Well the fallout from Etsy is still raw and Etsy shop owner ManeMessage shares her thoughts on the new Etsy Policy.
This is a nice casual chat from a Handmade business that has been running on Etsy for over 10 years. She doesn’t rely on Etsy for her sales but her thoughts really sums up the bitter taste etsy has left in the mouths of its “TRUE” Handmade business owners.
What are your thoughts? Are people over-reacting or should Etsy make changes to support small business??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luQD5ydfaZk
Don’t forget to support this business by checking out her Etsy store or her website. Mane Message’s “Off Etsy” Website: http://www.manemessage.com/
Etsy’s Video on Free Shipping Policy:
I have closed my Etsy store after 10 years. I feel as though it has become a dictatorship and I am looking to sale somewhere else. I won’t buy from Etsy shop owners because I don’t want Etsy to get any money.
I’ve also sold on Etsy (since 2008). My price points are under $20 / £20. I’d already had the good sense to factor in a good chunk of the shipping costs for international buyers right off the bat when I first opened my store all those years ago (I’m in the UK) and all of the postage costs for domestic buyers AND still make 40% profit. This new rule is welcome as it makes it so much easier for my listings to stand more chance of attracting buyers who are willing to spend more in a way that’s attractive for them, and cost-effective for me – ie those who are willing to spend MORE or multiple items. It’s a win-win.
I don’t get why there has to be so much drama over things like this. The new listings look MUCH better from a buyer’s perspective – and that’s what is important, not some fluffy ‘it’s all about the maker’ stuff. You achieve loyalty once you’ve provided a great product and customer service, not because someone randomly sees your shop name on the listing. If they like what they receive, THEN you acquire their loyalty, so that’s a slightly redundant argument. Furthermore, this new rule also requires sellers to ‘up’ their photography game and hopefully discourage the cruddy photography which clutters up so much of Etsy. Move with the times, think of ways to encourage people to ‘bulk up’. – ie offer a set of products for the magic free shipping amount, that kinda thing…it’s really not difficult to find a ‘hook’. The fact this seller hasn’t increased her prices in 10 years is not something to commend. It shows a poor business model governed by emotion rather than common sense. I’m all for Etsy encouraging sellers to act more professionally and business-minded while maintaining the handmade ethos.
i have been on Etsy since they started. The free shipping push has moved me close to the edge. I will not lie to my customers. Nothing is free. As a shopper if I want an item and shipping is reasonable, I go for it. Rarely does “free” shipping push me to purchase.
Ugh is all I can say. You are really upset and its infectious. I tried Etsy a little before but because of personal time issues I didn’t go all out…yet. Your video is eye opening and also the thing about removing the shop owner’s info is making me say why should I bother. I also rarely read the Craftgossip emails but I will from now own. I hope this set back doesn’t harm your business and you achieve to new heights because everything happens for a reason.
Ugh is all I can say after hearing your frustration. You are really bothered and upset by all of this and as a potential Etsy seller, I don’t think I want to bother and set myself up for headaches. I think they have way too much control and personally it takes me too much time to create my items to be dictated to.
I can see your point. Although, there are vendors out there that charge outrageous shipping cost within the US. I refuse to buy from those vendors. You would have to increase your price per item cost just to cover the shipping and then the buyer would go someplace else to spend their monies.