News & Updates...

Hello - I have seem to upset quite a few people with my decision of shutting down my free auction template creator. I have tried to explain my situation, but it seems that people think I should just bite the bullet and pay the costs. I would like to try to explain this a little more if I could.

I check on a weekly basis(well for a while it was daily) my stats for my website. When I first started the free auction template creator, people were not violating the terms of use and I was getting a lot of link backs to my website. Which was bring more customers to purchase items, services and offer donations. For the first few years of opening the free auction template creator, I wasn't paying extra bandwidth fees and extra fees in general for more room on my website. All was good.

Then about a year ago, I noticed my link backs numbers were dropping fast. And my bandwidth numbers were rising even faster. I started to check why. I found many people were what we call hotlinking/bandwith stealing my backgrounds and graphics. Hotlinking is when someone veiws the source code of my website, finds the link to a particular graphic or background. Then they take that link (from my website) and use it for their listing's, websites, emails and such. So they don't have to host the image/graphics. Fine if they comply with my terms and leave my links on the page they create. Not create a whole Ebay store of listing's without a single credit to my website of the graphics used or to actually change the link to read it was your creation and you are the owner of the background image/graphics.(There was actually a person that created over 200 ebay store listings and replaced each link on each of the listings with their so called designing companies name - while I as hosting all of the images?)

I have a program within my website that shows me everyone(via their listing's, websites and emails) who is using my links everyday. So, I started to view the listings and websites. I found that people were using my backgrounds(my links) and graphics(mailboxes) and removing my Free Auction Template Created at MarloDee Designs link. Which one, is a violation of my terms of use and two is considered hotlinking/bandwidth stealing. Here is an extensive article/definition on hotlinking Hotlinking and Bandwidth Stealing(opens a new window).

Now, the fact that bandwidth stealing is illegal and can be prosecuted - it is just plain wrong. I started to contact people to put the links back on the listings or change the wording to not state it is their works or they own the graphics they are using(while using my links mind you). In the beginning, people were basically apologetic and would comply. Then a few months ago, people started to tell me to feck off(yes actually had one person tell me that). And, I was getting monthly charges to pay additional fees for bandwidth. And the fees were rising each month. Mind you, if I don't pay the fees in time, they will shut down my website(and my store) without a notice, and this will effect me and the people were are actually in compliance with my terms of use policies.

Now, in regards to this. The extra fees. I didn't start the free auction template creator to make money. I started to help people out. I know myself that sometimes we all need a little extra help and the fact Ebay keeps jacking up the fees - it gets expensive to list items. And, I wanted to stop the ugly listings syndrome. But, I was paying $120 or more a year in extra fees for bandwidth. My donations were dropping because people didn't know where to come use my site. My linkover sales numbers dropped drastically. And, I was receiving about $30 a year(this last year) in donations. Now, again - I realize that if we lived in a world that people didn't feel they needed to steal things - I would have eventually had to upgrade my bandwidth anyway. But, again - in the beginning - money from sales, services acquired and donations were covering those fees. So, I wasn't paying out of my pocket!

Look - I know it seems like I am rambling, and maybe you still don't understand my position. But, it has gotten to the point that I need to adjust my services and protect my works.

What will happen to the Auction Template Creator?
I am creating a login site where customers will have to sign up to use. I will have a free section and a membership section. This way I can keep an eye on their listings and create links for each individual member. This will open later this year. I have many other projects I am working on right now. I had not planned on doing this until later this year, so the closing of this was quite sudden and unexpected. But, again - please understand my position.

I wasn't violating your terms - I want to continue to use your service - Will you help me?
This is hard for me. Yes, I want to help. But, no I can't continue to host your listings. Which means, the backgrounds and mailbox graphics will stop showing on August 15th. I can not make any exceptions to this. I am sorry if you have a store full of listings that are going to be effected. I am sorry if this is going to mess up your plans. I am sorry that I have caused inconvenience and made it rough for you. I am sorry that now you have to look for something else. I am sorry.

I will pay you keep the images up and running. Will you accept that?
I am sorry, but no. It is the links I have to shut down. If I offer this service to each person that asks this, I would have to set up individual accounts with seperate links for that particular person. That is why I am re-doing my service and will re-open in a few months. I will be setting it up so it is more secure for me and my customers who are honest. So, I can't do it now.

When will the NEW site be open?
Again, I plan on re-opening it before the Thanksgiving holiday. I will be offering the free service and a paid service.

Why isn't it going to open sooner? Why so long?
Well, because I have to recode the website. I have to setup a login area. I have redesign the concept. I have to purchase a service now that protects my images from bandwidth stealing/hotlinking. And, I have started a few other projects before all this occured. So, I have to finish those projects first.

I have done my best to help explain more my position without drooning on and on. I know I will still tick off some of the honest customers, and again I am sorry for that. PLEASE STOP sending me emails on how ticked off you are - cussing me out because of this. Because I am messing up your plans and listings. Because I didn't give you enough time. Because you have 200 listings you have to edit now. I understand people are upset. I am getting cussed at by the stealers and cussed at by the good customers - when will it end? I know there are some of you that understand my position and have been quite supportive. (to those people - thank you again!) I appreciate the emails I have received supporting me and understanding. It helps outweight the cussing. I had another designer who used to offer a free auction template creator tell me she understood and was supportive in my decision. She went through something similar and had to shut down her service as well. Unfortunately, it is the people who think they can steal and not get caught who have caused problems for everyone else. It is a drag.

- Marlo