success. It is frustrating to say the least and the IAFF does not look to kindly upon the issue either.

[KeithA8]

I hear you!!! This has been frustrating me too! It's all these scabs who buy this sh*t and keep this market going.

I was at a flee market once and saw a guy selling IAFF stuff (stickers, belt buckles, Pins) and aproched him about it and we almost got into a fist fight about it. He was not an IAFF member and wouldn't say where he was getting the stuff. But I advised him it was illegal to sell a copy written product with out the approval of the IAFF. I wish I was closer to home 'cause I would have followed up on the issue. I was out of state on vacation.

[Mike Watson]

The people who need to bring this to ebay's attention are the people we elect to oversee the assets of the IAFF. That logo is an asset and we should be using the copyright laws to protect it.

Call or write the IAFF as I have and demand that they defend our copyrighted logo by prosecuting those who have sold it or facilitated its sale.

[EngCo2WFD_Burndog]

Also as a friendly reminder,When you sell a vehicle, make sure you remove the IAFF stickers from the windows, I've personally encountered vehicles with the stickers that aren't owned by our members. Most say the stickers were already on it when they purchased the vehicle. Protect our heritage!! Thank You and Be safe!!!

[Loco179]

Well i checked it out and yes that does anger me. I am going to start emailing EBay and the sellers! Maybe we can stop this.

[DrInferno]

As well as taking the IAFF sticker off your vehicle when you get rid of it don't give the stickers out to all your buddies and family either. Seen a guy with a sticker on his car asked him his local number he didn't have one seems his uncle or someone is a member, to me that's almost as bad as the imposter stickers. Remember when you display the sticker you represent the International.

[hazmat112]

i just saw the post about EBAY and checked it out, unfortunately i got into a bidding war with someone who had "vfd" in the screen name, in addition to writing a letter to ebay, i paid $20 for a union sticker just to keep it out of the hands of someone who didn't have to eat untold buckets of S%$# like i did to get mine.
Anyway be safe evreyone.
JMD L-2075

[Fire737]

FFPMMonrad excellent post. I use ebay tons and have to say I have never noticed or searched for IAFF stuff. I just did a search and found 22 IAFF items currently for sale, Stickers, Patches, Pins, Shirts just to name a few. I just took about 30minutes wrote down all of the sellers usernames and have sent an email to Ebay letting them know that what they are selling is not only wrong but illegal. I sure hope that none of these sellers are IAFF members. If so I think they should lose there memberships. I am proud to be a Union member in a right to work state where we have no bargining rights as of yet. I have been a member of the IAFF since the my first day on the job. At current only 70% of my department are Union Brothers. Being a member of the IAFF is a privalege and I hope we don't abuse it.

[DKelly]

I e-mailed ebay with the same complaint...no response, I don't think they give a crap. Maybe it's time to call for an ebay boycott until they wise up. What do we have, 250,000 or so members? Make enough noise and we should get their attention eventually.

Union forever.

[BucksEngine78]

Let your international know about this, a warning coming from them (of possible legal action or negative press) will hold much more force than a few guys complaining. Unfortunately, Ebay is unlikely to put much effort into investigating your complaint unless they are seriously threatened.

[FFPMMonrad]

Thanks for all of the replys about this guys. When I first posted, I didn't know what to expect, but I aure am glad to see that there are brothers that are as upset about this as I am.

I e-mailed the IAFF with no reply yet. I know that at least one other guy from my local did as well. Here is what I wrote:

For quite some time now, I have noticed IAFF logos for sale on E-bay. I am disturbed that these are available to just anyone, and even more disturbed that union brothers are engaged in such activity.

I have noticed this item at this link http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI...tem=1033720206 , which has been popping up on e-bay recently. Is this an official logo of IAFF? One seller advises bidders, that delivery of the item may take a while because the patches come from over seas. This leads me to believe this is an unauthorized and unofficial product. This is in addition to many other items, such as window stickers that sell for up to $20. I have e-mailed some sellers to share my concerns and have been advised that they are IAFF members and do not see a problem with what they are doing.

Numerous items can be seen for sale by going to www.ebay.com and entering a search for IAFF.

If I have not reached the appropriate person, my apologies and a request to forward this message as needed.

Thank you,
Steve Monrad

Please do the same and e-mail the international and let them know of your concern. Also, e-mail the sellers and tell them how you feel. Tell your brothers to do the same.

Thanks,
Steve

[rescue10lt]

You know what, I brought this up the other day on another posting, but E-bay seems to have no problem with using the FDNY name and evoking FF's images when letting people sell their stuff. Whether it be FDNY Billy Blazes (retails for $9.99, selling for >$60) or Ty Rescue the Dalmation Beanies (retails for $6.00, selling for ~$30) there is a lot of blood money on the E-bay website, IMHO. I've lost a lot of respect for E-bay in general, and anyone who profits from any of this can get double-stuffed, if you ask me.