Warning and a plea for help - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

melissabyers · 01-11-2003, 11:48 AM

Thanks to one of our members here, I have discovered that someone has downloaded my pictures from my meeting with Freddie in 1975 and has printed them and is selling them. Some poor woman in Georgia bought three of the pirated pictures and was selling them on eBay. Joy wrote to me to ask if I was the one selling them, and that's how I found out about the listing. Turns out, there's some identity thief in Georgia at a place called Pendergrass Flea Market who is selling prints of my pictures, putting them on t-shirts that she also sells, and is saying the woman in the picture is HER!! If any of you knows of this place or this woman, please e-mail me to let me know who she is so I can have my lawyer send her a "cease and desist" letter. This is identity theft of the worst kind. She has not only stolen my memories and is passing them off as her own, she is also making money off her lies. I'm assuming she may be someone who comes in here, since the poor woman who bought the pictures says all this stand sells is pictures and memorabilia of Freddie, so, if you're reading this, STOP THIEF! PLEASE - if anyone has any information about this, let me know. I have enjoyed being a part of this group, though I don't post often, but I just don't feel safe anymore knowing that someone came in here and did this. This is the only place on the web these pictures have ever been seen, so I know this is where she got them. The originals and their negatives are in my possession. I'm more hurt and angry than I can even express, so I'm asking for the help of the good people here.

Luckymama58 · 01-11-2003, 01:59 PM

GRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!! THIS ALWAYS MAKES ME ANGRY!!!

The good people on here (at least most of us) enjoy sharing what we have or have made, hoping that we would not be ripped off by people like this. I can see why people who sell pictures on eBay put their names across them to prevent others from doing this. I did enjoy you sharing your memories with us, Melissa, and I can understand why you might be hesitant to do so in the future, with such pirates out there. First Dani and now you. Will it ever end? In a perfect world we wouldn't have to worry about this kind of thing. Sadly we are far from it. I can begin to understand why Maria sought legal means to stop her son from being merchandised. It is so sad.

melissabyers · 01-11-2003, 02:36 PM

The poor lady who innocently bought them from the flea market and was selling them on eBay has taken them off, but the story gets weirder. The woman at the flea market who has this Freddie stand is saying not only that the pictures are of her, but that she was Freddie's "secret girlfriend," and the pictures are the only thing she has left of him. So, she's plastering them all over t-shirts, posters, and making money off them. Even if it were true, it would be sick. The fact that this broad probably never even met the man just makes it all the more sick. The irony is that Kathy is the one who took those pictures not long before she and Freddie got married. Imagine if she was taking pictures of her beloved and a "secret girlfriend." YUCK!! I'm trying everything I can to stop this delusional creep. Again, if anyone in the Atlanta area goes to Pendergrass Flea Market, please seek out this yoyo and give me her name. I have a lawyer standing by.

Cheryl Harrell · 01-11-2003, 03:00 PM

I had seen those pics & wondered if you were selling them or not or whether it was someone else who had downloaded them & was selling them. I wondered if I should mention it on here but I thought maybe you were selling copies made off your pics. Cuz on an autographed pic of Freddie they were selling they said it wasn't the origional but a copy so I thought maybe you were selling copies made of your pics so others could have them. This is sad & disgraceful what they have done to you. I sure hope things work out for ya.

That's odd the seller would sell all Freddie stuff. Around here in VA stuff on him is very hard to find. I hate when the E-Bay Dealers try to put words over pics they are selling cuz I can't afford most of them & need to save a copy of them for my collection & to make pics from. I haver saved copies of your pics on my puter for my own collection & to make pics from but would never sell them. They are your special memories which you are very lucky to have & it is sick someone else would pass them off as theirs. How can someone else pass off memories that aren't theirs as being theirs???? We are rooting for ya! Good luck & let us all know how it turns out. The Freddie Family here is behind you & rooting for ya!

melissabyers · 01-11-2003, 07:24 PM

I have received so much support from all of you. Thanks so much. For the record, I have no problem with fans seeing or even having copies of my pictures. All of you know the story and I trust that none of the "regulars" here would ever be as crass as this woman. It's the selling, and especially the selling as her own, even pretending that the picture is of her that bothers me. I shared here because I know how incredibly lucky I am to have shared this time with Freddie, and I wanted to share my good fortune with others who would appreciate it. But I'd NEVER sell copies of those pictures. So, if you ever see them for sale anywhere, please let me know, because I guarantee I'm not the one selling them. If, for some reason, I lose my mind and do sell them

I'll post here so you know they're the real thing. Thanks again for all the support.

Pitooey · 01-11-2003, 10:46 PM

This is such a shame. First Dani & now you. I've never ever seen anything of Freddie after he died except on Ebay. Pictures of Freddie are hard to find. For someone to be that dirty it's a shame. Good Luck in finding the culprit!

Karen64 · 01-12-2003, 01:15 AM

Melissa, I couldn't believe this! It's so creepy the stories people come up with and identities they steal to gain notoriety or make some bucks!
I want to thank you for sharing the pics with us and the story that went along with it...Every time I think of Freddie "changing the sign" I always smile!

I'm sorry that someone went and did something like this with them for their own personal gain!

The nerve of some people!!!

Danisel331 · 01-12-2003, 04:58 AM

Awwwww ...Ms Melissa, I for one know how frustrating it can be to find out something you cherish is stolen right under your nose and then used to make someone else money. As the others have mentioned, I had my creations stolen and sold and let me tell ya, it was not a great experience. Still, we just have to keep reminding ourselves that these people only make up a small amount of the population and that most people are appreciative of you taking the time to share your fotos y recuerdos ( photos and memories).
One thing's for sure though, you can always count on the ladies here to support you when you need it! They're the greatest!

atlangel · 01-13-2003, 05:33 PM

Melissa, I am very sorry to hear about the ruthless person who would do such terrible things. I appreciate all of you who are kind and generous enough to share your heretofore unseen pictures of Freddie, whom we all love. They are all so special to each of you. I also had no luck in finding any picutures of the Baby until this site came online and I am grateful for all of you. Just to network and share our thoughts and feelings on Freddie and CATM is a blessing to me. It has lifted my spirits and given me countless hours of joy.

I hope that the person who committed these acts will be apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It is wrong to lie and deceive people.

Thank-you for sharing your memories with us. You are respected and appreciated very much. Good will always triumph over evil.

melissabyers · 01-13-2003, 05:41 PM

Atlangel, maybe you can help! This Pendergrass Flea Market is right near you, off I-85. If you ever get in there, look for this crazy person and let me know her name. According to the lady on eBay, "She was inside of the flea market and had shoulder length brown hair that was a little wavy. The man with her appeared to be in his 50's or 60's. Gray, thinning hair and he walked a little hunched over like his back hurt." If you see anyone like that, and they're selling Freddie memorabilia, we'll have her. And I do intend to prosecute. You know, I was talking to a friend of mine who also lives in Lawrenceville just last night! How ironic. Anyway, if you get to Pendergrass, let me know. Thanks!

01-11-2003, 11:48 AM	#1
melissabyers Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 30, 2001 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 16	Warning and a plea for help Thanks to one of our members here, I have discovered that someone has downloaded my pictures from my meeting with Freddie in 1975 and has printed them and is selling them. Some poor woman in Georgia bought three of the pirated pictures and was selling them on eBay. Joy wrote to me to ask if I was the one selling them, and that's how I found out about the listing. Turns out, there's some identity thief in Georgia at a place called Pendergrass Flea Market who is selling prints of my pictures, putting them on t-shirts that she also sells, and is saying the woman in the picture is HER!! If any of you knows of this place or this woman, please e-mail me to let me know who she is so I can have my lawyer send her a "cease and desist" letter. This is identity theft of the worst kind. She has not only stolen my memories and is passing them off as her own, she is also making money off her lies. I'm assuming she may be someone who comes in here, since the poor woman who bought the pictures says all this stand sells is pictures and memorabilia of Freddie, so, if you're reading this, STOP THIEF! PLEASE - if anyone has any information about this, let me know. I have enjoyed being a part of this group, though I don't post often, but I just don't feel safe anymore knowing that someone came in here and did this. This is the only place on the web these pictures have ever been seen, so I know this is where she got them. The originals and their negatives are in my possession. I'm more hurt and angry than I can even express, so I'm asking for the help of the good people here.
	__________________ Liss610

01-11-2003, 01:59 PM	#2
Luckymama58 Math Geeks Unite! Senior Member Join Date: Mar 18, 2001 Location: In my rock and roll fantasy Posts: 2,553	GRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!! THIS ALWAYS MAKES ME ANGRY!!! The good people on here (at least most of us) enjoy sharing what we have or have made, hoping that we would not be ripped off by people like this. I can see why people who sell pictures on eBay put their names across them to prevent others from doing this. I did enjoy you sharing your memories with us, Melissa, and I can understand why you might be hesitant to do so in the future, with such pirates out there. First Dani and now you. Will it ever end? In a perfect world we wouldn't have to worry about this kind of thing. Sadly we are far from it. I can begin to understand why Maria sought legal means to stop her son from being merchandised. It is so sad.
	__________________ We All Use Math Every Day! Everything is Numb3rs! Capt. Jack: Drink up, me hardies, Yo Ho! I reject your reality and substitute my own!-Adam Savage, Mythbuster A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds... With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. -Ralph Waldo Emerson RIP Freddie Prinze 1954-1977 You have your star now.

01-11-2003, 02:36 PM	#3
melissabyers Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 30, 2001 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 16	But wait! There's more! The poor lady who innocently bought them from the flea market and was selling them on eBay has taken them off, but the story gets weirder. The woman at the flea market who has this Freddie stand is saying not only that the pictures are of her, but that she was Freddie's "secret girlfriend," and the pictures are the only thing she has left of him. So, she's plastering them all over t-shirts, posters, and making money off them. Even if it were true, it would be sick. The fact that this broad probably never even met the man just makes it all the more sick. The irony is that Kathy is the one who took those pictures not long before she and Freddie got married. Imagine if she was taking pictures of her beloved and a "secret girlfriend." YUCK!! I'm trying everything I can to stop this delusional creep. Again, if anyone in the Atlanta area goes to Pendergrass Flea Market, please seek out this yoyo and give me her name. I have a lawyer standing by.

01-11-2003, 03:00 PM	#4
Cheryl Harrell I Love You Mike 4-Ever Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 23, 2001 Location: Pixley!!!! Actually VA--USA LOL! Posts: 6,192	I had seen those pics & wondered if you were selling them or not or whether it was someone else who had downloaded them & was selling them. I wondered if I should mention it on here but I thought maybe you were selling copies made off your pics. Cuz on an autographed pic of Freddie they were selling they said it wasn't the origional but a copy so I thought maybe you were selling copies made of your pics so others could have them. This is sad & disgraceful what they have done to you. I sure hope things work out for ya. That's odd the seller would sell all Freddie stuff. Around here in VA stuff on him is very hard to find. I hate when the E-Bay Dealers try to put words over pics they are selling cuz I can't afford most of them & need to save a copy of them for my collection & to make pics from. I haver saved copies of your pics on my puter for my own collection & to make pics from but would never sell them. They are your special memories which you are very lucky to have & it is sick someone else would pass them off as theirs. How can someone else pass off memories that aren't theirs as being theirs???? We are rooting for ya! Good luck & let us all know how it turns out. The Freddie Family here is behind you & rooting for ya!
	__________________ RIP darling Mike. I love you forever... You are with Freddie Prinze & Jesus now. 1951-2009 "Make it your way, who can beat the Lord, the Son of God. Dear Lord, help me be strong where I am weak, if it be your will"-- The Late Freddie Prinze Sr

01-11-2003, 07:24 PM	#5
melissabyers Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 30, 2001 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 16	Thanks! I have received so much support from all of you. Thanks so much. For the record, I have no problem with fans seeing or even having copies of my pictures. All of you know the story and I trust that none of the "regulars" here would ever be as crass as this woman. It's the selling, and especially the selling as her own, even pretending that the picture is of her that bothers me. I shared here because I know how incredibly lucky I am to have shared this time with Freddie, and I wanted to share my good fortune with others who would appreciate it. But I'd NEVER sell copies of those pictures. So, if you ever see them for sale anywhere, please let me know, because I guarantee I'm not the one selling them. If, for some reason, I lose my mind and do sell them I'll post here so you know they're the real thing. Thanks again for all the support.

01-11-2003, 10:46 PM	#6
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	This is such a shame. First Dani & now you. I've never ever seen anything of Freddie after he died except on Ebay. Pictures of Freddie are hard to find. For someone to be that dirty it's a shame. Good Luck in finding the culprit!
	__________________ Pitooey... AKA JennyLee - I love the Monkees all over again! *SAY NO TO DRUGS* Jesus saves...

01-12-2003, 01:15 AM	#7
Karen64 Comedy Fan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 24, 2001 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,412	Melissa, I couldn't believe this! It's so creepy the stories people come up with and identities they steal to gain notoriety or make some bucks! I want to thank you for sharing the pics with us and the story that went along with it...Every time I think of Freddie "changing the sign" I always smile! I'm sorry that someone went and did something like this with them for their own personal gain! The nerve of some people!!!
	__________________ Freddie, there will never be another you....

01-12-2003, 04:58 AM	#8
Danisel331 Kisses for my fans! Senior Member Join Date: Jan 11, 2002 Posts: 1,475	Awwwww ...Ms Melissa, I for one know how frustrating it can be to find out something you cherish is stolen right under your nose and then used to make someone else money. As the others have mentioned, I had my creations stolen and sold and let me tell ya, it was not a great experience. Still, we just have to keep reminding ourselves that these people only make up a small amount of the population and that most people are appreciative of you taking the time to share your fotos y recuerdos ( photos and memories). One thing's for sure though, you can always count on the ladies here to support you when you need it! They're the greatest!

01-13-2003, 05:33 PM	#9
atlangel Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 02, 2001 Location: Lawrenceville, GA, USA Posts: 523	Melissa, I am very sorry to hear about the ruthless person who would do such terrible things. I appreciate all of you who are kind and generous enough to share your heretofore unseen pictures of Freddie, whom we all love. They are all so special to each of you. I also had no luck in finding any picutures of the Baby until this site came online and I am grateful for all of you. Just to network and share our thoughts and feelings on Freddie and CATM is a blessing to me. It has lifted my spirits and given me countless hours of joy. I hope that the person who committed these acts will be apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It is wrong to lie and deceive people. Thank-you for sharing your memories with us. You are respected and appreciated very much. Good will always triumph over evil.

01-13-2003, 05:41 PM	#10
melissabyers Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 30, 2001 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 16	Atlangel, maybe you can help! This Pendergrass Flea Market is right near you, off I-85. If you ever get in there, look for this crazy person and let me know her name. According to the lady on eBay, "She was inside of the flea market and had shoulder length brown hair that was a little wavy. The man with her appeared to be in his 50's or 60's. Gray, thinning hair and he walked a little hunched over like his back hurt." If you see anyone like that, and they're selling Freddie memorabilia, we'll have her. And I do intend to prosecute. You know, I was talking to a friend of mine who also lives in Lawrenceville just last night! How ironic. Anyway, if you get to Pendergrass, let me know. Thanks!