~ Discussion about "Clarifying Our Guidelines on Outside Manufacturing"

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

~ Discussion about "Clarifying Our Guidelines on Outside Manufacturing"

http://www.etsy.com/blog/news/2014/clarifying-our-guidelines-on-outside-manufacturing/

From this Etsy Administration article note this quote that makes a change:

"Since then, we’ve noticed that sellers were still unsure of exactly who needed to apply, and who did not. The exemptions that we initially created — digital prints and posters, music, books you authored, and 3D printed items — turned out to be more confusing than helpful. So we’re eliminating them. Anyone who works with a third party to produce items they’ve designed will need to apply to sell those items on Etsy. We realize this is creating more work for some sellers who’ve been successfully selling on Etsy for years, but it’s the best way to be fair and clear."

--- --- ---

In follow up of the above article you may wise to read this discussion as it is un-folding:

Let's discuss: Clarifying Our Guidelines on Outside Manufacturing

https://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/13808625/

This above discussion is now at 10 pages in length on the Forum board for Discussions.

--- --- ---

Note the first post contains this information:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BijouxLaudine

BijouxLaudine wrote:

Example one:

If somebody carves a pendant out of wax and has it cast by an outside company, then puts it on a chain and sells it on Etsy, then according to Etsy guidelines that item is manufactured and not handmade.

If somebody buys a mass market pendant, then puts it on a chain and sells it on Etsy, then according to Etsy guidelines that item is handmade, not manufactured.

Example two:

If somebody designs their own fabric and has the fabric manufactured by an outside company, then uses that fabric to make a pillow and sell it on Etsy, then according to Etsy guidelines that item is manufactured and not handmade.

If somebody buys mass market fabric, then then uses that fabric to make a pillow and sell it on Etsy, then according to Etsy guidelines that item is handmade, not manufactured.

===============================================================

Hi Bijoux,

You mentioned two examples of handmade versus not handmade in your post.

--- According to our new guidelines, these examples could both qualify as handmade on Etsy. ---

With this application, we're asking sellers to share a lot of details about their outside partners and how their items are produced. Once the application is approved, buyers will be able to learn more about how the items they are purchasing are made. It is intended to give sellers the ability to seek the kind of outside assistance they may need to create their items, while ensuring that the marketplace remains a place to connect makers and buyers. Having your application approved demonstrates to buyers that you are deeply involved in the production of your items, even if parts of your designs are outsourced to other businesses.

Filling out the application is not a penalty, but an opportunity for sellers to share more with us and with the community about how they produce the items they design and make.

--- --- ---

My thoughts are we will need to follow for further information, yet, make sure we are complying well with the new policies.

What do you think?

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

As you read through this you will find this quote:

"In some cases, after reviewing the application if we are unable to clearly see the seller's authorship of their items or if they are unable to take full responsibility for how their items are produced, we will suspend shops. This new allowance on Etsy is not for reselling, so when authorship and responsibility are absent from the application, we can feel confident about disallowing these shops to sell."

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

My posted comment:

Will there be a test on this material soon to allow us to check for our understanding it correctly?

Thanks,

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

And, I did post this final answer, I think it might have been my final answer?

Greeting Tana,

I have my answer:

"Maybe, and that's final!"

Mike

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

The link to apply for manufacturing; more will be needing to do this.

https://www.etsy.com/help/article/4644

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Etsy Clarifies Guidelines on Outside Manufacturing
By Ina Steiner
EcommerceBytes.com
January 28, 2014

http://www.ecommercebytes.com/cab/abn/y14/m01/i28/s04

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Working With Manufacturers

Link to Etsy Video explaining the Application:

https://www.etsy.com/manufacture#review

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

ETHICAL EXPECTATIONS: What We Expect From Sellers Who Partner With Manufacturers

Trust is the foundation of Etsy's marketplace and community. When you partner with a manufacturer, we trust you will make wise and informed choices. That means knowing that the businesses you collaborate with comply with all applicable laws, including safety, labor, and employment laws. While Etsy does not audit or approve third-party manufacturers, we do expect you to consider the following standards when choosing manufacturers to work with:

1.No child labor or youth labor. Any manufacturer you choose to work with should follow all local laws and rules regarding working hours and working conditions for minors.

2.No involuntary labor. Manufacturers should not use involuntary labor, including slave labor, prison labor, indentured labor, or forced labor.

3.Humane working conditions. Partner with manufacturers who provide humane working hours for their employees and who do not use any form of physical or psychological coercion or intimidation against their workers.

4.Non-discrimination. There should be no tolerance for discrimination on the basis of age, gender, race, maternity or marital status, nationality or cultural, religious or personal beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, political opinion or otherwise in relation to hiring, wages, benefits, termination, or retirement.

5.Sustainability. Look for manufacturers who take measures to minimize any harmful environmental impact.

Etsy reviews all sellers who apply to work with third party manufacturers, and asks them to demonstrate their design process, their knowledge of the production process, and their willingness to be publicly transparent about how their items are made. However, Etsy cannot guarantee the conditions under which products listed for sale on Etsy were made. Etsy does not currently audit third-party manufacturers based on labor or other standards, and we do not require sellers to demonstrate that the materials incorporated into their products comply with the laws in the country or countries in which such suppliers do business. Etsy is not responsible for any manufacturers chosen by sellers.

https://www.etsy.com/help/article/4647

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Etsy Guidelines

Etsy is a marketplace where people around the world connect to buy and sell unique goods.

Everything on Etsy must be Handmade, Vintage, or a Craft Supply

Handmade items are designed and created by the shops that sell them. Because transparency matters on Etsy, we ask sellers to list shop members and share information about manufacturers involved in creating their items.

☛ Reselling an item you were not involved in creating is not allowed in our handmade category.

☛ Vintage items are 20 years or older and must not violate our rules for prohibited items.

☛ Craft Supplies are materials and tools intended for use in the creation of a new handmade item.

Prohibited items, services, and items that violate our intellectual property policies are not allowed on Etsy.

Etsy Shops are Independent Businesses

Anyone over the age of 18 can open a shop on Etsy. Younger shop owners may be allowed in certain circumstances.

Etsy shops have their own policies, payment methods, and shipping and fulfillment methods. Shops on Etsy must meet Etsy’s standards of customer service and honor their shop’s policies. In the unlikely event that a transaction does not go as planned, the buyer and seller should work together to reach a resolution. If they can’t reach a resolution, they can use Etsy’s case system.

Honesty is important to Etsy and our community. We ask that shop owners represent themselves, their business, and their items accurately.

Learn more about buying and selling on Etsy in our Seller Guidelines, Buyer Guidelines, and Community Guidelines.

Etsy’s Trust and Safety team may reach out to shops in violation of these guidelines. While we prefer to help you bring your shop into compliance with our rules, Etsy may close shops that do not comply.

We reserve the right to remove listings that aren’t in the letter or spirit of Etsy’s guidelines. Learn more about Etsy’s mission and values.

https://www.etsy.com/help/article/483

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Application Outline:

Describe yourself and your business

Let us know:
• Your business's origin and history
• How you developed your product line
• The people in your shop and how they work together

Describe how one of your items is made

Let us know:
• How you developed the concept
• Your design or prototype process
• Material sourcing and selection
• Any role you have in the production of your items
• Include photos describing each step in this process.

Tell us about your manufacturers

For each of your manufacturers, we will ask you a few questions.

Manufacturer name

You can't leave this blank.

Describe the manufacturer

Let us know:
• Why you chose this manufacturer
• How long you have worked together
• How you ensure the quality of your items
• If you've visited the facility
• Tools and equipment used to produce your items
• Any certifications (LEED, B-Corp, Fair Trade, etc.) or other notable characteristics

Public Manufacturer Information

Display manufacturer name publicly

Manufacturer location

Short About page description
250 characters

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Is there anything else we should know? Optional

Share any additional details about your business and your outside manufacturers that would help us review your answers.

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Be sure to go back and review the answers you provided. You can't make edits after you hit submit. We will contact you at [your email address here].

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Etsy Clarifies Guidelines on Outside Manufacturing
By Ina Steiner
EcommerceBytes.com
January 28, 2014

http://www.ecommercebytes.com/cab/abn/y14/m01/i28/s04

--- --- ---

Abramson also clarified that sellers did not need to apply to tell Etsy where they bought pre-made components. "If you buy the supplies you use to make your items from a retailer, you do not need to apply. You only need to apply to work with an outside manufacturing partner if they contribute to making your designs." --- I did not personally find this statement on Etsy's site; if someone does please post the link in this thread. Thanks.

She also revealed that Etsy had approved less than 50% of applications reviewed since the new policy took effect in the fall. --- also, I did not personally find this statement on Etsy's site. If true then over one half of the applications have been declined!

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Some Commonly Asked Questions

https://www.etsy.com/manufacture#review

--- --- ---

How do I know if I need to apply?

If you work with a manufacturer for any part of your production process, even if you finish the items, you should apply. Manufacturers you partner with, as well as any shop staff, must be shared on your shop's About page.

--- --- ---

Will my shop be shut down if I don't apply?

Every shop in the Etsy marketplace is expected to follow Etsy's Guidelines. If your shop is flagged or reported, Etsy's Marketplace Intergrity team will work with you to try and bring your shop into compliance with these policies.

--- --- ---

My manufacturer is a trade secret. Do I have to share that with Etsy?

The application does require the name and location of your manufacturer. However, the only part of your application that will be shared with the public is the section marked "public."

--- --- ---

Is Etsy going to investigate and certify manufacturers?

Etsy is not vetting manufacturers, but we do have ethical expectations for sellers to consider. We expect sellers to be very knowledgable about the manufacturers they work with, and to demonstrate that knowledge on the application.

--- --- ---

I don't know who makes my supplies. Is that a problem?

If you work with a manufacturer to make any part of your items, you should apply. Pre-made components and materials you did not design do not require approval.

[it seems like this is a big concern to some, as some have difficulty with the congruency of these two statements]

--- --- ---

Can I sell items I buy from a manufacturer?

No. You can't sell new items you had no role in creating as handmade. Learn more about our Seller Guidelines.

Seller Guidelines

https://www.etsy.com/help/article/4507?ref=manufacture

The word "transparent" is used often in the forum.

Maintain a Transparent Shop

Our marketplace is built on trust. It’s important that you represent yourself, your business, and your items accurately.

•Be sure to fill out your shop’s About page.

•Only list items in your shop that are for sale and fall into one of our three categories (handmade, vintage, or craft supplies).

•Items must be accurately represented in listings and listing photos. Buyers can submit reviews of items they have purchased.

•Respect the intellectual property of others. If you feel someone has violated your copyright, you can report it to Etsy.

•Do not use your shop’s features or tools to direct transactions off of Etsy.

•Do not sell prohibited items.

•For sellers of Handmade items:

•Do not resell items in our Handmade category.

•Describe every person involved in the making of an item in your shop.

•If you work with an outside manufacturer to make items that you have designed, we ask that you share additional information with Etsy and share information about the manufacturers you work with on your shop and listings. We also expect that you choose ethical manufacturing partners.

•For sellers of wholesale, digital, custom, mature, and charitable listings, we have some additional guidelines.

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Etsy quote:

'We also want to make it clear that you do not need to apply to tell us where you bought pre-made components. If you buy the supplies you use to make your items from a retailer, you do not need to apply. You only need to apply to work with an outside manufacturing partner if they contribute to making your designs."

SOURCE:

http://www.etsy.com/blog/news/2014/clarifying-our-guidelines-on-outside-manufacturing/?campaign_labe...

paragraph #3

--- --- ---

Do not need to apply for:

We also want to make it clear that you do not need to apply to tell us where you bought pre-made components.

Do not need to apply for:

If you buy the supplies you use to make your items from a retailer, you do not need to apply.

Do only need to apply for:

You only need to apply to work with an outside manufacturing partner if they contribute to making your designs.

--- --- ---

Do not need to apply for:

We also want to make it clear that you do not need to apply to tell us where you bought pre-made components.

[comment - "pre-made components" to not require an application?]

Do not need to apply for:

If you buy the supplies you use to make your items from a retailer, you do not need to apply.

[comment - "supplies purchased from a retailer" to not require an application?]


Do only need to apply for:

You only need to apply to work with an outside manufacturing partner if they contribute to making your designs.

[comment - "if an outside manufacturing partner contributes to making your designs?"

Make sense? My comments make sense to me and others I have chatted with but if you get contacted by Etsy about your need to apply please do so and consider my comments here as only my opinion or common sense style thinking statements.

I do suggest that having an About page is a good idea and helping your shoppers understand your process to the degree you can makes sense too!

The Forum thread is now at 30 pages and 1,382 posts:

https://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/13808625/page/30

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Just in case some did not get this email from Etsy CEO:

In case you had to miss our community Town Hall on Tuesday, here’s some of what you can expect from Etsy this year.

• Make it faster and easier to run your shop. We’ll improve the tools you use to manage listings, orders and shipping. We’ll work on making the layout of shops more conducive to sales.

• More options in customer service and support. We’re introducing live chat and expanding the topics covered by phone support. In many cases, we'll be able to provide you with a direct number to call us! We’re also speeding up our response times.

• Simpler policies and better protection. We’ve eliminated confusing exemptions on outside manufacturing. We're working with more shops to strengthen compliance with our policies. Keep an eye out for more education on copyright and trademark issues.

Watch the Video

https://www.etsy.com/townhall/2014/01/28?campaign_label=new_at_etsy&utm_source=adhoc&utm_campaign=ne...

If you didn’t have a chance to ask your question or share your suggestion yesterday, you can reach out to us.

Chad Dickerson
CEO, Etsy

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

I believe the business issue here is conceptual.

Please correct me if I am in error about what I present.

As a seller I can sell from my 1 shop 3 primary categories:

Handmade

Vintage

Supplies

If I find a true vintage item I can post a listing for it in the Vintage category.

If I have more supplies than I need I can post a listing for them in the Supplies category.

The items I personally hand craft I can post listings in the Handmade category.

Now if I can find a manufacturer that can do some of the work better than I can it would be good if I had a 4th option --- it would be good if I could post in a new category called Handmade with Manufacter. In the description I could comment on the Manufacter portion as appropriate.

This way I and other sellers too can offer products in these 4 primary categories.

Clear, brief, & concise. Buyers usually don't like to read too much confusing stuff!

For Etsy to be its best --- my suggestion is keep it simple, brief, and concise --- buyer friendly too!

For me and my thinking stating a shop uses a manufacturer in the About page states all listings have a component that is manufacured which may not be a true, accurate, and fair statement. The reason a listing has a primary category identifies what it is.

Would this be better? What do you think business-wise and buyer friendly about this?

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Handmade

Handmade with Manufacter

Vintage

Supplies

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

"Anyone who works with a third party to produce items they’ve designed will need to apply to sell those items on Etsy."

Example?

A seller creates a design and has a shower curtain made by an outside manufacturerer who ships to the buyer.

"We also want to make it clear that you do not need to apply to tell us where you bought pre-made components."

Example?

Things used to create products are called "raw materials" for the making of the product.

"If you buy the supplies you use to make your items from a retailer, you do not need to apply."

Example?

In most states in the USA if you purchase supplies from a retailer you pay sales tax because the retailer sells to you the end product user.

"You only need to apply to work with an outside manufacturing partner if they contribute to making your designs."

Example?

A seller creates a design and has a shower curtain made by an outside manufacturerer who ships to the buyer.

If you have arrived at a different conclusion from the confusiong please post; thanks.

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

This is not particularly relevant to this topic, yet I did not want to do this as another thread.

http://etsygadget.com/

This is suppose to help you. Anyone with experience; please post; thanks.

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

"So far, we have approved less than 50% of applications reviewed. (Applications may be rejected if they did not demonstrate authorship or responsibility, but also pertinence, for example describing a hypothetical new product or disclosing information about where supplies were purchased.)"

[comment: If less than 50% of applications have been approved, logically more than 50% of applications have been declined.]

"On average, the applicants have been selling on Etsy for about 2 years. Some are looking to broaden their product lines, like a fashion designer working with a cut-and-sew shop. And others are just complying with the new guidelines by sharing a more complete story about how their existing listings are made, like an illustrator using a print-on-demand service. Geographically, applications have come from a fairly representative sample of our sellers. We have received applications from 48 countries, and for about 80% of approved applications, the manufacturers are in the same country as the shops, highlighting the power of local manufacturing. We’ve also been proactively contacting sellers and asking them to fill out the application when we have reason to believe that they may partner with an outside manufacturer."

[Comment: 80% of manufacturers are in the same country as the seller.]

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

"Looking into 2014, we’re focusing on two areas we can improve upon — making the application easier to fill out and getting back to you sooner with the results of our review."

Unless a seller is contacted by Etsy, maybe wait for the easier to fill out application?

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Please note, that my comments here are mine and not Etsy's who will do what they decide to do.

[Timelesspeony]

I would like to comment on this situation that Etsy is trying to address. I want it noted that this is just my opinion.

Perhaps, I have the concept of reselling way out of proportion, but I thought reselling was when you as a company bought so many "items" from a different company and sold them exactly how they were and raised the price for you to make a profit Am I wrong?

Example:
Movie - Blue Jasmine sold on Amazon.Com is $19.96
Movie- BLue Jasmine sold on HotMovieSale.com - $18.04

Same mass produced movie, already made up and no adding anything! But sold on 2 different web sites!

I just used movies as an example because it was the first item that came to my mind. But, jewelry, dresses almost virtually everything can be mass produced and sold exactly the same but by different venues.

I can see how Etsy has or might call someone a reseller, if they were just a designer of the product and had the design massed produced by a manufacturer. The only hands on they had with the product was the design. Especially if they massed produced this product for wholesale for other companies to sell besides Etsy.

It is a very grey area Etsy is working with and unfortunately, their decision will affect those shops who actually have hands on more than just the design and need help only in a certain part of their work for completion.

I hope Etsy does it's homework and stays true to what Etsy is all about - handmade, vintage, and supplies!

Let me know if you think I am wrong on what actually constitutes a "reseller". I could definitely have the wrong impression!

Sherry

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Closed