Thieves have no shame! If you have a creative business and you are more of a solo-prenuer, Freelancer, an Artist, a Crafter, Makers, Small business, the vulnerability has probably been on your mind. How vulnerable are we as we post and publish our work on the internet. As we are an opportunist who takes the opportunity to show and sell our work through various platforms. We tend to feel sort of reluctant. As I can attest, I do. I think about all the designs I have public and just how many low down opportunist there are. Who literally list something that they may not be authorized to list because as an Artist and Designer, I have exclusive rights to my designs. In this day and age, of copy and paste or hacking listing codes. Be aware of fake sellers who prey on the creators like me and others. I am not sure whether I am a victim personally but a platform that I am on has been compromised by a straight out thief. An independent artist and designer in a group I am part of informed fellow artists. As she has spotted her material on a very large Marketplace, Then others say it happened to them as well. It was troubling to see that these fake sellers are on the largest Market place under Makers. In fact, my go-to shopping source. What is even more disturbing is that they have descriptions and images from the source. Obviously, there is a breach in security that protects us, artist. Some platforms put their watermark on designs but some go left unmarked. All products may not have coverage. This is beyond the Artist and Designers control. I remember of the past stories, makers as well have fallen victim. Seeing there makes on a website they weren't familiar with. The audacity of someone stealing orders. Then the other victims are the customers who are paying for something that cannot be delivered or a low-resolution print. In my case, I wonder they don't have the source files, I do. I send high-resolution images. The images are mocks, will these thieves produce an actual product? With Christmas around the corner, so watch the internet you never know what you may see. Opportunities are everywhere and not all who seek are legit. If you see the POD products from Simply or Simplymslori and it doesn't go back to the source. The platforms that I have agreed to upload my work to. Then something is wrong. Of course, there are some platforms with affiliate agreements, this is a legal agreement with the platform to show some products on a website or blog. If you would like to feature something just let me know, I will point you in the right direction. So that you will legally agree with the platform about advertising and getting pay. Back to the subject, links have to go to the source. That means for my POD designs, all URLs lead to the platform. The platform handles the sales, they handle the customer service, they handle shipping and delivery. Payment goes to those platforms. As an Artist and Designer, I am just paid a small commission unfortunately by the platform from each sale. So every cent really counts, and if someone is stealing your design or images with the design. They profit while the artist remains starving. Sad but true :( If you are not shopping through these platforms which are secured sites, then be leary. Pay attention, please do not support a thief. Do not let a con take the credit and the money too. THIEVES HAVE NO SHAME!
